Castor oil - Ricin Oil

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has categorized castor oil as "generally recognized as safe and effective" (GRASE) for over-the-counter use as a laxative, with its major site of action thesmall intestine.^[14] Although it may be used for constipation, it is not a preferred treatment, because it can produce painful cramps and explosive diarrhea and its action can go on for hours, sometimes unpredictably. ^[15] Undecylenic acid, a castor oil derivative, is also FDA-approved for over-the-counter use on skin disorders or skin problems.^[16]

Castor oil penetrates deep into the skin due to its molecular mass, which is low enough to penetrate into the stratum corneum. Castor isostearate succinate is a polymeric mixture of esters with isostearic acid andsuccinic acid used for skin conditioning, such as in shampoo, lipstick and lip balm.^[17]

Ricinoleic acid is the main component of castor oil, and it exerts anti-inflammatory effects.^[18]

One study has found castor oil decreased pain more than ultrasound gel or Vaseline during extracorporeal shockwave application.^[19]

Therapeutically, modern drugs are rarely given in a pure chemical state, so most active ingredients are combined with excipients or additives. Castor oil, or a castor oil derivative such as Cremophor EL(polyethoxylated castor oil, a nonionic surfactant), is added to many modern drugs, including:

• Miconazole, an antifungal agent;^[20][21]
• Paclitaxel, a mitotic inhibitor used in cancer chemotherapy;^[22]
• Sandimmune (cyclosporine injection, USP), an immunosuppressant drug widely used in connection with organ transplant to reduce the activity of the patient's immune system;^[23]
• Nelfinavir mesylate, an HIV protease inhibitor;^[24]
• Saperconazole, a triazole antifungal agent (contains Emulphor EL-719P, a castor oil derivative);^[25]
• Tacrolimus, an immunosuppressive drug (contains HCO-60, polyoxyl 60 hydrogenated castor oil);^{[citation needed]}
• Xenaderm ointment, a topical treatment for skin ulcers, is a combination of Peru balsam, castor oil, and trypsin;^[26][27]
• Aci-Jel (composed of ricinoleic acid from castor oil, with acetic acid and oxyquinoline) is used to maintain the acidity of the vagina.^[

The normal daily dose is 2-10g.

It is contra-indicated in pregnancy and acute abdominal pathology.