Abstract

A REVIEW OF ERANDA (RICINUS COMMUNIS LINN.) IN AYURVEDA CLASSICS

*Dr. Anubhav, Dr. Rosy Gupta, Dr. Minakshi Kaundal and Dr. Pankaj Sharma

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Abstract

The traditional system of medicine, Ayurveda is still not explored exhaustively. New avenues in herbal drug discovery process can be led under rich knowledge of Ayurveda classics. Erand (Ricinus communis Linn.) -the castor plant is the one which is widely used and readily available in Ayurveda literature. Castor oil is most abundantly used in medicine, cosmetics, biofuel and lubrication etc. but other parts are not the less important. Properties of different parts of both varieties specified in various classics and lexicons are put forward in the present article and affirm the fact that this plant was explored well in Ayurveda. Modern researches have also shown promising results of its different parts in modern terminologies. Though this plant is already being commercially valued because of its varied uses in medicine, cosmetics, industries etc. but this afresh classical review will highlight the forgotten and subtle potentialities of the very common plant paving way for new researches.

Keywords: Eranda, Urubuka, Panchangula, Ricinus communis Linn., Ayurveda.