Castor oil plant
Useful properties and use of castor bean
Useful properties of castor bean
Castor bean seeds contain 45-60% of non-drying fatty oil, which includes glyceride of unsaturated ricinoleic acid (castor oil), lipase enzyme, stearic, oleic, linoleic acids and glycerin. Protein substances such as globulin and albumin, a small amount of alkaloids, a small amount of nitrogen-free substances and fiber were also found in the seeds of the plant.
The herb also contains such a poisonous proteinaceous substance as ricin. During cold pressing of seeds to obtain oil from them (with subsequent treatment with steam and hot water), a certain amount of poison is destroyed, most of it remains in the waste - cake. Ricin is a protoplasmic poison that inhibits protein biosynthesis at the ribosome level. It is found in all parts of the plant and is a by-product in the production of castor oil.
In addition, the seeds of a plant contain a large amount of micro and macro elements: potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and others. For medicinal purposes, the leaves and seeds of the plant are used, obtaining castor oil from them. It is a laxative, wound-healing and anti-inflammatory agent.
Castor bean application
Castor oil is widely used in medicine. It is prescribed for inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, colitis and febrile conditions. Outwardly, the oil is used to treat ulcers, burns, and also as an aid in removing warts. In cosmetology, it is used to whiten age spots and rapid eyelash growth. In gynecology, oil is used to stimulate the contractile activity of the uterus. In addition, an infusion of herbs is used to treat inflammatory diseases of the uterus, and for colds and bronchitis, they rub the chest.
Infusion of leaves: 10 g of crushed leaves should be poured into a glass of boiling water and insisted for 15 minutes in a boiling water bath, after which the mixture should be cooled and filtered. It is recommended to take the infusion three times a day, one tablespoon for endometritis.
Castor oil is poisonous
The seeds of this plant can cause serious damage to health, as it is considered the most poisonous of all seed species. The toxins in the herb inhibit protein synthesis in the intestinal wall, causing it to break down and the intestines to stop functioning. However, castor oil is obtained from the plant and is considered safe. The seeds of a plant can easily be poisoned.
The first signs of castor oil poisoning may appear only after a few hours. Symptomatically, this is manifested by yellowing of the skin, burning and pain in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, severe headache, weakness, cramps, acceleration or slowing of the pulse and possible respiratory arrest.
At the first sign of poisoning, you should immediately call a doctor and provide the patient with first aid. It consists in washing the stomach and a warm heating pad on the person's stomach.
Castor oil
The plant contains up to 60% of non-drying fatty oil. It possesses special technical qualities, due to which it is widely used in various industries. In medicine, this oil is called castor oil. Castor oil has a high viscosity and density, as well as a high reactivity. It contains approximately 90% ricinoleic acid, 1% palmitic acid, 1% stearic acid, 3% oleic acid and 4% linoleic acid.
Castor oil does not dissolve in water, but it dissolves well in alcohol. It has a mild odor and a characteristic unpleasant taste. In air, it thickens, but does not oxidize; at temperatures below minus 15 ° C, it can solidify to a jelly state.
Castor bean seeds
The seeds ripen in the fruits of the plant. They are ovoid or round in shape and have a smooth, shiny skin. They contain the poisonous substance ricin, which causes severe poisoning. An antidote to this poison has not yet been created, it is many times more toxic than potassium cyanide, sarin gas and cobra venom.
Castor oil is extracted from the seeds by cold pressing followed by heat treatment. The plant and its properties were known even in ancient times, since grass seeds were discovered during excavations of ancient Egyptian sarcophagi.
Castor bean fruit
The fruit of the plant is a spherical tricuspid capsule. Each of the valves contains one seed. In some plant species, the fruits are covered with thorns. Castor bean fruits are harvested 3-4 times per season as they ripen. Castor oil is obtained from the fruit, which contains a large amount of ricinoleic acid glycerides. Everything in this grass is poisonous: leaves, flowers, fruits. After touching the fruit, wash your hands immediately and thoroughly.
Castor bean growing
Cultivation of castor oil plant is not such a difficult thing, although it should be noted that the plant does not tolerate frost and loves sunny places. The soil for it should be loose, nutritious, with good moisture and deeply cultivated. Seeds are sown in early April. The best option for sowing seeds is by the piece. They are sown in separate peat or plastic cups to a depth of 1–2 cm. Under good conditions, seedlings may appear already on the third day after sowing.
During germination, the cotyledonous leaves of the plant are covered with an oily sticky skin, which must be removed to avoid rotting of the sprouts. In order not to damage the delicate leaves, the peel is moistened and carefully removed.
Castor oil care. To accelerate the germination of tug-like large seeds, scarification (incision of the hard seed shell) is usually used. In addition, the plant must be watered abundantly and be sure to weed regularly, since at the initial stage of development, the castor oil plant grows slowly and the weeds can drown it out. It is also desirable to feed it with mineral fertilizers containing nitrogen. It is better to handle the plant with gloves and after finishing work, you should definitely wash your hands.
Castor oil plant
The name of the plant comes from the Latin word ricinuc - mite, which is associated with the shape of the seeds, reminiscent of the oriental tick. The homeland of the herb is tropical Africa. There the plant has a tree-like shape and reaches a height of 10 meters. In temperate climatic zones, it is an annual plant up to 2 m high, with a branched stem. Large palmate leaves grow on long petioles. At the ends of the shoots or in the axils of the leaves are racemose inflorescences.
The plant is widely cultivated for medicinal and technical purposes. It is widely cultivated on all continents. Castor oil plant grows in the North Caucasus, in Asia Minor and Central Asia, in the Transcaucasus, in the steppe regions of Ukraine and in the Lower Volga region.
Contraindications to the use of castor bean
The plant is deadly poisonous! In no case should you try castor bean seeds. If you ate them by accident, then be sure to induce vomiting and rinse the stomach.
Abuse of castor oil can lead to stomach upset. Before using preparations from the plant, you should consult your doctor. The use of oil by pregnant and lactating women is undesirable.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
