Evidence supporting the use of: Euphorbia (unspecified)
For the health condition: Mastitis
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Euphorbia species have a long history of use in traditional medicine across various cultures. For mastitis, which is the inflammation of breast tissue commonly due to infection during lactation, some traditional medicinal systems (such as Ayurveda and certain folk remedies) have advocated the use of Euphorbia extracts or latex. The rationale is largely based on the plant’s purported anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties, which are also referenced in ethnobotanical surveys and compendiums of traditional remedies. Specifically, topical applications or poultices made from Euphorbia have been used by indigenous practitioners to alleviate swelling, pain, and infection associated with mastitis. However, the evidence supporting these uses is limited to anecdotal accounts and traditional knowledge. There is a lack of robust clinical or pharmacological studies directly testing Euphorbia’s effectiveness for mastitis in humans or animals. Most modern scientific investigations of Euphorbia focus on its general anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties, often in contexts unrelated to mastitis. Furthermore, the latex of many Euphorbia species is known to be caustic and can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions, raising safety concerns about its external (or internal) application. In summary, while Euphorbia's use for mastitis has historical roots in traditional medicine, there is minimal scientific validation for its safety or efficacy in this context.
Other health conditions supported by Euphorbia (unspecified)
Abdominal PainAbrasions
Abscesses
Afterbirth Pain
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cuts
Eczema
Emphysema
Eye Infections
Fever
Gonorrhea
Headache (general)
Infection
Inflammation
Insect Repellant
Itching
Jaundice (adults)
Kidney Infection
Lesions
Lice
Mastitis
Poison Ivy or Oak
Poisoning (general)
Rashes and Hives
Scabies
Scratches and Abrasions
Skin (infections)
Snake Bite
Staph Infections
Stye
Ulcerations (external)
Urinary Tract Infections
Warts
Wounds and Sores