Historically, Palma Christi or Castor Oil was often used for healing although the Edgar Cayce readings recommended castor oil packs rather than taking the oil internally.

"Because of the healing properties of castor oil, someone in the Middle Ages called it the Palma Christi, the palm of Christ. I've found that most of nature - given to us through the kindness of God - is here to be used for aid and for help, once its use is determined."

William A. McGarey M.D.

No plant is as astonishing as the castor oil plant. Its bean, when eaten, is poisonous, but the oil from the seed is healing. The species is an annual plant, capable of growing up to sixteen feet but rarely reaches as height of three or four feet it is well known annual border plant. If planted in the spring, it usually flowers in September and its seeds ripen the following month. When frost sets in, the lower leaves tend to fall off, but the flowers continue to open until the end of the year. Its stem takes on a thick coat covering and appears to be decorated with powder blue flowers.

The native countries for this plant include the Indies, South America, China parts of the Southern coast of Spain and across to the opposite coast of Africa and some of the Islands in the, Mediterranean known these countries as Palma Christi (the palm of Christ) plant, and in these countries, it acts as a perennial.

The oil comes from the seeds, which have an irritating smell and a sharp bitter taste. The oil may be extracted by decoction (a boiling method) but the acid from the seed is volatile and apt to get mixed with the oil when this method is used. According to experts the oil obtained by pressure produces the clearest and best-looking oil. However, almost violent pressure needs to be applied to produce the oil in this way.

It was well known to the ancients that castor oil could be given to, the youngest infants and to the most delicate females. For diarrhea, it evacuated the bowels freely. It was used for the first stages of cholera when it was combined with opium. Mixed with turpentine to direct its action to the intestines.