Botanical name - Ricinus communis Common name - castor oil plant Tamil name – AMANAKKU (ஆமணக்கு) Nativity – India Traditionally seed is the source of castor oil;Researches have shown that with our plant as an ingredient among others , valuable medicines , full of Antiasthmatic activity,Anti-Implantation activity,Antitumour activity, Antioxidant activity could be prepared; Some use castor oil as a contraceptive applying inside the vagina; Use of castor oil promotes hair growth and cures dandruff ; Root decoction is used in the treatment of lumbago and sciatica; ;Seeds are used in making jewelry ;Castor oil is massaged over breasts of women, after childbirth, to increase the milk flow ; Oil is effective to treat rheumatism . Picture - Nine- handed leaf of Ricinus communis .PD-self