Castor oil plant

Ricinus communis

Traditionally attributed effects: oil mildly laxative; leaf juice emetic in poisoning, leaf decoction laxative, promotes milk and menstruation; compress on boils and swellings, for flatulence in children; root decoction for lumbago, rheumatism and sciatica.

Safety notes

The seeds contain ricin and are lethally poisonous; only the purified oil is used. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Preparation

Castor oil as a laxative 12–28 ml (children 5 ml, only on advice); leaf paste and warm leaves with oil externally on the abdomen or chest; do not use the seeds.

Use in traditions

Castor oil is already mentioned in the Egyptian Ebers Papyrus, as lamp oil and as a laxative. Herodotus and Dioscorides described the plant as kiki. In Ayurveda (eranda) the oil is an important purifying remedy, in Chinese medicine the seeds (bi ma zi) are used only externally, and in Unani medicine the plant is called bed-anjir. Sanskrit name: Eranda.

Applications

Use by tradition

How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.

Ayurvedic materia medica

Attributed effects

Oil mildly laxative; leaf juice emetic in poisoning, leaf decoction laxative, promotes milk and menstruation; compress on boils and swellings, for flatulence in children; root decoction for lumbago, rheumatism and sciatica; oil for constipation, also during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Preparation and amount

Castor oil as a laxative 12–28 ml (children 5 ml, only on advice); leaf paste and warm leaves with oil externally on the abdomen or chest; do not use the seeds.

Ways to prepare herbs: Compress, poultice and paste

Sources

All herbs from Africa →