Medicinal Value of the Eranda (Ricinus communis Linn): A Brief Review

Abstract

Botanical name of well familiar Ayurvedic drug Eranda is Ricinus communis Linn. This belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. In the last few decades, there has been an exponential growth in the field of herbal medicine. It is a small tree which is found all over India. All plant parts are important such as root bark, leaves, flowers, seeds, oil, roots, etc. This activity of the plant possesses due to the important phytochemical constituents like glycosides, flavonoids alkaloids, steroids, etc. Castor oil contains ricin oleicacid; it is used for all types of rheumatic activity additional and medicinal value for maintaining a disease-free life. Traditionally the plant is used as a laxative, purgative, fertilizer, fungicide, etc. The plant is reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, central analgesic, antitumor, larvicidal & adult emergence inhibition, antinociceptive, antiasthmatic activity, etc.