Use of Bi Ma Zi (castor beans) in TCM

Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.

Preparation: Collect ripe fruits during autumn and dry them. Then remove shells and collect the seeds

Dosage: 1 - 5 grams

Main actions according to TCM*: Induces subsidence of swelling and removes toxins. Facilitates urination and eases constipation. Clears the Meridians.

Primary conditions or symptoms for which Bi Ma Zi may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Carbuncles Boils Goiter Sore throat Scrofula Constipation Oliguria Edema Burns Traumatic swelling

Contraindications*: This herb is toxic. It should only be used under the guidance of a qualified TCM practitioner.

Key TCM concepts behind Bi Ma Zi's properties

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Bi Ma Zi belongs to the 'Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity' category. Herbs in this category are used to clear inflammatory and infectious conditions, referred to as 'Internal Heat' in TCM. This is why most of the herbs in this category will have both antibacterial and antiviral properties. In TCM one has too much 'Internal Heat' in their body as a result of a deficiency of 'Yin' (which is Cold in nature, see our explanation on Yin and Yang) or, more commonly, an Excess of Yang (Hot in nature). Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity treat the latter while, at the same time, removing infectious toxins from the body. As such they tend to be Cold or Neutral in nature.

As suggested by its category Bi Ma Zi is Neutral in nature. This means that Bi Ma Zi typically doesn't affect the balance in your body. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Eating too many "Hot" (Yang) ingredients can lead to an imbalance whereby one has a Yang Excess. The inverse is true as well: too many "Cold" (Yin) ingredients can lead to a Yin Excess. The Neutral nature of Bi Ma Zi means that you don't have to worry about that!

Bi Ma Zi also tastes Pungent and Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Pungent ingredients like Bi Ma Zi tends to promote the circulations of Qi and Body Fluids. That's why for instance someone tends to sweat a lot when they eat spicy/pungent food. On the other hand Sweet ingredients tend to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.

The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Bi Ma Zi is thought to target the Large intestine and the Lung. In TCM the Large Intestine receives the "impure" parts of the digested food from the Small Intestine, absorbs the remaining fluids and excrete the remainder as feces. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body.

Research on Bi Ma Zi

Several studies on the leaves of Ricinus communis showed that they protect the liver from damage from certain poisons.¹

Antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties were found in ethanolic extract of Ricinus communis root bark.²

Sources:

1. Sabina E.P.; Rasool M.K.; Mathew L.; Parameswari P. (May–August 2009). "Studies on the protective effect of Ricinus communis leaves extract on carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity in albino rats". Pharmacologyonline. 2: 905–916. ISSN 1827-8620.

2. Lomash V, Parihar SK, Jain NK, Katiyar AK (2010). "Effect of Solanum nigrum and Ricinus communis extracts on histamine and carrageenan-induced inflammation in the chicken skin". Cell. Mol. Biol. (Noisy-le-grand). 56 (Suppl): OL1239–51. PMID 20158977.