What is with Euphorbia Latex?
Latex is the name given to a milky, poisonous sap which is released from a family of succulents with the common name Euphorbia. The plants themselves use the sap to deter herbivores from eating them and it can help to heal wounds in the plants if they are damaged. The latex is a strong irritant – much more than chilli peppers, for example, and may be carcinogenic, so if you have to work with it, wear gloves and safety goggles and make sure you are in a well-ventilated area, as it can inflame the mucus membranes and impair breathing. It is fat-soluble, not water-soluble, so if you come in contact with it, wash it off using olive oil or hand cream, not water.
