Which plant's seeds yield an oil commonly used as a potent laxative?

The castor bean plant's seeds yield castor oil, which is commonly used as a potent laxative.

Castor bean is the common name for Ricinus communis, a fast-growing flowering plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. Its seeds are pressed to produce castor oil, whose distinctive fatty-acid profile is dominated by ricinoleic acid. That compound stimulates intestinal movement and fluid secretion, giving castor oil its well-known laxative effect.

Castor oil has been used medicinally for centuries and was once a familiar household remedy. Today, it remains available in some countries as a stimulant laxative, although excessive or prolonged use can cause cramping, dehydration, and disturbances in the body's salts. Medical guidance is especially important for children, pregnant people, or anyone with abdominal pain.

The seeds themselves are dangerous because they contain ricin, a highly toxic protein. Properly manufactured castor oil does not contain ricin because the toxin remains in the seed residue during processing. This is why the oil and the raw seeds must not be treated as interchangeable. Jojoba, sesame, and flaxseed are oil-producing plants, but they are not the canonical source of castor oil.