Croton tiglium

Croton tiglium, commonly known as the "milk bush," is a significant medicinal plant native to tropical regions. Renowned for its milky latex, it is used in traditional medicine to treat skin ailments, inflammation, and digestive issues. This versatile species holds great potential for pharmacological research and therapeutic applications.

  • Scientific name: Croton tiglium
  • Family: Euphorbiaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Ultimately, the medicinal species is identified by its genus, Croton.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Malpighiales WCVP
Family Euphorbiaceae WCVP
Genus Croton WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Croton tiglium, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Chinese, it is referred to as 巴豆 (zh-hans), 巴豆 (zh-hant), and 巴豆 (zh-hk). In Sri Lanka, the Sinhala name for this species is ජාපාල (si), while in the Malayalam-speaking regions of India, it is known as നീർ വാളം (ml).
Language Common Name Source
zh-hans 巴豆 Wikidata
zh-hant 巴豆 Wikidata
zh-hk 巴豆 Wikidata
si ජාපාල Wikidata
ml നീർ വാളം Wikidata
ja ハズ Wikidata
vi Ba đậu Wikidata
fr Croton cathartique Wikidata
ru Кротон слабительный Wikidata
az İşlədici kroton Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range across various regions of East Asia. Within China, its presence is noted in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. The species also extends its distribution to the island of Taiwan. Furthermore, its habitat encompasses parts of Eastern Asia, specifically including Japan. Together, these locations define the natural footprint of Croton tiglium.

Region Area Source
China China South-Central WCVP
China Hainan WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Eastern Asia Japan WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Assam WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Bangladesh WCVP
Indian Subcontinent East Himalaya WCVP
Indian Subcontinent India WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Maldives WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Croton tiglium, possesses distinct medicinal properties derived from its specific anatomical components. The leaves are notable for their large, lustrous appearance and are often utilized in traditional applications for their chemical constituents. Most significantly, the seeds are the primary source of croton oil, a potent substance extracted through pressing, which is widely recognized for its powerful purgative effects in pharmacological practices.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
5
Plant Part Sources Confidence
seeds 4 ★★☆☆☆
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Croton tiglium has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 12-O-Acetylphorbol-13-decanoate, 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, 12-O-acetylphorbol 13-decanoate, 12-O-acetylphorbol-13-decanoate, crotonic acid.

Total chemicals
14
Scientific sources
14

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
12-O-Acetylphorbol-13-decanoate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
12-O-acetylphorbol 13-decanoate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
12-O-acetylphorbol-13-decanoate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
crotonic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fatty acids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
glycosides 1 ★☆☆☆☆
phenols 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Croton tiglium has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antitumor.

Total activities
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antitumor 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Croton tiglium has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include constipation, HIV-1, analgesic, breast cancer, cancer.

Total uses
12
Scientific sources
13

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
constipation 2 ★☆☆☆☆
HIV-1 1 ★☆☆☆☆
analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
breast cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
defecation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gastrointestinal diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
headache 1 ★☆☆☆☆
nasopharyngeal carcinoma 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pain 1 ★☆☆☆☆