Ricinus communis. Kader Kochi.

Synonyms

Arandi, Gandharvahastha, Castor bean, Castor oil plant, Avanakku, Vathaari, Kherwa (Arabic), Nagakarnam, Pranavam, Palma Christi, Wonder tree (Ebers papyrus- kiki, dgm).

Constituents

Perennial plant. Height 6 meter. Seed contain ricinolein, sterols, saponins, lectins, triglycerides, thujone, camphor, kaempferol, mucilage, tocopherol, phosphorus, lead, and sugar. Ricin is water soluble glycoprotein toxin. Ricin presents only at seed coat. It is absent in other parts, and oil. Bitter.

Therapeutics

This is medicine for cure, and remedy for healing. 

It is medicine as well as remedy externally in susceptible individual. 

It is warm medicine (Nux vomica, Cinchona, Azadirecta, Asafoetida and Kalmegh are also warm medicines. Glycyrrhiza, Camphor, Adhatoda vasica are cold medicines).

This is active laxative medicine (Senna, Cascara sagrada, Aloe Socotrina, Croton tig).

It is medicine internally in low backache and sciatica.

It is cardiac stimulant as it eliminates excess of potassium (Sinapis, Spartium scoparium).  

It is helpful to promote peristalsis, milk secretion, and hair growth (Ustilago, Nux vomica).

It is medicine in obesity (Tabacum). 

It is medicine in diabetes.

It is the medicine internally or externally in all diseases if no other medicines.

It is medicine in food poisoning.

It is medicine for contraception in female.

It had been used to initiate labor pain.

It is medicine externally in pruritus vulva.

It is medicine externally in dandruff, and hair loss (Tabacum).

It is medicine externally in wound, eczema, and melanosis.

It is medicine externally in skin discoloration (Cinchona, Arsenic).

It was used to apply externally to the abdomen to relieve constipation in infants.

It is remedy in fear, and sleeplessness.

It is remedy in nerves irritation due to indigestion in children. 

It is remedy in bronchitis, and pulmonary oedema.

It is remedy in respiratory distress syndrome.

It is remedy in melanoma, and carcinoma (Thuja).

It is remedy in low sperm count (Azadirecta).

It is remedy in cholera.

It is remedy in fibromyalgia, and inflammation in muscles. 

It is prime remedy in muscular dystrophy. It can promote protein synthesis (Tabacum).

It is remedy in haemolytic anaemia.

It is remedy in low blood cell count.

It is remedy in hypotension (Thujone).

It is remedy in auto immune disorder (Rhus tox).

Seed has anti-microbial action. It is remedy in viper poisoning (Doctrine of signature, Arsenic album).

Root and leaves had been used as expectorant.

Root had been used as laxatives.

Cleopatra had used ricinus oil to brighten the whites of her eyes (Pupil- Hyoscyamus).

Leaves had been used in cattle to increase milk secretion (Galega).

Leaves had been used against to repel flies, mites and mosquitoes.

Oil had been used to repel voles in lawn care.

Oil is used for motor lubricant.

Castor beans are used for jewellery necklaces.

It had been believed that seed was food of some snakes (Rubber seed, Cassava seed, Frankincense, Nux vomica).

It was the oldest anti-psoric medicine used in Egypt (Elimination through skin).

Word Ricinus (Latin) means “tick”. Word “vathaari” (Sanskrit) means king panacea (Terminalia chebula). 

Warning

Seed coat is a lethal phyto-toxin. Never use it as medicine. Lethal dose is > 6 mg.

Following are symptoms of toxicity developed from seed coat through inhalation in susceptible individual.

Nasal congestion, burning pain in throat, fever, excessive sweating, respiratory distress, cough, nausea, tightness in chest, then pulmonary oedema. low blood pressure and respiratory failure are later features.

Following are symptoms of toxicity from seed coat through ingestion.

Diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration, low blood pressure, and respiratory failure. 

Immediate measures.

Wash the hand and skin with soap and plenty of water immediately many times when contact with the seed coat is suspected. 

Antidote in minor poisoning.

Take sodium bicarbonate by mouth to alkalinise the urine (Rice meal is rich of bicarbonate).

Drink plenty of lime juice. Continue it for five to twenty-one days. 

Tamarind whey (Laxative) is also the antidote in Ricinus communis.

Dose

1 to 10 drops.

Dilution.