regarded as a mosquito repellent if planted in presumable direction of entry. Native to India, but cultivated extensively in the U. S. A.
CASTOR BEAN Oleum ricini, L.( G. N. Kotukov, Lekarstvennye, Kiev, 1964)
Medicinal Parts: The bean; the fixed oil, expressed from the seeds. The first settlers make a traditional laxative from it; Europe— American Indians found it useful as well. Bodily Influence: Cathartic, Purgative. Uses: Expect purging from 4 – 6 hr. after 1 tablespoonful for adults, and 1 teaspoonful for children, has been taken, followed by the feeling of sedative effect on the intestines. The mildness of action is acceptable for young children, child-bearing women, and in cases of constipation, colic, diarrhoea due to slow digestion, tape and lumbricoid worms.
Not recommended for dyspeptics, where contraindicated, as it is oppressive to the digestive powers, If the taste is disagreeable, flavour with equal parts of oil, and either heavy sarsparilla, peppermint or cinnamon syrup, and mix thoroughly. To relieve the lower bowels an injection of 4 tablespoonfuls is thoroughly mixed with a mucilage of Slippery elm bark. Externally: For aid in ringworm, itch and cutaneous complaints if applied assiduously. The leaves are said to be galactagogic when applied to the breast. The Canary Island women know of its effect as they have increased the secretion of milk with the leaves for centuries. Homoeopathic Clinical: Albuminuria, Aphthae, Cholera, Cholera infantum, Diarrhoea, Duodenum( catarrh of), Dysentery, Eruptions, Gangrene, Gastroenteritis, Jaundice, Lactation, Peritonitis. Russian Experience: Castor oil has many uses in Russia and is known as Kastorka. Industrial for lubricating oil in commercial equipment and aeroplanes, as it does not freeze in the severe Russian climate. They use the stems in the textile industry, and oil for paints and cosmetics. Agro-technic deserve attention for commercial cultivation. Depending on climate and soil they harvest from 500 – 2,500 lbs. of beans from each acre. Folk Medicine: As a laxative, plus gynaecology, ulcers, eye treatment, and hair restoring preparations. India and Pakistan Experience: From our daily experience we associate Castor oil as a laxative. Many varieties are in use of this valuable home medicine. Locally named and easy to remember as“ Erand”. Uses: In general practice for Constipation, Enteritis, Peritonitis, Dysentery, Spasmodic diseases of the bowels, Inflammatory disorders of the urogenital organs, Gonorrhoea, Stricture of Urethra, Milk fever, Amenorrhoea, Asthma, Dropsy.
The juice of the leaves is a strong emetic, and is very serviceable in cases of narcotic poisoning. Decoction of the leaves, purgative, lactogogue, emmenagogue. The root bark, strong purgative. The