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Euphorbia is a plant that is able to adapt to all conditions and, importantly, feels good in every corner of the world. They can be found almost everywhere outside the poles, i.e. in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. In Poland, spurgeons can be found in most homes. They are extremely popular because they do not require much effort and special care.
Spurgeons – species
The euphorbia moth forms a huge family of very popular plants. Their flowers are very different and it is difficult to combine its different varieties into one species. Unfortunately, the common trait is negative. These are toxins that are especially dangerous to children and pets.
You can meet about 30 species of spurge in Polish homes. The most popular of its varieties include:
- beautiful spurge (the so-called Bethlehem star or poinsettia),
- shiny spurge moth (the most characteristic feature of which are small, red-orange flowers),
- Three-ribbed spurge with thick stems, the edges of which are covered with spines.
The golden spurge is also popular in Poland. The name comes from its golden inflorescences.
Among the species of spurge, the spherical and small spotted eagle deserves attention. Small flowers appear on its top in summer. Another species is the finger spurge, which can grow up to 2 meters at home, and grows much larger in the wild. It looks like a coral and has a very decorative character.
Find out more: The seven most poisonous plants
Euphorbia poisoning
Spurgeons have a very decorative appearance. Unfortunately, it must not be forgotten that, regardless of their place of origin or size, each of them is poisonous.
The poisonous element of the spurge is juice. It is white and dense. It is located in different places of the spurge, depending on its variety. We find it equally in the roots, stems or leaves. Euphorbine juice contains euphorbic acid, euphorbine and cyanogenic compounds.
If they enter our stomach, unpleasant ailments appear:
- vomiting,
- nausea,
- diarrhea.
It is rare for the juice to cause more serious discomfort, because spurgeon juice has a very specific taste and it is hard to swallow enough to cause serious harm.
If the spurge’s sap comes in contact with the skin, it may become inflamed, blistered and ulcerated.
The poisonous spurge is the aforementioned star of Bethlehem, which can be dangerous for allergy sufferers because it contains latex.
Also read: Poison ivy (Toxidendron radicans)
Euphorbia – application
Spurgeons have been used for a long time e.g. in Mexico or Guatemala in medicine. These plants were used in the treatment of various ailments and ailments, such as in the case of insect bites, when the sore bite was covered with spurge moth leaves, rubbing them first, or applying them to skin lesions or eczema.
Euphorbia leaves have also been used to induce vomiting. Euphorbia was also a traditional herb used in folk medicine to treat hay fever, sinusitis, rash, constipation, eczema and corns.
Interestingly, the spurge’s juice helped in removing unnecessary body hair, and this plant was even used to stop pregnancy, although it often resulted in very serious poisoning and in extreme cases even death of women who were brave enough to use these herbs.
However, it must be admitted that the spurge also had a positive effect on human health. The bitter substances found in these plants act as: aiding the digestive process (intestinal peristalsis); a much better blood supply to the organs that are involved in it, it in turn improves the appetite, salivation and the production of bile and gastric juices.
In addition, the bitter substances found in the euphorbia mites show anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant and antibacterial effects. while enhancing our immunity. What’s more, bitter substances are very often used as one of the ingredients of various preparations for warts, ulcers, diarrhea, constipation, gastric colic, eczema or various inflammatory diseases.
It is also worth adding that studies conducted on spurgeons indicate that these plants can be extremely effective in the treatment of some form of skin cancer. This is due to the combined effects of the aforementioned bitter substances and terpenes, i.e. the group that is a component of the milk-based spurge.
More specifically, plant components such as diterpenes and triterpenes are the basis of essential oils in these plants and are able to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Bitter substances strengthen our immune system and support the body in destroying cancer cells, and when combined with terpenes, their effect is enhanced.
Besides, terpenes themselves, in addition to their anti-cancer properties, can help fight various deadly diseases. According to specialists, they show antibiotic effects and stimulate the production of mucus, which has a beneficial effect on our respiratory tract. Additionally, it removes harmful germs and allergens from the body, such as, for example, dust or pollen, and the mucus that is secreted in larger amounts can soothe irritations of the mucosa.
Of course, terpenes have even greater applications, as they are used to treat the aforementioned runny nose, cough or otitis media and sinusitis.
However, it should not be forgotten that terpenes, due to their acidic ingredients, i.e. terpene esters, can be very bothersome for us. This is due to the fact that too high concentration of these acids can cause very strong irritation of the skin or mucosa, and as a consequence can lead to serious disturbances in the functioning of organs.
With this in mind, let’s remember not to use the spurge on your own. There are various preparations available on the market that contain the ingredients of this plant, but we should only use them after consulting a doctor.
The treatment uses milky juice from the spurge, but it is prepared beforehand by drying it. In this way, spine moth resins are obtained. A special variety of this plant, Euphorbia resinifera, is used in homeopathy.
Remember that when working with the spurge, be it at home or in the garden, we should wear gloves for our own safety.
We also recommend: Seven healthy foods that can be poisonous
Spurgeons – who is it threatening?
The euphorbia is a threat especially to small children and pets. Therefore, if we have plants from the spurge group at home and suddenly our child or dog begins to vomit, or blisters appear on the child’s hands, it may indicate spurge poisoning.
It is worth checking if the child has swallowed the leaf or licked the juice flowing from the damaged parts of the plant. In any case, it is worth rinsing the irritated places and see a doctor.
It is worth adding that our cats are particularly sensitive to various toxic substances, as they love to bite and gnaw houseplants, which, especially in the case of euphoria, may turn out to be tragic. The previously mentioned star of Bethlehem (Euphorbia pulcherrima) can cause poisoning and severe vomiting in our pet, if it bites its leaves or licks the juice from a damaged plant.
We should remember to place the pots with these beautiful, but how dangerous plants far from the beds or bowls of our pets. It is worth knowing that the poisonous substances of the spurge are also found in their inconspicuous seeds (e.g. red spotted euphorbia) and can sleep from the plant to the floor, just where our pet or child will have easy access to it. Therefore, let’s take this into account when choosing these plants for our homes.
Remember that the spill milk juice does not dissolve in water, so it is best to wash it off with milk or cream emulsions.
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- Wolfberry – health properties, symptoms of poisoning
- Crazy poisonous – symptoms of poisoning
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