The many uses of Castor Oil
What Is Castor Oil?
Scientific Name – Ricinus communis
Origin – Africa and India
Castor Oil is a non-volatile fatty oil that comes from the seeds of the castor bean (Ricinus communis) plant. Castor oil, also called ricinus oil, is very thick with a color that ranges from clear to amber or somewhat green. It has a mild scent and taste.
Castor oil is considered to be pretty unique because ricinoleic acid is not found in many other substances, plus it’s such a dense, concentrated source. It is produced by cold-pressing the castor bean seeds to extract their natural oil content. It can be viewed as an alternative to cortisone or antibiotic creams. The ricinoleic acid in castor oil prevents the growth of bacteria, yeast, and viruses plus it is anti-inflammatory.
I have read in many articles that castor oil is a great remedy for hair growth, health as well as for the skin. Though it has a sticky consistency, it definitely is worth using as a beauty & health remedy.
Read on further for the benefits of castor oil as well as DIY tips using this miracle oil!
Benefits for Hair
Castor oil can be used on the scalp to help prevent hair loss and it is effective at this for several reasons. Its antibacterial and antifungal properties make it beneficial against follliculitus, dandruff, and scalp infections. The ricinoleic acid content in it helps to increase circulation to the scalp and improve hair growth. The antioxidants in castor oil also support the keratin in hair and help make hair stronger, smoother, and less frizzy.
For healthy hair growth:
Take 1 tsp of Castor oil and massage into scalp (and even your eyebrows). This will stimulate hair follicles resulting in extra hair growth. Do this every night before going to bed and you may want to wear a shower cap so that the oil will not stain your pillow.
Benefits for Skin
- Fights aging process
Castor oil, when applied to the skin, penetrates deeply and stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. This, in turn, helps to soften and hydrate the skin. It delays the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and makes the skin smoother, softer, and younger. The fine lines around the eye area can be reduced greatly with regular application of the oil.
- Reduces acne
Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid that fights off the acne-causing bacteria. It effectively penetrates the skin layers, making it a great remedy for acne.
How to use:
- Wash your face with warm water. This will help to open your pores.
- Simply massage your face in a circular motion with few drops of castor oil.
- Keep it on overnight and wash your face the next morning with cold water. Use it daily for effective results.
Benefits for health
- Alleviates joint pain
The anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil make it ideal for relieving joint pain, nerve inflammation, and sore muscles. The ricinoleic acid in castor oil has a decongestant effect on the lymphatic system, which is responsible for collecting waste from your tissues and carrying it to your bloodstream to be eliminated.
- Helps to boost immune system
Naturopathy practitioners and followers observe that castor oil helps boost immune system. Even when it is used topically, it increases the defense mechanisms of your body.
- Safe and natural laxative
Oral ingestion of castor oil can "purge" the digestive tract within two to five hours. Castor oil and hot water make an amazing stomach cleansing supplement that removes harmful bacteria from the gut and stomach. The harmful bacterium is replaced with health-friendly bacteria that ease digestion and reduce acidity and bloating.
How To Make:
- Take around 1 tsp of castor oil and pour it in a cup.
- Fill the cup with hot water and stir so that the castor oil doesn’t stick to the base of the cup.
- Drink twice a week on an empty stomach to get the best results.
This amazing castor oil home remedy is an ancient Indian way to improve the overall metabolism of the body! Please do ensure that the castor oil you use is 100% pure and cold pressed for all of the above DIY tips.
I hope this blog post on the benefits of Castor Oil was useful. We are currently working on a product that contains Castor Oil as the key ingredient. The product will be launched soon and we are sure that you are gonna reap all of its goodness so stay tuned for it!