Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

florapal.org

Ricinus communis L.

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Synonym(s)

English name(s)

Castor-oil-plant

Arabic Name(s)

khirwa’ خِرْوَع

Hebrew Name(s)

qiqayon matzuy

קִיקָיוֹן מָצוּי

Life Form

Phanerophyte shrub

Habitat

Disturbed habitats

Click Flora of Israel Online to view distribution
and other botanical details.

For distribution and other botanical details for this plant

Click to view:

Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Ricinus communis L.

System/State	Traditional Complaint/Use	Activity / Interpretation	Traditional Preparation/ Administration	Parts Used	Source
Child Health	Chest pain infants	Analgesic	Apply oil externally as ointment.	Seed (oil)	B
Dermatological	Hair loss	Hair restorer	Apply oil externally to affected areas & massage.	Seed (oil)	B
Dermatological	Skin diseases.	Non-specific	1. Apply oil externally to affected areas & massage. (B) 2. Apply seed oil to affected area alone or made into salve + other ingredients. (Z)	Seed (oil)	B, Z
Dermatology	Open boils	Vulnerary	Apply fresh leaf to boil until it opens; then clean + cotton dipped in castor oil.	Leaf, Seed (oil)	Z
Dermatology	Pruritis of skin	Anti-pruritic	Cut skin with razor blade & drink laxative e.g.castor seed oil.	Seed (oil)	Z
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)	Earache	Analgesic	Apply seed oil as ear drops.	Seed (oil)	Z
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)	Obstruction, deafness & noises [tinitus] in ears.	Anti-tinnitus	Apply few drops of seed oil into ear. (See NOTES 1)	Seed (oil)	Z
Gastrointestinal	Abdominal pain	Carminative	Use seed oil. (Admin. further details not specified.)	Seed (oil)	Z
Gastrointestinal	Chronic diarrhea	Anti-diarrheal	Drink oil from seeds; after burn the patient with a hot iron on upper posterior part of arm, then eat pomegranate jam.	Seed (oil)	Z
Gastrointestinal	Constipation	Laxative	1. Extract oil from seeds & drink (60 gm) (unclear if this refers to weight of the seeds or oil). 2. Chronic constipation: drink x1 small glass castor seed oil. 3. For babies: spread oil on abdomen & gently massage.	Seed (oil)	Z
Gastrointestinal	Haemorrhoids	Anti-haemorrhoidal	Apply oil poultice from seeds onto affected area x2/ day.	Seed (oil)	B
Helminth Infections	Intestinal worms (Z) Worms (B)	Anthelmintic, Vermifuge	1.Drink seed oil followed by infusion of mint tea. For ascaris: after above, eat dried, coconut in evening. Avoid eating peanuts (Arachis hypogaea). (Z) 2. Drink 1 cup oil on empty stomach x1/ day. (B)	Seed (oil)	Z, B
Helminth Infections	Tapeworm	Anthelmintic, Vermifuge	After fasting for 2 days, eat 200 gm peeled buttercup squash (Cucurbita maxima) seeds. After 4 hr eat 60 gm "zeit kharw'a" (Olea ricini, castor seed oil) or 2 fingers (may mean a pinch between 2 fingers) of English salt (Epsom salt = MgSO4).	Seed (oil)	Z
Infections	Gonorrhea	Anti-Infective	Drink 1-3 dirhams (See NOTES 1 & 2) of seed oil.	Seed (oil)	Z
Infections	Tetanus	Anti-Infective	Use seed oil. (Admin. not specified. (See NOTES 1).	Seed (oil)	Z
Mental Health	Tranquilizer & against insanity	Anti-psychotic, Sedative	Mix fruit + myrrh + saffron + salt + garlic + oil & apply externally. (Further details of Admin. not specified.)	Fruit	Z
Musculoskeletal/ joints	Ischias (sciatic pain)	Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory	Apply seed oil locally & massage.	Seed (oil)	Z
Musculoskeletal/ joints	Rheumatic pain	Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory	1. Cook leaves in olive oil & spread over painful areas. Avoid exposure to wind. 2. Apply seed oil locally & massage. ( See NOTES 1).	Leaf	Z
Nervous system	Facial paralysis	Nervine	Apply seed oil & massage.	Seed (oil)	Z
Nervous system	Stoke; "paralysis of the brain "	Nervine	Apply seed oil as an enema.	Seed (oil)	Z
Women`s Health	Contraception	Contraceptive	Drink x3 seeds (Preparation not specified) directly after birth. Contraceptive for 3 years.	Seed	B
Women`s Health	Increase lactation, draw out milk	Galactagogue	Apply poultice of leaves to nipples. (See NOTES 3)	Leaf	Z
Wound Healing	Abscess	Anti-Infective	Apply oil poultice from seeds on affected area x2/day.	Seed (oil)	B
Wound Healing	Burn & later to keep the wound open	Vulnerary	1. Apply seed oil alone or as salve + other ingredients. 2. Rub castor seed oil on burn then sprinkle with powder from roasted, ground lentils. 3.To keep wound open: apply poultice of leaves	Leaf, Seed (oil)	Z
Wound Healing	Open closed lesions /wounds	Vulnerary	Apply poultice of leaves to lesion.	Leaf	Z

The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.

Notes

The seed of Ricinus communis (Castor seed) contains approx. 40-60% castor oil, is rich in triglycerides, mainly ricinolein & is used medicinally. The seed also contains ricin, a water-soluble toxic alkaloid present in lower concentrations throughout the plant. (See CAUTIONS) 1. Z notes that the castor oil is purchased at a pharmacy & not made at home.
2. Z notes that "dirham" in Arabic means a small coin & explains " thus 1-3 dirhams either means literally 1-3 coins worth or a small amount".
3. In the recipe for increasing lactation Z notes: "If poultice is applied to the back, it draws milk back into body & can be used to decrease or stop lactation".

Cautions

Ricinus communis seed contains ricin, a water-soluble toxic alkaloid & deadly poison present in lower concentrations throughout the plant. Leaves are mildly poisonous. Estimated that 1 seed can kill a child and between 2-20 seeds kill an adult. Castor oil should not be used for more than 8-10 days with too frequent use associated with gastric irritation & allergic skin reactions. Castor oil is contraindicated in intestinal obstruction, abdominal pain of unknown origin, appendicitis & inflammatory bowel disease. Overdose of castor oil can cause severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea & vomiting. Castor oil should not be given to children under 12 yrs & should not be used in preganacy as it can induce premature labour & miscarriage.