PDR for Herbal Medicines

242/CYPRESS

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The drug is used externally for head colds,

coughs and bronchitis.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-

tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.

Kidney irritation is likely with intake of larger dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Occasionally, Cypress is used

externally as an ointment.

LITERATURE

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde 1-8, Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Cypress Spurge

Euphorbia cypahssias

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the

flowering plant with the root.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in terminal cymes. They

are yellow-green but usually red after flowering. What

appear to be flowers are in fact inflorescences. In the jug-

shaped invulucres there is 1 hanging pistil with a 3 valved

ovary and 3 styles each with 2 stigmas and numerous

stamens. Four half-moon-shaped nectaries are at the edge.

The fruit is covered in small papilla.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is about 15 to 30 cm high.

The stem is erect, unbranched, and glabrous. The leaves are

alternate, sessile, linear, entire-margined and very narrow on

the non-flowering branches.

Characteristics: The entire plant contains white latex, which

is poisonous.

Habitat: Indigenous to Europe and Mediterranean.

Production: Cypress Spurge herb and root is the whole plant

in flower and root of Euphorbia cyparissias.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Diterpenes: ingenan-di- and triester, for example 13-hy-
droxy-ingenol-3-(2,3-dimethylbutyryl)-13- dodecanoate, 13-
hydroxy - ingenol - 5 - (2,3-dimethylbutyryl)-13-dodecanoate,
13-hydroxy-ingenol-3-(2,3-dimethylbutyryl)-13-decanoate

Triterpenes

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

EFFECTS

The diterpene esters in the drug are severely toxic, a strong

irritant, drastically purgative and encourage growth of

tumors.

In animal tests and in vitro there are indications of a

cytotoxic, non-specific immune-stimulating, antiphlogistic

and strongly laxative effect.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: In folk medicine Cypress Spurge is used

internally for constipation, toothache and as a diuretic

(macerate). It is used externally for warts and corns

(ointment).

Homeopathic Uses: Euphorbia cyparissias is used for

diseases of the respiratory organs, diarrhea, and skin

diseases.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

The Ingenan esters are severely inflammatory in their effect

and cocarcinogenic. Administration of the drug should be

avoided because of the cocarcinogenic effect.

A particular danger exists with the chyle of the freshly

harvested plant, but the ingenan ester retains its efficacy

even after drying, which means that the drug also is acutely

toxic. If it gets on the skin, the chyle causes reddening,

itching, burning and blisters.

In the eye, the chyle leads to swelling of the lids,

conjunctival inflammation and corneal defects. If taken

internally, the chyle in the drug causes burning in the mouth

and vomiting. Very high dosages cause pupil enlargement,

dizziness, stupor, painful bowel movements, cardiac rhythm

disorders and ultimately collapse. Skin contact with the chyle

requires thorough cleaning. Contact with the eye requires

thorough rinsing with water. Following stomach and

intestinal emptying, the treatment of poisonings is carried out

symptomatically.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Cypress Spurge is used only in

homeopathic dilutions.

Daily Dosage: Macerate/decoction: 0.5 to 1 gm daily

Homeopathic Dosage: from D4: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10

globules every 30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily

(chronic); From D6 parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc acute: 3 times

daily; chronic: once a day. Children should be given a

weaker dose (HAB1)

LITERATURE

Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur

Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss.

Verlagsges. mbH Stuttgart 1997.