Common Name:

General Information

Euphorbia grantii is a semi-succulent, few-stemmed shrub or a sparingly branched small tree; it can grow from 1.5 - 9 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is sometimes grown as a hedge and as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant are poisonous[]. The latex may cause rupturing of the cornea if it comes into contact with the eyes, and poisoning in people and animals if ingested[]. It has a severely irritant effect upon the skin and mucosa[].
The principle toxic constituents in Euphorbia species are diterpenes present in the milky latex[].
The latex is sometimes added to Acokanthera schimperi when making an arrow poison[].

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - DR Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia.

Habitat

Sandy or rocky soils, in open woodland, and on rocky hillsides, at elevations up to 1,750 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Although toxic, the milky latex is used medicinally. The diluted latex is drunk to treat infections of tapeworm and other intestinal worms[].
The latex is applied to wounds in order to promote blood clotting and tissue healing[]. It is warmed by placing a section of the stem in hot ashes, and is then applied as ear drops to treat earache[].

A leaf decoction, the roasted leaves or the leaf sap mixed with beer is taken to treat gonorrhoea[].

The roots are a strong purgative and are given to children to chew to treat stomach complaints, whereas adults chew the roots as an emetic to treat epilepsy, poisoning and snakebites[]. The ground roots are eaten in a porridge to treat constipation[]. The stems are used as a tonic, being mixed with soup and given to new mothers after labour[].

The stems are taken as a recreational stimulating drug by the Maasai people[].
Stem ash is applied to sores caused by leprosy[].

Several 3-methoxyflavone compounds, including 3-O-methylquercetin, have been isolated from the stems. These have been shown to possess potent antiviral activity against picornaviruses such as polio-, coxsackie- and rhino-viruses, and also against vesicular stomatitis virus at low concentrations and with minimal cytotoxicity[].
In-vivo bioassays have shown that 3-O-methylquercetin also has anti-inflammatory activity, with up to 55% and 31% inhibition of acute and chronic inflammation, respectively[].
Due to its multiple bioactivities, and the absence of ciliotoxicity towards nasal cilia, 3-O-methylquercetin has shown potential as a nasal antirhinoviral drug to treat the common cold[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is sometimes grown as a hedge[].

Other Uses

All parts of the plant exude an abundant latex if injured[]. The rubber content of the latex is low, around 2.5 - 6.9% of the dry latex[].

Propagation

Seed -

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