A putative treatment for euphorbia SAP-burn in Humans

摘要

The white latex of many euphorbs, but particularly from some species of Euphorbia, especially E. virosa Willd. and E. tirucalli L., is quite toxic to humans if ingested or spilt on the skin. Latex of species such as E. tirucalli produces a burning sensation on the skin and may result in localised blistering (pers. obs.) and is reputed to cause blindness and severe skin rashes in extreme cases (Hargreaves, 1984). The latex of E. virosa is so toxic that it was used as arrow poison (Brewerton, 1975).