> Supplement Index > Spurge / Euphorbia corollata / Flowering Spurge / Blooming Spurge / Milkweed / White Pursley / Tramp’s Spurge > Spurge General Information Spurge Uses & Scientific Evidence For Spurge Dosage Information Spurge Safety & Interaction Information - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Spurge General Information There are various species of Spurge and many of them have medicinal qualities. Asthma Spurge (Euphorbia hirta) also called Pillbearing Spurge, is a flowering plant with oval leaves and is found throughout the tropics. It has anti-amebic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiasthmatic, expectorant, and sedative properties. Caper Spurge (Euphorbia lathyrus) is common in Europe, Asia, and North America, has heart-shaped leaves, small green flowers, and green fruit, and is a violent purgative. Da Ji (Euphoriba pekinensis) grows in China and has small clusters of flowers. The root is a purgative. Flowering Spurge (Euphorbia corollata) has several tiny male flowers with a single large female bloom. It thrives in dry, rocky prairies, open woodlands, fields, and roadsides. Flowering Spurge has diaphoretic, expectorant, and strong emetic properties. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Spurge Uses & Scientific Evidence For Flowering Spurge root is used as a laxative, and for the treatment of rheumatism. As one might guess, Asthma Spurge is used for treating asthma, but it also works well for treating bronchitis and other respiratory tract conditions. In Mexico, the leaves are used for inflammations of the digestive tract and diarrhea. As a topical, the leaves work well for skin inflammations, and the sap is used on warts, snake bites, vaginitis, sores, and wounds. Oil from the seeds of Caper Spurge have been used for purging the system. The milky latex of the Caper variety can be used topically as a depilatory (hair removal) and for removing corns. The root can be used to expel intestinal worms. Da Ji is such a strong purgative that when it is used, it is done so for serious illnesses only, such as pleurisy and ascites (excessive abdominal fluid), and kidney problems, such as nephritis. Externally, it is used on inflamed sores and helps reduce swelling. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Spurge Dosage Information Spurge comes in various forms and is an ingredient in many products; however, the actions of many varieties are so toxic that it is best to use it only under the supervision of a physician. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Spurge Safety & Interaction Information Many species of Euphorbia are used as arrow poisons and are not intended for human health, therefore, it is extremely important that proper identification and its correct usage is followed. Caper Spurge is rarely used in contemporary herbal medicine due to its violent purgative action. According to Chinese research, Da Ji is therapeutic in treating ascites and nephritis; however, there are significant side effects. It is best to used Da Ji only under a doctor’s supervision. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - -