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Eranda Patra

Ricinus communis L. (leaves)

Eranda Patra (Ricinus communis L. (leaves)) is a plant drug, also called Eranda, Aramdi and Remrii, from the Euphorbiaceae family. Ricinus communis referenced in WHO publications on medicinal plants; leaves not separately monographed; documented in Ayurvedic Formulary of India for external therapeutic use.

Key facts
Botanical nameRicinus communis L. (leaves)
FamilyEuphorbiaceae · other entries in this family
OrderMalpighiales
Also known asEranda Patra, ErandaPatra, Ricinus communis L. (leaves)
Pharmacopoeia statusRicinus communis referenced in WHO publications on medicinal plants; leaves not separately monographed; documented in Ayurvedic Formulary of India for external therapeutic use
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5380041 · Wikidata Q155867 · NCBI Taxonomy 3988
Names in other languages
Sanskritएरण्ड (eraṇḍa)
Hindiअरंडी (araṃḍī), रेंड़ी (reṃṛī)
Tamilஆமணக்கு

Sources: CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants, via Wisdom Library: 'Rendi in India is the name of a plant defined with Ricinus communis.'; National Institute of Ayurveda herbal-garden monograph for Ricinus communis ('Eranda, pancangulah'); SDM Ayurveda College Dravyaguna 'Eranda'.; University of Madras Tamil Lexicon: 'Castor-plant, s. tr., Ricinus communis'; Fabricius: 'the castor plant, ricinus communis'; Winslow.; Wisdom Library 'Local Names of Plants and Drugs': 'Arandi [अरंडी] in the Hindi language is the name of a plant identified with Ricinus communis L.'. How we source.

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 2003 to 2025, every one with a DOI.

  • 2Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
  • 10Other clinical studies and reviews

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishEranda Patra
Latin/BotanicalRicinus communis L. (leaves)

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Ricinine alkaloid exhibits anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of NF-kB pathway and suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6) in macrophage models
  • Flavonoids (rutin, kaempferol, quercetin) provide wound healing activity by promoting fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, and angiogenesis while reducing oxidative stress at wound sites
  • Phytol acts as an immunomodulator and anti-inflammatory agent by modulating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and reducing reactive oxygen species generation in inflammatory tissue

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

  • Traditionally used as an Eranda Patra poultice for Vataroga (pain and inflammation). Animal studies have reported anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in carrageenan-induced paw edema and acetic acid writhing models.
  • Traditionally applied topically for Vrana (wounds). In vivo studies have reported enhanced granulation and epithelialization of wounds.
  • Traditionally used for infectious conditions. Antibacterial activity against several pathogenic bacteria has been reported.

What do recent studies show?

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Castor leaves contain ricinine alkaloid which is toxic at high concentrations (though much less toxic than ricin found in seeds); topical use is generally safer than internal administration
  • Traditional Ayurvedic practice uses castor leaves primarily as external poultice (Patra Pinda Sweda) for joint pain, which minimizes systemic toxicity concerns
  • Internal use of leaf preparations should be limited and under medical supervision; avoid during pregnancy and lactation; monitor liver function with prolonged use

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Swarasa (fresh leaf juice), Lepa (leaf paste for external use), Churna (dried leaf powder), Taila (leaf-medicated oil), Poultice (traditional Patra Pinda Sweda)

Standard Dosage: External use primarily: leaf paste/poultice applied to affected area; 5-10ml fresh leaf juice (limited internal use, practitioner guidance); 3-5g dried leaf powder twice daily

Optimal Timing: External application: warm poultice or paste applied to affected joints/muscles, preferably in the evening. Patra Pinda Sweda: therapeutic sessions typically 30-45 minutes. Internal use: before meals if prescribed.

Storage: Fresh leaves: cool, damp cloth wrapping, refrigerate. Dried leaf powder: airtight, light-resistant containers below 25 deg C. Taila: amber glass bottles at room temperature.

Marker Compounds: Quercetin, Kaempferol, Ricinine (trace - safety marker), Rutin, Beta-sitosterol, Chlorophyll content (freshness indicator)

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Nirgundi leaves in Patra Pinda Sweda for musculoskeletal pain
  • With Eranda Taila for comprehensive anti-Vata therapy
  • With Haridra paste for anti-inflammatory poultice
  • With Rasna and Devadaru in Vata-pacifying external formulations

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses2

  1. Inácio Silveira DQ, Lia EN, Massignan C and others. 2023. Natural products for the treatment of denture stomatitis: A systematic reviewThe Journal of prosthetic dentistry. PMID 34247854 · doi:10.1016/j.prosdent.2021.05.022
  2. Widmer J, Norgrove L. 2023. Identifying candidates for the phytoremediation of copper in viticultural soils: A systematic reviewEnvironmental research. PMID 36273594 · doi:10.1016/j.envres.2022.114518

Other clinical studies and reviews10

  1. Ramothloa TP, Mkolo NM, Motshudi MC and others. 2025. Phytochemical Composition and Multifunctional Applications of Ricinus communis L.: Insights into Therapeutic, Pharmacological, and Industrial PotentialMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 40807390 · doi:10.3390/molecules30153214
  2. Botelho FD, Franca TCC, LaPlante SR. 2024. The Search for Antidotes Against RicinMini reviews in medicinal chemistry. PMID 38350844 · doi:10.2174/0113895575270509231121060105
  3. Bernstein N, Akram M, Yaniv-Bachrach Z and others. 2021. Is it safe to consume traditional medicinal plants during pregnancy?Phytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 33164294 · doi:10.1002/ptr.6935
  4. Abbes M, Montana M, Curti C and others. 2021. Ricin poisoning: A review on contamination source, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and reporting of ricin poisoningToxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology. PMID 33711365 · doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.03.004
  5. Sandford EC, Muntz A, Craig JP. 2021. Therapeutic potential of castor oil in managing blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eyeClinical & experimental optometry. PMID 33037703 · doi:10.1111/cxo.13148
  6. Sowa-Rogozińska N, Sominka H, Nowakowska-Gołacka J and others. 2019. Intracellular Transport and Cytotoxicity of the Protein Toxin RicinToxins. PMID 31216687 · doi:10.3390/toxins11060350
  7. Duracova M, Klimentova J, Fucikova A and others. 2018. Proteomic Methods of Detection and Quantification of Protein ToxinsToxins. PMID 29495560 · doi:10.3390/toxins10030099
  8. Worbs S, Köhler K, Pauly D and others. 2011. Ricinus communis intoxications in human and veterinary medicine-a summary of real casesToxins. PMID 22069699 · doi:10.3390/toxins3101332
  9. Audi J, Belson M, Patel M and others. 2005. Ricin poisoning: a comprehensive reviewJAMA. PMID 16278363 · doi:10.1001/jama.294.18.2342
  10. Bradberry SM, Dickers KJ, Rice P and others. 2003. Ricin poisoningToxicological reviews. PMID 14579548 · doi:10.2165/00139709-200322010-00007

Reference lists that include it

Gallic acid, Kaempferol, Quercetin, Tannins

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.