Euphorbia tirucalli L.

Patah tulang, or milk bush (Euphorbia tirucalli), is an erect shrub 2-6 meters tall of the Euphorbiaceae family, native to tropical Africa and widely distributed to Asia and the Americas. As its name ("broken bone") suggests, its sap containing euphorbone and taraxasterol compounds is traditionally used to speed the healing of broken bones and wounds from thorn or glass punctures. This plant is also commonly grown as a living hedge in yards.

Patah tulang favors open locations exposed to direct sunlight, living in regions at elevations up to 2,000 m above sea level. Able to adapt to regions with rainfall of 250-500 mm/year and annual temperatures ranging from 21-28 °C. This species grows in almost all soil types with a pH of 6-8.5.

• Roots fibrous, which elongate and become woody with maturity.
• Stem green, its segments branch in two crosswise directions after growing 1 hand-span, and so on, giving the appearance of broken branching, latex-bearing like milk and toxic.
• Leaves found at the tips of young twigs, small, lanceolate, quickly shedding.
• Flowers at the stem tip, compound, cup-shaped, greenish-yellow.
• Fruit will split open (when ripe) and eject its seeds.

• Propagated vegetatively (by stem cuttings).
• Cut the base of the plant and peel about 10 cm. Plant in growing medium.

Euphorbone, taraxasterol, α-lactucerol, euphol, caoutchouc, terpenes (cyclotirucaneol, cycloeuphordenol, tirucalicine, tirucaligine, euphorginol, euphorcinol), saponins, tannins, phenolic compounds.

Treats calluses (clavus), warts; speeds healing of broken bones (fractures); treats yaws, enlarged and itchy moles, toothache, stomach pain, nerve pain; treats fresh wounds.

Information not yet available.

Susuru (Sunda), Kayu urip, Pacing jawa (Java), Kayu jaliso, Kayu langtolangan, Kayu tabar (Madura).