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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied. |
CAUTION: All Euphorbias are TOXIC if eaten; the sap (latex) is a serious skin and eye irritant. Incompatible with licorice....DO NOT COMBINE! Dangerous herb....NOT for home use! Experimentally hypoglycemic. Herb relaxes bronchioles but seems to depress the heart and general respiration. Toxic doses have killed small animals through RESPIRATORY FAILURE. |
NOTE: E. helioscopia is cited by Michael Tierra, MH, as being as safe to use as E. hirta. |
NB: A test done in China using a 20% preparation of the neutral saponins from this herb were injected intramuscularly for the treatment of cancer of the esophagus. More than half of the 64 patients studied either were completely cured or markedly improved. Results whose esophageal tumors remained unreduced in size were able to swallow food more easily. It is believed that the tumors may have been softened by the saponins in the herb. |