Madwoman's Milk
Euphorbia helioscopia

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

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.

Height (m): 0.4

Where it is found

Common in cultivated ground throughout Britain to an altitude of 450 metres.

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

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young stems - cooked. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young leaves are used as a tea substitute.

Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.

Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicine

Rating: 2

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

Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.

Antiperiodic: Counteracts recurring illnesses such as malaria.

Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.

Cholera: Used in the treatment of cholera - an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Prefers a light well-drained moderately rich loam in an open position. Succeeds in dry soils. Hybridizes with other members of this genus. The ripe seed is released explosively from the seed capsules. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits. This genus has been singled out as a potential source of latex (for making rubber) for the temperate zone, although no individual species has been singled out.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or late summer in situ. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness:

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

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. Prolonged and regular contact with the sap is inadvisable because of its carcinogenic nature.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

E. lunulata.