Castor Oil Plant
|
Botanical Name |
Ricinus communis |
|
Family |
Euphorbiaceae |
|
Other Names |
Castor bean, palma christi |
|
Description |
Upright perennial evergreen shrub Leaves: large long stalked, palmate, irregular serrate margin |
|
Native to |
Africa |
|
Parts Used |
Seed, leaves |
|
Actions |
Laxative, purgative |
|
Constituents |
Seeds: Fixed oil –glycerides of ricinoleic, isoricinoleic acids, stearic, linoleic, dihydroxystearic . Alkaloid –ricinine Leaves: Flavonoids, coumarins, phenolic acids including corilagic, epicatechin, ellagic, chlorogenic acids; hyperoside, rutin. Alkaloids –ricinine, N-demethylricinine. Sterols –brassicasterol, campesterol, lupeol |
|
Other Uses |
Candles, canyons, varnishes, fuel, paper |
|
Caution |
All parts toxic especially seeds |