Castor oil ~ Ricinus communis

Castor oil

Latin name: Ricinus communis

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Part used: oil expressed from seed

Habitat: native toIndia; cultivated worldwide

Main constituents: fixed oil, alkaloid (ricinine), lectins

Energetics: oily, neutral

Main herbal actions: laxative, purgative, cathartic, astringent

Minor herbal actions: emollient, labor-inducing, anodyne, aperient

Main medicinal uses: constipation, main Ayurvedic treatment for vata, benign masses, food or other poisonings, burns, arthritis

Minor medicinal uses: rough skin, dermatitis, cysts, tumors

Preparations: topical oil; topical poultice, internal: 1-2 Tbs.

Contraindications: diarrhea

Toxicity: The seeds contain 2% toxic substances (ricin), 2.5-20 seeds can be fatal

Sources: Wren, R.C. Potter’s New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations; http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Ricinus_communis.html; http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.asp?PageType=Article&ID=429; http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_castor.htm