Semen ricini

Seeds of the castor bean tree (Ricinus communis). Untreated, the seeds are very poisonous. They are shelled and the non-toxic castor oil(Ricini oleum) is obtained by cold pressing. Ricini oleum virginale is used phytotherapeutically. This is free of the very toxic ricin contained in the seeds.

Despite their toxicity, the bean-sized castor bean seeds are popular in India and Africa as decorative jewelry, e.g. in necklaces, due to their appearance with the reddish-brownish marbled shell.

Ingredients of Semen Ricini: 45-65% fatty oil consisting of at least 80% triricinolein, a ricinoleic acid esterified with glycerol. Other components are oleic acid 3.6-9 %, linoleic acid 3-5 %, linolenic acid 0.4 %, other fatty acids are palmitic acid 0-1.6 %, stearic acid 1.5-3 %, vaccenic acid, arachidic acid, eicosenoic acid < 1 %. Semen ricini contains the less toxic ricinin and (up to about 3%) the very toxic lectin ricin. Ricin does not pass into the oil during cold pressing with subsequent steam treatment, meaning that commercially available castor oil is free from these toxins.

Semen ricini is used exclusively for the extraction of castor oil(Ricini oleum virginale).

Due to its extraordinary toxicity, ricin was tested for its suitability as a biological weapon in both World War I and World War II. Lethal dose: less than 1 mg ricin by inhalation or i.v. resp. i.m. administration. Administration.

Symptoms: Nausea, bloody vomiting, bloody diarrhea, finally circulatory collapse.

1. https://www.awl.ch/heilpflanzen/ricinus_communis/rizinus.htm
2. https://heilkraeuter.de/lexikon/rizinus.htm
3. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/rizinus.php