Croton Tiglium, also known as purging croton, is a plant with a complex history, recognized for its traditional medicinal uses and its potent toxicity. This small tree or shrub belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. Its diverse applications in historical medicine contrast sharply with the severe dangers associated with its use, particularly its seeds and derived oil.
Understanding Croton Tiglium
Croton Tiglium is an evergreen tree that typically grows up to 7 meters (23 feet) tall, though it can reach up to 12 meters. It features papery leaves, 5 to 15 centimeters long and 2 to 7 centimeters wide, with 3 to 5 basal veins. The plant produces greenish-yellow, unisexual flowers, approximately 2 to 3 inches long.
The fruits are round, white, and about 1 inch long, characterized by three ridges. Inside are oval, dark brown seeds, 0.5 to 0.7 inches long, containing a reddish-brown oil. This plant is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, including China, the Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It thrives in lowland tropics and subtropics, tolerating a range of rainfall and temperatures.
Traditional Applications
Croton Tiglium has a long history in various traditional medicine systems. It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, known as “bā dòu.” In Ayurvedic and Sinhala traditional medicine, it is called “japaala” or “jayapala.” The seeds, known as “jamālgoṭa” in Hindi, Marathi, and Urdu, were historically used as a powerful purgative to relieve severe constipation.
Traditional uses involved detoxification processes for the seeds, such as purification with cow’s milk in Ayurveda, to mitigate their toxicity before use. Beyond its purgative use, Croton Tiglium oil was applied topically to treat various skin conditions like warts and corns, and for joint pain. Its potent nature necessitated extreme caution in traditional practices.
The Dangers of Croton Tiglium
The seeds and oil of Croton Tiglium are highly toxic, primarily due to compounds like phorbol esters and crotin. Phorbol esters cause strong irritant and inflammatory properties, while crotin is a toxic protein that can inhibit protein synthesis. A single fruit can be toxic, and as little as half a drop of croton oil can be harmful, with 20 drops potentially lethal.
Exposure to Croton Tiglium can lead to immediate and severe symptoms. Skin contact may result in contact dermatitis and blistering, while eye contact can cause keratoconjunctivitis. Ingesting the plant or its oil causes an intense burning sensation in the mouth, followed by severe vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Larger doses can lead to systemic effects, including dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, dizziness, headache, delirium, convulsions, or collapse. Croton Tiglium is not considered safe for self-medication and should be avoided.