About
Erand Mool root extract is derived from the roots of Ricinus communis Linn. (Euphorbiaceae), the castor oil plant, used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine for anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and laxative purposes. It is not a recognised food additive by major regulatory bodies (FDA, EFSA, FSSAI) and is primarily associated with traditional herbal/nutraceutical use.
Safety summary
The Ricinus communis plant contains a toxic protein (ricin), a haemagglutinin (RCA120), and the alkaloid ricinine, though these are concentrated in seeds rather than roots; root extract phytotoxin levels are lower but still present. No established ADI exists for the root extract as a food ingredient, and no major regulatory body has granted it food-safe status. Sensitive populations including pregnant women, children, and those with kidney or liver disease should avoid it without medical supervision.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Restricted | EFSA has assessed ricin from Ricinus communis as an undesirable toxic substance. Ricinus communis root extract is not listed as an approved food additive or novel food ingredient in the EU. EFSA's 2008 opinion covers ricin as a contaminant in animal feed and addresses its toxicity concerns.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Restricted | Ricinus communis root extract does not appear as an approved food ingredient in the FSSAI non-specified food and food ingredients (NSF & FI) approved list as of May 2025. Its use in Ayurvedic formulations is governed separately under AYUSH/traditional medicine frameworks, not food safety regulations.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Restricted | FDA approval for Ricinus communis is limited to castor oil (seed-derived) as a stimulative laxative only. No approval exists for Ricinus communis root extract as a food ingredient or food additive under 21 CFR.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1PubMed. Phytochemical Composition and Multifunctional Applications of Ricinus communis L.: Insights into Therapeutic, Pharmacological, and Industrial Potential, 2025. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2other. Castor Oil — StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf), 2024. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3PubMed. Phytochemical evaluation of the wild and cultivated varieties of Eranda Mula (Roots of Ricinus communis Linn.), 2013. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4PubMed. Toxicological assessment of Ricinus communis Linn root extracts, 2011. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5PubMed. Ricinus communis Intoxications in Human and Veterinary Medicine — A Summary of Real Cases, 2011. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6EFSA. Ricin (from Ricinus communis) as undesirable substances in animal feed — Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain, 2008. efsa.europa.eu
