consumed three times a day. In Tamahu, it is likewise sug- 
gested that fresh ixbut leaves be eaten, uncooked, like a salad. 
In another portion of this same report, fresh ixbut leaves are 
recommended as a cure for sexual impotence, in the village of 
San Cristobal Verapaz. 
By 1945, Euphorbia lancifolia had been introduced to Cuba 
(8), where it was recommended as a galactagogue. Just as in 
Guatemala, it was reported in Cuba that ‘‘isbut’’ could increase 
lactation up to 100% in nursing mothers. 
In 1949, Dr. Manuel Serrano, a botanist, chemist and pioneer 
in the serious testing and utilization of ixbut in Guatemala, 
reported ona series of controlled tests that had been carried out 
ona group of nursing mothers at or near the General Hospital in 
Guatemala City — in collaboration with Merck & Co., Inc. 
(11). Of the 86 postpartum women tested, 54 showed an abun- 
dant increase in the production of milk after taking ixbut. In 
some cases, mothers who during earlier parturitions had been 
unable to nurse, were able to do so effectively after drinking an 
herbal tea of ixbut for several days. In one case, following a 
Caesarean section, the milk secretion had been almost 
nonexistent: 48 hours after the administration of ixbut, how- 
ever, the lactic secretion increased to such an extent that not 
only was the child thoroughly satisfied, but the excess of 
mother’s milk soaked the sheets during the night. 
The results of the ixbut tests were carefully checked by Dr. 
Serrano. The duration of the therapy was usually from 3 to 5 
days. The parts of the ixbut plant utilized were those above the 
ground, i.e., the stems, leaves and flowers — but not the roots. 
The average dose of ixbut given to the women: 5 leaves or 5 
sections of stem (about 5 grams) were brewed to make a cup of 
herbal tea; then 6 cups of ixbut tea were given daily to each 
patient. 
The chemical analysis of the mothers’ milk carried out be- 
fore and after the intake of ixbut showed that the quality of the 
milk did not undergo any notable change in its composition, 
even though the ixbut may have excited additional secretion. 
Dr. Serrano cautioned that the ixbut tea should not be al- 
lowed to ferment: when it turns yellow, it should be discarded 
since it might cause diarrhea. 
282 
