The Benefits of Castor Plant in Treating Dysuria and Urinary Tract Infections
The castor plant (Ricinus communis) has long been known in Indonesian traditional medicine, particularly through the Lontar Taru Pramana, as a natural remedy for treating dysuria and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Castor leaves are boiled and consumed to relieve pain during urination, while oil from the castor seeds is used with caution due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Bali is rich in cultural heritage that preserves valuable knowledge about medicinal plants, one of which is the Lontar Taru Pramana. This ancient manuscript contains information about the use of plants in traditional medicine. One of the plants mentioned in the lontar is the castor plant (Ricinus communis), believed to have properties that can treat various ailments, including dysuria and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
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The Lontar Taru Pramana is one of Bali’s ancient literatures that deeply explores the benefits of medicinal plants. According to the lontar, the castor plant has the ability to heal ailments related to the urinary tract. This capability stems from the plant’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help combat infections and reduce inflammation.
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Dysuria, a condition characterized by frequent urination accompanied by pain, is one of the illnesses that can be treated using the castor plant. In traditional medicine as recorded in the Lontar Taru Pramana, castor leaves are often boiled to extract their juice, which is then consumed as a herbal remedy. The active compounds in castor leaves are known to have diuretic effects, helping to promote urination and cleanse the urinary tract of infection-causing bacteria.