PDR for Herbal Medicines

716 /SPURGE PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Spurge

Euphorbia resinifera

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the milky

resin that is exuded when cuts are made into this plant.

Flower and Fruit: The inflorescence is arranged in a

dichasium above the thorn-bearing scales. They are typical

cyathia of the Euphorbia species, which have one female and

a number of male flowers surrounded by 5 greenish-yellow-

ish, tubularly fused bracts. The female flower has a 3-

carpeled ovary with 3 styles: the male flower consists of only

I stamen. The fruit separates into 3 mericarps.

Leaves, Stem and Root: This diclinous, monoecious leafless

shrub has the appearance of cactus and grows to a height of

up to 2.5 m. The trunk is thick at the base, and only slightly

branched higher up. The diameter of the 3- or 4-edged,

fleshy branches is approximately 2 cm. There are scales at

intervals of l cm at the edges, each with 2 short thorns,

which are splayed and approximately 5 mm long.

Characteristics: The plant produces a milk Jatex when the

surface is scored.

Habitat: The shrub grows in the folds of the Great Atlas

Mountains in Morocco and also in North America and the

Canary Islands.

Production: Gum euphorbium or Spurge is the air-dried

latex of Euphorbia resinifera. The plant is cut in late summer

to produce the latex.

Other Names: Poisonous Gum-Thistle, Dergmuse, Dark-

mous, Gum Euphorbium

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Diterpenes: diterpene esters of the ingenan-, tiglic- and

daphnan-types (0.1 to 2%): resinifera factors RL 1 to RL 23,

among them resiniferatoxin, 12-desoxyphorbol-13-isobuty-

rate-20-acetate, 12-Desoxyphorbol-13-phenylacetate-20-ace-

tate

Triterpenes: particularly alpha- and beta-euphorbol, beta-

amyrin, resiniferol

Fruit acids: including malic acid, succinic acid, citric acid

Resins (40%)

Polyterpenes

EFFECTS
The diterpene esters contained in the drug have laxative and
non-specific immunostimulating effects. Severe skin and |

mucous membrane irritation arises in conjunction with

topical administration.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Use of the medication has been discontinued because of the

related dangers. Because of its harsh effects, the plant's resin

is no longer administered internally despite its properties as a

strong emetic and laxative.

Unproven Uses: External uses in folk medicine have

included application to remove proliferating flesh, warts and

malignant ulcers, as well as for chronic inflammatory

conditions. It was also used as a plaster for gout. Internal

uses included the treatment of dropsy, chronic headaches,

and ear or eye complaints.

Homeopathic Uses: The drug is used homeopathically for

acute inflammation of the respiratory tract and skin.

Indian Medicine: Uses include constipation and menstrual

complaints and also as an abortifacient. Because of the

danger of rapid intoxication, the drug's use is not advised.

Efficacy for these indications has not been proven.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

. The drug is severely irritating to mucous membranes and -
skin. Ingestion leads to salivation, burning pains in the
stomach, colic, diarrhea and nephritis. One case of death has
been reported. Chronic application of the drug promotes
tumor formation, so its administration in human medicine is
no longer advised.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Administration of preparations of
Spurge are no longer recommended.
How Supplied: Skin stimulating ointment: 5% drug content
Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet, 10 globules every 30
to 60 minutes (acute from D4) and 1 to 3 times daily
(chronic); parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc; IV; IM acute: 3 times
daily; chronic once a day (HAB1); children are given special
doses.

Storage: Due to the plant's poisonous nature, store securely.

LITERATURE

Blaschek W, Hansel R, Keller K, Reichling J, Rimpler G,

Schneider G (Eds), Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen

Praxis. Folgebande 1 und 2. Drogen A-Z. Springer. Berlin,

Heidelberg 1998.

Hergenhahn M, Kusumoto S, Hecker E, New constituents of

Euphorbia resinifera Berg. Acta Chem Scand, 108:3609, 1984.

Hergenhahn M, Kusumoto S, Hecker E, On the active

principles of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). V. Extremely

skin-irritant and moderately tumor-promoting diterpene esters

from Euphorbia resinifera Berg. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol,

108:98-109, 1984.