ΤΙΘΥΜΑΛΟΣ
Εuphorbia characias
(Mediterranean spurge)
Botanical info:
Mediterranean spurge is an upright, compact evergreen shrub that typically grows on erect, woody-based, green stems to 1.2 m tall and wide. It grows mainly in limestone substrate in disturbed grounds, garigue and phrygana. It is native to southern Europe, Turkey, and Albania. Flowering May to June.
Hippocratic legacy:
a. In Regimen in Acute Diseases:
a. Mediterranean spurge sap mixed with figs is laxative.
b. In Affections:
a. Mediterranean spurge leaves are used for the preparation of poultices.
c. In Fistulas:
a. Mediterranean spurge sap is used for the preparation of poultices
d. In Nature of Women:
a. Mediterranean spurge sap is used as laxative.
e. In Diseases of Women 1:
a. As emmenagogue suppository.
b. As laxative suppository.
Other uses:
This plant also has uses in traditional medicine; like many other species of the genus its toxic white and sticky sap has been used to treat skin excrescences, like cancers, tumors, and warts, since ancient times.