iNaturalist Plant Observations - Costa Rica (iNaturalist:Plants-Costa Rica)
Ricinus communis L.
Euphorbiaceae
castor bean
indianplumleaf
2018-06-25
Costa Rica, Puntarenas, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, CR-PU, CR
9.0007388883 -83.3264 +-5m.
Family: Euphorbiacheae. Uses: Castor seeds without the hull are used for birth control, constipation, leprosy, and syphilis. Castor oil is used as a laxative for constipation, to start labor in pregnancy, and to start the flow of breast milk. An alcoholic extract of the leaf was shown, in lab rats, to protect the liver from damage from certain poisons. Methanolic extracts of the leaves of Ricinus communis were used in antimicrobial testing against eight pathogenic bacteria in rats and showed antimicrobial properties. The pericarp of Ricinus showed central nervous system effects in mice at low doses. At high doses mice quickly died. A water extract of the root bark showed analgesic activity in rats. Antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties were found in ethanolic extract of Ricinus communis root bark. The Bodo tribals of Bodoland, Assam (India), use the leaves of this plant to feed and rear the larvae of muga and endi silkworms. Castor oil is an effective motor lubricant and has been used in internal combustion engines, including those of World War I airplanes, some racing cars and some model airplanes. It has historically been popular for lubricating two-stroke engines due to high resistance to heat compared to petroleum-based oils. It does not mix well with petroleum products, particularly at low temperatures, but mixes better with the methanol based fuels used in glow model engines. In total-loss-lubrication applications, it tends to leave carbon deposits and varnish within the engine. It has been largely replaced by synthetic oils that are more stable and less toxic. Jewelry is often made of castor beans, particularly necklaces and bracelets. The plant is also grown ornamentally in parks. The plant can remove heavy metals from the ground and cleanse the earth.