Ritsina zvichayna – common castor bean

Name: Ritsina zvichayna – common castor bean

Ricinus communis (Ricinus communis); castor bean 

Beware POISON !!!

Perennial tree-like (in culture in countries with a temperate climate, in particular in Ukraine, it is an annual herbaceous) plant of the milkweed family. The stem is erect, hollow, branched, 0.8—3(5) m high. The leaves are large, alternate, palmately dissected (5—11 lobes), on long (20—60 cm) petioles; blades ovate-elongated, pointed, unevenly toothed on the edge. The flowers are unisexual, monoecious, collected in panicles up to 70 cm long; perianth simple, inconspicuous, 3-5-parted, colored depending on the shape and variety. The fruit is an oval-spherical three-nest box, covered with spines or rarely without them. Blooms in August.

Spread. Castor oil comes from Africa. On the territory of Ukraine, it is cultivated as an oil and as an ornamental plant.

Procurement and storage . For medical purposes, castor seeds (Semen Ricini) are used, from which castor oil is extracted. Collect the seeds in 3-4 steps, as the tassels reach maturity, cutting them with a sickle or knife and threshing them. Varieties with boxes that do not crack are harvested with special combines, followed by threshing with a thresher and with additional cleaning on fans. Store seeds in dry rooms.

Chemical composition . Castor seeds contain up to 55% fatty non-drying oil, protein substances (more than 15%), alkaloid ricinine (0.1-1%), nitrogen-free substances (10-12%), fiber (approx. 18%). Castor oil contains a monoacid triglyceride of ricinoleic acid (up to 85%), oleic (9%), linoleic (3%), stearic and dioxystearic acids, glycerin and unsaponifiable matter (up to 0.4%). Little-studied toxalbumin-ricin is an extremely poisonous substance (6 castor seeds cause fatal poisoning in children, 20 in adults) .

Pharmacological properties and use. Castor oil is a classic laxative. When entering the duodenum, it is partially hydrolyzed into glycerol and ricinoleic acid, which causes increased peristalsis due to chemical irritation of the intestinal mucosa with salts of this acid. The weakening effect occurs after 5-6 hours. As a laxative, castor oil is prescribed internally mainly for enterocolitis, as well as for chronic constipation in combination with hemorrhoids, proctitis, and fissure of the ureter. It is also used when preparing patients for X-ray examination of abdominal organs to remove gases and contents from the intestines. When taking castor oil, a reflex contraction of the uterine muscles is also observed. With this in mind, in midwifery practice, castor oil is used as an obstetric aid (40-50 g is administered internally in combination with quinine, pachycarpine and other means). The use of castor oil as a laxative is contraindicated in case of poisoning with fat-soluble substances (phosphorus, benzene, etc.), as well as with the extract of male dryopteris. As an external agent (lubrication, tampons), castor oil is used to treat constipation, atonic ulcers, radiodermatitis, seborrhea, leg ulcers, diffuse hair loss, squamous blepharitis, and diseases of the vagina and cervix. Castor oil is included in many ointments and balms for the treatment of burns, ulcers, wounds, etc. benzene, etc.), as well as dryopteris male extract. As an external agent (lubrication, tampons), castor oil is used to treat constipation, atonic ulcers, radiodermatitis, seborrhea, leg ulcers, diffuse hair loss, squamous blepharitis, and diseases of the vagina and cervix. Castor oil is included in many ointments and balms for the treatment of burns, ulcers, wounds, etc. benzene, etc.), as well as dryopteris male extract. As an external agent (lubrication, tampons), castor oil is used to treat constipation, atonic ulcers, radiodermatitis, seborrhea, leg ulcers, diffuse hair loss, squamous blepharitis, and diseases of the vagina and cervix. Castor oil is included in many ointments and balms for the treatment of burns, ulcers, wounds, etc.

Medicinal forms and applications .

Internally – castor oil (Oleum Ricini) is prescribed for adults 15-30 g, for children – 5-10-15 g (1 teaspoon, dessert or tablespoon) per reception.

Externally , a mixture (equal) of castor oil and turpentine is mixed with a small amount of manganese sulfate and used for rubbing against seborrhea

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