Castor Oil

Ricinus communis

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Euphorbiaceae, or the spurge family
2. Habitat & Cultivation:
• This family occurs mainly in the tropics, with the majority of the species in the Indo-Malayan region and tropical America a strong second. A large variety occurs in tropical Africa, but they are not as abundant or varied as in the two other tropical regions. However, Euphorbiaceae also has many species in nontropical areas such as the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, South Africa, and the southern United States.
3. Parts Used:
• Seed oil
4. Herbal Actions:
• Uterine stimulant (works to increase binding on prostaglandin receptors in smooth muscle of GI and uterus)
• Stimulant laxative
• Anti-inflammatory
• Cathartic
• Demulcent
• Analgesic
• Nervine
5. Indications:
• GI purgative
• Induction of labor
6. Plant Constituents:
• Ricinoleic acid, fixed oils
7. System Affinities:
• Gastrointestinal  
8. Energetics:
• Mobile, warming, moistening (can be drying if induces dehydration), oily. V-PK+  
9. Safety:
• Avoid if client has GI inflammation, pain, or obstruction.
10. Interactions:
• Long term use with antiarrhythmic drugs and botanicals containing cardiac glycosides can result in potassium loss and increased drug toxicity.

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• This oil is extremely concentrated, clear, and smells like cedar. It also tastes like wood – like cedarwood. It is so thick that it coats my mouth and throat.
2. Preparation Method:
• For labor induction:
1. NO VERBENA (use fresh grated ginger instead)
2. 2 tbsp castor oil
3. 1 cup apricot nectar
4. 1 tbsp almond butter
3. Usage Notes:
• The taste and texture of the oil was not that bad – it tasted woody and slightly sweet. The thing I had the most aversion to was the texture. It was a little overwhelming and sticky. I took 1 dropperful and within 10 minutes, I could feel some cramping around my diaphragm. After another 10 or 15 minutes, I had full GI cramping and had to use the restroom. So… it works! I didn’t have enough courage to take another dropperful.

Sources:

1. Riccio, L. & Zollinger, B. (2018). Uterine Stimulants: Week 4 and 6 [PowerPoint Presentation]. Bastyr University: FA-18_MW5124-A Botanicals 4: Labor.