Euphorbiaceae
Phanerophyte shrub
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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 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 - https://florapal.org/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.
