Not so long ago, moms everywhere used castor oil as a cure-all for many ailments, from stomach pain to fever to its most famous use — easing constipation. Take a teaspoon, and you are good! Some parents threatened a spoonful as “punishment.” Ah, the dreaded castor oil! This was so popular and common that it made its way into TV shows — from "Tom and Jerry" to "The Little Rascals."
Even before the modern era, people loved castor oil. Its earliest mention was in an ancient Egyptian scroll of herbal medicine. Derived from the beans (seeds) of the castor bean plant, ancient Egyptians used castor oil to treat eye, skin, and hair conditions, as well as headaches. It also became an important oil for Ayurvedic medicine. During the middle ages, this oil's popularity grew in Europe, most notably for its skin healing properties.
Today, people continue to use castor oil as a natural remedy.
How Castor Oil Can Benefit You
Moisturizes Skin
Soothes Inflammation
Helps Clear Phlegm
Resists Harmful Organisms
Boosts the Immune System & Heals Wounds
Promotes Eye Health
Stimulates Hair Growth
Relieves Constipation
breaks down unnatural growths
What Is Castor Oil?
Castor oil comes from the castor bean (Ricinus communis). People once called it “palma christi” because its leaves resemble the hands of Christ. The beans (seeds) of the plant are the source of castor oil used for medicinal and industrial purposes.
You make castor oil by cold-pressing the seeds of the plant. The seeds contain 30 to 50 percent oil, Rich in triglycerides. Most of the oil is ricinoleic acid, an unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid which contains strong anti-inflammatory properties. Castor oil also contains oleic acid, linolenic acid, flavonoids, terpenoids, and other nutrients, all of which make castor oil a powerful healing agent.
Top Benefits of Castor Oil
Castor oil's versatility makes it beneficial for several issues. These are the top benefits it provides.
Moisturizes Skin
Whether you have dry skin, cracked heels, or wrinkles, castor oil moisturizes and rejuvenates skin making it smoother and softer. Ricinoleic acid, castor oil's primary fatty acid, works with the oil's amino acids to nourish and condition skin.
Due to its thick texture, castor oil stays put when applied and deeply penetrates your skin's tissue. This is particularly soothing for dry, patchy skin caused by eczema because the anti-inflammatory properties in the oil help reduce itching and discomfort.
Spend too much time in the sun? Apply castor oil! The antioxidants present in the oil help prevent skin damage caused by sunburn.
Soothes Inflammation
Castor oil has strong anti-inflammatory properties thanks to its high concentration of ricinoleic acid. This acid has been credited for its ability to decrease inflammation while increasing circulation in the body.
When you apply castor oil topically, it reduces inflammation and relieves pain and swelling. This includes the sore joints of arthritis and gout, muscle tension and sprains, menstrual cramps, and tendinitis.
Helps Clear Phlegm
Castor oil packs are incredibly helpful for clearing phlegm from the lungs. These are great if you’re trying to breathe easier from allergies or you recently quit smoking — or for any other reason! See the castor oil pack/poultice details below.
Resists Harmful Organisms
The ricinoleic acid found in castor oil may prevent the growth of harmful organisms, including bacteria, yeasts, viruses, and molds.
The castor seed protein has antibacterial and even anti-cancer properties.
Boosts the Immune System & Heals Wounds
When you apply castor oil packs on the abdomen, it may stimulate the immune system. This increases the production of lymphocytes — white blood cells that help defend the body against invaders. Applied topically, castor oil can also stimulate wound healing. Not only does it resist the harmful organisms common to wounds, but it also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties.
Stimulates Hair Growth
Rich in fatty acids, vitamin E, and other proteins and minerals, castor oil can nourish hair follicles and moisturize your hair down to its roots. The antibacterial and antifungal properties in the oil can reduce dandruff as well as scalp infections. (Check out our Hair Balm.)
A castor oil/coconut oil combination works well for split ends. It can even prevent hair loss and improve your hair's thickness and shine when used as a hair pack.
Relieves Constipation
Castor oil is a well-known stimulant laxative used for thousands of years as a treatment for constipation. it will clear out your stopped-up insides. Many moms used castor oil as a cure-all, but mainly for constipation relief.
Popular Castor Oil Uses
With all these varied benefits castor oil provides, we wanted to share some great DIY recipes for you to use.
Castor Oil Packs/Poultices
castor oil packs/poultices are an effective and easy home therapy option for various conditions. They help reduce inflammation throughout the body, help balance your digestive system, relieve pain from headaches or sore joints, and improve your overall health. They also work great for detoxification and clearing phlegm from the lungs. To do so, place warm castor oil packs on your chest for one to two hours. You will want to cover your bed with a waterproof sheet or use old sheets, as the oil can be messy.
Ingredients
Cold-pressed castor oil
Flannel
Hot water bottle or heating pad
Plastic wrap or bag
Directions
Buy cotton flannel cloth. There are specific flannels you can buy for creating castor oil packs or you can use an old flannel sheet or pillowcase. Avoid wool flannel.
Make sure the pieces are big enough to cover the area where you intend to place it — most commonly, the abdomen or chest.
Pour castor oil on the flannel cloth. You can do this by folding them and placing the flannel into a jar or bowl and adding enough castor oil to soak them. You'll want the fabric to be saturated but not completely soaked and dripping.
Unfold and place the flannel cloth over the desired area.
Cover flannel cloth with a plastic wrap or clean cotton fabric. You can buy special wraparound packs online. You'll want any plastic covering to be larger than the flannel to prevent oil dripping on your bed, couch, or floor. You can also place plastic underneath you, so that if oil does drip, it does not get onto any furniture.
Place a heating pad or hot water bottle over the plastic. If you're using a heating pad, set it on low heat.
Relax for one to two hours with the castor oil pack in place. This is a great time to practice deep breathing, meditation, or other relaxation techniques.
When finished, shower or wash the excess oil from your body.
Repeat as desired, up to four times per week.
Castor oil packs can be stored in a plastic bag and re-used..
Natural Laxative
If you are stopped up, you can apply castor oil packs on the abdomen to provide relief.
How to Use: apply castor oil packs to your abdomen or pour castor oil into your belly button, cover with a cloth, and leave on all night.
*If you are pregnant, consult with your physician before using castor oil.
Acne Treatment
While it may go against everything you've been told about skincare, applying certain oils to your face can actually be good for your skin. Some cosmetics and acne products strip skin of its natural oils, causing inflammation, which leads to pimples. The essential fatty acids in castor oil help restore your skin's natural moisture balance, help deter acne-causing bacteria, and clear facial blemishes. It also encourages the growth of healthy skin tissue. add a tallow balm with the castor oil for the vitamins and minerals and for a creamy complexion.
How to Use: As an acne treatment, apply 2 to 3 drops of castor oil gently on your face and massage in circular motions. Leave it on overnight and wash your face in the morning with our foaming face wash. If you prefer, you can wash it off after 5 minutes instead of leaving it overnight. spray on our apple cider vinegar toner to help balance your skin's microbiome.
Scalp Conditioner
Using a regular castor oil treatment can soothe an itchy scalp, get rid of dandruff, and improve the appearance of your hair.. Its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce the redness and swelling that contribute to an itchy scalp.
How to Use: Apply oil directly to your scalp and massage in well. Leave it on for an hour, and rinse. You can also leave it overnight and then rinse out in the morning. adding coconut oil can make your hair shinier and rosemary essential oil will increase blood circulation to the scalp and promote hair growth. No conditioner is necessary after a treatment!
Joint Pain Reliever
The high concentration of ricinoleic acid in castor oil makes it an excellent natural remedy for joint pain. Topical application works effectively for osteoarthritis with no adverse effects.
How to Use: For pain relief, rub the oil directly on your sore joints as often as desired. You may wish to apply heat by using a heating pad or hot water bottle. Repeat as required.
Fungal Infection Remedy
Castor oil has antifungal and disinfectant properties, making it a useful treatment for athlete's foot and other fungus-related skin infections.
How to Use: Apply small amounts of castor oil directly to the infected area. Just a few applications over one to two weeks should be sufficient.
Wound Treatment
Thanks to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, castor oil can help heal wounds. it also helps ward off infections. It’s effective against many types of bacteria, including Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria.
How to Use: Directly apply a generous amount of castor oil to the wound and cover with a bandage. Repeat this process daily until the wound has healed.
Skin Moisturizer
Castor oil is a natural anti-aging and skin moisturizing remedy. Its monounsaturated fatty acids — including ricinoleic acid — act as humectants, substances that naturally retain and preserve moisture by protecting the outer layer of skin. Some people even say it reduces wrinkles! It penetrates the skin and boosts the production of collagen, hydrating your skin and making it appear softer and smoother.
How to Use: Apply a small amount of castor oil over your face, neck, and décolletage, and leave overnight. Wash off the following morning. Repeat two to four times a week.
Precautions & Side Effects
we only promote castor oil for external use.
Castor oil per day is “generally recognized as safe and effective” by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, It is also considered safe for external use. use common sense when starting any new regimen. contact your medical provider and do your due diligence when using any new product. do not use castor oil if you are pregnant.
Castor seeds contain the lectin ricin, which can be toxic at high servings. The heating during commercial processing removes ricin.
*Do not use castor oil if you are pregnant as it can cause uterine contractions and induce labor.
*Before using topically, apply castor oil to a small area of your skin to check for any allergic reactions.
*before using castor oil, consult with your healthcare provider.
Points to Remember
Castor oil is a unique natural remedy thanks to its intense concentration of healing nutrients. These nutrients, especially ricinoleic acid, make it useful for several common health concerns.
Whether it's used to relieve constipation, soothe aching joints, treat acne, improve the health of your hair or heal wounds, castor oil's versatility makes it an excellent addition to any home. Topical use is also beneficial for clearing phlegm, detoxing, and skin moisturizing.
*because people have different health issues, use different medications, etc., we only promote castor oil for external use.
*always do your due diligence before trying any new product and consult with your healthcare provider before use.
*If you are pregnant, avoid castor oil as it may induce labor.
Comments