Castor

Scientific Name(s): Ricinus communis L.
Common Name(s): African coffee tree, Bofareira, Castor, Mexico weed, Ogiri-igbo, Palma christi, Tangantangan oil plant, Wonder tree

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 4, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Castor oil is commonly used as a laxative and for the induction of labor. However, there are no clinical trials to support these uses.

Dosing

Dosages of castor seed oil vary, ranging from 5 mL as a purgative to 120 mL for the induction of labor.

Contraindications

Contraindicated in pregnant women with previous cesarean delivery or uterine surgery.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Documented adverse reactions when used to induce labor. Avoid use.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Allergic reactions and contact dermatitis have been reported. Anaphylaxis has resulted from the use of intravenous (IV) preparations in which the vehicle is a castor oil derivative.

Toxicology

Deaths from castor plant/bean ingestion are rare. Ricin, a toxic protein of the castor bean, has been used as a biological weapon.

Scientific Family

• Euphorbiaceae (Spurge)

Botany

Castor, a common annual ornamental native to the West Indies, grows to heights of 12 m and bears broad, deeply-lobed leaves on broad stalks. The flowers develop into spiny capsules, each containing 3 seeds. As the capsules dry, they explode, scattering the glossy, speckled oval beans.Doan 2004, Krenzelok 2009, Ogunniyi 2006, USDA 2006 The castor plant has been naturalized to temperate regions of the continental United States and Hawaii.Bradberry 2003, Spivak 2005

History

The name Ricinus is derived from the Latin word for insect because the seeds resemble beetles in shape and markings. Castor beans are used as art objects and ornaments. The Egyptians used castor oil as a lamp oil and an unguent, also ingesting the oil with beer as a purgative. The roots, leaves, and seeds have a place in traditional folk remedies throughout the world. Other recorded medicinal uses include induction of labor, as a cathartic, as a contraceptive cream, and as a skin emollient.Audi 2005, Bradberry 2003, Doan 2004, Duke 1985, Ogunniyi 2006, Spivak 2005 The fast-drying, nonyellowing oil has been used in the manufacture of high-grade lubricants for industrial machinery and aircraft engines and in dyes, inks, paint, and varnishes.Audi 2005, Doan 2004, Ogunniyi 2006 The castor cake or pulpy residue that remains after oil extraction has been used as animal feed and as fertilizer despite its unsuitability due to traces of toxins.Ogunniyi 2006

Ricin was developed as a biological warfare agent in the 1920s and was considered for use during World Wars I and II. Arrests for terrorism activity have been made since the 1990s for the possession of ricin or castor beans.Bradberry 2003, Doan 2004, Spivak 2005

Initially hailed as a potential antitumor agent, ricin underwent phase 1 and 2 clinical trials for tumor-specific antibody action. However, the dose-limiting adverse reactions hypoalbuminema and edema, as well as the lack of specificity and intrinsic immunogenicity precluded approval.Spivak 2005

Chemistry

Cold expression of the ...