Castor – A Medicinal Plant
Under the series of medicinal plants, this time we are discussing Castor (Ricinus communis). It is commonly found throughout India. It grows naturally along roadsides and near fields, and is also cultivated. The plant grows 1 to 16 feet tall, slender, and elongated. Its stem is smooth with a greenish hue. The leaves are green, 30–60 cm in diameter, and divided into 5 to 11 finger-like segments. The leaf stalk (petiole) is 4–12 inches long.
Flowers and Fruits
The flowers are unisexual. The flower stalk is 30–60 cm long, bearing female flowers at the top and male flowers below. The fruit is hard and spiny. Each fruit contains three seeds that are variegated with multiple colors. Inside each seed is a white kernel that contains oil.
Cultivation
Castor seeds are sown at the beginning of the monsoon season. The plant bears fruit in the months of Kartik and Margashirsha (October–December). There are two varieties: one sown with the Kharif crop and the other with the Rabi crop. The Kharif variety usually has larger seeds, while the Rabi variety has smaller seeds. Seeds ripen in Jyeshtha(May–June). Generally, castor comes in two types – white and red. The red castor has a red-colored stem and leaves. Based on age, it is also of two types – perennial and annual. The perennial variety produces larger fruits and seeds, with higher oil content. The white castor is more effective in balancing Vata dosha and is considered aphrodisiac and Vata-nashak.
Medicinal Description
Sanskrit Name: Eranda, Gandharvahasta
Hindi Name: Andi, Arand
Marathi Name: Erandi
Gujarati Name: Erando
English Name: Castor Oil Plant
Latin Name: Ricinus communis
Useful Parts: Root, root bark, leaves, seeds, oil
Properties: Oily, sharp, subtle
Taste (Rasa): Sweet
Potency (Virya): Hot
Aftertaste (Anurasa): Pungent, astringent
Metabolism (Vipaka): Sweet
Effect: Lubricant, penetrative
Dosha Effects: Due to its hot potency, it balances Vata and Kapha
Dosage:
Root paste: 10–12 grams
Root bark powder: 1–3 grams
Leaf powder: 3–4 grams
Seeds: 2–6
Oil: 4–16 ml
Medicinal Uses
Labor Pains: To ease delivery, castor oil mixed with milk is given to the mother.
Stomach Ache: Drinking a decoction of dry ginger (sonth) mixed with castor oil cures abdominal pain.
Hyperacidity (Bhasmak Rog): Taking castor oil mixed with ghee helps in reducing excessive hunger and acidity.
Appendicitis: Taking 5–10 grams of castor oil daily can help avoid surgery.
Jaundice: Castor root paste mixed with honey is effective. Juice of castor leaves mixed with double the quantity of sugar can also be given.
Lactation Problems: If the mother has low milk flow or breast lumps, boiling castor leaves and using the water for warm compresses helps. Massaging with castor oil also provides relief.
Obesity: Soaking powdered castor root with water and honey overnight and drinking it in the morning helps reduce fat.
Chronic Cough: Taking 10–15 ml of castor oil every third day for 1–2 months cures chronic cough.
Breathing Disorders: Taking castor oil mixed with double the amount of honey morning and evening is beneficial.
Swallowed Glass Pieces: Mixing 30 ml of castor oil with milk helps expel glass pieces through stool.
Tooth Powder (Dant Manjan): Mixing rock salt, turmeric, and Triphala in equal parts with some castor oil and camphor makes teeth strong, beautiful, and cures pyorrhea.
Moles and Warts: Rubbing the leaf stalk with lime on moles repeatedly makes them disappear.
Skin Diseases: Castor has amazing wound-healing properties. Its root, leaves, and oil heal wounds quickly. Paste of leaves cures ulcers, boils, and pus-filled wounds. Boiling the root in water and drinking the strained liquid cures skin disorders.
Bed Sores: Applying castor oil prevents and heals bed sores in bedridden patients.
Swelling and Pain: Warm castor leaves with oil applied to swollen or painful areas give relief. Effective in knee and heel pain.
Poison Neutralization: Juice of crushed castor fruits removes opium and other poisons.
Hair Problems: Warming castor oil and massaging it into the scalp for 15 minutes every night prevents premature graying, hair fall, and even promotes hair growth on eyebrows, beard, and eyelashes. Also relieves headaches.
Conclusion
Castor is a divine gift of nature that can be used in numerous ways to treat various ailments. It is one of the most versatile and powerful medicinal plants available.
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