Common Name:

General Information

Euphorbia neoglaucescens is an evergreen, succulent shrub or a tree.
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

The latex is used as a fish poison[].

Botanical References

Range

East tropical Africa - Tanzania.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The juice of fresh, crushed leaves is drunk to treat excessive menstruation and as a purgative; a leaf decoction with lime juice, baking soda and honey added is drunk to treat asthma. The ashes of dried leaves are mixed with water and applied to treat leprosy.

A root bark extract is taken with sugar to treat severe cough and tuberculosis; a root extract is used as ear drops to treat earache[].

A few drops of latex are put on 1 - 2 peanuts and eaten as a purgative[].


This species is morphologically similar to Euphorbia pereskiifolia; it has similar medicinal uses as detailed below:-

Although it is a highly poisonous plant, traditional doctors have used a leaf decoction, mixed with lemon juice, baking soda and honey, effectively in the treatment of asthma for decades with no adverse effects. The leaves are reported to be a strong purgative. Women suffering from excessive menstruation drink the juice of fresh crushed leaves. Leprosy is treated with the ash of dried burnt leaves[].

The latex is highly irritating to the skin and mucous membranes, causing blisters and pain. Several peanuts dipped into the latex are eaten as a drastic purgative. Boils are treated with the latex[].

Roots also contain the strong latex, and a cold water extract of peeled roots is mixed with sugar and left standing for three days, after which it is drunk against heavy coughs and tuberculosis[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings root easily. They need to be stored in light shade for a few days to dry before being planted, or else they will rot. It is best to plant the cuttings when the rain is about to stop, in a well-drained soil[].

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