AN OIL WITH MANY TALENTS
This oil was known in the ancient world already and was
probably originally native to the Ethiopian tropes. In old
Egypt, castor oil served as versatile remedy as well as fuel
for oil lamps. The viscous oil is of a light yellow colour,
the taste is mild but unpleasant. The oil is won from from
the castor shrub, also known as the „palm of Christ“. The
exact origin of the latter name is not clear although castor
is mentioned in the bible. The botanical name means „tick“
because the seeds of the plant look like small, saturated
ticks. The reddish brown capsule fruits are barbed with
soft prickles and contain bean-shaped seeds.
The oil can be used for many purposes but has particu-
lar importance in industrial and medicinal fields of
application. The valuable ingredients ren-
der it suited for many purposes, be it in
lubricants for motors, in binding agents
for lacquers and paints, or in cosmetic
products. Among many others, the
medicinal or cosmetic
areas of use include
natural laxatives,
remedies for scars
or age marks, lip-
sticks or hair condi-
tioners.
Nowadays, the palm of Christ is cultivated in sub-
tropical areas. Under optimal conditions, the fast-growing
plant reaches a height of five metres within 3 to 4 months.
In tropical climate, it can reach, after several years, a
height of up to 13 metres and forms a lignified stem.
As opposed to the poisonous ricin that is contained in
the seed coat, the castor oil is harmless. The poison is not
liposoluble and remains in the residues after the pressing
of the seeds. After the castor oil is dehydrated and boiled
to a thick stand oil, it is used as soap in the binding agent
that is used at AURO in cleaning, care and maintenance
products.
ORIGIN:
INDIA
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