Higuerilla

ricinus communis

Higuerilla
ricinus communis

Its primary medical use is for the stomach pain, fever, colds, infections and external shocks. The leaves and seeds of this plant are the parts most used for a variety of discomforts. It is used to cook the leaves mixed with other plants and the resulting water bathes the patient or are placed in the abdomen to make it breathable. When there are headaches, the leaves lie on it and covered with a cloth. Other problems for which they are used Higuerilla colic, corns, angina and measles. The seed is used as a purgative macerated and against diabetes, muscular pain, shock and minor cuts, grains and picketing of insects.

Shrub up to 4 meters high, and branched stem void that goes from green to reddish brown. Its leaves are star - shaped, with reddish veins and jagged edges of uneven size. The flowers are clusters of white, globose and its fruits are thorny and host three seeds large and semiaplanadas. It is a plant originally from Africa, often found in warm and temperate land.

Ricinus is a Latin word which means tick, and refers to the shape of the seeds, hence the name of our plant. The name 'devil's fig tree "can refer to that aspect of their leaves, like those of the fig tree, or the reddish color of the stems, although it could also be due to the toxicity demonic that enclose the seeds.

Sprig of castor beans, with their palms and leaves its male and female flowers (in excess of the above) In the drawings in detail (down from right to left) a male inflorescence, a female flower and fruit covered with spikes, and (top) of the three oval seeds and oilseeds which are on the inside.

From the seeds of the castor oil is extracted from castor beans, a bitter laxative and worming, which a few decades ago was administered to millions of millions of European children with great displeasure of his party for its unpleasant taste.

It is a shrub capable of reaching 2 meters in height if the weather is conducive. Highly branched, both the trunk and branches and leaves of nerviaciones acquire a reddish coloration very striking. The flowers are of two types: male and female, but both on the same footing, the female at the top male and below them. The fruits (which are formed only from the female) are small capsules coated pins that, when mature, open and elastically projected three seeds containing oval and flattened. Catapucia is also called the devil and fig tree.

LOCATION: It is originated from North Africa, where he has been known for over 6, 000 years. In ancient Egypt and then used the seeds to extract oil, was not yet known when the olive oil. From there, I turn to be grown in other continents. Where is grows best in regions where drought seasons happen to rain.

ACTIVE: There is only one kind of ricin, but to have been grown for centuries barium, have appeared many varieties with different shapes and sizes of seeds, leaves or with larger or smaller sizes, but all have seeds The pharmacological properties identical seeds contain between 50 and 80% of oil, castor oil. The residue from the crushed seeds and ground has already been removed when the oil (which is called "cake") albumen contains a vegetable (a toxialbúmina) called ricin, a highly toxic poison that dilates blood vessels, but only just 2 milliseconds d milligram to kill a rabbit.

Medicinal properties: The castor oil is a laxative for excellence, but their work is very unpleasant.

COLLECTION: The ripe fruit should be harvested before they are expelled from the seeds inside. In tropical climates, where are the main crop, ripening lasts almost all year, so it is collected at any time. The seeds are separated from the covers and are subject to various industrial processes for extracting oil from castor beans.

USES AND APPLICATIONS: Castor oil has a purgative action indisputable: about two tablespoons is enough to evacuate the intestinal contents in less than 4 hours without producing intestinal irritation. To disguise the unpleasant taste can be taken with coffee or tea or beer. In ancient Egypt used it as lamp oil and only oil has managed to replace it.

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