Euphorbia hirta, also called asthma weed, and known as tawa-tawa in the Philippines

Philippines

The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

, is a plant of the genus Euphorbia.

Uses

It is used traditionally in the Philippines as a curative for dengue fever. In Indonesia, papaya leaves are made into tea traditionally (see jamu

Jamu

Jamu is traditional medicine in Indonesia. It is predominantly herbal medicine made from natural materials, such as parts of plants such as roots, leaves and bark, and fruit...

) to cure dengue fever.

Mixed messages have been presented by representatives of the Philippine government. The Department of Health (DOH) says tawa-tawa is not enough for critical dengue patients, and urges oral rehydration therapy

Oral rehydration therapy

Oral rehydration therapy is a simple treatment for dehydration associated with diarrhoea, particularly gastroenteritis or gastroenteropathy, such as that caused by cholera or rotavirus. ORT consists of a solution of salts and sugars which is taken by mouth...

. Others, like former Health Secretary Jaime Galvez Tan, is actively promoting the herbal medication. It must be noted there is a large difference between cases of dengue without hemorrhagic fever and those with, along with the 4 serotypes, recommended treatment may vary depending on the specific presentation of dengue.