Common Name:

General Information

Euphorbia hypericifolia is an annual or perennial plant with spreading or erect branches. It can grow up to 60cm tall[].
The plant is commonly used in many parts of the world in the treatment of a wide variety of gastro-intestinal disorders. It is widely traded in the United States, in both tablet and powder form, mainly to treat bowel disorders. It is also traded internationally through the internet[].

Known Hazards

Although we have seen no specific information for this plant, the latex in most, if not all Euphorbias is caustic and toxic - skin contact often causing irritation and blistering; contact with the eyes causing temporary or even permanent blindness; whilst ingestion can cause purging or more severe problems[].

Botanical References

Range

Throughout the tropical and subtropical Americas from Argentina to the southern states of the USA.

Habitat

Aong roadsides, stony river sides, in waste places and as a weed in cultivation, at elevations from sea-level up to 600 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Originally from tropical America, the plant has spread as a weed into many areas of the tropics[],

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The principal use of this plant in tropical and subtropical America is in a decoction or infusion of the leaves and roots for the treatment of a wide variety of gastro-intestinal disorders with watery and mucous discharges. It is also used in the treatment of gonorrhoea, menorrhagia, leucorrhoea, pneumonia and bronchitis. The leaves have a sweetish taste, followed by a sensation of harshness[].

The latex is taken in water as a purgative[].
The latex is applied as a caustic on cuts and wounds[]

A vapour bath of the leaf decoction is applied to treat headache.[].

The plant is considered astringent and calming. A plant decoction is taken to treat diarrhoea, dysentery and colic[].

From the aerial parts aliphatic alcohols have been isolated as have the sterols taraxerol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campestol and the flavonoids kaemferol, quercetin, quercetrin (quercetin-3-rhamnoside), rhamnetin-3-galactoside, rhamnetin-3-rhamnoside and ellagic acid[].
Leaf extracts showed significant growth inhibitory effect against Aspergillus flavus in vitro, and also inhibited the production of aflatoxins almost completely, with greater inhibition at higher concentrations[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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