ΙΠΠΟΦΕΩΣ
Euphorbia acanthothamnos
(Greek spiny spurge)
Botanical info:
Greek spiny spurge is a small spiny woody shrub that reaches 30 cm in height, also called Chicken wire plant, because the woody spines which persist for over a year after the plant has died, resemble chicken wire. It grows mainly in limestone rocky habitats from the seashore to sub-alpic cliffs. It is endemic in Greece and the Aegean coasts of Turkey. Flowering March to June.
Hippocratic legacy:
a. De affectionibus interioribus:
a. Greek spiny spurge sap is used as head lotion for spinal cord disorders.
b. As a decoction against gastric disorders.
c. Greek spiny spurge sap as a drink for spleen pain.
d. Against dropsy use Greek spiny spurge sap for eight days.
Other uses:
Greek spiny spurge is only used as landscape plant sporadically.