Castor Bean

Castor Bean
This genus of a single species of evergreen shrub is found wild throughout W Asia and NE Africa, and is naturalized in many parts of the tropics. It reaches tree-like proportions in warm regions, and thrives as a half-hardy annual in temperate areas. The large, luxuriant leaves are effective as a focal point or background in subtropical bedding. Ricinus communis has been cultivated for over 6000 years and was a source of oil for lamps and cosmetics in ancient Egypt. All parts of the plant are poisonous; the seeds contain ricin, an exceedingly toxic protein. The toxicity of the plant was well publicized following a political assassination in London that was carried out using an umbrella tipped with seed extract. Necklaces are sometimes made from the attractive seeds, though as few as two may prove fatal if swallowed. Greek physicians of the first century CE regarded the oil as suitable only for external application. This view persisted until the 1780s, when castor oil was listed in many pharmacopoeias as a purgative, following a report of its use for this purpose in the West Indies. Ricinus is the Latin word for a tick, as the mottled seeds of the plant are similar in shape to these parasites.

Ancient Egyptians apparently valued the laxative effects of the castor oil plant highly, as its seeds have been found in their tombs. Castor oil's laxative action comes from its ability to draw fluid into the colon and encourages peristalsis, the rhythmic movementss of the bowel muscles that push the stool through the system.

Upright, fast-growing shrub with dark red stems and long-stalked, palmately lobed, toothed leaves, to 60cm (24in) across. Yellow-green female flowers, to 2.5cm (1in) across, each with a conspicuous red stigma, are borne above the males in ovoid spikes to 15cm (6in) long in summer; females are followed by red-brown, spiny capsules, to 2.5cm (1in) in diameter, containing 3 oblong, mottled, gray-brown seeds

Common Name:

Castor Bean

Other Names:

Castor Oil Plant, Mexico Seed, Palma-Christi, Wonder Tree, Wunderbaum

Botanical Name:

Ricinus communis

Genus:

Ricinus

Family:

Euphorbaceae

Cultivation:

Well-drained, rich soil in sun. Starved or pot-bound plants tend to flower, rather than producing handsome foliage. Subject to statutory control as a weed in some countries, notably in parts of Australia.

Propagation:

By seed sown in spring at 21°C (70°F). Germination is quicker if seeds are soaked in water for 24 hours prior to sowing.

Harvest:

Ripe seeds are collected and pressed for oil.

Native Region:

NE Africa and W Asia

Height:

1.8m (6ft) as an annual, 10-12m (30-40ft) as an evergreen shrub
Heights for cultivars are for annual growth.

Width:

1-1.2m (3-4ft) as an annual, 4m (12ft) as an evergreen shrub.

Varieties:

Carmencita
Has bronze leaves, bright red female flowers, and red capsules.
Height: 2-3m (6-10ft)
Width: 1m (3ft)

Impala
Is compact, with maroon foliage, cream-yellow flowers, and maroon capsules.
Height: 1.2m (4ft)
Width: 60-90cm (24-36in)

Zanzibarensis
Has white-veined green leaves, 50cm (20in) long.
Height: 2-3m (6-10ft)

Hardiness:

Parts Used:

Seed,Oil, and fat taken from seed.

Properties:

A purgative, emollient herb with an unpleasant taste.

Medicinal Uses:

Internally for constipation and acute diarrhea due to food poisoning. Externally as an enema in severe constipation, and for irritating skin and eye conditions. Used in Ayurvedic medicine for nervous disorders.
To treat constipation, intestinal worms, sore throat, ulcers, joint pain, diarrhea, inflammation of the skin and intestines.

Typical Dose:

A typical dose of castor oil to treat constipation is approximately 15ml.

Possible Side Effects:

Castor oil's side effects include abdominal discomfort, cramps, faintness, and nausea.

Drug Interactions:

Taking castor oil with these drugs may increase the risk of hypokalemia (low levels of potassium in the blood)
Acetazolamide,(Apo-Acetazolamide, Diamox Sequels)	Azosemide,(Diat)	Beclomethasone,(Beconase, Vanceril)	Betamethasone,(Celestone, Diprolene)	Budesonide,(Entocort, Rhinocort)	Budesonide and Formoterol,(Symbicort)
Bumetanide,(Bumex, Burinex)	Chlorothiazide,(Diuril)	Chlorthalidone,(Apo-Chlorthalidone, Thalitone)	Cortisone,(Cortone)	Deflazacort,(Calcort, Dezacor)	Dexamethasone,(Decadron, Dexasone)
Digitalis,(Digitek, Lanoxin)	Ethacrynic Acid,(Edecrin)	Etozolin,(Elkapin)	Flunisolide,(AeroBid, Nasarel)	Fluorometholone,(Eflone, Flarex)	Fluticasone,(Cutivate, Flonase)
Furosemide,(Apo-Furosemide, Lasix)	Hydrochlorothiazide,(Apo-Hydro, Microzide)	Hydrocortisone,(Anusol-HC, Locoid)	Hydroflumethiazide,(Diucardin, Saluron)	Indapamide,(Lozol, Nu-Indapamide)	Loteprednol,(Alrex, Lotemax)
Mannitol,(Osmitrol, Resectisol)	Medrysone,(HMS Liquifilm)	Mefruside,(Baycaron)	Methazolamide,(Apo-Methazolamide, Neptazine)	Methyclothiazide,(Aquatensen, Enduron)	Methylprednisolone,(Depo-Medrol, Medrol)
Metolazone,(Mykrox, Zaroxolyn)	Olmesartan and Hydrochlorothiazide,(Benicar HCT)	Polythiazide,(Renese)	Prednisolone,(Inflamase Forte, Pred Forte)	Prednisone,(Apo-Prednisone, Deltasone)	Rimexolone,(Vexol)
Torsemide,(Demadex)	Triamcinolone,(Aristocort, Trinasal)	Trichlormethiazide,(Metatensin, Naqua)		Urea,(Amino-Cerv, UltraMide)	Xipamide,(Diurexan, Lumitens)

Taking castor oil with these drugs may reduce the absorption of the drug:

All drugs taken orally

Taking castor oil with these drugs may increase the loss of electrolytes and fluids:
Cascara,(Cascara)	Docusate and Senna,(Peri-Colace, Senokot-S)

Disease Interactions:

May worsen cases of Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or other gastrointestinal ailments

Food Interactions:

Absorption of castor oil may be decreased if taken within one hour of drinking milk.

Supplement Interactions:

Increased risk of cardiac glycoside toxicity when used with other herbs that contain cardiac glycosides, such as Black Hellebore, Calotropis, Motherwort, and others.
Increase risk of potassium depletion when used in conjunction with Horsetail Plant or Licorice
Increased risk of potassium depletion when used with other stimulant laxative herbs, such as Black Root, Cascara Sagrada, and Senna.
Enhanced absorption of castor oil when taken with oil-soluble anthelmintic herbs, such as Male Fern.
May decrease toxicity and efficacy of Wormseed oil when taken concurrently with castor oil.

Culinary Uses:

Castor oil is used to coat grains and legumes in India.

Economic Uses:

Oil is added to soaps, cosmetics, and ophthalmic products, and used in the making of candles, crayons, varnishes, lubricating oils, high-performance fuels, carbon paper, polyamide fiber, leather preservatives, fabric waterproofing, and dyes for cotton: also in the food industry to give nutty or buttery flavors. Castor oil repels insects, notably cockroaches. Seed residue is used in fertilizers, and in fiber and board manufacture.

Warning:

All parts, especially seeds, are extremely toxic if eaten. Repeated handling of foliage or seeds may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Excess causes severe colic, vomiting, and purgation.

Bibliography:

Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pp 345-346.
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD. Copyright © 2007 Barry Fox, PhD pp.128-129