Castor oil is a multi-functional vegetable oil that people have used for 1000s of years. It is extracted from seed of the castor oil plant. The seeds of the castor oil plant, which are known as castor beans, contain a toxic material called ricin. However, after the heating process that castor oil undergoes, deactivates it, making the oil safe and secure. It’s colorless to very pale yellow in color with an unpleasant odor. This oil has traditionally been used typically for skin care and hair care benefits; today the cosmetic industry uses castor oil as a main ingredient in many health and beauty care products.
Here are 9 Amazing things castor oil can do –
1. Safe, natural Laxative
One of the main uses of castor oil is as a laxative. It is still used widely as a part of conventional and folk medicine. The ricin oleic acid present in the castor oil is what induces laxation. If you feel constipated take 1 tbsp. of castor oil mixed with 1/2 lemon juice. Other than the other laxatives that act in the colon, the action of castor oil starts in the small intestine. You can expect a complete clean out of the bowels within two to four hours of taking the oil.
2. Nourishes Dry skin
Castor oil also works as a great moisturizer for dry skin. As it penetrates deep into the skin, it is affecting at treating dry, flaky skin patches. The high concentration of fatty acid also promotes healthy and glowing skin and helps with skin condition like dermatitis, which can cause severely rough, dry skin. Also castor oil increases the production of elastin and collagen, which help delay the possibilities of aging signs and keeps your skin looking young and youthful. Massage your skin with castor oil for 10 minutes and then rinse off.
3. Promotes hair growth
Castor oil is also good for your hair. It helps deep condition and thickens the hair strands to give you a beautiful and shiny head of thicker hair. The ricin oleic acid in it helps balance the scalp’s pH level. This reduces the risk of dandruff, split ends and hair breakage. It increases blood flow to blood circulation to the hair follicle by massaging it in, and this stimulates growth. In addition to that castor oil also helps prevent premature greying. Massage slightly warm castor oil into the roots, hair and scalp for 15 min before going to both. Do it two times in a week.
4. Fades Blemishes
Castor oil is often being used for fading blemishes and scars. The results won’t be visible overnight. It works slowly and needs to be used regularly to see prominent results. Once again, the fatty acid present in the castor oil come to the rescue. They go deep into the scar tissue and plump it out while increasing the growth of healthy tissues around it. This helps the blemishes fade away.
5. Reduces joint Pain/Arthritis
Take the piece of cloth and fold it into four squares, soak it in the castor oil. Squeeze out excess oil and place on the affected joint. Make sure to cover it with a plastic wrap, put a hot water bottle or heating pad on this. The plastic will save the bottle from getting oily and excessive heat, leave it on for 1 hour. The anti-inflammatory properties of the castor oil makes it ideal for relieving joint pain, sore muscles, and nerve inflammation.
6. Boosts Immunity
The castor oil also helps boost immunity. Even when it is used topically, it increases the defense mechanisms of your body. Castor oil when used topically increases the number of T-11 cells, which signals a boost in the defense mechanism in the body. The T -11 cells from antibodies against pathogens and toxins, which promotes better health.
7. Promotes Wound Healing
Applying castor oil on the wounds creates a moist environment that increases healing and protects sores from drying out. Castor oil promotes tissue growth so that a barrier can be made between the wound and the environment, reducing the risk of infection. This oil also reduces cornification and dryness, the buildup of dead skin cells that can late the wound healing. Studies have found that medical creams containing castor oil may be especially helpful in healing pressure ulcers, a type of wound that develops from prolonged pressure on the skin. Those whose wounds were treated with castor oil showed higher healing rates and shorter healing times than those treated with other ways.
8. Impressive Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Ricin oleic acid, the main fatty acid found in castor oil, has impressive anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown that when castor oil is applied topically, it relieves pain and reduces inflammation. The anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing qualities of castor oil may be primary helpful to those with an inflammatory disease such as psoriasis. Animal and test-tube studies have found that ricin oleic acid reduces pain and swelling. One study demonstrated that treatment with a gel containing ricin oleic acid led to a significant reduction in pain and inflammation when applied to the skin, compared to other treatment methods. A test-tube component of the same study showed that ricin oleic acid helped reduce inflammation caused by human rheumatoid arthritis cells more than another treatment. Other than castor oil’s potential to reduce inflammation, it also helps relieve dry, irritated skin in those with psoriasis, thanks to its moisturizing properties. Although these results are promising, more human studies are needed to determine the effects of castor oil on inflammatory conditions.
9. Fights Fungus
Candida albicans is a type of fungus that commonly causes dental issues like plaque overgrowth, gum infections and root canal infections. Castor oil has an anti-fungal property and may help fight off Candida, keeping the mouth healthy. Castor oil also helps treat denture-related stomatitis, a painful condition thought to be caused by Candida overgrowth. This is a common issue in elderly people who wear dentures. A study in 30 elderly people with denture-related stomatitis showed that treatment with castor oil led to improvements in the clinical signs of stomatitis, including inflammation.
Credit by – Shalini Grace Soreng
