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![Castor Bean]() | Castor Bean | Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)
The oil is obtained from the bean of the plant which are native to India. The plant grows to a height of about 5-12 feet and has clusters of yellow or red flowers. The castor beans contain ricin, which is a deadly toxin and the ingestion of one to five seeds can be fatal to a child. In order to extract a ricin-free oil, the bean must be hulled and crushed at temperatures below 100ºF. After the oil is extracted from the seed the ricin remains in the seed cake. Castor was one of the first medicinal plants known to humans, the beans have been found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. The Egyptians added castor oil to beer and drank it as a purgative for cleansing their system. The oil has been applied to the breast of nursing mothers to increase milk, relieve inflammation, soften the mammary glands, and as a lactagogue. Castor oil is also good for blackheads and to care for the hair and scalp. It is analgesic, anti-inflamatory, galactagogue, laxative and a vermifuge (tape-worms). It has also been used externally for abscesses, itching, dandruff and haemorrhoids. The oil has a long shelf life and is added to many food products. | | |
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