Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Constituents —
The seeds contain about 50% fixed oil, which consists mainly of glycerides of
ricinoleic, isoricinoleic, stearic, and dihydroxystearic acids. The cake left after expression of the oil
contains a very poisonous toxalbumin called ricin, the crystalline alkaloid ricinine, a very active
lipase, and other enzymes. The seeds also contain some peptides, starch, and mucilaginous substances.
Pharmacological Studies —
Castor oil is an effective and safe purgative. The oil is used as
a topical application in dermatosis and as a prophylactic in contact dermatitis allergens. Ricin has
some antitumor and immune stimulatory properties, and segments of the compounds are being
investigated in various laboratories for possible therapeutic application in immune diseases. Castor
oil is an excellent vehicle for many pharmaceuticals.
SABICEA CALYCINA
Botanical Name —
Sabicea calycina
Benth.
Synonym —
Sabicea barteri
Wernham
Family —
Rubiaceae
African Names —
Ashanti: ananse, ananse ntoroma homa; Basa: gor-vah (
S. lasiocalyx
);
Mende
:
namatei
;
Yoruba: jiri, ogan-aparo
Description —
This is a twining or creeping shrub, up to 6.5 m, often rooting at nodes. The
leaves are simple, oppositely arranged on the stem and elliptic-oblong, acuminate, with short,
pointed apex, and rounded or heart-shaped base, 5-8 cm long, and 3-4 cm broad; the margins are
entire, and the lower surface is thinly covered with soft, long hairs. The flowers are white, with
about 12 borne on one head; the heads are on long, upright stalks, emerging from the nodes and
enclosed by involucres of many greenish and pinkish leafy bracts. They are about 2.0 cm long, nar-
rowly tubular, with 5 pointed lobes. The shrub produces blue-black berries.
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Habitat and Distribution —
This is found in deciduous and secondary forests, in stream beds
and wetlands, and often as sand binder on a sea beach. It is distributed from Sierra Leone to the
Congo, Angola, and Zambia.
Ethnomedicinal Uses —
Sabiacea
is used in southern Nigeria as a laxative and is drunk in
palm wine. The ground leaves are applied to the limbs of small children to strengthen their bones
and help them walk. The crushed leaves are also applied to cuts and wounds. An infusion of the
leaves is believed to be good for memory. A member of the genus, probably
S. africana,
is used for
the treatment of senile dementia. It is an ingredient in the Yoruba agbo
medicine.
SALVADORA PERSICA
Botanical Name —
Salvadora persica
Linn.
