Euphorbia antiquorum 火殃簕

POISONOUS PARTS

Latex, stems and leaves.^4,5

TOXICITY

• Toxic Constituents

  3-O-Angeloylingenol.⁵

• Mechanism

  3-O-Angeloylingenol in latex is an irritant to skin, eyes and mucosal surface.^4,5

• Poisoning Features

  Skin contact: irritant contact dermatitis. Eye contact: keratoconjunctivitis, blindness in severe cases. Ingestion: vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, muscle twitching, coma.^4,5

• Poisoning Events

  Multiple cases of keratoconjunctivitis and uveitis after accidental ocular exposure to the latex of different Euphorbia species have been reported worldwide. Most patients recovered uneventfully, but blindness could occur.^6–8

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT

Supportive treatment. For skin and ocular exposure, affected area could be irrigated with water.⁹

IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

Small trees, 1–3 m tall, with milky juice, succulent. Stems and branches 3–5-angled. Leaves caducous; leaf blades 2–5 × 1–2 cm; stipules in pairs, 2–5 mm long, spiny. Cyathia usually 3 forming a cyme borne on leaf scar; involucres 5-lobed, lobes margin denticulate. Male flowers numerous. Female flowers solitary, styles 2-lobed at apex. Capsules 3.4–4 × 4–5 mm, triangular-oblate.¹⁰

MEDICINAL USES

Uses in TCM—stems: clear dampness-heat, induce diuresis and relieve constipation, disperse swelling and draw out toxin, kill parasites and relieve itching; leaves: purge heat and remove stagnation, activate blood and remove toxin. Recommended dose: stems 1–3 g, leaves 3–6 g.^2,11,12