Euphorbia peplus

Euphorbia peplus, Euphorbiaceae, Glycosides, alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols, phorbic acid, tannins, milky sap (which contains euphorvone, euphorvine, resins, gums, saponins)
Euphorbia peplus, Euphorbiaceae, Glycosides, alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols, phorbic acid, tannins, milky sap (which contains euphorvone, euphorvine, resins, gums, saponins)Euphorbia peplus, Euphorbiaceae, Glycosides, alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols, phorbic acid, tannins, milky sap (which contains euphorvone, euphorvine, resins, gums, saponins)Euphorbia peplus, Euphorbiaceae, Glycosides, alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols, phorbic acid, tannins, milky sap (which contains euphorvone, euphorvine, resins, gums, saponins)Euphorbia peplus, Euphorbiaceae, Glycosides, alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols, phorbic acid, tannins, milky sap (which contains euphorvone, euphorvine, resins, gums, saponins)Euphorbia peplus, Euphorbiaceae, Glycosides, alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols, phorbic acid, tannins, milky sap (which contains euphorvone, euphorvine, resins, gums, saponins)Euphorbia peplus, Euphorbiaceae, Glycosides, alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols, phorbic acid, tannins, milky sap (which contains euphorvone, euphorvine, resins, gums, saponins)Euphorbia peplus, Euphorbiaceae, Glycosides, alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols, phorbic acid, tannins, milky sap (which contains euphorvone, euphorvine, resins, gums, saponins)
Botanical Nomenclature Euphorbia peplus
Common Name Cancer Weed, Milkweed, Petty Spurge, Radium Weed
Taxonomy- Family Euphorbiaceae
Distinguishing Features of the Plant Euphorbia peplus is a perennial, herbaceous plant growing from 5 to 30cm, with small, lanceolate, opposite, green leaves and small flowers in cup-shaped inflorescences. The flowering and the harvesting take place from July to September
Region Found Ioannina (Gramos, Pindos, Smolikas, Vikos-Aoos), Arta (Tzoumerka)
Part of the Plant with Active Substances Roots, seeds, leaves
Active Substances Glycosides, alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols, phorbic acid, tannins, milky sap (which contains euphorvone, euphorvine, resins, gums, saponins)
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications The plant is administered in the form of herbal tea as diuretic, laxative and emollient. It is also used for the treatment of asthma and bronchitis, as it relaxes the smooth muscles of bronchi. It is recommended against dry cough, runny nose, laryngospasm and liver diseases. In many countries of Western Europe it is used as expectorant, anthelmintic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory and it is administered in the form of herbal tea made from the dried leaves against diarrhea, dysentery, runny nose and flu. Currently, studies are conducted to prove the potential use of the plant against cancer.
Method of Administration The plant is administered as laxative and expectorant in the form of herbal tea (half spoon of dried leaves in a cup of boiled water, 3-4 times a day), while in folk medicine it is recommended as laxative and emetic in the form of herbal tea (6-10 seeds or leaves of the plant in 100mL of boiled water, 2-3 times daily)
Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions.
Toxicity- Adverse Effects Nausea, vomiting, irritation of the eyes and the skin.
References 1) Bιβλίο: Τα φαρμακευτικά βότανα και οι θεραπευτικές τους ιδιότητες, Λάμπρου Π. Σπύρου, Αγροτικός εκδοτικός οίκος, Αθήνα 1981, Α' τόμος, σελίδες: 175-176 2)Βιβλίο: Οδηγός των φαρμακευτικών φυτών, Paul Schauenberg, Ferdinand Paris, Εκδότης Μ. Γκιούρδας, Αθήνα 1981, σελίδες 257, 3)http://www.liveandfeel.com/articles/euphorbia-peplus-is-a-good-remedy-for-sunburns-3279 4)http://fairdinkumseeds.com/products-page/ethnobotanical-or-medicinal-plants/cancer-radium-weed-euphorbia-peplus-petty-spurge-seeds/ 5)https://jjjtir.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/j-1365-2133-2010-10184-x.pdf