Castor oil/Erandi - Health benefits, application, chemical constituents, side effects and many more

By Kbjawadwar February 12, 2022

Castor oil/Erandi

Castor oil has long been used commercially as a highly renewable resource for the chemical industry. It is a vegetable oil obtained by pressing the seeds of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis L.) that is mainly cultivated in Africa, South America, and India. Major castor oil-producing countries include Brazil, China, and India. This oil is known to have been domesticated in Eastern Africa and was introduced to China from India approximately 1,400 years ago. Castor beans are cultivated for their seeds, yielding a viscous, pale yellow nonvolatile and nondrying castor oil. The Castor Oil plant is a native of India, where it bears several ancient Sanskrit names, the most ancient and most usual being Eranda, which has passed into several other Indian languages.

It shows antimicrobial, antifungal, anti- cancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antioxidant, central analgesic, anticonvulsant, antinociceptive, anthelminthic, antifertility, laxative, uterine contracting, anti-implantation, anti- asthmatic, bone regeneration, molluscicidal, antiulcer, antihistamine,wound-healing, cytotoxic, insecticidal, anti-arthritic, antidandruff and hepatoprotective properties.

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Red & white are the two Varieties of Castor and both red and white varieties are identified as Ricinus communis.

It has different names in different languages such as Hindi Name(Erand, Redi, Andi, Arand, Arend, Erend, Rendi, Erandah, Andih, Renda Erandih), Marathi Name(Erandi), English Name(Castor, African Coffee Tree, Arandi, Bi Ma Zi, Bofareira, Castorbean, Castor Bean, Castor Bean Plant), Telugu Name(Amadom, Amdi, Eranudapu, Amudamu), Tamil Name(Amanakku, Kottai muthu, Amanakkam, Sittamunuk, Chittamant), Bengali Name(Bherenda, Bherenda, Rehri, Bhaerand, Bherenj), Malayalam Name(Avanakku), Gujarati Name(Diveligo, Diveli Erandi, Erandah, Divelo.Erandioh, Erandoh, Rendi), Kannada name(Haralu/Harlu, Manda, Oudla), Nepali name(Areta , Alha, Orer), Punjabi name(Aneru, Arand, Arind), Farsi name(Bed Anjeer)

Chemical constituents

Castor (Ricinus communis) beans contain triglycerides, mostly consisting of ricinoleic acid esters, and small amounts of the toxic ricin and ricine. Pressing of the beans produces castor oil and purification of the oil eliminates the ricin and ricine.Castor oil is known to consist of up to 90% ricinoleic, 4% linoleic, 3% oleic, 1% stearic, and less than 1% linolenic fatty acids.

Castor oil is known to consist of up to 90% ricinoleic, 4% linoleic, 3% oleic, 1% stearic, and less than 1% linolenic fatty acids.

The main chemical that exerts castor oil's laxative property is ricinoleic acid.

Per 100 g, the leaves are reported to contain on a zero-moisture basis, 2,670 mg calcium, and 460 mg phosphorous. The leaves contain isoquercetin 2, 5-dihydroxy benzoic acid and epicatechin. They also contain rutin, hyperoside, quercetin, chlorogenic acid,neochlorogenic acid and gallic acid.

Roots, stems and leaves contain several amino acids. Flowers gave apigenin, chlorogenin, rutin, coumarin and hyperoside.

It has shown some toxic effects accidentally due to the presence of toxic compounds such as ricin and ricinine

Properties and Benefits

Rasa (taste) – Madhura (sweet), Katu (pungent), Kashaya (Astringent)
Guna (qualities) – Snigdha (oily, unctuous), Teekshna (strong, piercing), Sookshma (minute, enters minute body channels)
Taste conversation after digestion – Madhura(Sweet
Veerya(potency) – Ushna(Hot)
Effect on Tridosha – Balances Kapha and Vata Dosha.
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Root

Udavartahara – relieves bloating, gas distension in abdomen
Pleehaghna – useful in spleen disorders, splenomegaly
Gulmahara – useful in abdominal tumors
Bastishoolahara – relieves bladder pain
Antravruddhinut – useful in hernia
Shonita Vikara – relieves blood imbalance disorders
Shoshahara – relieves emaciation, dehydration
Shoolaghna – relieves abdominal colic pain
Margashodhana – cleanses gut
Shwasahara – useful in treatment of asthma and chronic respiratory disorders.
Kasahara – useful in cough and cold
Anahahara – relieves gas, fullness of abdomen, bloating
Kati Basti Rujahara – relieves pain in lower back and bladder region.
Shiroruji – relieves headache
Mehahara – useful in urinary tract disorders and diabetes
Amavatahara – useful in rheumatoid arthritis
Shothahara – relieves swelling, edema, anti inflammatory
aphrodisiac and Vata balancing
The roots are sweet, acrid, astringent, thermogenic, carminative, purgative, anthelmintic, emollient, diuretic, aphrodisiac, galactagogue, sudorific, expectorant & depurative. Which cures gulma, amadasa, constipation, inflammations, fever, ascites, strangury, bronchitis, cough, leprosy, skin diseases, vitiated conditions of vata, colic, coxalgia & lumbago. Root bark used for emetic & purgative purpose, beneficial in lumbago & skin diseases.
Root bark has emetic & purgative action & cures lumbago skin diseases, dysponea, hydrocele, flatulence, piles, cough, head ache, leprosy, arthritis, calculus & dysuria, fever, swelling, mental diseases, painful urination & the seeds are useful in hepatitis. Tender leaves allay pains in the bladder.
Eranda Phala – Castor fruit uses:
Svaadu – sweet in taste
Sakshara – slightly alkaline, strong in nature
Laghu – light to digest
Ushna – hot
Bhedi – purgative
Vatajit – Balances Vata Dosha

Castor fruit uses:

Atyushna – It is very hot
Katu – pungent taste
Gulmahara – useful in abdominal tumours
Shoolahara – relieves abdominal colic pain
Anilapaha – Balances Vata Dosha
Yakrut hara – useful in liver disorders
Pleehahara – useful in spleen disorders, splenomegaly
Udarahara – useful in ascites, enlargement of abdomen
Arshanut – useful in piles, haemorrhoids
Deepana – improves digestion strength
Kaphavatahara – Balances Kapha and Vata Dosha
Castor Seeds are acrid, thermogenic, digestive, cathartic & aphrodisiac cures dyspepsia. Oil obtained from seeds is slightly bitter, acrid, sweet, antipyretic, thermogenic & viscous.Castor seeds without the hull are used for birth control, leprosy, and syphilis. The hull (the seed cover) is poisonous and not used orally.
Castor flower uses: It balances Vata Dosha but may worsen bleeding disorders. Castor Flowers cures urodynia & glandular tumours.

Castor Leaves

Vataghna – Balances Vata Dosha
Kaphahara – Balances Kapha Dosha,
Krimihara – antimicrobial, useful in worm infestation
Mutradoshahara – useful in urinary tract infection
Pitta Prakopi – increases Pitta
Gulmahara – useful in abdominal tumours
Bastishoolahara – relieves bladder pain
Vruddhi – useful in hernia
Mutrakrichrahara – Relieves dysuria, urinary retention, acts as diuretic
In case of snake bite, once after the treatment is properly done, to remove remnant poison from the body, young castor leaf shoot is made paste with water, filtered. That water is given for drinking. It is also used in treating Aconitum and opium toxicity.
Castor Leaves are diuretic & galactagogue cures burns, nyctalopia, strangury, vitiated conditions of that is rheumatoid arthrities, urodynia & anthralgia. Leaves externally applied to boils & sores in the form of poulties.
Ricin is found exclusively in the endosperm of castor seeds and is classified as a type 2 ribosome-inactivating protein. Type 2 ribosome-inactivating proteins such as ricin from castor oil are lectins, which irreversibly inactivate ribosomes, thus stopping protein synthesis and eventually leading to cell death.

Uses, Remedies, Benefits and Application

1) Since all parts of castor useful to balance Vata dosha, they are used in treating paralysis, sciatica, neuropathies, neurological pains etc.

2) Tender leaves which are coppery red in color are collected and fine paste is made. This is administered early in the morning in empty stomach. This helps to decrease the bile in case of jaundice.

3) Castor oil is also rich in other fatty acids. These can enhance smoothness and softness when applied to facial skin.

4) Mature leaves are collected and fine paste is made. To this little salt is added and warmed. This paste is applied over the muscular swelling. This pacifies the swelling and reduces the pain.

5) Panchakarma : The castor leaves are used in sweating treatment, called Prastara swedana therapy. Here, the hot boiled herbs are spread over a stone bed, covered with leaves of castor and the patient is made to lie on it for a few minutes time.

6) 20-25 gram of dried roots is taken and its decoction is made. Or else medicated milk can also be prepared. This is administered twice daily in the dose of 40 ml of decoction. This helps to relieve the pain caused in the conditions like back ache, sciatica etc. Also it pacifies constipation too.

7) Castor leaf is dipped sesame oil and heated till it becomes hot. This is applied over blunt injuries, arthritis, painful joints to relieve pain.

8) For ama vata, Ginger tea with a teaspoon of castor oil taken nightly before bed is recommended due to its lightly heating, circulatory, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and gentle laxative properties.

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9) The persons suffering from habitual constipation or those not responding with above measures may take Harad (Haritaki). 50 gm of Chhoti Harad (Terminalia chebula) may be roasted in a frying pan with one to two tea spoonful (5-10ml.) of Erand tail (Castor oil) which usually swells to its double after roasting. Saindha namak and black pepper may be added as per the choice. One to two pieces of this harad if taken after dinner may help the severe form of constipation.

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10) Whole leaf of castor is smeared with sesame oil and warmed slightly. This is applied over the joints affected by gouty arthritis. This pacifies pain and swelling, if the procedure is carried regularly for a week.

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11) Castor oil leaf and root is made paste with sesame oil or castor oil, slightly heated and applied externally to relieve migraine, low back ache, sciatica pain, arthritis pain, mastitis and skin disorders associated with pain.

12) You can use castor oil on your scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes for a thicker and more luscious look! Simply add a few drops of castor oil to the tip of your finger, or for more precision you may choose to use a cotton swab, and apply the oil to your eyebrows and lashes.

13) Palasha (Butea monosperma) seeds are taken and its fine powder is made. 1-2 pinch of this powder is taken along with castor oil in empty stomach. The pin worms are relieved soon within 3-4 days by this medication.

14) Castor oil is known for treating arthritis, its anti-inflammatory properties make it an ideal massage oil for relieving joint pain, nerve inflammation and sore muscles. Massaging the joint with castor oil and placing a hot water bag helps in pain relief. In cases of arthritis, this process if repeated twice a week will ensure better results.

15) Castor oil is very good for your long and shiny hair. Using castor oil twice a week can help your hair grow faster, stronger, shinier, thicker and be free of dandruff. The antifungal and antibacterial properties of castor oil can help to remove dandruff and cure scalp infections.

16) Castor oil is mainly used to manage constipation due to its laxative property. It promotes bowel movement when taken with milk or water and thus improves digestion which helps in easy elimination of fecal waste from the body.

17) The oil produced from this crop is considered to be of importance to the global specialty chemical industry because it is the only commercial source of a hydroxylated fatty acid. Even though castor oil accounts for only 0.15% of the world production of vegetable oils.

18) The hydroxyl functionality of RA makes the castor oil a natural polyol providing oxidative stability to the oil, and a relatively high shelf life compared to other oils by preventing peroxide formation. The presence of the hydroxyl group in RA and RA derivatives provides a functional group location for performing a variety of chemical reactions including halogenation, dehydration, alkoxylation, esterification, and sulfation. As a result, this unique functionality allows the castor oil to be used in industrial applications such as paints, coatings, inks, and lubricants.

19) Biodegradable polyesters are one of the most common applications using castor oil.

20) oil has also been used for developing low pour point lubricant base stocks through the synthesis of acyloxy castor polyol esters. The low pour point property helps to provide full lubrication when the equipment is started and is easier to handle in cold weather.

21) castor oil is also used as a drug delivery vehicle for non polar drug.

22) In the food industry, food-grade castor oil is used in food additives, flavorings, candy (e.g., polyglycerol polyricinoleate in chocolate), as a mold inhibitor, and in packaging. Polyoxyethylated castor oil is also used in the food industries.

- In India, Pakistan, and Nepal, food grains are preserved by the application of castor oil. It stops rice, wheat, and pulses from rotting. For example, the legume pigeon pea is commonly available coated in oil for extended storage.

23) Castor see ds ac cumul ate abou t 45–55% oil i n th e f or m oftriacylglycerol (TAG) that serves as a major energy reserve for seed germination and seedling growth. Castor is an important oil seed crop that produces an oil rich in ricinoleic acid (18:19c–12OH;about up to 90%), an unusual hydroxy fatty acid with conjugated unsaturation. The hydroxy group imparts unique chemical and physical properties that make castor oil a vital industrial raw material for industrial applications.

RESEARCH :

Production of castor oil generates two main byproducts: husks and meal. For each ton of castor oil, 1.31 tons of husks and 1.1 tons of meal are generated. A study showed that blends of castor meal and castor husks used as fertilizer promoted substantial plant growth up to the dose of 4.5% (in volume) of meal. However, doses exceeding 4.5% caused reduction in plant growth and even plant death. Their study showed that castor meal may be used as a good organic fertilizer due to its high nitrogen and phosphorus content, but blending with castor husks is not necessary.

Side effects

As the seed skin is poisonous hence, should be avoided
It is best to avoid castor during pregnancy. It can be used during lactation and in children, under medical supervision.
Since it can induce purgation, it is best avoided in people with diarrhoea and dysentery.

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Mr jones nicolasFebruary 27, 2022 at 10:01:00 AM GMT+5:30
Worth a read 😎
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