The efficacy and function of cottonseed oil

Most people are already familiar with the traditional Chinese medicine cottonseed oil. But in fact, not many people understand the effects and functions of traditional Chinese medicine cottonseed oil, so let’s talk about it below.

[Source] Fatty oil extracted from the seeds of plants such as cotton of the Malvaceae family.

[Chemical composition] The seed oil contains glycerides and phytosterols of linoleic acid (41-45%), palmitic acid (20-25%), oleic acid (30-35%), stearic acid, etc. The crude oil contains toxic gossypol.

[Pharmacological action] Cottonseed oil fed to chickens increases blood lipid levels to a greater extent than other vegetable oils (such as corn oil, sunflower oil, etc.); this may be because it contains cyclopropene fatty acids, which can increase the serum cholesterol level of chickens, increase aortic atherosclerosis, and promote bile excretion, while the cholesterol content in the liver is relatively low, so it may promote the transfer of cholesterol from the liver to the blood and bile. Cottonseed oil also has a higher effect on causing cardiovascular disease in mice than corn oil. The median lethal dose of cottonseed oil administered orally to rats (equal amounts divided into four consecutive days) was 255±22 ml/kg, and the maximum tolerable dose was 203 ml/kg. Postmortem examination revealed systemic capillary and venous congestion, erythrocyte collapse, capillary hemorrhage, dehydration, visceral weightlessness, large cell infiltrative ulcers in the stomach, and degeneration of renal tubules and skeletal muscles. In a chronic toxicity test, dogs given intravenous injection of a cottonseed oil suspension of 6 or 9 g/kg died on the 15th and 5th days, respectively, while the same dose of soybean oil had no harm. For its toxicity, please refer to the entry "Cotton Root".

【Nature and flavor】 "Compendium of Materia Medica": "pungent, hot, slightly toxic."

【Function】 "Compendium of Materia Medica": "It can treat malignant sores and scabies (apply externally)."

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

The above is an introduction to the effects and functions of cottonseed oil. If you want to consume cottonseed oil, it is best to consult a Chinese medicine practitioner. I hope this helps you all.