Madwoman's Milk

Euphorbia helioscopia

Physical Characteristics

Euphorbia helioscopia is a ANNUAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in). It is in flower from May to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Europe, including Britain, south to the Mediterranean and east to central Asia.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Stem Edible Uses: Tea Young stems - cooked[177, 179, 183]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young leaves are used as a tea substitute[177, 183].

Medicinal Uses

Anthelmintic Antiperiodic Cancer Cholera Febrifuge Antiperiodic[178]. The leaves and stems are febrifuge and vermifuge[218]. The root is anthelmintic[240]. The plant is cathartic[240]. It has anticancer properties[218]. The milky sap is applied externally to skin eruptions[240]. The seeds, mixed with roasted pepper, have been used in the treatment of cholera[240]. The oil from the seeds has purgative properties[240].

Known Hazards

The sap contains a latex which is toxic on ingestion and highly irritant externally, causing photosensitive skin reactions and severe inflammation, especially on contact with eyes or open cuts. The toxicity can remain high even in dried plant material[200]. Prolonged and regular contact with the sap is inadvisable because of its carcinogenic nature[214].