What is a castor oil plant?

Ris plant oil is a shrub originally in the Mediterranean region of the world. This plant has been cultivated for ornamental and healing areas since ancient Egyptian times, as seeds found in the tombs of remarkable Egyptians testify. As the name of the plant suggests, castor oil is made of seeds and this product is available in health food stores, except that it has disappeared in a number of different products. Flowers grow in upright spikes, later develop on seeds known as casta beans, covered with pointed outer coating. Ricina beans are not real beans, because these plants are not members of beans family, but superficially resemble beans. The seeds of castor oil are sometimes used as beads in jewelry. A similar plant known as a plant of false castor oil looks similar but does not have the same properties.

ricins communis as is formally known growswell in the United States in USDA zones nine to 11. Prefers full sun on partial shadow and well -exhausted soil. Because the castor oil can grow very quickly and produce large leaves, it is advisable to plant it in an area where shading smaller plants is not a problem. Gardeners may also want to avoid castor oil, if they have pets or toddlers, for concern for seed toxicity; Curious animals and children can chew seeds or pods and very ill.

In their natural form, the seeds of casta are toxic. They contain a highly powerful toxin known as cast. Consumption of several seeds can have very harmful effects and can sometimes be deadly. However, if the seeds are pushed to the cold to extract oil, it is possible to create a safe product for human consumption. Ricin is released Heat Ajak together because the beans are not heated during processing, remaining trapped inside.

castor oil was historically used as cleansing. Even if the consciousness is safeWash, can irritate the intestines and can act to solve constipation. Some cultures also applied it to the skin. Today, castor oil is used in food processing in some regions, especially in the development of food coatings. It is used in trace amounts and should not cause irritation to people who consume these products. Casting oil can also be used in fuel production.