Euphorbia abyssinica is a beneficial plant. It has several traditional and modern applications. The following are some of its documented usages.
Industrial applications
- Traditional tanning: The sap of Abyssinian euphorbia is used at least to remove hair from rawhides and skins.
- Traditional fresh-water fishing: The sap of Abyssinian spurge is used to stupefy fish in lakes and rivers without spoiling their meat, which makes it possible to catch them easily by hand.
- Modern biofuel production: The hydrocarbon-rich latex and biomass of Euphorbia abyssinica can be processed through different modern industrial procedures for the extraction and production of bio-oil and biogas.
- Modern chemical works: The Abyssinian Euphorbia tree could be used as a source of natural rubber and lipids. It could serve in the production of drying oils, paints, varnishes, thinners, and writing ink.
- Traditional woodworking: The soft yellow wood of Abyssinian spurge is light but durable. It is used as a source of timber for traditional roofing and for making local furniture such as tables, boxes, saddles, sticks, and matches.
- Fuelwood: The Abyssinian euphorbia tree is used as a source of firewood in Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Medicinal applications
- Traditional human medicine: In Ethiopia and Eritrea, it has been the custom to use various parts of Abyssinian euphorbia for treating various human diseases, ailments and infections such as malaria, hepatitis, fungal skin infections, etc.
- Traditional veterinary medicine: In Ethiopia and Eritrea, it has been the custom to utilize the latex of Abyssinian spurge for treating cattle skin diseases and to kill cattle pests. The sap of Euphorbia abyssinica was also used for the treatment of rabies.
- Modern medicine: The Abyssinian Euphorbia tree is being studied by modern scientists to determine its value in modern medicine. Specific investigations are focused on its anti-malarial, antibacterial, antifungal, antiinflamatory, Antioxidant Properties among others.
Environmental applications
- Modern agroforestry: Modern scientific studies have shown that the sap of Euphorbia abyssinica can be used to promote rooting in cuttings of other plant species such as the threatened tree, Abyssinian frankincense (Boswellia papyrifera).
- Reforestation: The hardy, drought resistant nature of Abyssinian euphorbia makes it valuable for eroded and dry areas. It can play an important role in increasing plant diversity.
Architectural applications
- Landscaping: The Abyssinian spurge is used for making hedges and live fences, in order to demarcate boundaries and to serve as a windbreak on farms and around homes in Ethiopia and Eritrea. This is owing to its natural tendency to form dense, spiny barriers as well as the ease with which it can be propagated from untreated mature branch cuttings.
- Gardening: The Abyssinian Euphorbia tree is commonly cultivated for its decorative, candelabra-like form. It is a striking plant that can add a unique architectural element to any outdoor or indoor space.
Warning!
Like most Euphorbias, the sap of Abyssinian euphorbia is caustic and toxic. Skin contact may cause irritation and blistering. Ingesting the sap of Abyssinian spurge can cause purging or more severe problems. If it contacts the eyes it can cause temporary or even permanent blindness. Therefore, care is needed when handling the plant. When working with the plant, using gloves is highly recommended.
If the sap of Euphorbia abyssinica comes into contact with your hands, do not touch your face or eyes before thoroughly cleaning them. Wash your hands with water and soap.
References
Abelyan, Narek et al. (2022) “A network pharmacology analysis of cytotoxic triterpenes isolated from euphorbia abyssinica latex supported by drug-likeness and admet studies.” ACS omega 7, no. 21: 17713-17722.
Afera, Berihun et Al. (2014) “Treatment of skin disease using ointment of latex of Euphorbia abyssinica medicinal plant on animal model.” World Applied Sciences Journal 32, no. 9: 1913-1917.
Agdew, Surafel Argahegn et al. (2023) Production and Characterization of Ink from the Milky Fluid of Ficus vasta and Euphorbia abyssinica. In Advancement of Science and Technology in Sustainable Manufacturing and Process Engineering. pp.217-227. Springer Nature Switzerland.
Ahmed, Shaimaa R. et al. (2022) “Cancer Chemopreventive potential and chemical profiling of Euphorbia abyssinica endowed with docking studies.” ACS omega 7, no. 4: 3596-3604.
Araya, Dawit (2024) “In vitro antileishmanial activities of hydro-methanolic crude extracts and solvent fractions of Clematis simensis fresen leaf, and Euphorbia abyssinica latex.” Medicine 103, no. 18: e38039.
Bein, E. and others (1996) Useful Trees and Shrubs in Eritrea: Identification, Propagation and Management for Agricultural and Pastoral Communities. Regional Soil Conservation Unit: Nairobi.
Bekele-Tesemma, Azene (2007) Useful Trees of Ethiopia: Identification, Propagation and Management in 17 Agroecological Zones. RELMA in ICRAF Project: Nairobi.
Belew, Sileshi et al. (2020) “Ethnobotanical assessment and physicochemical properties of commonly used medicinal plants in Jimma zone, Southwest Ethiopia: traditional healers based cross-sectional study.” Journal of experimental pharmacology: 665-681.
Beshah, Teshome Degfie et al. (2025) “Cytotoxicity of compounds isolated from Euphorbia abyssinica: A combined experimental and docking studies.” Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia 39, no. 6: 1153-1166.
Bruce, James (1790) Select Specimens of Natural History, Collected in Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile. Volume V. J. Ruthven: London.
El-Fiky, F. et al. (2008) Phytochemical and antimicrobial investigation of latex from Euphorbia abyssinica Gmel. Natural Product Communications, Vol. 3, No. 9, p.1934578X0800300922.
Encyclopedia of Living forms. “Euphorbia abyssinica” Text available under a CC-BY-SA Creative Commons Attribution License. www.llifle.com 14 Nov. 2005. 06 Sep 2025. Retrieved from https://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/SUCCULENTS/Family/Euphorbiaceae/1958/Euphorbia_abyssinica
Fern, Ken (2025) Euphorbia abyssinica J.F.Gmel. Useful Tropical Plants. Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2025-09-06. Retrieved from https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Euphorbia+abyssinica
Muluye, Abrham Belachew, et al. (2019) “Anti-malarial activity of the root extract of Euphorbia abyssinica (Euphorbiaceae) against Plasmodium berghei infection in mice.” Malaria Journal Vol. 18, no. 1: pp.1-8.
Negussie, A. et al. (2009) Euphorbia abyssinica latex promotes rooting of Boswellia cuttings. New forests, 37(1), 35-42.
Oxford University, Department of Biology. Oxford University Plants 400: Euphorbia abyssinica. Retrieved from https://herbaria.plants.ox.ac.uk/bol/plants400/Profiles/EF/Euphorbab
Pankhurst, Richard (1970) “The History and Traditional Treatment of Rabies in Ethiopia. Medical History Vol.14, no.4: 378–89. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025727300015829.
Patan, Shaik Sha Valli Khan et al. (2018) “Use of Euphorbia Sp. (Euphorbiaceae) as Biofuel Feedstock for Semi-Arid and Arid Lands.” Biofuels 12 (5): 511–21. doi:10.1080/17597269.2018.1501637.
Plant Resources of Tropical Africa (PROTA). Euphorbia abyssinica. Retrieved from https://prota.prota4u.org/protav8.asp?g=pe&p=Euphorbia%20abyssinica
Yemane, B. et al. (2018) Survey of some common medicinal plants used in Eritrean folk medicine. American Journal of Ethnomedicine, 112, 865-876.
Zemede, J., Mekuria, et al. (2024). Ethnobotanical study of traditional medicinal plants used by the local Gamo people in Boreda Abaya District, Gamo Zone, southern Ethiopia. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine, 20(1), 28.