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What is the poison?

The phytotoxin in the beans of the castor-oil plant (Ricinus communis) is Ricin. It is the most toxic of all natural poisons. Ten beans are enough to kill an adult, two or three beans for a child. It is about 200 times more deadly than cyanide.

The poison is concentrated under the shell of the castor-oil beans, so it will only work if the shell is broken or chewed open. Beans swallowed whole usually pass through the person without causing a problem.

Ricin works by stopping the body making proteins (we have proteins in every cell in our bodies - we need them to live).

There was a famous incident in 1978 when a Bulgarian exile and journalist working in this country was deliberately stabbed with the point of an umbrella. A tiny ball (just 0.6mm wide) containing Ricin was injected into him, and he died three days later.

What are the symptoms of Ricin poisoning?

The first symptom is usually depression and a slight increase in temperature. This is soon followed by:

• vomiting (in animals that can vomit - horses can't)
• diarrhoea (often bloody)
• severe stomach pains
• cold sweating
• a burning feeling in the mouth
• thirst
• cyanosis (skin turns blue)
• increased heart beats
• convulsions (fits)

The symptoms are followed by death.

How quickly does the Ricin work?

Ricin is quite slow to act. The first symptoms usually appear after about ten hours but may not begin for up to a day. The person usually dies after about 36 hours.

Is there an antidote?

No.

I thought we could eat castor oil. Is the oil poisonous?

We do use castor-oil (although you probably wouldn't want to as it tastes terrible) but it isn't poisonous. It has been used for many years to help constipation or to help get rid of worms. It can be swallowed, rubbed into the skin or injected.

Today we use castor-oil in plastics, textiles, paints, cosmetics, ink and glue. It is also used as a lubricant and for preparing leather.

When the oil is produced great care is taken to prevent the poison entering the oil.

Where does the castor-oil plant grow?

The castor-oil plant is found in many places: in India it grows to a 30-40 foot tree in warmer Mediterranean countries, e.g. North Africa, Greece and Southern France, it reaches 10-15 feet in Northern France, and in the UK it is used as a short, ornamental plant because of its large and beautiful leaves.

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