What is Castor Oil? It is an oil extracted by the pressing of the Castor Oil plant, Ricinus Communis. Depending on the country of cultivation, Castor Oil plants can grow between 4 feet to 40 feet tall. The long, curved, polished leaves on purplish foot-stalks are alternatively arranged on the stem. Mature leaves are blue-green when fully expanded, and paler beneath; however, young leaves are red and shiny. Interestingly, the Ricinus Communis has both a male and female flower, with the male growing on the under portion of the spike and the female growing on the upper portion. The blunt, greenish, deeply-grooved capsule like fruit of the Castor Oil plant is less than one (1) inch long and produces compressed oval seeds, which are pressed to obtain Castor Oil.

Native to India, Ricinus Communis it is still known by several ancient Sanskrit names, the most popular ancient name being Eranda. Castor Oil plants is a native of India,, which has passed into several other Indian languages. It is believed Castor seeds, and one might add the plant itself, was used in early Bible times, which the ancient Egyptians being its early major consumers. Later, the ancient Greeks, and other Europeans during the Middle Ages, cultivated and used the plant, many of whom attested to the now popular Castor Oil benefits and uses!