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Other common
name(s): castor, castor bean, palma christi, Mexico seed,
oil plant, mole bean
Scientific/medical
name(s): Ricinus
communis
Description
Castor oil is extracted from the seeds of Ricinus communis,
an herb native to Africa and India. For the use described in this
section, castor oil is applied to the skin rather than swallowed.
Overview
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that
applying castor oil to the skin (called topical use) is effective in
preventing or treating cancer. However, castor oil is used in
mainstream medicine as a way to deliver chemotherapy drugs to cancerous
tumors.
How is it promoted for use?
Castor oil, taken by mouth, is used as a laxative in
conventional medicine. It may also be used to treat some eye
irritations and skin conditions and is used in mainstream medicine to
deliver chemotherapy drugs to cancerous tumors.
Naturopathic practitioners (see Naturopathy)
and some others claim that castor oil boosts the immune system by
increasing white blood cells, which help the body fight infection, and
other immune cells. Some also claim that castor oil helps dissolve
cysts, warts, and tumors, as well as soften bunions and corns. Other
claims for castor oil include treating lymphoma, bacterial and viral
diseases (including HIV), arthritis, skin and hair conditions, eye
irritations, diseases of the colon and gallbladder, bursitis, multiple
sclerosis, and Parkinson disease.
What does it involve?
Treatment involves massaging castor oil into the body or using
a warm or hot castor oil pack or compress. The castor oil is massaged
along the problem region, spine, abdomen, and sites (or pathways) of
lymphatic drainage. If using a compress, the warm castor oil pack is
placed over the affected joint or organ and left in place for up to an
hour. Promoters say application of castor oil should continue until the
problem is healed.
What is the history behind it?
Ancient Egyptians were the first to record the use of castor
oil for medicinal purposes, and since then it has been used by many
cultures as a folk medicine. Castor oil was reportedly used as a
medicine during the early Middle Ages in Europe. In his Encyclopedia of
Healing, Edgar Cayce claimed that castor oil helped to heal the
lymphatic tissue in the small intestines, thus increasing absorption of
fatty acids and allowing for tissue growth and repair. Most of the
plants used in producing castor oil are now grown in India and Brazil.
What is the evidence?
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that the
application of castor oil to the skin cures cancer or any other
disease. Castor oil is taken by mouth in conventional medicine as a
laxative and used as an eye drop to treat some eye irritations. It is
also an ingredient in some hair conditioners and skin products.
Available scientific evidence does not support any other claims.
Oncologists now use castor oil as a vehicle for delivering
some chemotherapy drugs to cancerous tumors. A special formula of
castor oil called Cremophor EL is used as a carrier for paclitaxel, a
drug used to treat metastatic breast cancer and other tumors.
Unfortunately, the vehicle sometimes causes problems of its own,
including allergic reactions. This has prompted a search for substitute
carriers.
Researchers at Texas Tech University, Harvard University, the
National Cancer Institute, and other institutions are studying ricin, a
strong poison produced by the castor bean. Early clinical trials
indicate that when combined with an antibody to shield other cells from
the poison, ricin may shrink tumors in lymphoma patients. Ricin has
recently been recognized as a possible bioterrorism agent, since
inhaling or swallowing small amounts can cause severe illness and
death.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
This product is sold as a
dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike companies that produce
drugs (which must provide the FDA with results of detailed testing
showing their product is safe and effective before the drug is approved
for sale), the companies that make supplements do not have to show
evidence of safety or health benefits to the FDA before selling their
products. Supplement products without any reliable scientific evidence
of health benefits may still be sold as long as the companies selling
them do not claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any
specific disease. Some such products may not contain the amount of the
herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may include
other substances (contaminants). Though the FDA has written new rules
to improve the quality of manufacturing processes for dietary
supplements and the accurate listing of supplement ingredients, these
rules do not take full effect until 2010. And, the new rules do not
address the safety of supplement ingredients or their effects on health
when proper manufacturing techniques are used.
Most such
supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with
medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some
reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full
studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of
these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions
below should be considered incomplete.
Castor oil is considered safe in proper doses for conventional
uses as a laxative. However, side effects can include abdominal pain or
cramping, colic, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Long-term use of
castor oil can lead to fluid and electrolyte loss. Women who are
pregnant or breast-feeding should not use castor oil, nor should people
with intestinal blockage, acute inflammatory intestinal disease,
appendicitis, or abdominal pain. Medicines that are dissolved in or
based on castor oil compounds can cause allergic reactions.
Castor beans are extremely poisonous and can kill people or
animals if chewed or swallowed. Also, handling the seeds can lead to
allergic reactions.
Relying on this treatment alone and delaying or avoiding
conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health
consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Belson MG, Schier JG, Patel MM, Case Definitions for Chemical
Poisoning. MMWR.
2005; 54(RR01);1-24
Bown D. Encyclopedia
of Herbs & Their Uses. New York, NY: DK Publishing
Inc; 1995.
Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's
Handbook of Complementary and Alternative Medicines.
Springhouse, Pa: Springhouse Corp; 1999.
Fjällskog ML, Frii L, Bergh J. Paclitaxel-induced
cytotoxicity the effects of cremophor EL (castor oil) on two human
breast cancer cell lines with acquired multidrug resistant phenotype
and induced expression of the permeability glycoprotein. Eur J Cancer.
1994;30A:687-690.
Gruenwald J. PDR
for Herbal Medicines. 3rd ed. Montvale, NJ: Thomson PDR;
2004.
Henderson CW. Researchers know beans about cancer research. Cancer Weekly Plus.
Accessed at:
http://www.newsrx.com/newsletters/Cancer-Weekly/1998-11-02/1998110233329CW.html
on June 19, 2008.
Price KS, Castells MC. Taxol reactions. Allergy Asthma Proc.
2002;23:205-208.
Rischin D, Webster LK, Millward MJ, et al. Cremophor
pharmacokinetics in patients receiving 3-, 6-, and 24-hour infusions of
paclitaxel. J Natl
Cancer Inst. 1996;88:1297-1301.
Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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