Castor oil has had various uses over the centuries, ranging from medicine to industrial lubricant.
Source: Castor bean (Ricinus communis)
The oil is extracted from the bean. The ricin present in the bean is denatured by heating used during the extraction process.
There are various formulations of castor oil with a wide range of uses. Castor oil for human use is not the same as castor oil used as lubricant, and vice versa.
Medicinal uses:
(1) laxative (site of action small intestine, with digestion to ricinoleic acid)
(2) skin moisturizer
(3) hair conditioner
Side effects:
(1) contractions of the gravid uterus
(2) diarrhea
(3) allergic reaction, which can be severe
People using castor oil as an alternative medicine should be cautioned not to ingest the castor bean since this can be lethal.
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