The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s20.t2: Ricinis Communis, Linn.

The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s20.t2

Language: English

Ricinis Communis, Linn.

THE root of Ricinis Communis and the oil obtained from the seeds have been used in medicine by the Hindus from a very remote period. They are mentioned by Susruta. Two varieties of the plant are described, namely red and white. Their properties are said to be identical. Castor oil is regarded as purgative and useful in costiveness, tympanitis, fever, inflammation, etc. It is much praised for its efficacy in chronic rheumatic affections in which it is used in various combinations. One of its synonyms is vátári or anti-rheumatic. The root of the plant is also said to be particularly useful in the local varieties of rheumatism such as lumbago, pleurodynia, and sciatica.

c5.s20.t2.4

As a purgative, castor oil is recommended to be taken with cow's urine, or an infusion of ginger or a decoction of the combination called dasamula (see Desmodium gangeticum).²

c5.s20.t2.5

² दशमूलीकषायेण पिबेद्वा नागराम्भसा । कटिशूलेषु सर्व्वेषु तैलमेरण्ड सम्भवम् ।

c5.s20.t2.6

The seeds, freed from impurities and rubbed into a paste, are boiled in milk and water, and the decoction is given in lumbago and sciatica.¹ In pleurodynia, or pain in the sides, a decoction of the root is given with the addition of *yavakshára*, (impure carbonate of potash).² The root of *Ricinis communis* enters into the composition of various compound prescriptions for rheumatic affections and diseases of the nervous system.

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¹ विशोध्यैरण्डबीजानि पिष्ट्वा क्षीरे विपाचयेत् । तत्पायसं कटीशूले गृध्रस्यां परमौषधम् । भावप्रकाशः ।

c5.s20.t2.8

² एरण्डमूलं द्विपलं जलेऽष्टगुणे पचेत् । तत् काथो यावन्मूकाद्यः पार्श्वहृच्छकफमूलहा । शार्ङ्गधरः ।

c5.s20.t2.9

In affections of the eyes, castor oil leaves and root are used in a variety of forms and several prescriptions containing them are given by most writers. A decoction of the bark, leaves and root of the plant, in goat's milk and water is recommended for use as a wash in recent ophthalmia.³

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³ एरण्डपत्रजे मूले त्वचिचाजं पयःसृतम् । कष्टकायांश्च शूलेषु सुखोष्णं सेचने हितम् । चक्रदत्तः ।

Linked texts (4)

Suśrutasaṃhitā — Suśruta & Nāgārjuna (siddha/alchemist), Sanskrit
Cakradatta (Cikitsāsaṅgraha) — Cakrapāṇidatta, Sanskrit
Śārṅgadharasaṃhitā — Śārṅgadhara (physician), Sanskrit
Bhāvaprakāśa — Bhāvamiśra 1550, Sanskrit