Castor Oil Plant

Other names: Ricinus communis, African Coffee Tree, Kreuzbaum, Wonder Tree

Used as an ornamental plant in gardens around the world, Castor Oil Plant is one of the most poisonous plants and a feared chemical warfare agent. Only 1 to 6  whole seeds are enough to cause mouth and throat burning, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and death in 3 to 5 days after ingestion, as the hull of the seed contains a powerful toxin inhibiting protein synthesis called “ricin”.

Castor Oil is obtained from pressed seeds after the poisonous hull has been removed and is used as a medicine since ancient times. Valuable laxative, Castor Oil  is used by women to start labor in pregnancy, as studies show that a 60 ml dose will start the labor within 24 h, preventing a Cesarean section. Castor oil also stimulates breast milk flow. Used for birth control, some evidence shows that a single dose of seeds (without the poisonous outer coat) can act as a contraceptive for 8-12 months, while castor oil introduced inside the vagina, causes abortion.

Anti-inflammatory and immunostimulant, Castor Oil is a powerful antibacterial agent and a stimulant for the lymphatic system. The lymphocyte cell number increases rapidly when Castor Oil is absorbed through the skin, boosting toxin removal and leading to a faster healing. In oncology, Castor Oil is sometimes used as a vehicle for delivering chemotherapy drugs to cancer tumors.

Externally, Castor Oil does wonders for your skin, removing skin spots, and blackheads, dissolving cysts and warts and treating acne, dermatitis, keratosis and even hair loss. It is also used in osteoarthritis, for bunions and corns, to alleviate  migraines and inflammations of the middle ear.