Castor Seed
蓖麻子 · Bì Má Zǐ
Draws out toxins from stubborn skin sores
What it does
Castor seed is traditionally used as a topical poultice to draw toxins out of stubborn skin sores, boils, and swollen glands. In TCM, it pulls stagnant material to the surface so it can drain. Internally, it's a powerful laxative, but this use is rare due to toxicity. This is strictly a practitioner-supervised botanical because raw seeds contain ricin.
How to take it
Castor seed is used only as a prepared topical poultice under practitioner guidance. Do not attempt to prepare or consume castor seeds yourself.
See a TCM practitioner. This is not safe for self-use
Safety
- Castor seed is toxic, contains ricin. Never consume raw seeds
- Primarily used topically under practitioner supervision, not internally
- Never use during pregnancy. It has strong purgative and abortifacient effects
- This is strictly a practitioner-only botanical
- Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication
Where it comes from
The castor plant (Ricinus communis) has been used medicinally for over 4,000 years. Castor seeds were found in ancient Egyptian tombs. In TCM, the seed is classified as toxic and used primarily as an external medicine for drawing out abscesses. The plant's notoriety comes from ricin, one of the most potent natural toxins, found in the raw seed. Proper processing neutralizes this, but it's a powerful reminder that dosage and preparation matter in traditional medicine.