Talk:Eranda
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Eranda |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Ricinus communis L. |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Ricinus communis L., popularly known as Eranda or the Castor Oil Plant, is a large, annual or perennial shrub distributed widely throughout tropical and subtropical regions. In Ayurveda, it is highly revered as the prime drug for managing Vata disorders (Vatavyadhi), especially rheumatoid arthritis (Amavata), abdominal conditions, and as an ideal agent for therapeutic purgation (Virechana) and enema therapies.[1]
English Name
Castor oil plant
Therapeutic Uses
Sotha (swelling), Jwara (fever), Udararoga (disease of abdomen), Amavata (rheumatoid arthritis), Bastisula (pain in urinary bladder)[1]
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
- Urubuka
- Vardhamana
- Urubaka
- Panchagula
- Chitra
Synonyms in Bhavaprakasa Nighantu
- Amana – The flowers when blossomed, plant appears very attractive.
- Chitra
- Gandharvahasta – Resembling the palm of Gandharva.
- Panchangula – Leaves of Eranda are palmately lobed.
- Vardhamana
- Dirghadanda – Leaves of Eranda have a long petiole.
- Vyadambaka – When wind blows, the inflorescence of Eranda appears like dancing.
- Vatari – Best drug for Vatavyadhi.
- Taruna
- Rubuka
Varieties
Bhavaprakasa Nighantu
- Sukla eranda
- Rakta eranda
Raja Nighantu
- Rakta eranda
- Sthula eranda
Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties
According to classical Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics (Rasa Panchaka), Eranda has the following properties:[1]
| Sr. No. | Pharmacological Criteria | Properties (Ayurvedic Attributes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (Rasa) | Sweet (Madhura), Pungent (Katu), Astringent (Kashaya) |
| 2 | Potency (Veerya) | Hot (Ushna) |
| 3 | Post-digestion Effect (Vipaka) | Sweet (Madhura) |
| 4 | Qualities (Guna) | Unctuous (Snigdha), Sharp (Tikshna), Subtleness (Sukshma) |
| 5 | Dosha Action (Karma) | Pacifies Kapha and Vata |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its Actions
Eranda is prominently documented across multiple therapeutic chapters of the Charaka Samhita:
| Sr. No. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity / Formulation / Therapeutic Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 2/12 | Asthapana (Therapeutic Enema) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(4) | Bhedaniya mahakashaya (group of herbs breaking mass/solid lesions) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(22) | Svedopag mahakashaya (helping diaphoresis/sudation) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(44) | Angamardaprashamana mahakashaya (relieving body-ache) |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 13/10 | Sthavara Sneha Yoni (Vegetable origin of lipids) |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 14/31 | Dravya for Nadi Sweda (tubular fomentation) |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 14/42 | Dravya for Prastara Sweda (bed-fomentation) |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 13/12 | Ideal for Virechana (purgation) |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 25/40 | Agrya Sangraha (best food articles, factors, and drugs) |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 26/84 | Viruddha ahara (unwholesome diet) |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 27/108, 27/109 | Shaka Varga (group of vegetables) |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 27/289 | Krutanna Varga (Class on food articles) |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/139 | Madhur skanda (group of sweet drugs) |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 7/50 | Pathyadi modaka |
| 15 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 11/11 | Saptala Shankhini Yoga |
| 16 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/235 | Used as Ksheerapaka where Jwara is associated with Parikartika (fissure) |
| 17 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/267 | As an ingredient of Agurvadi taila |
| 18 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/108 | Ingredient in Tiktekshvadi Taila for Abhyanga in Vata-Kaphaj Kushtha |
| 19 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/112 | Ingredient in Kanakakshiri Taila |
| 20 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/65 | In treatment of Vatodara for Anuvasana basti (unctuous enema) |
| 21 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/69 | In treatment of Pittodara for Anuvasana basti |
| 22 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/173 | Eranda taila is used in Avarana avastha of Udararoga |
| 23 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/44 | Used in Avasechana in Arsha roga (hemorrhoids) |
| 24 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/79 | Used for Virechana in treatment of Vataja grahani |
| 25 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 17/77, 17/80 | Used for Shodhanottara dhumpana (post-purification smoking) |
| 26 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/171 | As a yoga dravya |
| 27 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/48 | Used as medicine with Paya (milk) |
| 28 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 28/85 | Eranda taila with milk is used in Vata vyadhi with other doshas involved |
| 29 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 28/114 | As an ingredient of Utkarikadi lepa |
| 30 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 28/161 | As an ingredient of Amrutadi taila |
| 31 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 28/197 | Eranda taila is used in the treatment of Purishavrita vata |
| 32 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/61 | As an ingredient of Jeevaniya Ghrita |
| 33 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/81 | Used as Ksheerapaka for pain management |
| 34 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/83 | Eranda taila & ksheera used for Virechana in Bahudosha |
| 35 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/103 | As an ingredient of Amrutadhya taila |
| 36 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/140 | Used in Ksheerapishti form for Shoolanivrutti (pain relief) |
| 37 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/141 | Used in formulation of Erandamuladi pralepa |
| 38 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 30/198 | Used in treatment of Klaibya (impotency) for Asthapana basti |
Dose
- Decoction (Kwatha): 20 – 30 ml of the drug.[1]
Important Formulations
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Gandharvahastadi kwatha churna
- Vatari guggulu
- Gandharvahastadi taila
Current Availability
Available
- In India: Widely cultivated and found growing wild throughout tropical and subtropical regions.
Major Phytoconstituents
Ricinus communis contains several classes of bioactive constituents.[2]
- Fatty acids (castor oil): Ricinoleic acid, a hydroxylated fatty acid that is the principal component of castor oil.
- Toxic proteins and alkaloids: Ricin (a toxic lectin) and ricinine (an alkaloid); Ricinus agglutinin is also present.
- Phytosterols: Sitosterol, fucosterol and stigmasterol.
Therapeutic Efficacy & Modern Scientific Research
Modern pharmacological investigations have examined several traditional claims associated with Ricinus communis. Each activity below is supported by one primary study. Most of the evidence is preclinical (animal and in vitro models).
1. Purgative and Gastrointestinal Action (Virechana)
- Traditional Use: Widely used as an effective purgative and in managing abdominal conditions (Udararoga).
- Scientific Evidence: Ricinoleic acid, released from castor oil by intestinal lipases, selectively activates EP3 prostanoid receptors on intestinal smooth muscle; in mice lacking EP3 receptors on smooth-muscle cells, castor oil produced no laxative effect, establishing the mechanism of its purgative action. The same pathway mediates uterine contraction.[3]
2. Anti-inflammatory and Free-radical Scavenging Activity (Sotha / Amavata)
- Traditional Use: Amavata (rheumatoid arthritis), Sotha (swelling) and localized pain; the root is used in Vatavyadhi.
- Scientific Evidence: Root extract showed anti-inflammatory activity in rats together with free-radical scavenging activity, supporting the traditional use of the root in inflammatory conditions.[4]
3. Antimicrobial Activity
- Traditional Use: Leaves applied as poultice or fomentation on sores, boils and swellings; used for wound and skin infections.
- Scientific Evidence: Aqueous, methanol, ethanol, petroleum ether and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves inhibited Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida albicans in vitro (MIC 3.13–25.0 mg/ml); the methanol extract showed the largest zones of inhibition.[5]
4. Anti-diabetic Activity
- Traditional Use: Not a classical indication; reported in experimental research.
- Scientific Evidence: A 50% ethanolic extract of the seeds showed favourable effects on fasting blood glucose, lipid profile and liver and kidney function in diabetic rats.[6]
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Part / Extract studied | Primary Pharmacological Action | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constipation & Bowel Cleansing (Virechana) | Castor oil (ricinoleic acid) | Laxative via EP3 receptor activation | Preclinical (mouse) |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis / Swelling (Amavata / Sotha) | Root extract | Anti-inflammatory, free-radical scavenging | Preclinical (animal, in vitro) |
| Wounds & Skin Infections | Leaf extracts | Antibacterial, antifungal | In vitro |
| Diabetes | Seed ethanolic extract | Anti-hyperglycemic | Preclinical (animal) |
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Precautions: Raw seeds contain the toxic protein ricin and must not be consumed unprocessed; ricin poisoning has no specific antidote, and castor oil itself is not a source of ricin. Standard therapeutic use relies on processed castor oil or purified root decoctions under professional guidance.[7]
- Standard Therapeutic Dosage:
- Root Decoction (Kwatha): 20–30 ml.[1]
- Castor Oil (Taila): 5–15 ml as directed for purgation.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 1:23
- ↑ Pandey SN, Kumar P, Verma H, Durgapal S, Singh B. Phytopharmacological insights into Ricinus communis: a comprehensive overview. Pharmacogn Res. 2025;17(2):348-57. doi:10.5530/pres.20251940.
- ↑ Tunaru S, Althoff TF, Nüsing RM, Diener M, Offermanns S. Castor oil induces laxation and uterus contraction via ricinoleic acid activating prostaglandin EP3 receptors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012;109(23):9179-84. doi:10.1073/pnas.1201627109.
- ↑ Ilavarasan R, Mallika M, Venkataraman S. Anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging activity of Ricinus communis root extract. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006;103(3):478-80.
- ↑ Suurbaar J, Mosobil R, Donkor AM. Antibacterial and antifungal activities and phytochemical profile of leaf extract from different extractants of Ricinus communis against selected pathogens. BMC Res Notes. 2017;10:660. doi:10.1186/s13104-017-3001-2.
- ↑ Shokeen P, Anand P, Murali YK, Tandon V. Antidiabetic activity of 50% ethanolic extract of Ricinus communis and its purified fractions. Food Chem Toxicol. 2008;46(11):3458-66.
- ↑ Audi J, Belson M, Patel M, Schier J, Osterloh J. Ricin poisoning: a comprehensive review. JAMA. 2005;294(18):2342-51. doi:10.1001/jama.294.18.2342.
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