Evidence supporting the use of: Euphorbia (unspecified)
For the health condition: Staph Infections

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Euphorbia species have a long history of use in traditional medicine systems across Africa, Asia, and other regions, including applications for skin infections, wounds, and abscesses, which are sometimes caused by Staphylococcus species. Ethnobotanical records document the topical and sometimes internal use of extracts, latex, or poultices from various Euphorbia plants for treating infectious skin conditions, likely including staphylococcal infections, though these records rarely specify the pathogen involved. The rationale in folk medicine often stems from the irritant and caustic properties of Euphorbia latex, which can have antiseptic effects but also carry significant risks of toxicity and skin damage.

On the scientific front, some in vitro studies report antibacterial effects of certain Euphorbia extracts against Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA). However, most of these studies are preliminary, performed only on cell cultures, and do not address efficacy or safety in humans. There are no high-quality clinical trials or standardized extracts approved for treating staph infections. Thus, while traditional use is established for skin infections possibly caused by staph, scientific validation is limited, and the evidence is considered low to moderate (2/5) due to lack of clinical data and concerns about toxicity.

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