Jamalgota (Purging Croton) Uses and Side Effects

Jamalgota is an excellent laxative and anti-inflammatory herb, which makes it the perfect medicine for the treatment of various stomach conditions. Mentioned below are some of the ways croton tiglium is helpful in the smooth functioning of your gastrointestinal system:

• Relieves constipation: Purified jamalgota or croton seed oil are used for the treatment of severe and long-standing constipation when taken in minute doses. Research studies demonstrate that croton oil extracted from the roots, stem and seeds of jamalgota plant has a potent purgative action on the body. It irritates intestinal lining and promotes the expulsion of stools. It was further suggested that the laxative action of croton oil can be attributed to crotonoleic acid, a type of fatty acid. According to a preclinical study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, jamalgota increases gut motility (contraction and relaxation movements of intestines) to a certain degree, which makes the food pass easily through gut, facilitating the easy passage of stools.
• Gastrointestinal ulcers: It has been indicated by research studies that purified croton oil is useful for the treatment of intestinal ulcers. Gastric ulcers are caused due to breakage of the internal lining of your gut. Croton oil has healing effects on the cell lining of the stomach leading to regeneration of healthy cells and resolving the condition.
• Apart from this jamalgota is also effective in the management of intestinal inflammation and stomach pain.

Croton seed oil goes a long way in relieving several kinds of pain and croton extracts are used to prepare painkilling medicines in both folk and Ayurvedic systems. Animal studies suggest that this oil has several bioactive ingredients including phorbol esters, which block pain stimulating receptors in body thereby relaxing smooth muscles and preventing cramps or pain.

The anti-nociceptive (preventing the sensation of pain) properties of jamalgota is not only helpful in relieving abdominal cramps and stomach pain but also it is effective in providing temporary relief from toothache, headache and migraine until proper treatment is available.

Just like most plants, jamalgota has also shown potential for reducing the growth of cancer cells, though it is also known to be a potentially cancerous herb when used without purification or in wrong quantities.  

In an in vitro study (lab-based), purified croton tiglium extract was found to possess potent anti-tumour activity against lung cancer cells, when used in a concentration of 100 micrograms per ml. It does so by inhibiting the proliferation of tumour cells at the molecular level and inducing apoptosis (cell death) of the existing cancerous cells).

Jamalgota has also been suggested to slow down the progression of lymphocytic leukaemia, a type of blood cancer. This shows that croton tiglium has promising biological properties and hence deserves more research as a natural anticancer agent.

HIV is a viral disease that slowly and gradually alters the immune system, making one prone to opportunistic infections. Despite all the advances in modern medicine, a definitive treatment for HIV is still unavailable. So, research scholars are now moving towards natural and plant-based medicines to combat this virus and improve the general well being of HIV positive individuals.

In a series of studies, it has been demonstrated that extracts of Croton tiglium can inhibit T cell (a type of immune system cell) damage caused due to the HIV-1 virus. Jayapala seeds contain many bioactive substances like anti-HIV-1 phorbol esters, 12-Oacetylphorbol-13-decanoate and 12-Odecadienoylphorbol-13-(2-methyl butyrate) that help in protecting immune system cells from damage by HIV.

According to a study done in the USA, Croton tiglium can be used to extract compounds such as prostratin and DPP, which are helpful in flush out HIV from T cells. This will expose the supposedly latent virus, making it easier for standard antiretroviral medicines to flush them completely out of the system. However, more studies are still needed to bring this drug into clinical practice and revolutionise modern medicine with this drug.

Croton preparations (mainly the paste of croton roots) have been used for the treatment of non-bleeding piles in Ayurveda. It helps in drying out the inflamed haemorrhoid tissue from the inside, thereby providing symptomatic relief to piles patients. As a natural painkilling herb, jamalgota is also helpful in reducing pain associated with piles.

Furthermore, croton soothes the gut and prevents constipation, two of the most common causes of inflamed haemorrhoids. Thus reducing the risk of recurrence of this condition. 

Croton tiglium extracts have been reported to exhibit broad spectrum anti-microbial activity in various lab studies. Croton oil, stem and leaves have been found to be effective in suppressing the growth of most common skin pathogens including fungi such as Trichophyton and Microsporum and bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas. It is also indicated to be useful in inhibiting the growth and spread of Candida albicans, a yeast that is responsible for causing thrush.

Croton tiglium is traditionally used for the treatment of scabies and carbuncles. However, this herb can cause severe irritation of skin when applied in larger doses, so it is best to check in with a doctor before using jamalgota for any of your skin complaints.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition associated with pain and swelling in the joints, especially hands, wrists, and knees. Croton extracts along with a mixture of some other ayurvedic preparations are used for the treatment of rheumatic arthritis in Ayurveda. Clinical studies report that croton preparations are helpful in relieving rheumatic pain and swelling and improving joint movements within a week.

After 45 days of treatment with this preparation, lab investigations for rheumatoid factor (the marker of rheumatic disease) came out to be negative indicating a significant improvement in health.

• Croton tiglium seed extracts have shown some promising effect on controlling the onset, frequency and duration of seizures in a dose-dependent manner. Though its effectivity is less than allopathic medicines like sodium valproate, which are used for treating seizures. According to an animal-based study, a 500 mg extract of Croton tiglium is much more effective in preventing seizures than 250 mg Croton tiglium extract.
• Croton extracts are also used to prepare homeopathic medicines for the treatment of diseases such as conjunctivitis, eczema, mastitis and gastroenteritis. Though these medicines are prepared using very dilute concentrations of croton and after detoxification of the seeds.
• A poultice prepared from jamalgota is traditionally used to treat snakebite and poisoning.