10 Healing Benefits of Castor Oil

Every girl out there likes her skin care products, but no one can deny that they do burn a hole in your pocket! After all, we want the best for our skin, and we won’t settle for the cheap stuff, but we also wish our wallets were fatter!

What if there was a single thing that could take care of most of your personal care products as well as your health, without driving you to debt?

Yes, a solution like that exists – castor oil! And on the brighter side, you should know that there are many healing benefits of castor oil.

What is castor oil?

Castor oil is made from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant. The plant grows in the Mediterranean region and parts of Africa and India. The extracted oil is transparent with a pale yellow color.

Castor Oil is made of Ricinoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid, α-Linolenic Acid, Stearic Acid and Palmitic Acid. Together, these give castor oil a great many health benefits. While castor oil was initially considered a weed, people soon discovered that it was incredibly useful. So much so that it was nicknamed ‘Palma Christi’ or the ‘Hand of the Christ’.

10 Healing Benefits of Castor Oil

Castor Oil has been used in medicine in ancient Egypt to treat a range of conditions from skin infections like leprosy to reproductive issues. It was also used in minor conditions like styes and headaches. Here is a look at 10 of the healing benefits of castor oil.

1. It eases constipation

Anyone who’s suffered with constipation knows the pain of it. Castor oil’s main use is as a natural laxative. Ricinoleic acid is released when castor oil is broken down in the small intestine and this is responsible for the laxative effect. It improves the movement of waste material through the intestines, making elimination easier.

2. It acts as a natural moisturizer

Castor oil is used in the manufacture of many cosmetic products, especially moisturizers. Why buy expensive stuff when you can get the real deal for much less! The main fatty acid in castor oil is ricinoleic acid, a humectant. Humectants help moisture stick to skin so it doesn’t get dehydrated. Castor oil also contains triglycerides that helps skin stay moist.

Another benefit of castor oil as a moisturizer is that it increases absorption in the skin. The fatty acids ensure the skin stays smooth and soft, and can also restore uneven skin tones. Look up the catsor oil’s available on Amazon India by Mamaearth, Omved, Soulflower and Rey Naturals. I have used and 100% liked them and that is why they are listed in the post!

3. It treats acne

Acne doesn’t just occur during the teen years, many of us suffer through adulthood. Castor oil’s anti-inflammatory properties are believed to curb the onset of acne. Castor oil also possesses anti bacterial properties which fight against the main cause of acne – bacteria.

Common acne creams tend to dry out the skin, which causes the oil glands to overcompensate by producing more oil, leading to breakouts. Castor oil helps to break this vicious cycle since it soothes and moisturizes skin, preventing further breakouts.

4. It heals wounds

Right from ancient Egypt, castor oil has been used to heal wounds. Castor oil forms a protective barrier over the wound, preventing any infection. Since it is moisturizing, it prevents the accumulation of dead skin cells that could hinder healing.

Castor oil is also used to treat pressure ulcers, cysts and corns. Adding a pinch of baking soda to the castor oil is said to hasten the healing process in these cases. Castor oil may also help to treat melisma, a hyperpigmentation of the skin.

5. It treats mouth infections

Fungal infections like stomatitis are common in people who use dentures and in some other cases. This is usually caused by the overgrowth of Candida albicans. The antifungal properties of castor oil help fight off fungus like Candida, which attack the roots of the teeth.

6. It reduces inflammatory pain

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, castor oil is widely used to treat pain due to inflammation. This is mainly due to the ricinoleic acid in castor oil. When massaged over the affected area, several patients have reported that castor oil worked just as well or even better than other forms of treatment.

Castor oil is useful for those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, nerve inflammation or plantar heel spurs. A massage with castor oil along with a hot water bag seems to help with the pain.

7. It fights dandruff

Dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis is caused due to an inflammation of the scalp, and castor oil comes to the rescue here as well. Castor oil reduces the prevalence of dandruff as well as the dry flakiness on the scalp.

Due to its humectant and emollient properties, castor oil also helps to soothe an itchy, dry scalp, which is often a side effect of dandruff. It reduces flaking and heals any red, irritated areas.

8. It repairs damaged hair

Hair that has been subjected to chemical products for too long may have endured some amount of damage, but it can be reversed with castor oil. The fatty acids in castor are effective in moisturizing not just the skin, but the hair as well.

Applying castor oil coats the hair shaft, strengthening it and preventing breakage. When applied onto the scalp, castor oil boosts blood circulation to the follicles and improves hair growth and prevents hair fall.

9. Reduces visible signs of ageing

One of the biggest reason for fine lines and wrinkles is a lack of moisture in the skin. Lack of hydration causes the skin to become tight and drawn, making wrinkles more visible. Castor oil moisturizes the skin and solves this problem to a great extent.

What’s more, castor oil can boost the production of collagen, which helps plump up the skin. The fatty acids act like fillers and makes the skin appear more youthful. It also fills out any scars and stimulates healthy cell growth.

10. Improves immunity

Good immunity is a treasure, and castor oil helps strengthen the body’s defences. The main way it does so is by improving blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. Castor oil promotes the growth of lymphocytes, which fight illnesses.

Regularly massaging with castor oil helps in the release of the beneficial compounds in castor oil, which help in the release of toxins from the body. This detoxification process improves immunity and also gives a feeling of lightness and freshness.

Castor oil is quite thick, which is why it is recommended to dilute it with another oil like coconut oil or almond oil. This makes it easier to apply and for the skin to absorb. A cotton ball makes it easy to apply the oil mixture.

Castor oil is safe for human use, but there are some contra indications. Overdose of castor oil can be dangerous, with symptoms like abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath and hallucinations. Some people may also experience allergic reactions to castor oil. Castor oil can induce labor, due to which it is not recommended for use by pregnant women. These are some of the healing benefits of castor oil. Do you know of any other healing benefits of castor oil? Leave a note in the comments.