Euphorbia lathyris

Euphorbia lathyris
Family:Euphorbia lathyris; Abortifacient; Antiseptic; Cancer; Diuretic; Emetic; Purgative; Warts.
Common name:Caper spurge
Caper spurge was used in the past as a violent purgative whilst the rubefacient action of the leaves was employed by beggars to raise unsightly sores on their skins to elicit pity and thereby obtain more money. All parts of the plant are emetic and purgative and the plant is nowadays considered to be far too toxic for it to be used medicinally. The latex in the stems has been used externally as a depilatory and to remove corns but it is too irritant to be used safely. The seed is diuretic parasiticide and purgative. It has been used in the treatment of dropsy oedema tumours amenorrhoea schistosomiasis scabies and snake bites. The fresh seed has an antitumor action effective against acute lymphocytic and granulocytic leukaemia. The plant has anticancer activity. It is also antiseptic cathartic emetic and purgative. Use the plant with caution. One seed capsule is said to cause catharsis several to cause an abortion.

Herbal Database

01.01.2005 03:13 []