Haritaki Digestive vs Ricinus communis

Digestive application of Haritaki; chebulinic acid and chebulagic acid act as prebiotic, antidiarrheal, and laxative depending on dose; called king of medicines in Tibetan tradition.

Tropical shrub whose seeds yield castor oil (laxative) and deadly ricin toxin; wide traditional use.

Chebulinic acid, Chebulagic acid, Gallic acid, Corilagin

ricinoleic acid, ricin (toxic in seeds), ricinine, fatty acids

Bowel regulation and digestive tonic in Ayurveda, Constipation and intestinal cleansing, Colon health and prebiotic

constipation, skin conditions, hair growth, labor induction, inflammation

Prebiotic for gut microbiome, Bowel regulation, Colon health and anti-inflammatory

castor oil laxative, skin moisturizer, hair growth stimulation, anti-inflammatory

500mg-1g twice daily for tonic; 3g before bed for laxative

Castor oil: 15-60ml as laxative; topical for skin/hair

Avoid large doses in diarrhea or dehydration

bowel obstruction, pregnancy (avoid as laxative), seeds ingestion

Loose stools in high doses

GI cramping, diarrhea, seed ingestion causes ricin poisoning