Spurge plants, the seed shells are very poisonous! Common names: Miracle tree, Christ palm, dog tree, lice tree Latin: Ricinus communisHis native country is the Middle East and East Africa. Perennial, herbaceous plant that is sometimes found in certain areas as a small tree.
The plant grows very fast and can grow several meters high after some years. The trunk is woody, the leaves are conspicuously large, long stalked, shield- to hand-shaped leaves with 7 to 11 serrated lobes. The stems are very hydrated and in some plants the leaves are red.
The flowers appear from August to October and sit in panicles. At the upper end of the panicle are the female flowers with red pistils, in the lower half the male flowers with typical yellow stamens. The fruits usually appear as reddish brown capsules, smooth or with soft spines. Inside is a reddish marbled, bean-shaped seed. Medicinally used plant parts: The fatty oil from the seeds.
Ingredients
The oil consists up to 80 per cent of glycerides of the Ricinolsäure. It is cold pressed. In contrast to the seed husks it is non-toxic.
The shells contain the toxic protein ricin, which is deadly poisonous. It is soluble in water and not in fat and therefore cannot be found in castor oil, it remains in the pressed residues. Ricin is highly toxic and causes nausea, vomiting, cramps, damage to the kidneys, liver and intestines and after about 2 days death due to circulatory failure as a result of red blood cell clumping.
Curative effects and application
The healing properties of castor oil plant were already known to the Egyptians. The castor oil is above all effective as a laxative and very well known. Was used very often in the past, but is still used today.
The oil is split up in the small intestine and a light irritant effect is produced, which stimulates the movement of the intestine. One tablespoon is the correct dosage. The effect usually occurs 2 to 4 hours after ingestion. Castor oil is less suitable for chronic constipation because continuous use can cause stomach problems. Castor oil is also used in cosmetic products such as hair lotions.
