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Magazine
A healthy ritual
Seed and leaf ... Ricinis communis in the wild.
WE may recall, with dread, the monthly ritual when the grandmother of the house would administer castor oil (Vilakkennai or Amanakku ennai in Tamil) to the family. "It was part of the process of keeping healthy".
Ayurveda and Siddha, being holistic systems of medicine, have spelt out practices, some of which have to be carried out on a daily basis, with the others or a monthly or periodic basis, to keep healthy. Having castor oil once in three months ensures that the entire digestive system is cleansed. The recommended dosage ½ to one teaspoon of pure warm oil for children above one year and one to two teaspoons for adults. This results in four to five purges.
A light diet of mild rasam rice or gruel is followed for the rest of the day. With the advent of modern allopathic medicine, this useful practice was given a "bad" name, being deemed unscientific and too "harsh" on the bowels. It is worthwhile starting the practice again so that the colon, which is said to be the seat of many vata diseases, is cleansed periodically.
In case of excessive purging, salt and sugar rehydration should be started. However, purging to such a degree with ½ to one teaspoon of castor oil is rare.
Castor oil is a reputed remedy for rheumatic problems and colic. It is usually administered with a little warm water or milk.
For external application, the leaves are toasted on a tava with a little castor oil and applied over inflamed joints.
This is used with great effect to heal cracked nipples and sores. Pure castor oil is applied to the eyes before bedtime for a cooling effect. The oil is safe and is prescribed in Siddha medicine for infants, young mothers and even for the elderly for stomach pain. The dosage is adjusted according to age. For infants, internal administration of the oil is avoided, but the oil is applied over the navel. A betel leaf stalk dipped in castor oil is used as a suppository for children with constipation. Castor oil is also used in the preparation of cosmetics, especially kajal and lipsticks.
In village homes, the oil is prepared by the elderly women of the household. The seeds of the castor plant (Latin name: Ricinis communis) have a bristly outer cover. This is removed and the inner seed cooked in water and then dried and powdered coarsely.
This powder is then added to boiling water. As the water boils, the oil from the seed slowly separates out and is then decanted. Pure castor oil is also available in traditional medicine stores.
Ricinis communis is native to Africa but grows wild in many parts of India. It is also cultivated and is usually grown along bunds or as a hedge crop.
For further information contact: Centre for Traditional Medicine and Research, Chennai. Telephone: 24415993, 24405583 E-mail: phyto@vsnl.net Herb95@hotmail.com
Text and photograph by
SHEELA RANI CHUNKATH
The writer is Chairperson, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board
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