MEDICINAL PLANTS

It only grows in temperate climates, since frost is his own worst enemy. It is a shrub that can measure up to 15 meters high, the stem may have a reddish color, and the petioles and nerves of the leaves, which are very large, palmate, with more than five lobes with sharp jagged edges. According to the race question castor, appearance and color of the seed will vary: with or without spines or quills, red ... The seeds are highly toxic because they produce agglutination of erythrocytes (red blood cells) and its intake can be because they look like coffee beans. The poisoning causes gastrointestinal disorders and cardiac disorders.

FLOWERING

Flowering occurs throughout the year. The species is monoecious, that is, on the same floor there are two different types of flowers, the male, located at the bottom of the inflorescence, and the female on top. For obtaining the oil is squeezed the seeds without seed coat, so you get a cake that is also toxic because it is ricin, hence can not be used in livestock feed, unlike those obtained extraction of other oils. After refined with steam treatments, filters and clearance, thus a viscous liquid, more or less yellowish unpalatable.

APPLICATIONS

The effects vary depending on the dose used well, to low doses has a laxative effect is achieved that with increasing until they can purge, by irritation of the intestinal mucosa and increased peristalsis (higher or lower depending on dose).

ADMINISTRATION

Oil. Two to ten grams (for tablespoon) per day as a laxative. To avoid unpleasant taste, there are now soft gelatin capsules to avoid this evil drink.
As a purgative. Ten to forty grams per day of this oil. Elimination is about four hours after ingestion of these doses, the stool will be liquid. For its special characteristics emollients and vitamin E content, it is used in the manufacture of creams and ointments, which are used in the treatment of wounds, ulcers, hemorrhoids ... Also used in perfumery for the manufacture of soaps, creams brilliantines and evanescent, that after their implementation by the evaporation of water-containing produce a feeling of freshness.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Euphorbiaceae.
HABITAT: Andalusia
FLOWERING: Most of the year
PART USED: Seeds
CASTILIAN: Catapucia, higuera infernal
CATALAN: Ricí
GALICIAN: Rícino, erva-dos-carrapatos

USES

Strong Laxative, Physic Moderate, Anthelmintics Leve.