Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a plant with red bracts (leaves) native to the US, Mexico, and Guatemala. It's often used as a Christmas decoration.
The whole poinsettia plant and its sap (latex) have been used to make medicine. Chemicals in the dried sap might have pain relieving effects.
People use poinsettia for fever, pain, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Poinsettia might also be unsafe.
Is It Effective?
There is interest in using poinsettia for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Is it Safe?
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if poinsettia is safe. Side effects might include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
When applied to the skin: Poinsettia is possibly unsafe. It can cause serious skin reactions, including irritation and burns.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Poinsettia is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth or applied to the skin while pregnant or breast-feeding. Avoid use.
It is not known if Poinsettia interacts with any medicines. Before taking Poinsettia, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of poinsettia might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Christmas Flower, Christmas Star, Easter Flower, Étoile de Noël, Euphorbia poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, Fleur Pentecôte, Flor de Pascua, Lalpatta, Lalupate, Lobster Flower Plant, Lobsterplant, Mexican Flame Leaf, Noche Buena, Paintedleaf, Papagallo, Pastora, Poinsettia pulcherrima.
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