Category: Properties

Erandaa Thailam (Castor oil) is sweet. It is also sweet in Vipaka. It is quick in action, heating and heavy. It is useful in checking Gulma, Kapha Swelling and Malarial fever.

Castor oil is the best of purgatives for children. It may be used every day in teaspoonful doses mixed with mother’s or cow’s milk. In inflammatory conditions of the abdomen it is the safest purgative to be given*. In combination with gum acacia and syrup or honey spiced with ginger it is a pleasant and specific cure for dysentery and other ulcerated conditions of the intestinal canal.

In the treatment of sprue (apthaeous condition of the mouth) it has no equal if buttermilk or buttermilk and rice or sweet fruit-juice is given as a light diet. It is recommended in combination with Rasna and Vatahara-oushadhas in hernia and hydrocele.

Ayurvedic Physicians consider Eranda thaila (castor oil) as a specific for Aamavata as it helps to remove the poison from the body (“Aamavata gajendrasya sareera vanacharina, Eka eva nihantyaasu eranda gajakesari” Bhaavaprakaasa).

"If I am asked to take only one drug with me, I would prefer to select castor oil as the safest and most useful one. " Pandit S.P.Tata

Externally the application of the oil is a very good treatment for cracked skin and fissures and burning sensation in the soles of the feet. Mixed with chunnam it makes an excellent application as a plaster for itch or small boils to expedite opening.

*Dose:- 1 to 8 fluid drams to be taken with a little milk or equal parts of Inji swarasam and milk or equal parts of pure honey or with an equal quantity of decoction of Hari-thaki or Sunti and honey or s an enema mixed with milk.
Action:- Purgative. In small doses it is a lubricant to the intestinal canal and relieves inflammation.

Category: Properties

Castor oil has a unique ability to sink, transdermally, into the body and to relax smooth muscle. This simple mechanical action has a beneficial influence on all hollow organs; specifically the blood and lymph vessels, the uterus, fallopian tubes, bowels, gall bladder, and even the liver (which is not hollow but is filled with venous lakes).

Castor oil application increases the efficiency of circulation through the pelvis in general. Good circulation is required for supportive nutrients to be delivered to the cells, and for waste products and inflammatory factors to be removed. If a castor oil pack is placed over the liver area, it will help your liver to do its work more efficiently, including the metabolism of your hormones.

Castor oil packs have many applications, and are specific in cases of uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts that are not cancerous. Packs also relieve ovarian pain or help with healing after a ruptured ovarian cyst. Other conditions that respond to castor oil packs include headaches, liver disorders, constipation, intestinal disorders, gallbladder inflammation or stones, and conditions with poor elimination.

Following the Ayurvedic tradition, short-term use of a potent laxative like castor oil is recommended if the patient suffers from heart disease, severe hypertension (to quickly reduce elevated blood pressure), or chronic fever.

Do not use castor oil packs on the abdomen if you are pregnant, breast feeding, or menstruating - unless under medical recommendation.

Category: Properties

ABSTRACT (extract)
"Toxicity studies with castor oil were performed by incorporating the material at concentrations as high as 10% in diets given to F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice of both sexes for 13 weeks. ... no significant adverse effects of castor oil administration were noted in these studies."



Complete Peer Reviewed 1992 Study:

Category: Properties

Pt. 1

However, not only is smooth muscle found in most organs but also lines the walls of the blood and lymphatic vessels. From a circulatory perspective this is dynamic. The circulation of blood in and out of organs would be increased thus allowing any diseased tissue to improve its healing rate and facilitate detoxification.

Additionally there is pain relief and the cooling of inflammation in these tissues.

With the circulation increased in the organs and lymphatic vessels, the overall circulation of body fluids increases. This would continue to improve healing time at an even greater pace when you consider the intrinsic connection the lymphatic system has with the immune system. White blood cells, B-cells, and T-cells, would be mobilized more quicly and more effectively.