Abstract
The Euphorbiaceae is an extensive family of plants that includes about 300 genera and 5000 species and is mainly distributed in tropical areas. For a long time this family has been recognized and reported for its anti-cancer components, anti-hepatitis B components and carcinogenic factors. In the literature of ancient traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), 33 species of plants from 17 genera of Euphorbiaceae have been mentioned as medicines. We report here the results of our recent investigation. The locations under investigation were in Guangdong Province, Guangxi Zhuang Nationality Autonomous Region and Hainan Province in southeastern China. There were 111 species within 35 genera of medicinal Euphorbiaceous plants reported, along with their folk usages. Among them, 17 species are used to treat snakebites. It was observed that most of the species within the Euphorbiaceae family contained toxic components. In fact, only a few species are employed as widespread medicines throughout Chinamost species are recognized only as local minority tribe medicines.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Anonymous (Tao, Hong Jing, collator, Cao, Yuan Ning, reviser). 1987. Shennong’s herbal classic. Shanghai Science & Technology Press, Shanghai.
—. 1986. Transactions of famous physicians. People’s Healthy Press, Beijing.
—. 1994. Variorum of Shennong’s herbal. People’s Healthy Press, Beijing.
—. 1983. Rihuazi’s materia medica. Medical College of South Anhui, Wuhu.
Chen, Cang Qi (Tang, Jia Hong and Fen, Ding Guo, revisers). 1993. Supplement to materia medica. Sichuan Press, Chengdu.
Chen, Jia Mo. 1994. Primary explanation of materia medica. In Zhu Da Nian et al., eds., Selected essences of ancient TCM’s literature. Vol. 4. Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Press, Shanghai.
Chen, Shi Duo (Liu, Chang Hua and Xu, Chun Bo, revisers). 1996. Present compiled materia medica. China TCM Press, Beijing.
Cragg, Gordon M. 1999. Natural products drug discovery at the National Cancer Institute, past achievements and new directions for the new millennium in the Conference of Biodiversity. RSC, Scotland.
Guangdong Institute of Botany. 1976. Vegetation of Guangdong. Science Press, Beijing.
Hao, Yi Xin. 1988. Er Ya explanations. The China Bookstore, Beijing.
Huang, Gong Xiu (Xi, Yi Min and Zhu, Zhao He, revisers). 1987. Seeking the truth of materia medica. People’s Healthy Press, Beijing.
Ji, Han (Li, Hui Lin, translator). 1979. Nan-fang Tsao-mu Chuang. The Chinese University Press, Hong Kong.
Kiu, Hua Shing, ed. 1996. Flora of China. Vol. 44(2). Science Press, Beijing.
Kou, Zong Shi (Yan, Zheng Hua, reviser). 1990. Amplified materia medica. People’s Healthy Press, Beijing.
Lan, Mao (Revised-Group revisers). 1959. Materia medica of Southern Yunnan. Yunnan Nationality Press, Kunming.
Lei, Xiao (Zhang, Ji, reviser, Shi, Zhong An, ed.). 1985. Lei’s treatise on preparation of drugs. Jiangsu Sciences & Technology Press, Nanjing.
Li, Pin Tao, ed. 1994. Flora of China. Vol. 44(1). Science Press, Beijing.
Li, Shi Zhen (reviser). 1977. Compendium of materia medica. People’s Healthy Press, Beijing.
Li, Zhong Li. 1908. Seeking the origins of materia medica. Shanchengtang (Pub.).
Liu, Wen Tai, et al. 1952–1957. Essences of collected materia medica. Commercial Press, Shanghai.
Liu, Xin (Zhao, Su Yun, reviser). 1988. Convenient prescriptions from plants. Chongqing Press, Chongqing.
Ma, Jin Shuang, ed. 1997. Flora of China. Vol. 44(3). Science Press, Beijing.
Martin, Gary J. 1995. Ethnobotany: A methods manual. In Martin Walters, ed., People and plants’ conservation manuals. Chapman & Hall, London.
Su, Jing, et al. (Shang, Zhi Jun, reviser). 1981. The newly-revised materia medica. Anhui Science & Technology Press, Hefei.
Su, Song, et al. (Hu, Nai Chang and Wang, Zhi Pu revisers). 1988. Illustrated materia medica. Fujian Sciences & Technology Press, Fuzhou.
Tang, Shen Wei (Zhi, Jun, Shang, reviser). 1991. Classified materia medica. China Press, Beijing.
Wang, Ang (Wang, Xiao Ju, reviser). 1993. Essentials of materia medica. Tianjing Science & Technology Press, Tianjing.
Wang, Hao Gu, (Cui, Sao Chen and Rong You, revisers). 1987. Materia medica of decoctions. People’s Healthy Press, Beijing.
Wu, C.Y., ed. in chief. 1980. Vegetation of China. Science Press, Beijing.
Wu, Ji Zhi. 1984. Questions on materia medica. Ancient TCM’s Literature Press, Beijing.
Wu, Pu (You, Rong, reviser). 1987. Wu Pu’s materia medica. People’s Healthy Press, Beijing.
Wu, Qi Jin. 1959. Collected compilation of plants with illustrations. Commercial Press, Beijing.
Wu, Qi Jun. 1957. An illustrated book on plants. Commercial Press, Shanghai.
Wu, Te Lin, ed. in chief. 1994. A checklist of flowering plants of the islands and reefs of Hainan and Guangdong Province. Science Press, Beijing.
Wu, Yi Luo. 1958. New compilation of materia medica. Shanghai Science & Technology Press, Shanghai.
Yan, Jie Shi, and Hong Hui Wen. 1957. Prescriptions of materia medica. Shanghai Healthy Press, Shanghai.
Zhao, Xue Ming. 1983. Supplement to the compendium of materia medica. People’s Healthy Press, Beijing.
Zhang, Hui Kang, and Zhi Ying Zhang, ed. in chief. 1994. The resources of traditional Chinese medicines in China. Science Press, Beijing.
Zhu, Su. 1980. Herbs to prevent famine. Agricultural Press, Beijing.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lai, X.Z., Yang, Y.B. & Shan, X.L. The investigation of Euphorbiaceous medicinal plants in Southern China. Econ Bot 58 (Suppl 1), S307–S320 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1663/0013-0001(2004)58[S307:TIOEMP]2.0.CO;2
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1663/0013-0001(2004)58[S307:TIOEMP]2.0.CO;2