ΚΡΟΤΩΝ
Ricinus communis
(Castor oil plant)
Botanical info:
Castor oil plant is a fast-growing, suckering shrub that can reach the size of a small tree, around 12 m tall. The fruit is a spiny, greenish (to reddish-purple) capsule containing large, oval, shiny, bean-like, highly poisonous seeds with variable brownish mottling. It is usually cultivated but it also grows naturally in fallow grounds. Its native to India. Flowering from June to October.
Hippocratic legacy:
a. In Nature of Women:
a. Castor oil plant root is used for preparation of an infusion promoting the placenta extraction.
Other uses:
The valuable purgative known as Castor Oil is the fixed oil obtained from the seeds of the Castor oil plant. Besides being used medicinally, the oil is also employed for lubricating purposes, burning and for leather dressing. The oil is obtained from the seeds by two principal methods - expression and decoction. Castor Oil is regarded as one of the most valuable laxatives in medicine. It is of special service in temporary constipation and wherever a mild action is essential. Castor Oil forms a clean, light-colored soap, which dries and hardens well and is free from smell. It has been recommended for medicinal use. Castor Oil is an excellent solvent of pure alkaloids and such solutions of Atropine, Cocaine, etc., as are used in ophthalmic surgery.