Castor Oil: A Miracle Cure? by: Lesley LaBodaPublished by: James Direct Inc. 500 S. Prospect Ave. Hartville, Ohio 44632 U.S.A. “This book is designed to provide information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is written with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering medical advice and does not intend this as a substitute for medical care by qualified professionals. No claims are intended as to the safety, or endorsing the effectiveness, of any of the remedies which have been included and the publisher cannot guarantee the accuracy or usefulness of individual remedies in this collection. As with the use of any herb or supplement, various common criteria merit professional advice before taking something new. These criteria would include: severity of the condition; regular consumption of other drugs; allergic or hypersensitivity problems; serious diseases; weakened or debilitated conditions; pregnancy; and, when proposed to be given to young children and babies. Specific contra-indications will be clearly posted later in the book. If you have a medical problem you should consult a physician. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this booklet may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. ISBN: 978-1-62397-014-7 Third Edition Copyright 2004 James Direct Inc.Table of Contents Acknowledgments Castor Oil; A Miracle Cure? Introduction The E f Rici History and Mystery Castor Oil as F In Search of Castor’s Identity The Coining of the Term ‘Castor’ The Testimony of Herbalists and Men of Medicine Edgar Cayce: Castor Oil and the Sleeping Prophet The C Point of Vi Practical Applications Initial Supplies Heating the Oil and Cloth Preparation of the Patient Application of Heated Oil Pack Duration of Treatment Operator Tasks During Treatment Conclusion of the Treatment Contra-Indications to Heat Therapy Final Observations Additional Uses in Contemporary Medicine Ayurvedic Medical Uses Homeopathic Medicine r Oil in Folk Aroun ri Contemporary Research Findings Homem. Medicinal Remedi ibiatic Skin Oi Chest Colds Common Colds with Fever Corn RemedyMiss Eva’s Cough Syrup Ginger-Castor Oil Packs Topical Medicated Oil for Lung Healing Medicated Oils Sinusitis Inhalation Oil Simple Stomach Ache Tired Feet Warts Worms Uterine Fibroids & Fibrotic Breast Tissue Castor Bean Plant as Commercial Gold Agricultural Applications Veterinary remarks Cultivation in Your Garden Propagation Botanical Description Oil Production Beauty Aid Recipes Facial Muscle Toning For Glossy Nails Fingernail Strengthener Two Makeup Removal Recipes for the Eyes Taming Facial Hairs Castor Oil Rub for Aches and Pains A Refreshing Splash of Castor Queen Lizzie’s Lavender Scent “Fresh Mowed Grass Cologne” Dry Skin Cologne Gentleman’s Cologne Strawberry Extravaganza Child-Safe Body Lotion Sunscreen for Delicate Complexions Two Recipes for Holding Hair in Place Hair Loss and Strengthening Remedies to Encourage Hair Re-growth Formula for Hair StrengtheningWaldorf-Astoria Dry Hair Treatment An Old Tonic for Premature Grey Hair An Old-Fashioned Remedy to Prevent Baldness Hair Conditioner to Prevent Sun Damage Gentle Homemade Shampoo Shampoo for Dandruff and Dry Hair Soap Making Properties of Castor Oil Unusual Soap Making Formulas Pet Shampoo Bar Corn Oil Soap Magic Hand Soap Love n’ Marriage Soap Special Soap for New Mothers New Dads Get a Soap Too! Revitalizing Soap Jurassic Kids Soap Concluding remarks A Chemist’s Dream and MoreACKNOWLEDGMENTS The general public may not be aware of the great amount of botanical and herbal knowledge that is available for them to examine, free of charge, in special libraries dedicated to preserving and promoting this information. Usually these libraries will have a collection of rare and old books, in addition to modern works, that are a delight and privilege to peruse. As the curator of old books, Dr. Johnston of the Warren H. Corning Horticultural Library, remarked to me; “Old books love to be handled.” These libraries make special efforts to pass onto anyone what is indeed a unique heritage that should not be lost or neglected. However, please observe the necessary etiquette required for handling old and rare documents: clean hands or wear white cotton gloves; no food or drink; no pens or markers except pencils; or follow the instructions given by the staff. This book, “Castor Oil: A Miracle Cure,” could not have been written without the valuable assistance and courteous consideration given by the following libraries and staff: Stanley H. Johnston, Jr., Ph.D The Holden Arboretum Warren H. Corning Horticulture Library 9500 Sperry Road Kirtland, Ohio 44094 (440) 946-4400 / www.holdenarb.org Call for library hours; Rare book room Open by appointment Christine Liebson, M.A. The Herb Society of America 9019 Kirtland-Chardon Road Kirtland, Ohio 44094 (440) 946-0514 / www.herbsociety.org Library hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm - collection of about 3,000 volumes on herbs and related topics Jennifer K. Nieves, M.A. The Dittrick Medical History Centerimage not availableCastor Oil: A Miracle Cure? Introduction Depending upon the generation into which the reader was born, castor oil, the famous product of the castor bean plant, may be regarded with holistic curiosity, ignorance, or utter dismay. For in earlier decades of the twentieth century, it was frequently dispensed by uncounted mothers to hapless children as a virtual panacea for ailments. Reporting from his 1930s childhood, my father said if he was ever found with even a hangnail on his finger, his mother gave him a teaspoon of castor oil (however, my father did not insist that my mother follow the same regime with me). A coworker, Patti A., reported that in her childhood in the 1950’s, when there was a fight among siblings in the family, the offending ones received a dose of castor oil to get the meanness out of them. Numbers of nostalgic references have been made to this enforced consumption by countless children, such as in the famous and beloved series, “The Little Rascals”. One cute reference was in the 1930 episode entitled; “Love Business”. In this skit, a young, lovely and sweet new schoolteacher has arrived at school to replace the former stern and older schoolmistress. One of the young boys develops a huge crush over this new teacher: Jackie: “Gee, when Miss Crabtree pats a fellow on the head, you get all shivery inside.” Hercules: “That’s the way I feel when my mommy gives me castor oil.” In the hometown television series “The Andy Griffith Show,” Mayberry’s attractive and single pharmacist Ellie was not beyond giving a secret dose of castor oil in her famous milkshakes when taken to task by someone in town. While castor oil itself is not an inspiring panacea to take for courting purposes, young gentlemen can resort to a musical composition written by the famous Rossini, which is called the “Castor Oil Waltz.” One might wonder whether this musical piece is like a fast jig, or a very restrained dance—probably not something in between. In our day, castor oil remains an effective intestinal purging agent, although with the advent of many competing commercial products, mosthealth care providers in both traditional and complementary medicine tend not to recommend its use. Other product options are generally touted as being gentler or less offensive to taste. Some people find the taste or the texture unpleasant; while others have reported it tolerable, especially if pleasant flavorings are incorporated. A recent trend in the herbal book market shows more authors are speaking out against herbs that show problem side effects, in spite of their safety overall or long term history of safe use. While some reactionary response to herbal medicine is to be expected out of legitimate safety and legal concerns, some herbal authors have advised against herbs even in cases of rare potential side effects. If the same standards were applied to common, over-the-counter medications with their statistics—including deaths—much less would be sold in the drugstore. Safety is a critical issue, especially for the ever-growing segment of society who regularly uses prescription drugs and remains ignorant of potential drug-herb interactions. However, given the less harmful side effects in comparison to the pharmaceutical agents, time-honored medicinal herbal products like castor oil should remain legal and continue to be accessible for contemporary use. The public sector should remain vigilant and guard against existing legislative efforts to ban herbs and vitamins from the public sector. For readers concerned over these bans against freedom of medical choices, they can begin with consulting websites like www.saveoursupplements.org. As with the use of any herb or supplement, if the following criteria are present they definitely merit professional advice before taking/adding anew substance. These criteria include: severity of preexisting condition; regular consumption of other drugs; allergic or hypersensitivity problems; serious diseases; weakened or debilitated states; pregnancy; and when considering young children and babies. Specific contra- indications to castor oil will be clearly listed later in the book. Is castor oil a “miracle cure?” Dictionary definitions of “miracle” are given as: “an effect or work considered as a work of God,” “a wonder, or a marvel,” and “a wonderful example of some quality.” The first definition of miracle is the one purporting to involve some supernatural event or thing, related to the divine. Although by Creationist standards all plant life is the work of a Creator, castor oil does not claim to be effective due to supernatural means. Its effective actions stem from quite natural qualities. Meanwhile, the reader can judge for her orhimself by the end of the book if the plant and oil fulfill the other three definitions of miracle. I do not suspect that the majority of readers will find the plant and oil measure far short of the mark. The Element of Ricin As the castor bean plant in the tropics stretches up to quite a height, it may also be shown that humanity’s long history with this plant stretches back farther in time than one might assume. My research has found this track record of traditional usage to have a surprising constituent to it for me, as the castor bean seed hull contains an extremely dangerous poison, called ricin, which is fatal if consumed. Chewing (which breaks into the seed hull) merely two to three seeds can kill an adult. Ricin is found in the meal or cake after the oil has been extracted. When a gram of ricin is compared with equivalent weights of other toxic substances, it turns out to be one of our deadliest natural poisons. Ricin mixed with food and used as bait is highly toxic to certain pest animals, such as some rodents and insects a dose of 0.035 milligram (approximately one millionth of an ounce) may kill a man, and even small particles in open sores and in the eyes may prove fatal.1 A dose of ricin weighing only 70 micrograms or two millionths of an ounce is enough to kill a 160 pound person.2 Lesser amounts may result in symptoms of poisoning, such as vomiting, severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, and convulsions. The poisoning mechanism of castor beans is very complicated. It causes clumping (agglutination) and breakdown (hemolysis) of red blood cells, hemorrhaging in the digestive tract, and irreparable damage to vital organs such as the liver and kidneys. It is most toxic when taken intravenously or inhaled as fine particles. In fact, the possibilities of ricin dust in chemical warfare are horrendous.3 Should the SEEDS be accidentally swallowed, consider it a true MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Proceed immediately to the nearest hospital. If the seed’s hull is breached and torn, releasing the poison ricin, without prompt care death can result as soon as 12 hours from circulatory collapse.So toxic is ricin, that the FBI lists it as the third most deadly poison found in nature. In 1978, only a few hundred micrograms of the pure poison were inserted into a 1 mm pellet and loaded into the tip of an umbrella. This ‘loaded weapon’ was then reportedly used by KGB agents or Bulgarian secret police to assassinate a Bulgarian defector named Georgi Markov at a London bus stop. Markov was jabbed in the leg. He died about 3 days after the crude injection. Ricin is most poisonous to humans, rabbits, sheep, horses, pigs, and dogs; but no animal or livestock should be fed any residue of the contaminated seed parts as it is likely to make them quite ill. Ducks are among the least affected by ricin. Castor oil was recently in the news in Britain when anti-terrorism agents found the equipment to make ricin with a small amount already produced in a north London apartment. The people involved were all arrested. In America in 1991, a murder plot against a U.S. Marshal in Minnesota was uncovered. The potential assassins had planned to make a solvent mixture with ricin, and then cover the door handles of the marshal’s car with the deadly mixture. There were rumors that ricin may have been weaponized during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980’s, and were discovered in al-Qaida caves in Afghanistan. Ricin has already been researched as a potential agent of biological warfare. During World War II, American scientists actually made a ricin bomb—although it was reputedly never deployed. With the amount genetic and bio-engineering that goes on behind our backs, it was rumored that the Castor Bean plant has been utilized in experiments for secret military and trade products. Although a 007 spy might safely drink his shaken martini, one might be aware of potential shake-ups from a cocktail offered by a spy. No confirmation on this rumor is forthcoming. If measured out gram per gram, ricin is measured to be 6,000 times more deadly than cyanide; as well as being 12,000 times more poisonous than rattlesnake venom. In its pure form, a size equivalent to a fraction of a grain of table salt is enough to kill a 160 pound adult in a short time. Minute particles that enter the body through open wounds, sores, or at the eyes could also prove fatal.4 However, lest the reader only believe that ricin is to be abhorred, numerous findings from medical research have uncovered hopeful and potentially beneficial applications to selected fractions of the ricin protein. The book “Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants and Herbs,” co- authored by Steven Foster and James Duke in 2000, gave support for theuse of ricin which has been genetically affixed to combat the HIV virus. Ricin was attached to a cell receptor protein, which made it 1,000 times more likely to latch onto and disarm cells already infected with HIV, while not attaching onto normal cells. Other bioengineering studies with ricin have attached it to monoclonal antibodies, which attack cancer cells in the body, but also do not attack healthy cells.5 Another researcher named Ehrlich performed some blood serum studies involving ricin. He found that with gradually increased doses, immunity could be created with the formation of an antibody that he called “Antiricin."6 When the oil is properly extracted from the seeds it is, perhaps unexpectedly, very safe and completely free of ricin. What is amazing is how well this speaks for the relative sophistication of herbal medicine and their manufacturing capabilities back in ancient times. One might assume that a plant with such a deadly poison would be studiously avoided by ancient peoples if only crude methods of extraction were understood and employed. That the use of castor oil was safely manufactured and widely used by ancient people remains a surprising fact of herbal history to me. Any herb product that proves itself difficult and dangerous would not likely have enjoyed common, widespread and long-term usage. History and Mystery If we take a look back in time, perhaps 7,000 years ago, imagine yourself as a Mesolithic hunter-gatherer or shepherd in ancient Egypt. At that time the area of the Sahara Desert was still semi-arid and not yet the very dry place it is now. However, it was still a parched climate, with the relentless sun burning down on fragile skin. So without Coppertone®, what did the people do to protect themselves from the sun? Archeological evidence indicates that these ancient peoples made a paste of castor oil mixed with animal grease, which was smeared over exposed skin, acting to both protect the skin and act as an emollient.7 Evidence suggests that the castor bean plant, along with other prominent ancient oil-seed plants, may have first been cultivated in the southern areas of western Asia. The oldest potential site was uncovered in the lost city of Jarmo (c. 6000 B.C.E.), which is located in the Zagros mountains, in the area that today borders Iraq and Kurdistan. Another possible site is considered to be Jericho I, found in the same generalarea.8 In Egypt around 5,500 years ago, remains have been found of their prized eye paint which had a greater function than merely enhanced cosmetic beauty. Most readers are familiar with depictions of ancient Egyptian art pieces that display heavy eye paint, used by both women and men. Perhaps we cannot judge the men as doing this out of some effeminate whim, but quite practically to protect the eyes from sun glare. For this purpose both eye paint and the eyeliner kohl were employed. Eye paint was even considered to be an appropriate official gift of exchange between government officials or ambassadors. The famous Cleopatra was said to have used this eye paint. Actual remains of it were analyzed for composition, and found to be primarily made of castor oil combined with pulverized green malachite; often with an addition of copper hydro-silicate that provides protection from the eyes tearing due to the intensity of the sun. It helped inhibit the potential smearing of salty tears about the eyes.9 Besides providing a base ingredient for eye paint, the hollow stem of the castor bean plant was harvested and made into a cosmetic container for the storage of kohl, the dark eyeliner that was rather dramatically applied around the eyes.10 If the readers would place themselves in hot Egypt for a moment, a common personal hygiene problem might occur to them—that unsavory odor from unavoidable perspiration. In many examples of Egyptian art are depictions of people wearing some sort of cone on their heads; this conical top hat unlike the top hat worn by gentlemen of recent eras, such as Fred Astaire in the musical “Top Hat.” This object was called a ‘bitcone.’ The bitcone was composed of wax and castor oil mixed with the essences of various herbal or floral scents. Throughout the heat of the day, the cone would slowly melt and release its pleasant scent, thus helping to camouflage body odors. Sometimes instead of wearing one cone on the top of the head, small balls were formed from the same material and then braided into the hair or wig, as many ancient Egyptians shaved off their hair for hygienic reasons.11 More evidence shows how highly the castor bean plant has been valued by these ancient people. When archeologists opened some Egyptian tombs dating from 4000 B.C.E., they first were dazzled by the elaborate and beautiful funerary goods surrounding the sarcophagus. But later, they were puzzled by the amount of what appeared to be small chips of marble lying scattered throughout the tomb. Initially they surmised that someone had not bothered to sweep prior to the tomb beingsealed. But very interestingly, when these ‘chips of marble’ were subjected to analysis, they were found to be the hardened remains of castor bean seeds. Castor bean seeds had been deliberately scattered among the other valuable goods to accompany the deceased person into the afterlife, as it was believed by them.12 Records of the castor bean plant have been authenticated which list it as a common inclusion in Temple Garden botanical collections, the earliest records dating from the era of Thutmosis III (c. 1500B.C.E.). At this point a new application of castor oil’s historical use is introduced, as a source of oil for temple lamps. Some records suggest the oil was also utilized in various religious ceremonies as sacred libation oil, widening its medicinal, hygienic and cosmetic use to include spiritual aspects as well.13 Archeology has also documented a wide use of the castor bean plant beyond the old Nile Culture. A number of ancient medical records as far apart as Mesopotamia, India, and Egypt reveal a number of almost uncanny similarities, suggesting a farther communication and sharing of medical knowledge than was hitherto thought existent. In these medical inventories, these cultures listed some of the same major medicinal agents used from mineral, animal, and herbal sources. Castor oil, linseed oil, white poppy, juniper, fennel, saffron, garlic, and hemp were among the herbal agents in most common reference.14 Thus castor oil can legitimately be considered as one of the oldest of all medical prescriptions, with its ancient widespread indication for upset stomach, bowels, spleen, uterus, and for intestinal worms. A decoction was routinely made of the roots for kidney and bladder complaints. An infusion or wash made of the leaves soaked in hot water was applied for rashes, scabs, itchy problems, and for eye inflammations.15 It was a standard practice in Egypt to drink some castor oil mixed in beer about three times a month, in order to cleanse the bowels of toxicity, and thus maintain good health.16 Castor Oil as Fuel “.. the oil is preferred for ‘outward remedies,’ but in hot countries where it is plentiful it burns in lamps.17 For both ancient and more modern Northern Africans, and other peoples around the world, castor oil has performed night duty, being used quite remarkably in clay lamps for illumination. Oil lamps used to be more frequently employed than candles, as being more economical,besides the fact that candles are also a later invention. In recent times in India, a proportion of seven parts castor oil to one part kerosene oil is put into lamps for private homes and in railway signaling lamps. In parts of the world where soil conditions and low rainfall do not permit many kinds of trees to live, some perennial varieties of the castor bean plant that grow into small trees are cultivated. Besides providing shady vegetation, once mature the main stalks or those harvested for seeds, are collected and burned as a source of scarce fuel.18 For persons wishing to use folk magic lamps, the choice of the oil burnt in the lamp acts as an indicator for the intent of that particular lamp. By tradition, choosing castor oil is for negative employment of spells involving revenge, crossing, commanding, and domination. Presumably these traditional capacities of castor oil in folk magic stem from its commanding internal presence when in the body.19 It does indeed purge negative conditions in the body. As another example, castor beans or oil form part of a magical incense formula, viz. “Spirits Depart.” denoting its purpose. The formula was listed as: 1 part calamint 1 part peony 1 part spearmint 1/4 part castor beans or a few drops of castor oil. Combine the ingredients, then burn it outdoors to chase away any evil spirits, or vain imaginings. (CAUTION: any use of the seeds is strongly discouraged.)20 In Search of Castor’s Identity The actual size of the plant has played a special role in history, even being specifically sited in the Old Testament. In semi-tropical areas such as the Holy Land which are mostly hot and dry, the castor herb easily and rapidly grows 10 to 15 feet high. In hot and very humid tropical regions, as a perennial the plant can grow to a height of 30 to 40 feet, often being mistaken for a tree instead of an herb. Along with its notable height, its other outstanding visual feature is the large and lobed leaves, which can grow to 2 1/2 feet in diameter.21 Such a plant obviously can provide needed and appreciated daytime shade. Harkening back to the Old Testament, specifically in Jonah 4: 5-7, we find in the New Jerusalem edition the following excerpt: Jonah left the city (of Nineveh) and sat down to the east of thecity. There he made himself a shelter (booth), and sat under it in the shade, to see what would happen to the city. Yahweh God then ordered that a castor oil plant (or ‘gourd’) grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head and soothe his ill-humor; Jonah was delighted with the castor oil plant. This botanical identification has long stirred much controversy, still not completely resolved, over the correct translation of what first appeared in English as ‘gourd’ from the long notorious Jonah 4. Some English Old Testament copies have also translated this plant as “ivy.” The Hebrew word was kikayon. Pliny recorded that the ancient Egyptian name for the castor bean plant was “kike”; while the oil was referred to as “kiki.” Arabic names have included “khurwa” and “el Keroa.22 Today, most linguistic scholars have agreed upon the correct translation as being the castor bean plant. Contemporary and older rabbinical studies have also translated “kikayon” as the castor bean plant, as will be shown below. Along with linguistic scholarship, the ancient Hebrew use of castor oil provides an additional clue as to the respect given the plant and hence likelihood of mention in the Old Testament. Castor oil was one of five oils specifically sanctioned for use in Hebrew holy ceremonies and rituals. Near to the Holy Lands, the ancient Greek word for the castor bean plant is the closely rendered “Kikajon”. The Roman author Celsius is also credited with stating that the Arabic plant “Kharwa” was the castor bean. In modern Arabic it has been rendered into our language as “Shajratul-Khirvaa.23 Some people throughout western history fueled the ongoing castor controversy. In early Christian history, this question regarding the identity of the plant that sheltered Jonah caused a great deal of contention. St. Jerome, after initially accepting the Castor Bean plant, later rescinded in favor of the ivy plant (Hedera helix). St. Augustine rejected either choice, preferring to consider it a species of gourd such as the winter squash (Cucurbita maxima); other writers offered choices such as the gourd species known as “Jonah’s gourd” (Cucurbita pepo).24 This botanical and spiritual controversy came to a head that caused an ecclesiastical scandal, as recorded by St. Augustine in a letter written to St. Jerome. This scandal has been quaintly preserved in the famous English herbal written by John Gerard, entitled The Herbal of the General History of Plants, published in 1633. Gerard’s original accountof it is as follows: (The) name “kikajon” is of small moment, yet so small a matter caused a great tumult in Africa. For on a time, a certain Bishop having an occasion to entreat of this which is mentioned in the fourth chapter of Jonas his prophecy, in a collation or sermon which (the Bishop) made in his Cathedral; said, that this plant was called “Cucurbita” or ‘gourd’, because it increased unto so great a quantity, in so short a space; or else saith he, it is called Hedera (the ivy plant). Upon the novelty and untruth of this, his doctrine, the people were greatly offended, and thereof suddenly arose a Tumult and a Hurly-burly, so the Bishop was enforced to go to the Jews, to ask their judgment as touching the name of the plant. And when he received of them the true name, which was “kikajon”, he made his open recantation and confessed his error, and was justly accused for a falsifier of the Holy Scripture.25, While not knowing any further information about what happened to this beleaguered Bishop, one might presume to suggest that this Bishop should have known better than to contradict his parishioners in North Africa. For it was here in this broad area extending to the Holy Lands that the use of the castor bean plant can be traced so far back in time. Perhaps the hapless Bishop ought to have presumed the natives were indeed “up” on their traditional plants. Most modern botanists generally consider the plant to be native to Northeast Africa, Western Asia, and India. But by the time of Gerard, the name most likely given to it was “Palma Christi.” The Coining of the Term ‘Castor’ Gerard did list other colloquial names as “Man’s Motherwort” (‘wort’ means ‘herb’), or the “Palme de dieu” (‘dieu’ means ‘god’).26 The typical reason given for naming it as “Palma Christi” was due to the very large, lobed shape of the leaves, which are divided into lobes from 5 to 11 in number; and these lobes do indeed lend some resemblance to a giant hand. One might speculate that given its ancient historical use as one of the Hebrew holy oils, a hint of sanctity might have also survived in consideration of the plant. Although castor oil was not included as themost holy anointing oil as recounted in Exodus 30: 23-24, the importance of sacred oil was clearly indicated in verses 25-32: You will make this into a holy anointing oil...with it you will anoint [a long list of objects] consecrating them, so that they will be especially holy and whatever touches them will be holy. You will also anoint Aaron and his sons...It is a holy thing; you will regard it as holy. It does not stretch the imagination too far, upon viewing the size of the leaves and merely considering the emollient properties of the oil upon the skin, to make a connection of this great, benevolent plant deserving of a name evoking a divine power, such as the name Palma Christi. Another factor in post-Christian times was that many common herbs used in pagan times were later ‘baptized’ with new Christianized names, as the old pagan ways were gradually destroyed. But Christians did not choose to destroy the use of this plant, granting it really one of the most sacred names that they could give to a plant.27 In more recent centuries, the plant was Anglicized into the “castor” bean plant due, it is theorized, to influence from the Spanish and French languages as spoken in the West Indies. The Spanish name for the plant was “agno casto,28 while the French name was “agnus castus.29 One author traced the name derivation as follows: “Tt is interesting to trace the origin of the name “castor.” Castor is the generic name of the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) and one of the brightest double stars in the constellation Gemini. In Greek and Roman legend, Castor was one of the twin sons of Jupiter and Leda. (as such, he was also the brother of Helen of Troy) According to E. A. Weiss, writing in Castor, Sesame and Safflower (1971), the name “castor” has nothing to do with beavers, luminous stars, or offspring of Greek and Roman Gods. Castor was apparently coined by English traders who confused it with the oil of another shrub, Vitex agnus-castus, which the Spanish and Portuguese in Jamaica called “agno-casto.” Although it is commonly known as the castor bean plant, the seed is really not a true bean and it is not related to the bean or legume family (fabaceae). There are many other examples of “beans” that are technically not beans,such as Mexican Jumping “beans” and coffee “beans.” The scientific name for the castor plant, Ricinus communis, has a much more logical derivation. Communis means common in Latin, and castor plants were already commonly naturalized in many parts of the world when the eighteenth century Swedish naturalist Carolus Linnaeus (Karl von Linné) was giving scientific first and last names to plants and animals over 200 years ago. Ricinus is the Latin word for tick and is the specific epithet for the Mediterranean sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus). Apparently Linnaeus thought the seeds looked like ticks, particularly large ticks engorged with blood.30The Testimony of Herbalists and Men of Medicine Gerard in his Herbal from 1633 mentioned several therapeutic applications from his day: This oile, as Rabbi David Chimchi writeth, is good against extreme coldness of the body.” Per the classification of herbs based upon the Greek theory of the Four Humors still employed in his day, Gerard described castor oil as being “hot and dry in the 3rd degree.” ...the oile...in shops it is called “Oleum de Cherva”, it heats and drys, and is good to anoint and rub all rough hardness and scuruiness gotten by the itch.” (Although a modern definition for this word was not found, by extrapolation it might be referring to “scurf”, which is the name for the scales or small shreds of the epidermis that are exfoliated from the skin.) ..-is good for colic and the gout, and against the pain in the hips called Sciatica; it prevails also against the jaundice and dropsie.31 Another English herbalist with greater professional renown than Gerard was John Parkinson, who was sited as the Apothecary of London and the King’s Herbalist. His famous herbal titled The Theater of Plantes, was published in 1640. Within his description of the castor bean plant Parkinson quoted from the famous Greek physician Dioscorides, who wrote his famous herbal in the first century C.E. Dioscoride’s herbal remained very influential in European medicine for over 1500 years. However, castor oil along with its leaf was used on a more limited basis in standard European medicine from the time of Dioscorides up until the middle of the eighteenth century, in contrast to earlier civilizations such as Egypt and India. By the time of Dioscorides, Greeks and Romans considered castor oil as primarily an external medicinal agent. Although earlier in Greek history, Hippocrates recorded the internal use of castor oil as one of his three laxatives of choice, the other two being asses milk and aniseed.32The early Greeks, in their primary use of castor oil on an external basis, did record these clinical observations of internal consumption: ... taken in drink it purgeth cholor and flegme, draws waters abundantly from the belly, provokes the urine also, the manner of purging does trouble the stomach and overturn it mightily.33 A very early reference to castor oil in the Greek city of Athens appeared in the 7th century B.C.E., due to the popular influence from hundreds of professional perfumers. One might recall again that these were pre-antiperspirant days. The unguents sold in decorative clay pots were made of oil bases such as castor, olive, almond, or linseed oils. Various herbs were infused into an oil base, the most common fragrant herbs being anise, iris, lily, marjoram, rose, sage, and thyme.34 The Greeks in their external use also found a curious application in metallurgy. According to the “Leyden Papyrus X” circa A.D. 300, “Asem,” which is a metallic alloy of gold and silver, was further refined to make it appear to be gold. Initially, this alloy when produced appeared “black and hard”. Directions were given for lightening and softening it: “Taking some leaves of the castor-oil plant, infuse them a day in water; then soak the (metal) in the (castor-oil) water before melting it...(after other steps then) put it into use, it possessing quality for it is beautiful.35 Parkinson himself advised its use for “people troubled with dropsie, joynt aches, gout, and sciatica; because it draws water and flegme very strongly, even from remote parts...” In recounting his experience with poultices using the leaves, Parkinson wrote: “A poultice made from the green leaves bruised and applied alone or with barley meal assuages the inflammations and swellings of the eyes, and swelling of women’s breasts after childing, or helps to create milk in them...” Parkinson also cited a renowned herbalist of his time named Monardus: ..-diseases from cold causes, to dissolve tumors and swellings, disperses wind especially in colic and mothers, if the grieved places be anointed with a few drops, or taken in a little chicken broth that is fat—good for cramps and convulsions of the sinews —by gently rubbing on the grieved parts, causing the sinews to be stretched forth that were shrunk... kills worms in children...helps heal all scabs or running sores of the head... dropped into the ears, cures deafness and takes away pains and noise therein... anointed (over) the spleen (clears)obstructions.36 There is mention of its cultivation in the thirteenth century Europe by an Albertus Magnus, who was the Bishop of Ratisbon; but apparently its cultivation did not become widespread after him. An early mention of the castor plant as a type of ornamental garden plant was made in 1551 in England, and was said to be familiar to the renowned and controversial herbalist William Turner.37 No significant botanical work was produced involving the plant after Parkinson’s time, until finally a groundbreaking treatise was published in the West Indies in 1769 by an English physician living there who had long used and studied the castor plant. Written in English, the work in short time made its way to Britain. This author, Dr. Peter Canvane, soon popularized castor oil on a far wider scale in Britain than it had been utilized before. His book was titled A Dissertation on the Oleum Palma Christi or Castor Oil. There are some reasons why castor oil proved to be such a pioneering remedy in Britain and Europe at this time. Before the time of the famous physician Paracelsus (circa 15th Century) who is credited as being one of the founding fathers of modern chemistry, most European medicine was plant-based. However, due to the influence of medieval Church policy dictating healing by faith and sacraments, much ancient herbal knowledge such as coming from the famed Druid herbalists, was lost to the public domain. After the failure of then contemporary medicine to halt the terrible tide of the Black Plague, gradually more physicians turned to new chemical or mineral-based drugs. These substances attained greater prominence over herbs in the practice of medicine, and were guided by the new medical philosophy, which still largely prevails today, of using medicines with increasing toxicity as “heroic measures.” Add to this philosophy of practice the additional belief that the more the patient suffered with side effects, the better the cure. The use of toxic and very toxic medicines continued throughout the nineteenth century. In the 20th century we can see this concept of heroic intervention in many treatment protocols such as cancer chemotherapy, radiation treatments, invasive testing procedures, the notorious electric shock treatments, as well as considering all the animal test subjects that have been subjected to abuse, suffering, and death. Two classic examples of toxic medications which used to enjoy widespread prescription are calomel—made from the toxic mercurous chloride, and laudanum—an opium derivative.38 But a select number of