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Other common
name(s): pencil cactus, pencil tree, milkbush, petroleum
plant
Scientific/medical
name(s): Euphorbia
tirucalli, Euphorbia
viminalis, Euphorbia
insulana
Description
Aveloz is the Spanish name for a succulent shrub that grows in
the tropical areas of Africa, Brazil, and Madagascar. This relative of
the poinsettia is sometimes grown as a houseplant. The sap, leaves, and
root of various species of the shrub have been used in folk medicine
for centuries.
Overview
Aveloz sap is promoted for use as an anticancer agent.
However, laboratory and animal studies do not support this claim and
have shown that aveloz sap may actually suppress the immune system,
promote tumor growth, and lead to the development of certain types of
cancer. The sap can burn the skin and damage the eyes. If taken
internally, it can cause burning of the mouth and throat, vomiting,
diarrhea, and other serious problems.
How is it promoted for use?
The sap of the aveloz shrub has been promoted as a
tumor-killing agent for people with cancer. It is promoted for use on
the skin or to be taken by mouth. It is said to burn off warts, cysts,
and skin cancers, especially on the face. In various parts of the
world, the plant is also used to treat leprosy, earache, abscesses,
toothaches, asthma, colic, cough, rheumatism, and fractures.
What does it involve?
In the United States, aveloz is sold in liquid form by some
health food stores and herbal practitioners. To treat cancer, benign
tumors, warts, and cysts, practitioners recommend drinking five drops
of the liquid dissolved in half a glass of water or tea. Aveloz is also
sold as an ointment to be applied directly to warts, skin growths, and
tumors.
What is the history behind it?
Thousands of years ago, Amazon Indians in Brazil began
applying the sap of the aveloz plant to warts and tumors on the skin.
In some tropical areas of Africa, Euphorbia tirucalli has long been
recognized as a fish poison. The plants are crushed and placed into
rivers so that fish can be easily caught when they float to the
surface. By the 1770s, it was used against cancerous tumors in African
folk medicine. In the 1880s, a Brazilian physician introduced the plant
to conventional medicine.
In the 1970s, some U.S. tabloids began proclaiming aveloz as a
cure for cancer when taken internally, saying, "One drop of sap,
diluted in a glass of distilled water and taken by the tablespoon every
hour, eliminates cancerous growths in one week." The craze over aveloz
as a cure for cancer peaked in the 1980s, but it is still sold on the
Internet as an alternative treatment for cancer.
What is the evidence?
The effects of aveloz have only been studied in the laboratory
and in animals, but the results suggest that aveloz may actually
promote tumor growth. These early studies have suggested that the sap
and the plant itself may suppress the body's immune system, making it
less resistant to infections and some types of cancer. This may lead to
an activation of the Epstein-Barr virus (the same virus that causes
mononucleosis) and the development of a type of cancer known as Burkitt
lymphoma. In light of this information, no recent cancer studies in
humans have been completed on this particular plant.
Plants in the Euphorbia genus are being tested for use against
leukemia, and some of their extracts look promising in laboratory
experiments. One study suggests that chemicals from Euphorbia tirucalli
may enhance the immune system of mice with cancer. However, no human
studies have been published. Extensive testing will be necessary to
determine whether any of these extracts might be suitable for human
use.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
This product is sold as a
dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike drugs (which must be
tested before being allowed to be sold), the companies that make
supplements are not required to prove to the Food and Drug
Administration that their supplements are safe or effective, as long as
they don't claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any
specific disease.
Some such products may not
contain the amount of the herb or substance that is written on the
label, and some may include other substances (contaminants). Actual
amounts per dose may vary between brands or even between different
batches of the same brand.
Most such
supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with
medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some
reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full
studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of
these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions
below should be considered incomplete.
Aveloz sap can cause chemical burns, making blisters or ulcers
on skin and mucous membranes (the moist pink layer of cells that lines
the eyes, nose, mouth, and other cavities in the body). Sap from the
plant can irritate skin and damage the eyes. Blindness has even been
reported after untreated eye exposure.
If taken internally, the plant or its sap can cause burning of
the mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
It has been reported to have caused some deaths in eastern Africa.
Children and pets may be harmed if they eat the plants or sap. Relying
on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional
medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Eke T. Euphorbia sap keratouveitis. Br J Ophthalmol.1997;81:518.
Euphorbiaceae -10 euphorbia ramosissima- eupjorbia virosa
(spurge family). Botanical Dermatology Data Base Web site.
http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/BotDermFolder/BotDermE/EUPH-10.html. Accessed June
4, 2008.
Fürstenburger G, Hecker E. On the active principles
of the Euphorbiaceae, XII. Highly unsaturated irritant diterpene esters
from Euphorbia tirucalli originating from Madagascar. J Nat Prod.
1986;49:386-397.
Hsueh KF, Lin PY, Lee SM, Hsieh CF. Ocular injuries from plant
sap of genera Euphorbia and Dieffenbachia. J Chin Med Assoc.
2004;67:93-98.
Imai S, Sugiura M, Mizuno F, Ohigashi H, Koshimizu K, Chiba S,
Osato T. African Burkitt’s lymphoma: a plant, Euphorbia
tirucalli, reduces Epstein-Barr virus-specific cellular immunity. Anticancer Res.
1994;14:933-936.
MacNeil A, Sumba OP, Lutzke ML, Moormann A, Rochford R.
Activation of the Epstein-Barr virus lytic cycle by the latex of the
plant Euphorbia tirucalli. Br
J Cancer. 2003;88:1566-1569.
Neuwinger HD. Plants used for poison fishing in tropical
Africa. Toxicon.
2004;44:417–430.
Osato T, Mizuno F, Imai S, Aya T, Koizumi S, Kinoshita T,
Tokuda H, Ito Y, Hirai N, Hirota M, et al. African Burkett’s
lymphoma and an Epstein-Barr virus-enhancing plant Euphorbia tirucalli.
Lancet.
1987;1:1257-1258.
Tyler VA. Aveloz. Quackwatch Web site.
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/aveloz.html.
Accessed June 4, 2008.
Valadares MC, Carrucha SG, Accorsi W, Queiroz ML. Euphorbia
tirucalli L. modulates myelopoiesis and enhances the resistance of
tumour-bearing mice. Int
Immunopharmacol. 2006;6:294–299.
van den Bosch CA. Is endemic Burkitt’s lymphoma an
alliance between three infections and a tumour promoter? Lancet Oncol.
2004;5:738-748.
Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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