Ricinus communis L.
Euphorbiaceae
- Castor-oil-plant
- khirwa’ خِرْوَع
- קִיקָיוֹן מָצוּי
- qiqayon matzuy
Phanerophyte shrub
- Disturbed habitats
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distribution and other botanical details.
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) |
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). |
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) |
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. |
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. |
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.
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".
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.