Castor oil seems a hot topic of late in the self-care news. We have also started to use it ourselves and wanted to share a short overview.
The Castor Plant
Castor, botanically known as Ricinus communis, is native to Eastern Africa and India and is the world’s most poisonous plant. The plant grows rapidly, achieving height of six feet or more in just three months and reaches a maximum height of up to 36 feet. It is a very invasive plant in its native territory.
What is Castor Oil?
Castor oil, processed from the seeds of the flowering castor plant, is an odorless, yellowish substance. It has a high concentration of ricinoleic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid that is regarded for its many healing properties. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal/antimicrobial, anti-pain (joints), wound healing and good for the immune system. Its beneficial properties have been harnessed since ancient times.
Uses
There are many potential uses of castor oil. The below outlines some of them.
- Nourish and moisturize skin: one source calls castor oil nature’s botox. One reason is it helps prevent the evaporation of water. It can be mixed with other products. Rub a teaspoonful between your palms and apply all over your skin. You can also mix castor oil with a carrier oil to reduce risk of irritation. Test an area before wider application.
- Eyelashes and eyebrows: apply with a brow / lash brush for thicker, longer stronger lashes and brows. Some say to use warm castor oil
- Eyes: many say use on eyelids for floaters and dry eyes
- Lips: apply to lips to nourish and moisturize
- Hair: castor oil may promote healthy hair growth by nourishing and clearing the follicles and keratin plugs (see photo below). Apply to scalp before bed or at a time when it works for you. By locking in moisture, the oil may also give hair strands a richer and thicker appearance. Warm a tablespoon of the oil and use your fingertips to coat each strand.
- Callouses: soften!
- Lymphatic system: helps decongest the lymphatic system, the system responsible for collecting waste from your tissues and carrying it to your bloodstream for elimination. This helps with joint pain and arthritis.
- Digestion: rub a few drops in and around navel. Start slow quantity wise, this application can detox.
- Muscle pain— Rub on your muscles after an intense workout to promote blood circulation and relieve soreness.
- Scars, stretch marks, cellulite
- Wounds: mix with coconut oil and apply
- Planter fasciitis
- Moles: we have had success conquering moles, by applying castor oil to the mole and covering it, that is, smothering it, with a Hero Mighty Patch or another air tight option.
- Other uses include as a natural laxative, a remedy for fungal diseases, denture cleaning, colic, dry eye, may have beneficial effects on skin tags, acne and warts. Oral ingestion can assist the digestive tract. For oral ingestion, appropriate dosage is key.
Application: many choose to use castor oil packs to prevent staining oil can stain. One of us has not yet had trouble with staining, but has ordered packs anyway.
Product Choice: Choose only organic, cold-pressed castor oil. Many castor oil products come from castor seeds heavily sprayed with pesticides or processed with solvents such as hexane. You do not want pesticides or hexane on your skin.
Glass bottles are the best as plastic bottles can leach particles into the product.
Personal Experience: For one of us, castor oil has gotten rid of floaters. For both of us, our eyebrows are thickening. It is too early to know the results of other uses as it is takes weeks or one month for results.
Caution & Be Aware
The castor plant contains a poison called ricin. Intaking ricin orally, nasally or via intravenous transfusion can kill you. There is no antidote. “While ricin is highly toxic, you need not worry about the risk of ricin poisoning from castor oil. Ricin is extracted from castor seeds during the manufacturing process….”
Do not use if you are pregnant, recovering from surgery, or if you suffer from digestive problems such as colitis, cramps, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome or ulcers. If you are using it as a laxative, consult with your physician. (Source: Mercola.com, December 7, 2023)
Keratin plug:
Note: As always consult with your Licensed Health Care Professionals. Our content is meant to inform or is the view of others. Research wisely and choose your highest and best.
Sources:
I Used CASTOR OIL for 30 Days and THIS Happened!!!, Shea Whitney, Youtube.
Interesting Benefits of Castor Oil, Dr. Berg, Youtube.
Castor Oil – Your Natural Health Booster, Luke Coutinho, Allopathic doctor, Youtube.
Photo credit: Image by Petra Göschel from Pixabay