Tag: Ricinus communis

For over 2,000 years, castor oil has been a staple in traditional medicine, and it is known by many names. This often prompts a key question: Is ricinus oil the same as castor oil? The answer is yes; they are in fact the same substance, with `ricinus oil` being the botanical name and `castor oil` the common name.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies ricin as a Category B bioterrorism agent, highlighting its lethal potential as a poison found naturally in castor beans. While the castor oil plant is the source, it is crucial to understand the distinct difference between the highly toxic seeds and the purified, safe-to-use oil that is extracted and processed.