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Castor Plant

Submitted by admin on 5 August 2026
image 350
Scientific name
Ricinus communis L.
English Name
Castor Plant
Malayalam name
ആവണക്ക്, ചിറ്റാവണക്ക്
Common name
Castor Plant

Description

  1. Habit : Shrub
  2. Habitat : Cultivated, also runs wild 
  3. Leaves : alternate
  4. Flowers : terminal paniculate racemes
  5. Seeds : smooth, marbled, carunculate. 
Uses

Cough, Constipation, Abdominal pain, Swelling in joints

Parts used
Root, leaves, seeds and seed oil
How to use
  • Cough : Alkali of leaves is mixed with trikatu(dried ginger, pepper, pippali), oil and jaggery. 
  • Constipation, abdominal pain, osteoarthritis : Castor oil in dosage of 15 ml - 30 ml administered along with warm milk or water regularly at bedtime.
  • Pain and swelling in joints : Leaves are heated and applied as poultice
  • Elephantiasis : Castor Thaila mixed with cow's urine may be given for one month while consuming diet of rice and milk.
     
Conservation

Propagation & Cultivation

Propagation: Propagated by seeds, which should be soaked overnight before sowing in well-drained soil.

Cultivation: Grows best in warm, sunny conditions with well-drained soil. Water regularly, apply balanced fertilizer during the growing season, and prune lightly to remove old flowers and seed pods