Though native to Madagascar, it is thought that this plant was introduced to the Middle East in ancient times and then believed to have been used for the crown of thorns worn by Christ; thus, the common name Crown of Thorns (also, Christ Plant, Corona de Cristo; Euphorbia milii).
However, there are many plants that people think could have played that role. This species has many varieties, and the flowers are usually red, pink or white. One of the varieties, E. milii var. splendens, is believed in Bathouism to be the living embodiment of the supreme deity.
Besides its ornamental and spiritual value, the Crown of Thorns is also a plant with traditional medicinal applications. In Nepal it is used for treating strains, in Brazil it is for warts, and in China it is used for hepatitis, cancer and also for abdominal edema.
Through scientific investigation the Crown of Thorns has been reported to be antifungal, antinociceptive, and also a natural molluscicide. In an interesting new application of herbalism, nano-herbal therapy, gold nanoparticles were prepared from the methanolic extract of Crown of Thorns, and resulted in an enhanced potency extract with significant analgesic, muscle relaxant and sedative properties—a traditional medicine really transcending into modern times!
#medicinalplants #ethnobotany #ethnopharm #euphorbia #madagascar