Castor oil

Powerful Laxative

Castor oil is a natural powerful laxative, it stimulates the muscles and helps in clear bowels. When castor oil is taken from the mouth, it releases ricinoleic acid with the help of intestinal juices. It relieves constipation, reduces the urge to strain during defecation, but it is important to ensure consumption of the right dosage because a larger amount of castor oil can lead to abdominal cramps, diarrhea, or vomiting in few cases. Long term use of castor oil for constipation is often not recommended. 15 – 16 ml of castor oil can be consumed as one dose by an adult.

Promotes Glowing Skin

Castor oil is a good source of ricinoleic acid, it is a monosaturated fatty acid and natural moisturizer. It retains the natural moisture of the skin and prevents loss of hydration. It is widely used in skin conditions like atopic dermatitis. It has the potential to fight the effects of pollution on skin health. It has natural antiviral and antimicrobial properties, it also protects the skin from various infections. Castor oil is beneficial in reducing acne, it reduces the growth of bacteria like staphylococcus aureus which is commonly responsible for inflammation and infection associated with acne. You can apply castor oil on your skin with the help of cotton, gently massage the area with the help of your fingers in a circular motion. Leave the oil for some time and wash off with the help of water.

Glowing Skin in Winter

Castor oil can be used to heal wounds, it promotes healing by stimulating the growth of the cells and tissues. Ointments containing castor oil is often recommended in healing ulcers created because of prolonged pressure on the skin.

Likewise, castor oil also promotes collagen production, it helps in tightening and rejuvenating the skin. Fatty acids present in castor oil encourages softer and smoother skin. Apply a small amount of castor oil on the skin and keep it overnight for best results, wash it with water in the morning.

Anti-inflammatory

The topical application of castor oil relieves pain, treats irritated skin, and reduces inflammation. It is beneficial in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Likewise, castor oil is also beneficial in treating acne, it inhibits bacterial growth and promotes healthy skin.

Treats Hair Loss

Castor oil heals dry scalp, it promotes hair growth, enriches your scalp, and treats hair loss. The fatty acids present in castor oil provides necessary nutrients to the hair follicles, it prevents inflammation and increases the flexibility of the hair shaft. It furnishes luster and shine to the hair and stimulates hair growth. The ricinoleic acid in castor oil restores Prostaglandin E2 receptors and promotes the dilation of blood vessels leading to an improved oxygen supply.

Simple Hair Care Tips

Always consider taking a patch test, before using castor oil. Once you are sure that castor oil is compatible with your skin, you can apply it on your scalp as a pre-shampoo treatment. Additionally, steam can be added for deeper penetration into the scalp. You can mix fenugreek powder with castor oil and apply on the scalp as a hair mask, this helps in making roots stronger and prevents hair fall.

Maintains Healthy Gums

Castor oil helps in fighting fungal infections of the mouth, it is especially beneficial in reducing the growth of Candida albicans in the mouth. It also helps in stomatitis, in the case of elderly people wearing dentures.

Castor oil is believed to induce labor, about 93% of US midwives reports using castor oil for labor induction. It stimulates prostaglandin production which increases uterine activities.

Castor oil should not be used without the recommendation of your doctor, it should be strictly be avoided in pregnancy since it has the potential to induce contractions. Castor oil is associated with certain side effects like –  dizziness, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, electrolyte imbalance, low blood pressure, and pelvic congestion. Always check with your doctor before adding castor oil in your diet.

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Castor plant produces seeds also known as beans. This seeds or beans of castor plant are used in producing castor oil. It is produced by pressing of ripe seeds after removing the outer covering or hull. The outer covering or hull contains a deadly poisonous substance called ricin. Castor oil has got many medicinal values for centuries.

Benefits of Castor Oil

Castor oil is a translucent oil with a slight yellow tint. This oil is an active ingredient in many household items like cleaning products, paints and many more.

Castor oil speeds up the process of digestion by breaking down into ricinoleic acid in the small intestine. Although evidence is less conclusive. Castor oil has also potential benefits for face and skin.

When castor oil is broken down into ricinoleic acid it is thought to increase absorption in the skin which helps in the treatment of various skin conditions like dermatosis, psoriasis, and acne. There are certain reports which demonstrate that castor oil promotes hair growth, including eyelashes.

So, if you are looking for a natural remedy to increase the length of your lashes then take a little bit of castor oil on spooly and apply it on the eyelashes. Make sure not to apply too close to eyeballs as castor oil can make you cry.

Benefits of castor oil

Castor oil has got many beauty and skin benefits. The following are the benefits of castor oil.

Facial skin

Acne:-

The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties castor oil helps in treating acne breakouts. Ricinoleic acid inhibits the growth of acne-causing bacteria.

Skin texture:-

This oil helps in improving the skin texture as it is rich in fatty acids which helps in enhancing the smoothness and decreasing fine lines and wrinkles.

Improving Complexion:-

Castor oil helps in promoting the growth of healthy skin tissue as it contains fatty acids which help in restoring uneven skin tone.

Ideal for sensitive skin:-

Castor oil has got low comedogenic score making it ideal for sensitive skin people. It won’t clog the pores which reduce the risk of formation of whiteheads and blackheads.

Budget-friendly:-

They are many expensive products in the skincare industries which have the same properties such as maintaining moisture balance, promoting a healthy complexion, in low-cost castor oil. Thus castor oil is good for the skin as well as pocket-friendly.

Properties of castor oil

Anti-inflammatory property:-

Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid which exhibits anti-inflammatory properties making it ideal for treating irritated skin.

Antimicrobial property:-

It protects the skin harmful microbes and inhibits the production of harmful bacteria which causes diseases.

Moisturizing:-

It contains triglycerides which help in maintaining the skin moisture making it ideal for dry skin individuals.

Hydration:-

Castor oil also acts as a humectant which helps in drawing moisture from the air which keeps the skin well moisturised and hydrated.

Cleansing:-

Castor oil act as a good makeup remover as it doesn’t clog the pores. It contains triglycerides which help in deep cleansing by removing dirt from the skin.

Uses of Castor oil

Before colonoscopy:-

It is used in bowel preparation before colonoscopy. Single-dose of castor oil is effective for bowel preparation in people who are undergoing colonoscopy but castor oil doesn’t have the same effects as that of sodium phosphate or bisacodyl plus magnesium citrate.

Useful in constipation:-

it works as a laxative for constipation when taken by mouth.

Treating Dry eyes:-

People who use contact lenses in day to day life may experience the symptoms of dry eyes. Dry eyes can be treated with eye drops containing castor oil

Start labour in pregnant women:-

60mL dose of castor oil helps in starting childbirth within 24 hours in at least half of the women.

They are very little evidence regarding the following uses of castor oil

• Birth control
• Swelling and sores in the mouth
• Arthritis
• Syphilis
• Skin disorders
• Boils
• Blisters
• Swelling of the middle ear
• Migraines
• Softening cysts
• Warts
• Adhesive bowel obstruction
• Promoting the flow of breast milk
• Other condition

Dosage of castor oil

Oral solution, 100%

Dosage consideration

Adult Dosage

Constipation:- 15-60mL by mouth in a single dose

Colonic evacuation:- same as constipation 15-60mL once by mouth, 16 hours before the procedure.

Pediatric Dosage

Below 2 years:- 1-5mL orally once

2-12 years:– 5-15mL once orally.

Above 12 years:- 15-60mL once by mouth.

Side effects of castor oil

• Dizziness
• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Electrolyte Imbalance
• Low BP
• Pelvic congestion

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