Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Eranda

Ricinus communis L.

Eranda (Ricinus communis L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Euphorbiaceae family. WHO/FAO Joint Expert Committee established ADI for castor oil; included in multiple national pharmacopoeias; WHO recognizes traditional medicinal use.

Key facts
Botanical nameRicinus communis L.
FamilyEuphorbiaceae · other entries in this family
OrderMalpighiales
Pharmacopoeia statusWHO/FAO Joint Expert Committee established ADI for castor oil; included in multiple national pharmacopoeias; WHO recognizes traditional medicinal use
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5380041 · Wikidata Q155867 · NCBI Taxonomy 3988

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishEranda
Latin/BotanicalRicinus communis L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Purgative: Ricinoleic acid activates EP3 prostanoid receptors in intestinal smooth muscle, stimulating peristalsis and fluid secretion
  • Anti-inflammatory: Ricinoleic acid activates PPAR-gamma, suppressing NF-kB-mediated inflammatory gene expression; quercetin and ellagic acid inhibit COX-2
  • Analgesic: Capsaicin-like mechanism through TRPV1 receptor interaction by ricinoleic acid metabolites reduces pain signaling

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Purgative (Virechana) activity validated by clinical use and EP3 receptor-mediated mechanism in intestinal smooth muscle
  • Anti-arthritic use (Vatahara) supported by anti-inflammatory activity of ricinoleic acid through PPAR-gamma activation
  • Wound healing use confirmed by antimicrobial activity and promotion of granulation tissue formation in wound models

What do recent clinical trials show?

1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Castor oil is safe at standard laxative doses (FAO/WHO acceptable daily intake: 0-0.7 mg/kg body weight); ricin toxin is absent in properly extracted oil
  • Seeds are highly toxic due to ricin content (a lethal lectin); never consume raw seeds; contraindicated in pregnancy (uterine stimulant activity) and intestinal obstruction

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Quercetin
  • Apigenin
  • Sitosterol
  • Ricinine
  • Kaempferol
  • Ricinoleic acid
  • Ricin
  • Ellagic acid

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Taila (castor oil - primary form), Churna (root powder), Kashayam (root decoction), Paka (processed preparation), Capsule (oil-filled), Tablet (root extract)

Standard Dosage: Castor oil: 15-30ml as purgative (single dose); 5-10ml for mild laxative; Root: 3-5g powder twice daily; 500mg root extract capsule twice daily

Bioavailability: Ricinus communis seed oil (Eranda Taila) contains ricinoleic acid (85-90%) which is released by lipase hydrolysis in the duodenum. Ricinoleic acid acts locally on intestinal EP3 receptors - systemic bioavailability is not the goal for purgative use. For anti-inflammatory applications, ricinoleic acid absorbed through skin (topical application) reaches inflamed tissues. Root alkaloids (ricinine) have good oral bioavailability. Castor oil is also used as a carrier vehicle for other drugs, enhancing their absorption through lymphatic uptake. CRITICAL: Seeds contain ricin (toxic lectin) which is NOT present in properly extracted oil.

Optimal Timing: Castor oil: early morning on empty stomach with warm water or milk for purgation; Root decoction: before meals for Vata disorders; External application: at bedtime with gentle massage

Standardized Extract: Castor oil USP/BP: acid value <2, saponification value 176-187, iodine value 82-90, ricinoleic acid NLT 85% by GC. Root extract: hydroalcoholic, characterized by ricinine content and HPTLC fingerprint.

Shelf Life: 3 years (castor oil, sealed); 2 years (root powder); 2 years (capsules); 3 years (Taila preparations)

Storage: Castor oil: airtight containers, room temperature, protected from light. Root powder: airtight, moisture-proof containers below 25 deg C. Do not store near food products if handling raw seeds. Oil may become viscous at low temperatures - store above 15 deg C.

Marker Compounds: Ricinoleic acid (oil), Ricinine (root - alkaloid), Linoleic acid (oil), Oleic acid (oil), N-demethylricinine (root), Stigmasterol

Extraction Methods

  • Cold-pressing of seeds for castor oil (virgin grade)
  • Solvent extraction with hexane (commercial grade)
  • Aqueous decoction of roots
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction of root (70:30)
  • Traditional Taila preparation methods

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Haritaki for mild, balanced purgation (Gandharvahastadi)
  • With Sunthi (ginger) to reduce griping during purgation
  • With Dashamoola for Vata disorder management
  • With Nirgundi for external anti-inflammatory application
  • With Devadaru for musculoskeletal pain (external)

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

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