Castor oil is derived from the seeds of Ricinus Communis plants. Most castor plants are found in Africa and India. It is also often grown as an ornamental garden plant in milder regions. The seeds are crushed to extract the oil, which has been used for centuries as an old remedy for bacterial infections and inflammation.
Castor oil is also one of the first vegetable oils used for industrial purposes because it is rich in lubricating properties. The automotive lubricant company, Castrol, derived its name from castor oil.
Many people think of castor oil as only a crude product. However, this exclusive vegetable oil has many benefits and uses! There are many reasons why every home should have a bottle of castor oil.
Are you aware of the different things that castor oil can do? Perhaps now is the time for you to get to know more about the fantastic castor oil:
27 Health Benefits and Uses of Castor Oil
1. It can help soothe your eyes
Are your eyes tired from staying glued in front of your computer the whole day? Perhaps your eyes are also exhausted because you have played games non-stop for an extended period. You can help relieve the tiredness from your eyes by using castor oil around your eye area.
- Before sleeping at night, place a little bit of castor oil around your eye area.
- You may also place a little bit on your eyelashes if you want your lashes to become thicker and fuller.
- Leave it on overnight, and it will improve significantly in the morning.
2. It can help give relief from arthritis
There is a big chance that you will have some issues with your joints because of age, or sometimes, you may have some health conditions that will make you suffer. To help get the relief that you need, you can make use of castor oil.
- Mix castor oil with turmeric powder.
- Make a paste out of the two and place it on your aching joints.
- Apply this whenever you feel some pain in your joints.
3. Improve your bowels
Are you the type who experiences problems with your bowels from time to time? This is not something that you have to worry about anymore because you can use castor oil. Just remember that you cannot take too much when you take it orally because it might become bad for you.
- Place some castor oil together with the fruit juice that you have made.
- You would need to do this every morning to improve your bowels.
- Remember that ingesting so much might make you have diarrhea-like symptoms.
4. Make your skin healthier
There is just something about youth that makes many people want to preserve it for as long as possible. Some would like a more youthful glow without spending too much money and making this happen using castor oil.
- Rub castor oil on some areas of the skin that you would like to improve.
- Remember that it can be placed on stretch marks.
- You may also place it near the eye to get rid of wrinkles.
5. Make your hair grow longer
Some women become impulsive, cutting a few inches off their hair without thinking about the repercussions. As a result, they become problematic about it. Other people have problems with their eyebrows and would like them to grow again; castor oil can be beneficial.
- Massage a few drops of castor oil on the area where you would like hair to grow.
- Leave it on for a few minutes.
- You may do this several times a day for a few weeks until you see visible results.
6. As a laxative
You know this list will not be complete if you do not use castor oil as a laxative. This can be very powerful if you use it against constipation, which can naturally occur in some people.
- Take a teaspoon of castor oil in the morning.
- Mix the oil with any juice of your choice so you will not taste the castor oil so much.
- You can only take this as a laxative for two consecutive days.
7. Fight ringworm
Some people become afflicted with ringworm and are unaware of the treatments they can do because it can be tough to treat. Remember that castor oil has some compounds that can effectively eliminate ringworm to cure the condition immediately.
- You would need to mix castor oil with coconut oil.
- Place it on the affected skin area overnight.
- Cover it with a cloth if you like.
- You can already see apparent differences in the morning. You may do this every day until you see no trace of the ringworm anymore.
8. Repair hair issues, especially split ends
There is a big chance that your hair will have some split ends mainly because you have not trimmed it yet, and you are always exposed to the sun’s heat. You can reduce the breakage brought about by split ends by applying castor oil on the backs of your hair.
- Place a few drops of castor oil on your hands to place the castor oil on the tips of your hair.
- Aside from restoring your hair, you can also make your hair less brittle than before.
9. Improve the condition of your lips
Can you see and feel that you are currently suffering from chapped lips? You may not find placing castor oil near your mouth appealing, mainly because you do not want to taste it, even if you would put in only a tiny bit. Yet you cannot deny that it can effectively remove your cracked lips.
- Prepare a few drops of castor oil that you are going to place on your lips.
- Apply on the lip area and spread with the use of your fingers.
- Try not to lick your lips so you will not taste them accidentally.
10. Get rid of scratches
There are different reasons why you may have some scratches. You may have it because some parts of your skin are itchy, or you may have some scratches because of allergies. To stop yourself from scratching and to get rid of the blemishes in general, here are the steps you have to do:
- Place a few drops of castor oil directly on the scratches. If the scratches are on your back, ask someone to help you.
- Just rub the castor oil on the scratches lightly.
- Leave it on the skin and reapply whenever you feel the need to.
11. Banish acne from some parts of your body
Are you suffering from cystic acne? You do not have to worry now because castor oil is one of the most effective home remedies you can do to get rid of acne. Aside from decreasing the inflammation of the acne that makes it more visible, it also helps get rid of the bacteria causing the acne to appear in the first place.
- Place a few drops of castor oil directly on the acne.
- Leave it on the skin overnight.
- You will already see apparent differences in the morning.
12. Get rid of insomnia
Are you suffering from bouts of insomnia? Perhaps you are having trouble sleeping in the evening. This is not something that you need to worry about anymore because you can use castor oil to help you sleep earlier in the evening.
- Place a little bit of castor oil on your eyelids.
- Be careful in places because you cannot put too much castor oil.
- You can be sure that you will feel refreshed and revitalized in the morning.
13. Improve the condition of your nails
Do you suffer from having dry and brittle nails? This is not something that you ought to worry about anymore because, for sure, you can use castor oil to make your nails grow longer and stronger than ever.
- You can rub some castor oil on your toes and nails.
- Do this every day until you get the desired results.
- This is especially beneficial when the weather is already turning warm.
14. Get Rid of Stye
Do you know what caused your stye? It is probably a bacteria that went to your eye. There is no need to worry about getting treatment for this because you can easily use castor oil to get rid of your stye soon.
- Place a small drop of castor oil on your finger that you can apply directly on the stye but do not place too much.
- Do this 2 – 3 times every day until you get the desired results.
You must remember that you can get many health benefits from castor oil but do not overdo it because you may also experience some side effects.
15. Relieves Muscle Pain
The warmth of castor oil is excellent for relieving muscle pain. It can help in the proper circulation of body fluids. As a massage oil, it can ease soreness acquired from too much pressure on the muscles. If you are experiencing muscle pain from various workouts, exercises, and sports, you can use enough castor oil on the painful area and gently rub it.
If you love using castor oil as a massage oil, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, such as peppermint or chamomile, to one tablespoon of castor oil. This can give you a more relaxing feeling and fragrance that you will enjoy.
16. Treat Common Fungal Diseases
Aside from massage, castor oil is also used to treat fungal infections. It contains powerful fungicidal properties and can treat an athlete’s foot, ringworm, crotch itch, and more. Even if castor oil has no toxic effects from antifungal drugs, it is as effective as the azole drugs used for treating fungal diseases.
Heat enough castor oil and let it cool down until it is warm. Apply the oil on the infected area before bed and leave it on until morning. Do this every night for weeks, and you will notice an improvement in the skin. Just repeat this treatment until the infection fades completely.
17. Relaxes Joint Pain/Arthritis
Massaging castor oil on painful joints can give you relief from the pain of arthritis. It has been found that almost 90% of castor oil has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
A considerable part of it has a decongestant action on the lymph vessels. Arthritis which causes inflammation and soreness in the joints can be soothed and gets the congested lymph to move freely.
Aside from that, castor oil stimulates the thymus gland, which can help the immune system. It can increase the count of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. You can add cayenne pepper or turmeric to castor oil, as the mixture relieves arthritic pain. Ensure not to get the combination on your eyes, mainly if you use cayenne.
18. Hair Growth
Castor oil can also be used for hair to enhance hair growth. The oil has to be massaged on the scalp, not on the hair, to stimulate the hair follicles. The warmth of the oil can improve circulation, enhancing faster and more beautiful hair growth.
Use it as a scalp massage, heat the oil, and wait for it to cool until it is ready to touch. While the oil is still warm, apply it to your scalp and massage it. Make sure that the oil is on the scalp to ensure you are getting its benefits. For best results, do this treatment every night.
People with less hair on their eyebrow area can use a cotton bud and dip it in oil. Apply the cotton bud to the ridge of the eyebrow for hair to grow thicker. People who also lost hair because of alopecia can use castor oil.
If you are annoyed by dandruff or have a dry scalp, castor oil also works great for those problems. It can also be used as a conditioner. Mix an egg white with two teaspoons of castor oil and a teaspoon of glycerin. Apply the mixture to wet hair for a few minutes and rinse with warm water.
19. Treatments for Babies with Colic
When babies cry in their first few months, some parents apply castor oil to their abdominal area. There is no exact reason for colic, as it can be because of gas or abnormal spasms, but castor oil is beneficial for fast relief.
Apply castor oil on the baby’s abdominal area and rub it gently. This can alleviate the pain and other troubles in the tummy and help your baby sleep better without causing any side effects.
20. Acts as Skin Moisturizer
Castor oil can leave your skin revitalized, smooth and glowing. If you are searching for an inexpensive skin moisturizer, incredibly natural castor oil can be your best friend!
You will only need a few drops of it after washing your face. Rub a teaspoon of oil between your palms and massage it on your face gently in circular motions.
The highly concentrated fatty acids in castor oil penetrate the skin quickly, eliminating dry skin and restoring hydration. It can be sticky at first, but once the oil gets into your skin, it gets absorbed fast, so you will not feel any grease.
Aside from the face, you can apply it to your arms and legs to keep your skin moisturized and healthy. Some people use it with coconut oil for better application and results.
21. Remove and Prevents Stretch Marks
Stretch marks were commonly the result of pregnancy when the skin around the abdomen area experienced extreme stretching over some time. The homemakers’ remedy to eliminate stretch marks on the stomach and thighs is to apply castor oil over them.
Then, they use a plastic wrap or cloth to let the oil penetrate the skin. This natural treatment may take time and has to be applied frequently to remove the marks.
Aside from removing stretch marks, castor oil can also prevent them from appearing. Castor oil has a high amount of fatty acids, which can be applied to the abdominal area during the last two months of pregnancy to prevent the appearance of stretch marks.
Read 15 Natural Home Remedies to Get Rid of Stretch Marks
22. Treats Acne and Fades Blemishes
Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, which aids in fighting cystic acne-causing bacteria safely and naturally. If you have acne problems, you can treat them naturally with castor oil.
Wash your face first with warm water to let your pores open. Put the oil on the acne area and gently massage it in circular motions. Leave it on overnight and rinse the following day.
The results may not be visible overnight, but it works. It would help if you did this treatment regularly to see excellent results. If you have other blemishes and scars, you can also apply castor oil to eliminate them. Again, it does not work overnight, so continuous application is needed.
23. Slows Down the Signs of Aging
The appearance of fine lines and wrinkles are some signs of aging. There is no way to stop aging, but we can keep the skin healthy as much as possible by eating a healthy diet and applying castor oil.
The fatty acids in castor oil penetrate easily through the layers of the skin. This stimulates the production of elastin and collagen.
Castor oil can keep the skin soft and repair the cells, which can help delay the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The result will give you a more delicate, younger, and smoother appearance. This oil works on dark circles under the eyes and crow’s feet. Before bed, wash your face and apply the oil to your skin.
Castor oil is also used for treating oil gland infections on the eyelid. Put a small drop of the oil on your fingertip and apply it to the area at least twice a day.
24. Treatment for Sleep Deprivation
Many people are deprived of sleep, and the number of illnesses acquired from sleep deprivation is increasing. Sleep is not something we can force, so we must feel sleepy to sleep right away. We need to get at least 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep a day, but if you are having problems sleeping, castor oil can help you solve this dilemma.
Castor oil can put you into a deep slumber. Rub a small amount of oil on your eyelids before bedtime. Just make sure not to get any into your eyes. You can already sleep longer than usual, and you might need to use an alarm to help you wake up. You will feel refreshed!
25. Treats Itches and Sunburn
Castor oil has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for treating bug bites, rashes, and itches. It can also soothe the skin if there’s sunburn.
If the bite or rash is small, dip a Band-Aid in the oil and put it on the area. For bigger sites like sunburn, you can apply a significant portion of cotton in the oil to the affected area. Leave it on overnight and repeat this regularly for immediate results.
26. Treatment for Hemorrhoid
Castor oil is an effective treatment for shrinking hemorrhoids. It can also lessen the itch and pain that they cause. Dip a cotton ball in castor oil and apply it directly to the hemorrhoids. It only works if the hemorrhoids are outside the body. Leave the cotton ball for at least 15 minutes on the hemorrhoids and do this treatment regularly if necessary.
27. Skin Problems on Pets
Cats and dogs are often licking their wounds which makes them digest the bacteria and medication you apply to their injuries. Castor oil works safely on minor cuts and infections. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties promote faster healing. Your pets will find the oil tastes awful, so they will not lick the area. And if they do, it will only cause loose stools.
Precautions for Applying Castor Oil
Despite the many benefits of castor oil and its usage for a very long time, you should be careful when using it yourself.
Before applying castor oil to your skin, perform a test using a small amount of oil to determine if you have allergic reactions.
If you have to take castor oil orally, ensure you know the correct amount needed, as it produces a strong laxative effect. Overdose will result in dehydration and may be fatal in some cases.
Some products include nausea, chest pain, hallucinations, dizziness, abdominal cramps, rashes, and throat tightness. Pregnant women and people with ulcers or bleeding problems cannot use castor oil internally! Always keep the castor oil out of reach of children.
