Spiderwort vs Ricinus communis

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Spiderwort

Tradescantia virginiana

Digestive

Digestive

Spiderwort

✅ Generally safe in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Ricinus communis

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Native North American perennial with blue-violet flowers; used by various Indigenous peoples for stomach complaints, cancer sores, and insect bites.

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

Active Compounds

flavonoids, anthocyanins, mucilage, tannins

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

Traditional Uses

Stomach complaints in Indigenous medicine, Poultice for insect bites, Cancer sores treatment, Laxative in some traditions

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

Modern Uses

Antioxidant anthocyanins, Anti-inflammatory, Mucilaginous demulcent

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

Adult Dosage

2–3 g dried herb as tea; fresh leaf poultice topically

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

Contraindications

No known contraindications at moderate doses

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

Side Effects

Mild GI effects

GI cramping, diarrhea, seed ingestion causes ricin poisoning

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E