Euphorbia honey: a comprehensive compile of its traditional use, quality parameters, authenticity, adulteration, and therapeutic merits

Abstract

Plants of the family Euphorbiaceae, particularly members of the genus Euphorbia, have long been known to yield latexes and extracts with a wide range of therapeutic properties. They are also renowned for providing unifloral honey that is produced and commercialized mainly in the Mediterranean region and is much appreciated owing to its medicinal properties. By better understanding the unique properties and potential uses of Euphorbia honey, also known as Daghmous, our overarching aim is to provide a detailed and exhaustive overview of this valuable and versatile natural resource. Our study conducted an extensive literature search across various databases, focusing on recent and peer-reviewed research related to Euphorbia honey. The bibliometric analysis carried out using the Scopus database revealed peaks in publication activity in recent years, and Morocco emerged as the leading country in Euphorbia honey research. The co-occurrence network illustrated a shift towards modern techniques like chemometrics, reflecting advancements in research methodologies. Euphorbia honey is distinct in various aspects. Based on its pollen composition, it has a high content of pollen grains originating from Euphorbia spurge (minimum of 25%). This honey possesses a dark amber color, attributed to specific nectar sources, and chemical composition, and it’s very rich in essential components like carbohydrates, proteins, phenolic compounds, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Euphorbia honey exhibits strong antioxidant and cytotoxic properties, suggesting its potential utility in medicine, cosmetics, and the food industry. In this review, we explored the characteristics, therapeutic merits, and potential challenges of Euphorbia honey, focusing on its quality parameters, microbial contaminants, chemical constituents, and the risk of adulteration, along with methods for determining its authenticity.