Ricinus communis - medicinal and other uses

Ricinus communis L.

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Synonym(s)

English name(s)

Castor-oil-plant

Arabic Name(s)

khirwa’ خِرْوَع

Hebrew Name(s)

קִיקָיוֹן מָצוּי

qiqayon matzuy

Comments

Life Form

Phanerophyte shrub

Habitat

Disturbed habitats

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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

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distribution and other botanical details.

Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Ricinus communis L.

Medicinal Complaints / Uses
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.