Caster Beans

37chief · Oct 2, 2018

I have heard by others it is a bad idea to mow caster bean plants. On the news tonight, there is a poison called ricin made from caster beans. This poison was found on a letter in Washington . I mowed a field of total caster bean plants a couple weeks ago. Mowing the plants didn't seam to bother me. I did wear a dust mask. Any of you have caster bean plants in your area? Stan

Traditional Farmer · Oct 2, 2018

I'd be more worried about the Castor Oil effect.

Steve@Advance · Oct 2, 2018

Looking at what Wikipedia has to offer, yes the beans do contain ricin.

But is is only in the beans, not in the plant.

So if the beans had been harvested, not much would have been left. They are also hard, they would need to be broken open to expose the toxin.

I guess it would be possible for the mower to break some open, but wearing a mask, and no symptoms (coughing and fever) by now, I think you are safe.
Ricin

Eldon (WA) · Oct 2, 2018

(quoted from post at 19:08:51 10/02/18) I have heard by others it is a bad idea to mow caster bean plants. On the news tonight, there is a poison called ricin made from caster beans. This poison was found on a letter in Washington . I mowed a field of total caster bean plants a couple weeks ago. Mowing the plants didn't seam to bother me. I did wear a dust mask. Any of you have caster bean plants in your area? Stan

Please let us know if you die....

Traditional Farmer · Oct 3, 2018

The roots are poison because its also known as Mole Plant because the moles eat the roots and it kills them.It also helps get rid of field mice they probably eat the seeds.

Geo-TH,In · Oct 3, 2018

Don't drink castor oil, rub it on your skin. I use it. Know many others that use for Arthritis. I applied CBD oil to my skin. No longer have tendonitis. I used both oils on my sprained ankle. I'm convinced both promote healing.

The oil and other parts of the castor plant have been used in traditional medicine for the following health conditions: (4)

Abdominal disorders
Arthritis
Backache
Constipation
Muscle aches
Parasitic infections
Chronic headaches
Gallbladder pain
PMS
Rheumatism
Sleep problems like insomnia

link

sms · Oct 3, 2018

Used to use it by the 5 gallon pail. It was used to preserve chairlift cable at the ski area. Every spring we would coat the cable by running the lift and pouring the castor oil in a funnel over the cable. We also would also jack up the counterweight to relieve the tension on the cable.

37chief · Oct 3, 2018

The bushes were full of dried bean pods. When I finished I had the beans every where on my tractor. A weed mower I met years ago said he had issues from mowing caster beans. A city near Los Angeles doesn't allow caster bean plants to be grown. Must be something about the plant. Stan

Caster Beans

37chief

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Traditional Farmer

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Steve@Advance

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Eldon (WA)

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Traditional Farmer

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Geo-TH,In

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sms

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37chief

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