Pādābhyaṅga Taila · पादाभ्यङ्ग तैल
daily foot massage; sciatica prevention.
Castor oil (Eranda)
Eraṇḍa एरण्ड
Ricinus communis · Euphorbiaceae
oil-base seed (oil) ushna
Rasa-Panchaka — five-fold pharmacology
- Rasa
- madhura · katu · kashaya— tastes at first contact
- Guna
- snigdha · tikshna · sukshma— qualities
- Virya
- ushna— potency (heating)
- Vipaka
- madhura— post-digestive effect
Dosha effect
V
Vata
↓pacifies
P
Pitta
·neutral
K
Kapha
·neutral
pacifies (↓) aggravates (↑) neutral (·)
Functions
foot-carehair-conditioningpurgative (internal)anti-inflammatory
Charaka: “The castor oil is pungent, hot, heavy and curative of Vata and Kapha. In combination with astringent, sweet and bitter substances, it also cures Pitta. The castor oil is the best of purgatives.”
For cosmetic use, castor is the foot-oil base and a hair-thickening additive. Its high ricinoleic-acid content gives it a unique humectant + anti-inflammatory profile. Avoid on face — too heavy.