Croton oil is extracted using the cold pressing method from the Croton tiglium Linn. It is a small tree that is native to the Malay Archipelago and India. The basic nature of this oil is of a strong purgative and hence, it is causes irritation when applied to the skin, further, it can cause skin lesions and severe diarrhea. Croton oil is toxic in nature and thus, today it is not in usage to that extent to which it was in the older times. Today, the most basic usage of this oil is as an ingredient in many facial peels.
It was in China that its usage as a drug was discovered. But, by the 16th century, the people belonging to Dutchland introduced it to the Western sides of the world. And at that time also its usage as a purgative and counter irritant was famous. As the world became aware about its toxic effects, the favorability of this oil went out of fashion and people discontinued the usage of this oil to a great extent. The credit for the origination of this oil belongs to India. In the conventional Chinese medicines that can also be found today, this oil is used and these medicines are best for treating constipation.
