Croton oil
Croton Oil
Croton oil (pronunciation: /ˈkroʊtən ɔɪl/) is a powerful purgative and irritant, derived from the seeds of the Croton tiglium plant, a member of the Euphorbiaceae family.
Etymology
The term "Croton" is derived from the Greek word "kroton" which means "tick", referring to the shape of the seeds of the plant. The word "oil" comes from the Old English "æle", related to Dutch "olie" and German "Öl".
Usage
Historically, Croton oil was used in traditional medicine as a drastic purgative, but due to its toxic nature, it is rarely used internally in modern medicine. It is more commonly used externally as a counter-irritant and in the production of chemical peels for skin.
Related Terms
- Croton tiglium: The plant from which Croton oil is derived.
- Purgative: A substance that accelerates defecation.
- Irritant: A substance that causes slight inflammation or other discomfort to the body.
- Euphorbiaceae: The spurge family of flowering plants, to which the Croton tiglium belongs.
- Chemical peeling: A technique used to improve the appearance of the skin, often using Croton oil.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Croton oil
- Wikipedia's article - Croton oil
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