Euphorbia helioscopia
Sun spurge
Euphorbia helioscopia, commonly known as Sun Spurge, is a distinctive medicinal plant characterized by its bright yellow flowers and milky latex. Historically utilized in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and purgative properties, this species requires careful handling due to its potent, skin-irritating sap and complex chemical composition.
- Scientific name: Euphorbia helioscopia
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Euphorbiaceae and belongs to the genus Euphorbia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Euphorbia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Euphorbia helioscopia, is recognized by various common names across different linguistic regions. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 泽漆 (zh-hans and zh-cn), as well as 泽漆 in Singapore (zh-sg). In Traditional Chinese contexts, it is documented as 澤漆 (zh-hanth and zh-hk).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 泽漆 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 澤漆 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 澤漆 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 泽漆 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 泽漆 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 澤漆 | Wikidata |
| pl | Wilczomlecz obrotny | Wikidata |
| ru | Молочай-солнцегляд | Wikidata |
| ko | 등대풀 | Wikidata |
| ca | lleterola | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution across the northern regions of Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Finland and Sweden. Additionally, its presence is noted throughout the various territories of Norway. The species also extends its range into Great Britain and Ireland. Consequently, these northern European countries represent its primary geographical footprint in the region.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as Euphorbia helioscopia, is a versatile medicinal herb where various components are utilized for therapeutic purposes. Often, practitioners refer to the medicinal efficacy of the whole plants, as the interaction between the leaves, stems, and flowers contributes to its complex chemical profile. In many traditional preparations, the whole plant is harvested to ensure that all bioactive compounds, including the characteristic milky latex, are included in the remedy. Specifically, the aerial part of the plant is frequently collected for drying and processing into infusions or extracts, focusing on the structures above the ground to facilitate ease of collection and standardization of use.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 7
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| whole plants | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| whole plant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| aerial part | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Euphorbia helioscopia has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include helioscopinolide A, alpha-linolenic acid, compound 9, ent-kaurane, euphohelioscopin A.
- Total chemicals
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| helioscopinolide A | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alpha-linolenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| compound 9 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ent-kaurane | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| euphohelioscopin A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| euphoheliosnoid A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| euphornin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| euphornin A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| euphoscopin A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| euphoscopin C | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Euphorbia helioscopia has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticonvulsant, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticonvulsant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Euphorbia helioscopia has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include HSV-1, cancer, dysentery, edema, epilepsy.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| HSV-1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| edema | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epilepsy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insulin secretion | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| osteomyelitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |