Castor Bean Toxins The castor bean plant, Ricinus communis, contains two toxins that are poisonous to people, animals, and insects. The main toxic protein, ricin, is so potent that a single milligram may be sufficient to kill a human adult. Ricin works its harm by destroying small parts of cells, called ribosomes. Ribosomes produce all of the proteins needed by a cell. If the proteins cannot be produced, the cell dies. Although the effects of ricin ingestion may be felt within a few hours (abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting), it is a slow-acting poison, with death occurring after 1-3 days. A victim who survives the severe dehydration and lowered blood pressure of advanced ricin poisoning will generally recover. The other toxic protein in the castor bean, RCA (Ricinus communis agglutinin), agglutinates red blood cells. In other words, injection of RCA into the bloodstream essentially causes a person's blood to coagulate. Ingestion of a castor bean or its products will release ricin, but the RCA cannot cross the intestinal wall. HOWEVER, Castor oil and products made from castor oil contain very little ricin or RCA. Ann's NOTE: The main article on this page discusses the use of castor oil for sore nipples during nursing. We STRONGLY suggest washing the oil off after use (you can use baking soda, then water). Infants may respond to the tiniest amount of a substance. This alert was sent in to us by L., Montreal, 7/04 Source for this article: About.com, author Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., Education: Dr. Helmenstine has bachelor of arts degrees in physics and mathematics with a minor in chemistry from Hastings College in Nebraska and a doctorate of philosophy in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.