Castor in Herbal Medicine: Properties of Castor

Scientific name

Ricinus communis

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Origin

Africa and tropical regions

Parts Used

The oil extracted from the seeds is used from the plant, since in their entirety the seeds are toxic and deadly.

Chemical constituents

• Oil: ricinolein, which releases glycerol and ricinoleic acid by hydrolysis;
• Seeds (peel): ricin and ricinin, two highly toxic glycoproteins.

Castor in Herbal Medicine: Properties of Castor

Castor oil, which is cold extracted from the seeds, was used as a powerful laxative (energetic purgative effect, toxic in high doses).
Ingestion of castor seeds is toxic and can lead to death of the individual (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, renal failure up to shock).