locomotor disturbances, impaired vision,
abnormal posture, growth depression, anemia
with significant increases in serum sorbitol
dehydrogenase, glutamic dehydrogenase, glu-
tamic oxaloacetic transaminase, potassium,
and total hepatic and cardiac lipids. Decreases
in hepatic vitamin A, serum protein totals, and
manganese were also observed.^7 Other animal
studies on the seeds have reported fever,
perspiration, vomiting, diarrhea, and eventual
death.^5
USES
Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.
Used as a cathartic, particularly in the treat-
ment of food poisoning and in evacuation of
the bowel before X-ray examination; as a
solvent or vehicle in some parenteral and
ophthalmic preparations; as an ingredient in
lipsticks, hair-grooming products, ointments,
creams, lotions, transparent soaps, supposito-
ry bases, and others.
Food. Castor oil is used as an antisticking
and release agent in hard candy production
and as a component of protective coatings in
tablets (vitamins, minerals, etc.); as a flavor
component (e.g., butter and nut flavors) in
major categories of foods such as nonalcohol-
ic beverages, frozen dairy desserts, candy,
baked goods, and meat and meat products,
with highest average maximum use level of
0.055% reported for frozen dairy desserts.
Traditional Medicine. Castor oil has been
used for centuries in India, Egypt, and China
as a cathartic and externally for sores and
abscesses, among others; seeds also reportedly
used as an oral contraceptive in Algiers^8 and
India.^5 A teaspoon of the oil with parsley has
been used to treat asthma (Haiti). Other uses of
the oil include intestinal colic (Iran), vomiting,
prolapse of the rectum, hemorrhoids (Brazil),
diarrhea (South Africa), and as a purgative
(Italy, Indonesia, Philippines, Mexico, Argen-
tina, Columbia, and Brazil). Topical uses
include bone deformities, limb paralysis
(Algeria),bedsores(Nigeria),bronchialcatarrh
(Guatemala), flatulence in children, mastitis
during breastfeeding (Indian and Pakistan),
tinea or seborrhea of the scalp (Ethiopia),
scabies (Angola), sedative (East and South
Africa), warts, old age spots, ulcerated feet
(Columbia), scalds (Brazil), burns, eczema
(Russia), conjunctivitis (India), sties, and red-
dening and irritation of the eyes (Columbia).
Theoilhasalsobeeninstilledintotheeartotreat
otitis (Sri Lanka) and earache (Italy).^5Others. The seed oil was used by the ancient
Egyptians for embalming in mummification;^9
however, by far the largest use of castor oil
is as its dehydrated or partially dehydrated
form in industrial lubricants, coatings, paints,
varnishes, and others; also in synthesis of
urethanes, foams, plastics, and certain per-
fume chemicals, among others.1,2,10Sulfonat-
ed castor oil (Turkey red oil) is widely used
in the textile and printing industry as a
surfactant.^11COMMERCIAL PREPARATIONSNo. 1 and no. 3 quality oils. Castor oil is
official in U.S.P. and F.C.C.Regulatory Status. Castor oil is approved for
use in foods as a natural flavoring substance
(§172.510) and as a diluent in color additive
mixtures for finished foods in a concentration
of not more than 500 ppm (§73.1).REFERENCES
See the General References forBAILEY2;BIANCHINI AND CORBETTA;DER MARDEROSIAN AND BEUTLER;DUKE
4;FEMA;GRIEVE;JIXIAN;BRUNETON;JIANGSU;HUANG;LEWIS AND ELVIN-LEWIS;GRIEVE;MARTINDALE;MCGUFFIN
1&2;MERCK;NANJING;UPHOF;USD26th;YOUNGKEN.
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