Common name Castor oil (E), Rendi (H) Sanskrit Eranda a Latin Ricinus communis–Semen/Folium (Euphorbiaceae)
Castor oil is considered the king of medicinals for curing vata and arthritic diseases. It is warm, oily, heavy, and acts as a laxative.
ENERGETICS
- Rasa (taste) Sweet, pungent, astringent
- Virya (energy) Heating
- Vipaka(post-digestive effect) Sweet
- Guna(quality) Unctuous, heavy, penetrating and subtle (i.e. enters the minute channels of the system)
- Doshaeffect VKP-, P+ in excess
- Dhatu(tissue) Plasma, blood, muscle, fat
- Srotas (channel) Digestive, excretory, circulatory
CONSTITUENTS
Phytosterols: Brassicasterol, campesterol, ß-sitosterol, ß-amyrin, lupeol (aerial parts)
Flavonoids: Kaempferol, quercetin, rutin (aerial parts)
Fixed oil: Ricinoleic, linoleic, palmitic, oleic and stearic acid (seed)
Alkaloid: Ricinine (seed)
(Williamson 2002)
AYURVEDIC ACTION
- Bhedaniya Purgative that destroys faeces
- AmaPachana Removes toxins from the bowel
- Cakshushya Benefits the eyes
- Angamarda Relieves limb pain/body aches
- Vatasamana Pacifies vata
BIOMEDICAL ACTION
Cathartic, purgative, laxative, antiarthritic, antifungal, emollient, oxytocic
INDICATIONS
Digestion In mild to moderate constipation, castor oil acts as an osmotic laxative. It holds water in the intestines and causes a total cleansing of the large intestine. This can flush pitta and kapha from the system. Its effect is very dose-dependent and can range from cathartic to aperient. As an emollient it lubricates the dryness of vata and recorrects the flow of apana vayu downwards. It can be included as part of a treatment for piles (Bhavaprakasa).
Arthritis Traditionally used for all conditions where both ama and vata mix. This manifests as pain, swelling, deformations of the joints and bones. The oil is externally applied, and taken internally for sciatica, arthritis, gout, and paralysis (Gogte 2000).
Lumps An external application is used to clear all accumulations and palpable lumps. Apply a hot fomentation over the breast, liver, abdomen or pelvis for any cyst, inflammation, tumour or lump.
Eyes The oil is put into the eyes to treat styes, conjunctivitis and foreign objects in the eyes.
Skin It is considered beneficial as an external application for warts and fungal infections of the skin and nails. Very useful as an emollient to treat dry skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
COMBINATIONS
- Ginger, triphala tea for constipation.
- Haritaki (1 part castor to 4 parts haritaki) to make gandharva haritaki; a potent laxative for vata conditions.
- Guggulu and dashmoola decoction in arthritis.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
- Although commonly used to induce delivery (due to oxytocin release) it should not be used in pregnancy. Intestinal obstruction.
- Infections of the internal organs.
- Not to be given to children under 12 years old. Internally, not for long-term use as it leads to dependency.
SAFETY
No drug–herb interactions are known.
PRECAUTION
The herb must be processed before using it as a medicine.
DOSAGE
5–30ml depending on the age, size and level of constipation of the patient. It is very powerful; use wisely!
NOTES
- A native of Africa, the castor plant grows all over India as a small perennial shrub.
- Of the two varieties, red and white, the white is used medicinally.
- The whole seed is exceedingly toxic (i.e. causes death) if eaten whole due to the toxicity of the protein ricin. Ricin is denatured after pressing and is rendered harmless.
- The leaf and the root are also highly prized medicines for arthritis.
- Important ingredient in simhanada guggul (+triphala-, sulphur, guggulu) for treating arthritis.
- The oil is occasionally added to chapattis in India as a home remedy to clean the intestines.
- Low dose (5ml) is a laxative, high dose (>10ml) is a purgative.
- External applications are superb for pain, growths and congestion.
