CASTOR BEAN
Ricinus communis
COMMON NAMES: Castor oil, palma christe (from supposed shape of leaves resembling Christ’s hand).
FEATURES: The variety is variable as to continent and conditions. In the United States the hollow stems
are tall, with purplish bloom above, bearing bluish green leaves that are one or two feet broad; flowers in
July; capsule expelling the variously tinted, shining bean. The plant is decorative and is regarded as a
mosquito repellent if planted in presumable direction of entry. Native to India, but cultivated extensively
in the United States.
MEDICINAL PARTS: The bean; the fixed oil, expressed from the seeds. The first settlers make a traditional
laxative from it; Europeans and Native Americans found it useful.
BODILY INFLUENCE: Cathartic, purgative.
USES: Expect purging 4 to 6 hours after 1 tablespoonful, for adults, or 1 teaspoonful, for children, has
been taken, followed by a sedative effect on the intestines. The mildness of action is acceptable for young
children and childbearing women in cases of constipation, colic, diarrhea due to slow digestion, and
tapeworms and lumbricoid worms.
Not recommended for dyspeptics, where contraindicated, as it is oppressive to the digestive powers. If
the taste is disagreeable, flavor with equal parts of oil and either heavy sarsaparilla, peppermint, or
cinnamon syrup, and mix thoroughly. To relieve the lower bowel an injection of 4 tablespoonfuls is
thoroughly mixed with a mucilage of slippery elm bark.
CAUTION: It is important to note that according to M. L. Fernald, the large and handsome seeds are
dangerously poisonous to eat.
EXTERNALLY: For aid in ringworm, itch, and cutaneous complaints if applied assiduously. The leaves are
said to be galactagogic when applied to the breast. Canary Island women have used the leaves to increase
their secretion of milk for centuries.
HOMEOPATHIC CLINICAL: Albuminuria, aphthae, cholera, cholera infantum, diarrhea, duodenum (catarrh
of), dysentery, eruptions, gangrene, gastroenteritis, jaundice, lactation, peritonitis.
RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE: Castor oil has many uses in Russia and is know as kastorka. Used industrially for
lubricating oil in commercial equipment and airplanes, as it does not freeze in the severe Russian climate.