What Is Castor Oil?
Castor oil is a vegetable oil made by extracting oil from castor seeds from the castor plant. The oil is heated to rid it of ricin, a component that can be toxic if consumed.
Castor oil sold from reputable stores is free from ricin and safe to ingest. There are many uses for castor oil, and it's a healthy addition to any diet, thanks to its fatty acids, triglycerides, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Castor oil has many benefits when it's used for skin products, hair care, and even to induce labour. In Ancient Egypt, castor oil was used to soothe dry eyes and burn fuel in lamps. It's the ideal multipurpose product, as it contains anti-bacterial properties and works as a natural anti-inflammatory.
You can use castor oil as a carrier oil. This means you can add essential oils to castor oil to achieve a broader range of benefits and reduce the potency of the oils. As castor oil is inexpensive, it's a great natural remedy that can be used at home.
Benefits Of Castor Oil
Fungus
The antimicrobial and antifungal properties of castor oil make it an effective home remedy for toenail fungus. Castor oil contains undecylenic acid, which is known to help rid the body of nail fungus.
Castor oil can be used alongside other essential oils to treat nail fungus. You should first soak your feet in an Epsom salt bath. Dry them off, then add a few drops of essential oil to your castor oil. Apply the mixture with a cotton ball to the affected nail. Repeat as needed. If you don't see improvement within two weeks, speak to your doctor about alternative treatments.
Hair Care
Oil is a common staple for hair care. Even if your scalp is oily, it can be beneficial to add castor oil to your hair care routine. Many hair products already contain castor oil, as it can help moisturize the strands and treat skin infections on the scalp. Because the oil is non-comedgenic, it won't clog the pores in your scalp.
Scalp
If you suffer from dandruff, castor oil can be a good natural solution. Castor oil has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which can help prevent dandruff and itchiness on the scalp.
Hair
Castor oil has the ability to help hair grow longer. Studies have found that the oil can increase blood flow to the scalp, promoting hair growth. Its ability to prevent infections on the scalp also helps create an optimal environment for hair growth.
To use castor oil for your scalp and hair health, massage raw castor oil into your scalp. Massaging the oil into your hair can increase blood flow, aiding in hair growth. Be sure to rinse the oil out well after application, as your hair may have a greasier appearance after using a large amount of oil.
Pain Relief
The ricinoleic acid in castor oil can help with aches and pains that you may be experiencing. Ricinoleic acid can reduce swelling and inflammation that may cause muscular pain.
You can use castor oil to help treat symptoms of arthritis. Arthritis causes pain and inflammation in the joints, and can be discomforting and even debilitating to live with. Castor oil is a natural anti-inflammatory that can help reduce the pain and symptoms of arthritis.
To use castor oil for pain relief or as a home remedy for arthritis, rub the oil onto the affected area for five to ten minutes to help with symptoms. Following this massage, wrap the area tightly to apply pressure and allow the castor oil to absorb into the skin.
You can also take castor oil orally as an arthritis remedy. To do this, add the oil to a beverage in the morning - this can be water or a cup of coffee, which will work better to mask the taste of the oil.
Digestive Health
Constipation is defined as having a hard time passing a bowel movement, or using the toilet far less frequently than normal. Constipation can be uncomfortable, causing bloating and digestive distress. While it is typically caused by a lack of fiber in your diet, constipation can occur for numerous other reasons, including irritable bowel disease.
Studies have shown that castor oil is an effective treatment to relieve constipation. Rhinoleic acid binds to the muscle receptors in your stomach, causing them to contract. This can help you excrete stool. Research has shown that castor oil can relieve temporary constipation and improve symptoms.
To use castor oil to treat constipation, you should ingest the oil orally by mixing it with juice or coffee. You can take it on its own as a shot if you prefer. Only take one tablespoon per day, as castor oil works quickly, and ingesting too much may worsen your digestive issues.
Skin Care
Adding oil to your skincare routine won't make you break out. In fact, it could help reduce the amount of acne you have while providing a range of other benefits. Castor oil makes for a great moisturizer and acne treatment, and is commonly found in skincare products.
Acne
Castor oil is a natural anti-inflammatory and contains antibacterial properties that can reduce the appearance of acne. Castor oil reduces the puffiness and swelling that come, with acne and the fatty acid ricinoleic acid works to stop the growth of bacteria on the skin. It can also help the skin's appearance by making it smoother.
Castor oil is unlikely to clog pores, making it a great product to use on sensitive skin. Be sure to do a small patch test before you use castor oil as a skincare treatment to check you're not allergic or sensitive to the oil.
Castor oil can be found in skincare products or used on its own. To use it on its own, massage the oil onto clean skin and leave overnight. You can also add other essential oils with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties to help fight the appearance of acne and add potency.
Natural Moisturizer
Castor oil can work as a natural moisturizer, preventing dry skin, especially in the winter months. The triglycerides found in castor oil maintain and draw in moisture to the skin. This can improve overall skin health and appearance.
Dry skin can cause you to look older than you are, and cause your skin to have a dull appearance. The fatty acids in castor oil help to remedy this and improve your skin texture over time.
You should add a small amount of castor oil to your fingertips and massage it onto clean skin. Leave it overnight and wash it off in the morning. As it is non-comedogenic, it shouldn't cause new pimples or blackheads to form.
Stretch Marks
One of the best castor oil benefits is its ability to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Stretch marks are ruptured collagen in the skin, and occur when your skin is stretched out in a short period of time. This is common after puberty, a growth sput, significant weight gain or loss, muscle growth, and pregnancy. Stretch marks are a completely normal occurrence; however, some of us may want to reduce or eliminate their appearance.
Castor oil may be able to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. The ricinoleic acid found in pure castor oil can help moisturize the skin, which can prevent stretch marks from having an obvious appearance. Castor oil also has the ability to battle free radicals that accelerate the appearance of stretch marks.
Castor oil can help promote the growth of new tissue, making it ideal for people looking to lessen the appearance of scars or stretch marks.
To use castor oil to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, you should liberally apply castor oil to the affected area and massage it into the skin. Leave it for a few hours before rinsing off. You should do this in both the morning and the evening to achieve the best results.
Anti Inflammatory
Castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties which may be beneficial in treating a variety of ailments. One of the main conditions castor oil can help with is arthritis. The swelling of the joints that occurs with arthritis causes pain and inflammation.
Research has shown that castor oil can reduce the pain caused by arthritis. In one study, participants took castor oil supplements over the span of four weeks. They saw their symptoms improve and their pain reduce.
To use castor oil to treat arthritis pain, you should take a tablespoon of oil mixed into juice or coffee. Take this for four weeks and see if your symptoms improve.
Boost Immunity
Another of the benefits of castor oil is that it may be able to help boost immunity. Castor oil may be able to increase our white blood cell count, helping us build immunity. The oil can also help with the production of lymphocytes.
Castor oil is also known to help with thymus gland health and encourage proper blood flow within the body. To achieve these benefits, you should use a castor oil pack.
Castor Oil Pack
A castor oil pack is a great way to obtain the health benefits from castor oil. Castor oil packs can be used in place of massaging castor oil into the skin. They can be warmed to make it easier for the castor oil to be absorbed, they can also prevent oil from seeping into your clothing or bedding.
Castor oil packs are made by pouring castor oil into a container and soaking wool or flannel inÂ
the oil. You then lay the cloth on a plastic sheet and repeat with four parts of wool or flannel. The pack is then applied to the area you need treating. The plastic helps to keep the pack against the skin while preventing a mess.
You can place a hot water bottle or a warm cloth on top of the pack to help it absorb into the skin.
Conclusion
The health benefits of castor oil make it a great remedy for many ailments. It can be used to help improve the function of the lymphatic system, and help with skin conditions, wound healing, constipation, hair growth, and the treatment of acne.
Castor oil is easily accessible, and you can mix castor oil with other essential oils based on what you're using it to treat. Using castor oil consistently may help you reduce symptoms of arthritis and joint pain, as well as improve your immune system.
Castor oil is a natural alternative for fungus medications and face washes, making it ide for anyone who enjoys taking a holistic approach to their aesthetic routine. It can help with cracked lips and even thicken eyebrows. Just make sure that when you're applying castor oil to your skin or hair that you use a pure castor oil intended for cosmetic use.
Too much castor oil, however, can result in negative side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, cramps, and dizziness. Because of its ability to potentially induce labor, pregnant women should consult a doctor before using castor oil.
When you're using castor oil, make sure you conduct a patch test on a small portion of skin, so that you can look for any allergic reactions before using it as a treatment. If you're on medications, it's important you consult with your doctor before using castor oil as a natural remedy, as it may interact with some medications.