Crude drug sample data base

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Crude drug name

Market nameEdarueta
Formal nameEranda
Other names   

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Eranda bija (T), Bherenda (B), Arand, Eranda mool (H), Manda, Harlu (K), Erandam, Avanakku (M), Erandamu (Te), Amanakku ver (Ta), Eramn-da (Ti), Erandu, Tel-Erandu (Sin)
English nameCastor Seeds
Original plant nameRicinus communis Linn., Castor Seeds
Family nameEuphorbiaceae
Used partClassificationPlant origin
Sub classification seed
Production area informationDemocratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Collection informationDemocratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Colombo, W. Wilbert & Co.
Collection date1980/02/08
TMPW No.9212

The capital city, provincial capital city or the representative  
location of its administrative area is indicated.  
Production area information
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
https://ethmed.toyama-wakan.net/img/pin_san.png
6.9270786
79.86124300000006
Collection information
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,Colombo
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Scientific information data base

Crude drug nameAyurvedic name or
Sanskrit name, English name
Eranda (seeds), Castor
SynonymsPancangula, Tilakupaka, Amundaka, Vardhamana, Citra, Gandharvahastaka, Dirghadanda, Gramaja, Muni, Trptiphala Rakteranda - Mahamunda, Mahapancangula, Prthuhastikarni, Urubuka, Urupu, Gajakarnaka, Sikhapatra, Sirapatra, Mahapatra, Vyaghra, Vyaghradala, Urubuka, Rubu, Vyaghrapatra, Vatari, Sukla eranda - Vyadambaka, Sthirairanda, Cancu, Uttanapatraka, Karaparna, Yacanaka, Snigdha, Citrabija
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Original plant nameRicinus communis Linn.
Family nameEuphorbiaceae
Used partSeeds, Fruits, Leaves, Root and root bark
Distribution areaOuter Himalayas. Cultivated throughout India and naturalised.
RemarksAbundant.
Common usesThis drug is used in the treatment of amenorrhoea/amenorrhea, asthma, neuralgia, rheumatism, sciatica, and skin diseases.

Root bark is a powerful purgative.

Oil from seeds is used as cathartic, purgative, in anal fistula and fissures. It is employed in a number of formulations of purgatives and emollients like Laghuvisa garva taila, Eranda pak and Eranda taila. Castor oil is usually given in doses of 4-16ml, the maximum safe dose being 60ml in 24 hours.

Small quantities of castor seeds are used in villages as a mild laxative for children. The seeds, made into a paste or poultice, are reported to be applied to sores, boils and gouty or rheumatic swellings.
Therapeutic usesSula (colic), Sopha (oedema), Katiruja (pain in the pelvic), Vasti (bladder), Sira (headache), Bradhna (a kind of tumour/tumor), Svasa (respiratory disorders), Anaha (abdominal distension), Kasa (cough), Kustha (skin diseases), Amamaruta (rheumatic fever), Udavarta (upward movement of vayu), Pliha (spleen), Gulma (intestinal tumours).
Chemical constituentOthers
Gallotannins and Enzyme-Adenylate cyclase. Globulins constitute 60% of the total proteins in the seed and Phosphorus (90%). They contain 0.12% of phospholipids, chiefly made up of phosphatidylethanolamine. Seeds contain oil (37 to 61%). Seed hull is rich in minerals, resins, pigments and ricinine. Castor seeds contain a power lipase, amylase, invertase, maltase etc. Seeds contain toxic component (2.8-3.0%). Principal toxic substance is an albumin-ricin, ricinine. The seeds have a high concentration of an allergen which is proteose in nature and remarkably stable to heat and chemicals. Castor oil has principally ricinoleic acid (c 90%). Castor oil consists predominantly triricinolein.

Pharmacological effectCastor seeds contain toxic components (2.8 to 3.0%) of the whole seed (c.10% in the flour) which are highly poisonous to human beings and animals. Toxic symptoms of ricin (or castor seed) poisoning, which do not often appear for several hours after ingestion, consist of vomiting, colic, haemorrhagic gastro-enteritis, stupour, convulsions, oedema, and circulatory collapse. Treatment for poisoning consists of gastric lavage, saline cathartics, maintenance of fluid and electrolyte equilibrium and symptomatic measures. Ricin causes extensive inflammation of the eyes. It possesses antigenic or immunizing action. When administered in small doses, it produces in the body an anti-toxin analogous to that produced against bacteria. Like other toxalbumins, ricin agglutinizes the mammalian red blood corpuscles; this property is a convenient test for their presence. The castor seed has a concentration of an allergen which is nontoxic to unsensitized humans but affects an allergic person even in a very low concentration. It is generally presumed that sensitivity is acquired by inhalation of airborne dust of the seed containing specific sensitizing antigen and that the subsequent allergic reactions result from contact with the same castor seed allergen. The strong laxative property of the castor oil is reported to be due to the local irritant action caused in the intestines by the ricinoleic acid formed by hydrolysis under the influence of the lipolytic enzymes. The motor activity of the bowel is stimulated without much griping and the hastened peristalsis permits little time for the absorption of water from the intestinal contents. Copious liquid stools are produced in c.6 hours after ingestion of the oil. The unhydrolysed oil is washed out and hence the drug automatically limits its action. Frequent use of the oil may produce severe intestinal irritation and deficiency states. Castor oil has been preferred over other cathartics in the treatment of acute diarrhoea caused by any form of food poisoning and also in the cleansing of the bowel before roentgen examination. Repeated small doses may be given to treat intestinal colic in children. Castor oil must be used with caution on menstruating or pregnant women since its action causes congestion in the intestinal area. The oil should not be used as a cathartic in the treatment of hook worm or other infestations with tetrachlorocthylene or other fat soluble vermifuge, since It may increase the absorption of the vermifuge and thereby its toxicity. Castor oil is often given (60ml) orally, alone or with quinine sulphate to induce labour in pregnancy at term. The oil can be used as a vehicle for parenteral administration of steroidal harmones. It is also used in the abortifacient pastes and risinoleic acid is used in the contraceptive creams and jellies. Castor oil is sometimes applied externally as a bland emollient in the form of a 5-10% ointment, in seborrheic dermatitis and other cutaneous affections. The neutral sulphated oil is used in place of soap in cases of contact dermatitis resulting from airplane dope, machine cutting oil, grease, plaster etc. Castor oil is employed as a solvent for removing irritating substances in the eyes. Medicinals such as atropine, cocaine etc,. Are often suspended in the oil for ophthalmic application. Sodium ricinoleate solutions are used as injections in sclerosing treatment of varicose veins. Sodium ricinoleate and sulpho-ricinoleate have strong bactericidal action and are used in tooth formulations.
Medical systemAyurveda (Traditional Indian medicine)
Traditional conceptRasa (Taste)Tikta (Bitter)
Virya (Potency)Usna (Hot)
Guna (Quality)Guru (Heavy), Tiksna (Sharp), Snigdha (Unctuous), Suksma (Minute)
Vipaka
(Post digestive taste)
Madhura (Sweet)
Avayava
(Action on organ)
Pliha (spleen)
Traditional usage1. Root decoction along with honey is good for jaundice.

2. A pad soaked in the oil is placed in the vagina to relieve pain

3. Seeds of Eranda (castor) and Matulunga (Citrus medica) is ground with ghee and taken internally for conception.

4. By taking milk cooked with Eranda root one is freed from fever associated with griping.

5. By taking milk cooked with Eranda root one recovers from constipated bowels, diarrhoea/diarrhea with blood and mucus attended with thirst, pain, tenesmus.

6. The leaves of Eranda should be placed on pasted ground and then wrapped on the body of the patient suffering from fever with burning sensation. Thus fever and burning sensation is alleviated. When the burning sensation is pacified and cold is experienced then the leaves should be removed.

7. Haemorrhoids/hemorrhoids should be sprinkled with the decoction of the leaves of Vasa (Adhatoda vasica), Arka (Calotropis gigantean), Eranda and Bilva (Aegle marmelos).

8. Castor oil with decoction of Triphala (a group of three fruits) is good evacuative remedy. It carries down faeces, bile, mucus and wind thus destroys piles.

9. One should take alkali of Eranda leaves mixed with Trikatu (a group of three pungents), oil and jaggery. By the same method, that of Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum) and Eranda should be used.

10. Eranda root 80 gm should be boiled in water eight times and made into decoction. This decoction added with Yavaksara (alkali of Hordeum vulgare) alleviates pain in chest, heart and stomach.

11. Castor oil mixed with double quantity of Triphala decoction or milk acts as a quick purgative.

12. For purgation castor oil is the best one.

13. One suffering from Vatika gulma (intestinal tumour/tumor caused by Vata) should take castor oil mixed with clear wine or milk.

14. Castor oil should be taken with wine, curd water, milk and meat soup.

15. Castor oil mixed with decoction of Madhuka (liquorice) alleviates Pitta sula and gulma (phantom tumour).

16. One should take decoction of Sunthi (dry ginger), root of Bilva and Eranda and Citraka (Plumbago zeylanica) added with Hing (Ferula assa-foetida) and rocksalt . It allays colic instantaneously.

17. Decoction of Eranda, Methika (fenugreek) and Jaggery pacifies all types of abdominal colic.

18. In order to remove obesity one should take alkali of Eranda leaves mixed with Hing. The diet should be rice with scum.

19. Root of Eranda smeared with honey is kept overnight in water. By taking this extract the enlarged abdomen is reduced.

19. When the patient regains strength and digestive power, that person should be uncted and purgated with milk added with Trivrt (Operculina turpethum) paste or cooked with Eranda root.

20. One should use daily for a month or two, castor oil alone or mixed with cow's urine or milk abstaining during the period from intake of water.

21. The patient should be given castor oil mixed with cow's urine or milk for ascites.

22. Eranda (castor) oil mixed with decoction of Dasamula (a group of ten roots) or decoction of Triphala added with cow`s urine alleviates Ascites caused by Vata, oedema and pain.

23. If there is difficulty in passing stool and flatus, one should take castor oil mixed with milk or meat soup before meal in oedema.

24. One should take castor oil mixed with cow's urine or mixture of ghee, oil and fat with decoction of Sunthi keeping on diet or rice and milk in filaria.

25. Castor oil mixed with milk should be taken for a month in scrotal enlargement.

26. By taking castor oil cooked with Bala (Sida retusa) and mixed with milk one overcomes scrotal enlargement associated with tympanitis and colic.

27. In disorders of Vata, Patralavana (a formulation) is recommended which is prepared as follows, Fresh leaves of Eranda , Muskaka (Schrebera swietenioides), Karanja (Pongamia pinnata), Vasa (Adhatoda vasica), Putika (Holoptelia integrifolia), Aragvadha (Cassia fistula), Citraka etc., are mixed with salt and pounded in a mortar and then kept in a jar smeared with ghee which is pasted with cow dung and then put in fire.

28. One should take castor oil mixed with cow's urine for a month. This alleviates sciatica and stiffness of thighs.

29. The patient of sciatica, by taking gruel cooked with castor seeds regains his normal movement.

30. Castor seeds are purified, pounded and cooked in milk. This payasa (pudding) is a good remedy for lumbago and sciatica.

31. In all types of lumbago one should take castor oil mixed with decoction of Dasamula and Sunthi.

32. By taking castor oil mixed with equal quantity of Nirgundi (Vitex negundo) juice one overcomes Vata situated in waist and regains health.

33. To relieve pain, the paste of castor seed pounded with milk or Satapuspa (Anethum sowa) should be applied to the part in case of predominance of Vata in arthritis.

34. The patient suffering from rheumatic fever, sciatica and scrotal enlargement should take regularly Haritaki mixed with castor oil.

35. The part affected by rheumatic fever is sprinkled with decoction of Eranda.

36. Paste of Sunthi mixed with decoction of Eranda root should be cooked in closed heating. The juice thereof mixed with honey alleviates severe pain caused by rheumatic fever.

37. In wound caused by Vata, it should be covered with the leaves of Eranda, Bhurja (Betula utilis), Putika, Asvabala (Medicago sativa) and Kasmari (Gmelina arborea).

38. Eye should be sprinkled with lukewarm goat's milk cooked with leaf, root, bark of Eranda or Kantakari root (Solanum surattense).

39. Tender leaves and root of Eranda are pounded and cooked in goat's milk. It alleviates pain caused by Vatika abhisyanda (conjunctivitis) instantaneously.

40. In cataract caused by Vata, castor oil mixed with milk is efficacious.

41. Root, seed and root fibers are pounded and mixed with cow's milk. This eye drop alleviates severe arthritis.

42. Juice of Eranda leaves cooked in closed heating and equal quantity of fresh ginger juice mixed with Madhuka are heated and added with oil and salt. This lukewarm liquid instilled into the ear removes earache instantaneously.

43. Lime taken at the end of the petiole of Eranda is rubbed on the mole. By this it bends and is dried up.

44. Tampon made of Eranda seeds should be put in vagina. It relieves vaginal pain.

45. Cotton swab impregnated with castor oil should be put into the vagina. It relieves the pain immediately.

46. For conception, one should take seeds of Eranda and Matulunga (Citrus medica) pounded with ghee.
FormulationErandapaka, Erandamuladi kvatha, Erandasaptaka kvatha, Rasna pancaka kvatha, Gandharvahasta kvatha curna, Gandarvahasta taila, Vatari guggulu.
CommentsLeaf pacifies Vata, good for Kapha, worms, urinary disorders and aggravates Pitta and blood. Tender leaves are highly Vata pacifying and good for intestinal swellings, colic, gas accumulation. It is also good for liver and spleen disorders, piles and is pungent and increasing digestive fire.

Fruit marrow is purgative, pacifying Vata and Kapha and good for ascites.

The red variety is bitter, astringent, pungent, pacifying Vata and Kapha, respiratory conditions, tremor, piles, tumours/tumors.

Oil of Eranda is sweet, laxative, heavy, good for tumour, pacifying Vata and Kapha, ascites types, intermittent fever, pain and swelling in the pelvic region, lumbar region, intestines and genitals. Oil of red variety is sharp, slimy. Oil is digestive, heavy, astringent, hot and clearing body channels. It is sweet in taste and post digestive effect. This stabilizes aging, good for skin and purifies vaginal orifice and reproductive tissue, improves intellect, strength, health, memory power and increases reproductive tissue. It cures rheumatic diseases and pacifies Vata and Kapha.

This is included in Bhedaniya, Svedopaga, Angamarda prasamana, Madhuraskandha groups of Caraka and Vidarigandhadi, Adhobhagahara and Vatasamsamana of Susruta.
ReferencesReference book 

Tips!

[2] Indian Medicinal Plants - A Compendium of 500 species, Varier, P.S., Orient Longman Ltd. Chennai (Madras)
Vol. 5 (Repr.1997), pp 1-7.

Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, 1956. Chopra, R.N., Nayar, S.L. and Chopra, I.C., Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi. - New Edition (1996) National Institute Science Communication; Supplement
p 214.

Illustrated Manual of Herbal Drugs Used in Ayurveda, 1996. Sarin, Y.K., Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi
p 32.

Ayurvedic Drugs and Their Plant Sources, 1994. Sivarajan, V.V. and Balachandran, I., Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi
p 149.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol I, Ed. I, 1989. Govt. of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Dept. of Health, New Delhi
pp 34-35.

Plants in Ayurveda (A Compendium of Botanical and Sanskrit Names), 1997. Abdul Kareem, M., Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, Bangalore
1399.

Dravyagunavijnana, Vols. 1-5, reprint 1998. Sharma, P.V., Chowkhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi
Vol. 2, pp 58-62.

Classical uses of Medicinal Plants, 1996. Sharma, P.V., Chaukhambha Visvabharati, Varanasi
p 61.

Last renewal date2023/11/17