Euphorbia antiquorum L., commonly known as Triangular Spurge or Square Milk Hedge, is a succulent shrub or small tree in the Euphorbiaceae family. Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, particularly India and Sri Lanka, it's also widely cultivated in neighboring areas like Southeast Asia and China. This plant is well-known for its distinctive cactus-like appearance and its milky, caustic latex, which is used in traditional folk medicine. The name "antiquorum" means "old" or "ancient," alluding to its long history of medicinal use.
Name in Different Countries & Terminology The plant has a variety of common names across different cultures, reflecting its widespread use and unique appearance.
English: Triangular Spurge, Square Spurge, Square Milk Hedge, Fleshy Spurge.
Sanskrit: Vajrakantaka (meaning "diamond thorn" or "thunderbolt thorn"), Snuhu.
Hindi: Tridhara (meaning "three-edged") and Vajrakantaka.
Telugu: Bommajemudu, Bontha jemudu.
Tamil: Chaturakalli (meaning "square-shaped kalli").
Malayalam: Chaturakkalli.
Bengali: Tiktasij.
Turkish: Faraon sebremi.
Chinese: Huoyangle.
The term Vajrakantaka is particularly significant as it appears in ancient Ayurvedic texts, highlighting its historical importance in traditional Indian medicine. The genus name Euphorbia is named after Euphorbus, the Greek physician of King Juba II of Numidia.
Availability
Euphorbia antiquorum is readily available in its native range of India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia, where it grows wild and is also cultivated for both medicinal and ornamental purposes. It has been naturalized in many other tropical zones worldwide. Due to its unique appearance and ease of care, it is also a popular ornamental plant for gardens and indoor spaces globally. The trade of this species, like many other succulent Euphorbias, is regulated under Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
External Look
Euphorbia antiquorum is a large, highly-branched succulent that can grow up to 7 meters tall. It's often mistaken for a cactus due to its thick, fleshy stems and spiny ridges, though it is not a true cactus.
Stems: The main feature of this plant. They are typically 3- to 4-ribbed, with prominent, wing-like ridges. The stems are green, smooth, and branch out in an upward, curving fashion. Older stems become cylindrical with a brownish bark.
Spines: Paired spines, about 2-5 mm long, line the edges of the stem ridges.
Leaves: The leaves are relatively insignificant and are often shed quickly. They are small, obovate-oblong in shape, and cluster at the apex of the stems.
Flowers: Small, yellowish-green to pinkish flowers, known as cyathia, grow along the ridges of the stem. The cyathia are a unique floral structure found in the Euphorbia genus, where individual male and female flowers are reduced to their essential reproductive parts and clustered to look like a single flower.
Latex: All parts of the plant contain a caustic, milky latex which is a key characteristic of the Euphorbiaceae family. This latex is intensely irritant and is the source of many of its medicinal and toxic properties.
Healing Properties & Advantages Euphorbia antiquorum has a long history in traditional medicine for its various healing properties. The plant's medicinal value is attributed to its rich composition of phytochemicals, particularly flavonoids and diterpenoids.
Purgative: The latex is a strong purgative, used to induce vomiting and relieve constipation.
Anti-inflammatory & Analgesic: Extracts from the plant have demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, making them useful in traditional treatments for gout, arthritis, and rheumatism.
Antimicrobial: The latex contains compounds with antibacterial and antifungal properties. It's traditionally applied to treat skin sores, scabies, and other infections.
Wart & Sores Removal: The caustic nature of the latex makes it an effective folk remedy for removing warts and clearing skin afflictions.
Diuretic: The plant is used to treat conditions like dropsy and anasarca, which involve fluid retention, by promoting urination.
Respiratory Aid: It's traditionally used to treat respiratory ailments such as bronchitis and asthma.
Other Uses: Traditional uses also include treatments for venereal diseases like syphilis, as well as dysentery, toothache, and certain tumors.
The primary advantage of using this herb in traditional medicine is its broad range of applications, supported by its diverse chemical compounds.
Uses & Using Way
The application of Euphorbia antiquorum varies depending on the ailment and the part of the plant used. However, due to its toxic and irritant nature, its use should be approached with extreme caution and is primarily confined to traditional practices where dosage and preparation are passed down through generations.
Latex: The fresh latex is most commonly used topically. A few drops are applied directly to warts, skin sores, or scabies.
Decoction: A decoction of the stems is made by boiling the stems in water and is traditionally consumed orally to treat gout, rheumatism, and as a purgative.
Paste: A paste made from the stem or root is applied to abscesses, boils, and for nerve-related issues. For internal use, the root paste is sometimes mixed with other ingredients like black pepper.
Powder/Extract: For modern pharmacological studies, extracts are prepared by drying and grinding the plant parts and dissolving them in solvents like ethanol. These extracts are then studied for their various therapeutic effects.
⚠️ Warning:
Direct ingestion of the plant or its raw latex is highly dangerous and can cause severe nausea, vomiting, and other adverse effects. It is not recommended for self-medication without professional guidance from a trained herbalist or physician, and it should never be touched with bare hands due to its irritant nature.
Conclusion
Euphorbia antiquorum, known by many names like Vajrakantaka and Tridhara, is a significant plant in traditional Asian medicine. Its cactus-like appearance and milky latex are its defining features. It has been used for centuries to treat a wide range of ailments, from skin diseases and inflammatory conditions to respiratory and digestive issues. While its efficacy in traditional uses is being supported by modern research into its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties, its potent and toxic nature warrants extreme caution. The plant's therapeutic potential lies in its rich phytochemical profile, but its safe and effective application requires careful preparation and expert knowledge.
