seed contains the alkaloid ricinine; also ricin, a potent vegetable toxin. This stays in the oil cake after the oil is extracted.
The Castor oil plant is given with combinations of carbonate of potash; if not available the kernels without the embryo is boiled in milk and water and given for Lumbago, Rheumatism and Sciatica. Caution: When the patient cannot strain the stool as in colitis, prolapsus, weakened structural tissue, the oil is given in very small doses. Can be used as an enema with soap suds and water. Externally: Poultice of the leaves for boils and swellings, also applied over the breasts of nursing mothers as a lactogogue, and over inflamed breasts during lactation to soften the mammary glands. To relieve flatulence or to promote menstruation, cover the abdomen with the boiled leaf poultice. and stay warm. The oil is locally applied in conjunctivitis.
CATNIP
Nepeta cataria, L.( N. O.: Labiatae)
Common Names: Catnip, Nep, Catmint, Cat’ s Wort. Features: This perennial herb is naturalized in the United States and found in all parts. The square erect branching stems are covered with fine whitish hairs; leaves 1 – 2½ in. long with heart-shaped or oblong pointed apex, the top side green with greyish-green and whitish hairs underneath. Flowering in June to September with whitish corolla, purple dotted sectioned lips, and lobes make up the conformation of the bloom. Faintly mint aromatic, with bitter taste.
CATNIP Nepeta cataria, L.( Ontario Department of Agriculture, Toronto, Canada, 1966)
Solvents: Diluted alcohol, boiling water. Medicinal Part: The whole herb. Bodily Influence: Carminative, Stimulant, Tonic, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Antispasmodic, Aphrodisiac( cats). Uses: When most of us think of Catnip, unfortunately it is only associated with the cat family. Its uses are many, and mild in the proper amounts, for both infants and adults. When troubled with flatulence and digestive pains, the American physio-medical practice recommends“ blood warm bowel injection of the infusion for babies with intestinal flatulence”. All Herbalists find Catnip useful for feverish colds. It will produce perspiration without increasing the heat of the system, and induce sleep. It has proved efficacious in nervous headache, for allaying hysteria and insanity and other forms of nervous diseases of an acute character, without any effect of withdrawal from its use. Equal parts of Catnip and Saffron are excellent in scarlet fever, smallpox, colds, etc. The fresh