Christ thorn
What is the buckthorn?
Christ's thorn (Euphorbia milii) is a succulent plant from the spurge family. It originally comes from Madagascar, but is now cultivated worldwide as an ornamental plant. Christ's thorn grows up to 1.5 meters tall and has thick, fleshy stems with long thorns. The leaves are small and often fall off. The flowers are inconspicuous and consist of four sepals and a nectar gland. The conspicuous red berries are pseudo-fruits that develop from the perianth petals.
Christ's thorn is an easy-care plant that needs plenty of sun and little water. It can be planted in a pot or in the garden as long as it is protected from frost. Christ's thorn is very long-lived and can flower for several years.
What are the benefits of Christ's thorn for dogs?
The buckthorn has some benefits for dogs that you might not have expected. For one thing, the buckthorn is a good air purifier. It can filter pollutants such as formaldehyde or benzene from the air and thus ensure a healthier indoor climate. This is particularly important for dogs that spend a lot of time indoors.
Christ's thorn also has a healing effect. The white milky sap that oozes from the stems when injured contains various substances that have an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antibacterial effect. The milky sap can help with small wounds or skin irritations if it is carefully applied to the affected area. This can be helpful for insect bites or scratches, for example.
What are the disadvantages of buckthorn for dogs?
Christ's thorn also has some disadvantages for dogs that should not be ignored. The most important disadvantage is that the buckthorn is poisonous. In addition to the healing ingredients, the milky sap also contains poisonous substances such as euphorbin or ingenol. These can cause irritation or poisoning if they come into contact with the mucous membranes or the digestive tract. The symptoms can vary depending on the amount and type of contact, but typical symptoms include salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors or shortness of breath.
The second disadvantage is that the Christ thorn can be injurious. The long thorns can prick or scratch the dog if it is too curious or accidentally bumps into the plant. This can lead to pain and infection.
How can you make Christ's thorn safe for your dog?
If you have a dog and have Christ thorn in your home or garden, you should take some precautions to minimize the risk. Here are some tips:
- Place the thorn of Christ in a place that your dog can't easily reach or knock over. For example, on a high shelf or window sill.
- Cut off dead leaves or berries regularly so that they don't fall to the ground and can be eaten by your dog.
Christ's thorn (Euphorbia milii) is a succulent plant from the spurge family. It originates from Madagascar and is cultivated worldwide as an ornamental plant. Christ's thorn has red flowers and thorny stems. It is easy to care for and long-lived.
Christ's thorn can be useful for dogs as an air purifier and has healing properties for small wounds. However, it is poisonous and can cause poisoning if it comes into contact with mucous membranes or the digestive tract. Its thorns can also cause injuries to dogs.
It is important to place the Christ thorn out of the dog's reach and remove dead leaves or berries to minimize the risk.
If you notice any signs of hypersensitivity or poisoning in your dog, you should see your vet immediately. We are not a substitute for a vet, but we try to be as accurate as possible. Every dog reacts differently and we recommend you get a second opinion or consult your vet if in doubt.
Stay healthy and take good care of your four-legged friend!😊
Similar to Christ thorn
What is frankincense and how does it work? Frankincense is the dried resin of trees of the Boswellia genus, which grow mainly in Africa and Asia. The resin contains various ingredients that have...
Myrrh is the resin extracted from the cracks of trees of the Commiphora genus, which are mainly found in the dry regions of Africa and the Middle East. Even in ancient times, myrrh was highly...
St. John's wort, also known as Hypericum perforatum, is a flowering plant that is native to Europe, Asia and North America. The plant has been used for centuries in folk medicine to treat various...
Echinacea is a genus of plants from the composite family, which includes several species of herbaceous plants. The best-known species are Echinacea purpurea (red coneflower), Echinacea angustifolia...