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Ricinus Communis Seed (Bimaizi)

Taste: Sweet, Pungent. Nature: Neutral. Toxicity: Slightly toxic. Indications: Primarily treats edema (Shuizheng). Preparation and Dosage: Grind twenty seeds with water and ingest; this induces vomiting of foul froth. The dosage may be increased to thirty seeds. Administration: Take once every three days; discontinue when cured. Additional Indications: Treats wind-deficiency cold-heat alternations, body sores and itching, edema, corpse-guanqi (Shizhu Eqi - a type of infectious disease associated with miasma), and evil qi. Application: Extract the oil and apply externally. Leaf indications: Treats Hong Kong Foot (Xianggangjiao - swelling and pain in the feet), wind-induced swelling with numbness. Preparation: Crush, steam, and apply hot as a compress.

*Bencao Tangben* notes: This is the variety cultivated by common people. The leaves resemble hemp leaves but are much larger. The seeds resemble ticks (Bi - sound "bei"), hence also called Bima. The variety imported from Hu regions (Western Regions) has red stems, grows over one zhang tall, and the seeds are as large as soap pod kernels, which is considered superior for use. Applying oil-soaked heated leaves to the fontanelle (Xin - sound "xin") effectively stops epistaxis. (This note was originally appended to *Bencao Tangben Xianfu*). Minister Yuxi et al. verified according to the Shu edition of *Tujing*: It is a tree. Leaves are several times larger than hemp. The seed shell has thorns. The fruit is larger than Croton seeds (Badou), yellow-green with spots. Summer: use stems and leaves. Autumn: harvest seeds. Winter: dig roots. Dry in the sun. The Hu-imported variety has even larger stems and seeds. It is found everywhere. Another description states: Leaves resemble Humulus lupulus (Lvcao) but are denser and larger. Stems are red with nodes like sugarcane. Rihua Zi states: Treats abdominal distension due to water accumulation. Grind finely and take with water. Robust adults may take five grains. For inducing labor, apply to the palms and soles of the mother; wipe off quickly after delivery. For sores, scabies, and leprosy, it can also be ground and applied externally.

*Tujing* states: Ricinus Communis Seed, old texts do not specify its origin provinces. Now it is available everywhere. Sprouts in summer. Leaves resemble Humulus lupulus but are dense and large. Stems are red with nodes like sugarcane, about one zhang high. Flowers small in autumn. Fruits form readily. Shells have thorns. Seeds resemble Badou, yellow-green with brown spots, shaped like cow ticks, hence the name. Summer: harvest stems and leaves. Autumn: harvest fruits. Winter: harvest roots. Dry in the sun. The Hu-imported variety has larger stems and seeds. Cui Yuanliang's *Haishang Fang*: Treats difficult labor and retained placenta. Take seven Ricinus Communis seeds, grind into a paste, apply to the sole of the foot. As soon as the fetus and placenta are delivered, wash off immediately. Otherwise, intestines may prolapse. In that case, apply this paste to the vertex; the intestines will likely retract spontaneously.

Leigong states: When processing, do not use "Heitian Chiliz" (Black Sky Red Dysentery Seed), as it grows on vines, has pointed ends at both poles, and is toxic. Do not use in medicine. Ricinus Communis seeds resemble Badou, with yellow-black spots along the segments. Processing method: First, boil whole seeds in salt water for half a day. Remove shells, take the kernel, and grind before use. *Waitai Miyao*: Treats hemiplegia and aphasia. Take one sheng of Ricinus Communis oil and one dou of wine. Place oil in a copper bowl, add wine, leave for one day, then boil until both wine and oil are cooked. Ingest. Another formula: Treats water qi (fluid retention). Peel Ricinus Communis seeds, grind thoroughly, and extract juice to obtain three he. Take all at once in the morning. By noon, green-yellow watery stool should pass. *Qianjin Fang*: Treats Hong Kong Foot in Lingnan, extending from foot to knee, with swollen and painful calves radiating to bones. Cut Ricinus Communis leaves, steam, wrap thinly around the affected area. Change two or three times, and swelling subsides. *Zhouhou Fang*: Treats all toxic swellings with unbearable pain. Crush Ricinus Communis seeds and apply externally for cure. Another formula: Treats dystocia. Take two Ricinus Communis seeds, hold one in each hand. The fetus will be delivered shortly. *Jingyan Houfang*: Treats nasal collapse due to wind disease. Take any amount of Ricinus Communis, remove shells, crush into two jin. Mix with equal parts of Coptis Chinensis (Huanglian), crushed. Soak both ingredients in water for seven nights. Swallow one piece using the soaking water on an empty stomach, at noon, and before bed. Refill water as needed to keep it from drying up. After two months of administration, test by consuming garlic and pork. If no reaction occurs, it is effective. If reactions occur, continue previous methods until reactions cease. For leg swelling only, puncture with a needle to release toxic matter; this has shown miraculous effects frequently. *Xiuzhi Mizhi*: Treats infant erysipelas (Danliu). Take five Ricinus Communis seeds, remove shells, grind. Add one spoonful of flour, mix with water, and apply. Very effective. Du Ren treats leprosy (Lifeng) with finger contracture and unbearable joint pain, leading to gradual loss of digits. Formula: One liang of peeled Ricinus Communis, one liang of Coptis Chinensis cut into bean-sized pieces. Put in a small bottle with one sheng of water, soak. Spring/Summer: 3 days. Autumn/Winter: 5 days. Then, take one cracked Ricinus Communis seed, face east, and ingest with the soaking water in the morning. Gradually increase to four or five seeds. Mild diarrhea is acceptable. Add water if the level drops. Avoid wind-inducing foods. Repeated use yields results. Another formula: Treats throat sores and swelling. One peeled Ricinus Communis seed, one qian of Mirabilite (Puxiao). Grind together. Take with fresh well water. Administer continuously for two or three doses for efficacy. Chu Yushi treats burns and scalds miraculously. Equal parts of Bimaizi (Ricinus Communis Seed) and Argo Shell Powder (Gefen) are ground into powder and made into a paste. For scalds, mix with oil and apply. For fire burns, mix with water and apply.

*Yanyi* states: Ricinus Communis seeds grow in clusters, flowering spirally from bottom to top, and fruiting from bottom to top, resembling ticks on a cow's body. Take fully ripe seeds, remove shells, chew thoroughly, and ingest two or three seeds before sleep. Gradually increase to ten or more seeds. Treats scrofula (Luoli); must be effective.