Castor oil (Ricinus communis) will grow wild in wasteland areas all across the tropical regions. Since ancient days, castor oil is used to treat a wide variety of health and beauty ailments. In India, it is used as a best Ayurvedic medicine for treating skin, hair and digestive problems effectively.
Castor oil is considered as miracle oil which was widely used by our grandparents to get rid of many problems. It is used as one of the best oil for industrial purposes because of its high viscosity and lubricating property. So, it is used as one of the most widely used ingredients that provide a plenty of benefits to your hair, health, and skin.
It exhibits antibacterial, antioxidant, antiseptic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties along with excellent moisturizing effects on the skin and hair. In general, we get castor oil by pressing the castor seeds and it is used as a bio-based raw material in various soaps, cosmetics, massage oils, and medicines.
Are you interested in knowing the benefits of castor oil? Do you want to include this unique vegetable oil as a part of your daily lifestyle? Then scroll down to know its amazing benefits for skin, hair, and health.
Effective Castor Oil Benefits for Hair, Health & Skin:
Here are some best ways of using castor oil to grab various hair, health, and skin problems. Have a look at them and use them to get relief from various hair, skin and health ailments.
First, let’s know benefits of castor oil to get a healthy skin.
A. Skin Benefits:
When it comes to skin or beauty care, castor oil stands best in dealing with these problems and makes your skin healthy and glowing. Check out the best benefits of castor oil for skin.
1. Moisturizes the Skin:
It acts as an excellent remedy for people with dry skin, as it penetrates deep into the skin tissue and nourishes your skin with its fatty acids. Simply apply a little oil on the dried areas like face, hands and legs and massage gently to get the oil absorbed well into the skin. Some people prefer to mix coconut oil with this castor oil for easy application.
2. Clears Acne:
It exhibits natural astringent, antibacterial, antioxidant, ricinoleic acid and anti-inflammatory properties that help to kill the microbes causing acne, cleanse your skin, reduce redness and swelling and stimulate the production of collagen to get rid of acne.
Rinse your face with warm water and spread this castor oil on the acne affected skin areas at night before bedtime. Massage gently in a circular motion and leave for overnight. In the next morning, rinse the oil applied area with cold water.
3. Fight Wrinkles or Aging Signs:
Castor oil stimulates the production of collagen and elastin and thereby hydrates and softens the skin. It enhances the skin’s elasticity and thus delays the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, crow’s feet, and other signs of aging.
The topical application of castor oil alone or with the combination of other natural oils (jojoba or coconut oil or almond oil) on the affected skin areas regularly will work wonders on clearing the aging signs. It tightens the skin and makes it look firm and healthy.
4. Clears Spots and Blemishes:
The presence of fatty acids in castor oil will make it penetrate deep into the skin and scar tissue and thereby encourages the growth of healthy tissues around it. This will help to fade away the scars, breakouts, dark spots and blemishes on the skin.
Simply apply castor oil as a spot treatment on the skin blemishes by using a cotton swab regularly for 2 – 3 times until you get rid of these skin blemishes.
5. Sunburn:
To soothe a sunburn or irritated skin, castor oil will work by healing the pain, irritation and swelling with its anti-inflammatory and skin soothing properties. Mix castor oil and coconut oil in 1:1 ratio and apply it on the sunburnt affected areas for 2 – 3 times daily until you get rid of the problem.
6. Eye Care:
Castor oil is enriched with omega – 6 fatty acids, ricinoleic acid, vitamin E and linoleic acid which helps to nourish the hair follicles and thereby encourages hair growth (for both eyebrows and eyelashes). It also stimulates the blood circulation in the hair follicles which in turn helps for hair growth.
- Pour a few drops of castor oil into your palms and apply it on the eyebrows. Massage gently for few minutes and leave it for overnight. Regular follow up will definitely help you to get thick eyebrows. You can also use the same process to grow eyelashes effectively.
- Also, you can prepare DIY homemade natural mascara by mixing 1 tablespoon of melted beeswax in 2 tablespoons of castor oil and then mix some charcoal powder to get the desired color and consistency. Apply it on the eyelashes with a mascara brush in every night to get dark and thicker eyelashes.
- Dry eyes can also be treated effectively by using a castor oil. Dry eyes are generally caused when the delicate film of the eyes are damaged. So, to get rid of this problem, you have to drink plenty of water and pour a drop of castor oil to the eyes at night before going to bed.
7. Lip Care:
Lips are most sensitive and can get easily damaged by slight changes in the climate. Castor oil helps to moisturize the lips and prevents it from getting dry or damaged.
- Prepare a natural lip balm by melting 1 teaspoon each of grated beeswax, castor oil and coconut oil in a pan. Stir and pour this mix into the lip gloss container. Let it cool down completely and apply it on your lips as you lip balm to protect them from external factors.
- For treating dark lips, you have to mix sugar with some castor oil and use this mix to scrub your lips for a couple of minutes. Rinse your lips with water and apply castor oil as you lip moisturizer. Repeat the process regularly until you remove darkness from your lips.
- Suffering from Dry or Chapped lips, then apply castor oil on your lips at night before bedtime and massage gently for a few minutes and leave it for overnight. Continue it daily till you get rid of dry and chapped lips.
8. Dark Underarms:
Castor oil exhibits a property of absorbing all impurities, excess oil and dead cells on the skin and thereby cleans the skin pores. It not only lightens the underarm skin but also moisturizes the skin. Spread some castor oil on the armpits area and rub it gently for about 5 – 7 minutes before taking your shower. Use this remedy daily until you get rid of dark underarms.
9. Skin Pigmentation:
Castor oil is enriched with fatty acids (omega – 3 fatty acids) and vitamin E that helps to hydrate the skin and protect the skin from harmful free radicals. It effectively treats uneven skin tone or skin pigmentation when applied and massaged regularly on the skin.
10. Razor Bumps:
Castor oil effectively works as a pre-shave and after shave oil to prevent razor bumps. It softens the hair and made it easy to shave the oil without tugging at the hair follicles. It also moisturizes the hair after shaving or after waxing. Apply castor oil after shaving or waxing to prevent the bumps or redness on the skin.
You can also use this castor oil (or coconut oil) as your shaving cream as well. Due to its viscosity, it helps to glide your razor and helps to remove hair easily.
11. Nail Care:
We all know that keratin is a protein responsible for the growth and hardness of the nails. Castor oil helps to moisturize the nail and enhance the production of keratin protein for maintaining healthy nails.
Apply castor oil on the nails and massage them regularly to treat brittle and cracked nails. To clean and strengthen the cuticles, you have to mix castor oil with coconut oil (or olive oil) and apply it on the clean cuticles and leave for overnight.
B. Hair Benefits:
There are numerous benefits of castor oil for hair like hair growth, preventing premature graying, moisturizing the scalp and treating various hair problems.
Have a look at them and if you’re suffering from any of these hair problems then use castor oil to treat these hair related problems.
1. Hair Growth:
Castor oil works well in promoting the hair growth by stimulating proper blood circulation to the hair follicles and cleaning the scalp. Apply lukewarm castor oil on all over the hair and scalp and massage gently for a few minutes by using your fingertips at night before bedtime.
Or you can add some other natural oils like almond oil or jojoba oil or coconut oil and apply it on the skin for quick hair growth. Regular application will definitely help you in getting rid of the hair fall problem.
2. Scalp Infections:
Castor oil exhibits antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that effectively work for treating scalp infections, which are caused either by bacteria or fungus.
All you need is to apply castor oil on all over the scalp and start massaging it gently till the oil gets well absorbed into the scalp at night before bedtime. In the next morning, rinse your hair with shampoo and lukewarm water. Repeat it regularly until you get rid of these scalp problems.
3. Prevents Premature Hair Graying by Enhancing Hair Color:
Regular usage of castor oil will enhance your natural hair color and thereby make it look thick and rich. The omega – 3 fatty acids and other nutrients in castor oil will help to bring natural color to your hair and prevents it from getting grey. It moisture the hair shafts and make them darker. Apply wash castor oil on all over the strands and rub it gently on all over the palms. Repeat it daily to get rid of premature graying of hair.
4. Dandruff:
In general, dandruff occurs when the scalp gets over dried and thereby gets stretched. So, to overcome this problem, we have to moisturize the scalp and hair well. Castor oil works best for moisturizing and cleansing the scalp and thereby clears dandruff.
It also works as a conditioner (apply a little after shampooing your hair) and treats split ends (massage with olive oil and castor oil).
Read More on How to use Castor Oil to Treat Baldness.
C. Health Benefits:
Check out some amazing health benefits which you can get by using castor oil.
1. Natural Laxative:
Most of us know that our grandma’s saying that consume a little castor oil to get rid of constipation and to enhance regular bowel movements. It is because of its natural laxative property which is induced by ricinoleic acid.
The main thing you should consider is the dosage why because the overdosage will result in dehydration and may worsen the problem. The suggested dosage for adults will be 1 – 2 tablespoons and for children (for 2 – 12 years), it is 1 – 2 teaspoons. For children under 2 years, a few drops and that has to mix in any fruit juice (prefer orange juice).
Remember that it won’t work by acting in the colon (like other laxatives), the castor oil will start working in the small intestine and clean out the bowels within 4 – 6 hours of taking this oil.
To know more, check out How to get rid of Constipation using Castor Oil.
2. Strengthens Immune System:
Castor oil increases the production of lymphocytes, which acts as natural disease fighters that prevent you from microbial, toxins and other perceived threats. These lymphocytes are stored in the lymphatic tissue from the thymus gland, lymph nodes, spleen and tissue that lines the small intestine.
So, castor oil will help to boost your immunity, detox the body, support heart health and heals various digestive issues. Consume a little of castor oil regularly either directly or mixing in any fruit or vegetable juices or smoothies.
3. Relieves Muscle Soreness:
In Ayurveda, castor oil is treated as warm oil that helps a lot in promoting the circulation of blood and fluids in the body. It is considered as best massaging oil that helps you in relieving the soreness which is caused by overworking the muscles.
Also, if you experience any aching calf and thigh muscles after heavy workouts or exercises or practicing active sports then simply apply a little castor oil on the sore areas and massage gently for a few minutes to get rid of this pain and sore muscles.
Or pour a few drops of peppermint oil or Roman chamomile oil in castor oil and massage the aching muscles for a few minutes to get effective relaxing and quick healing. Follow them regularly.
4. Soothes the Joint Pain:
The presence of ricinoleic acid exhibits analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that have decongestant action on the lymphatic system. These lymph vessels will collect all the waste from the tissues and carry it to the blood for elimination.
However, the congestion in the vessels and accumulation of toxic waste will result in many autoimmune diseases like arthritis and thereby causes pain and inflammation in the joints. The usage of castor oil will help you a lot in easing the congestion and thus makes the lymph move freely.
Apply castor oil directly on the joint to stimulate the lymphocytes regularly with a gentle massage. If you want, you can use cayenne pepper for treating this arthritis problem.
5. Treats Fungal Infections:
Castor oil exhibits strong antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help you in dealing with fungal infections like ringworm, tinea cruris, athlete’s foot, etc. This oil has undecylenic acid which breaks down the ricinoleic fatty acids that exhibit antifungal properties.
All you need is to heat some castor oil and let it cool to reach lukewarm and apply this oil on the affected areas at night before bedtime. Leave for overnight and continue doing the same until you get relief from the problem.
6. Natural Sleep Aid:
In these days, more and more people are suffering from sleep deprived and we all are aware of the ill effects which we face for not having enough sleep. Do you know that for a healthy living, you should get nighttime sleep uninterruptedly for 7 – 7 ½ hours?
Castor oil helps you in falling asleep easily without much delay and thereby put you into a deep slumber for a long period. So, if you find any difficulty in falling asleep then simply dab a bit of castor oil on your eyelids and you can simply fall asleep.
7. Treats Baby Colic:
In most cases, babies cry uncontrollably due to the colicky pain in their first few months of life and we don’t know their exact reason for colic whether it may be due to gas, any obstructions or abnormal spasms, problems in gastrointestinal tracts, etc.
Whatever the reason, castor oil seems to give relief from this baby colic in which oral medications may fail to clear the problem. All you need is to apply the castor oil on the abdominal area and rub it gently for a few minutes. This will give quick relief and gives a sound sleep to the baby after application.
8. Cracked Heels:
Cold season and heavy stress on the feet are main reasons for cracked heels. Castor oil moisturizes the feet and provides a warm relief from the stress. So, massage some castor oil on the cracked heels for a few minutes at night before bedtime and wear your socks to prevent the oil get onto the bed sheet.
Leave for overnight and repeat the application daily until you get complete relief from the dry and cracked heels.
9. Stretch Marks:
Castor oil is enriched with fatty acids, vitamin E and other essential nutrients that help to enhance collagen production for proper skin’s elasticity and thereby the growth of new skin tissues.
Simply apply castor oil during the final two months of pregnancy and after pregnancy to get rid of stretch marks. Regular application will prevent the formation of stretch marks and if already suffering from these marks, then it helps to fade away.
Other than these, the usage of castor oil will help to disinfect the wounds, treats back pain, prevent you from allergies, cleanse your stomach, detoxifies your intestinal tract, balance your hormones and improves libido, removes warts, lose your excess weight (fat remover), relieves your corns and calluses on feet, etc.
Click here to know about How to Remove Moles using Castor Oil
Tips and Precautions:
- Always use best cold pressed and pure castor oil for grabbing these benefits on the skin, hair, and health. If you unable to find it in your local stores then order it online or get it from health food stores.
- If you want to ingest or consume castor oil, then be sure that is should be the highest quality to ensure safety and effectiveness. While taking internally, consider your age, health condition and medications. You can take it as liquid or capsule forms.
- The antimicrobial property of castor oil makes it work as a natural preservative, especially in the food industry to protect the food without spoiling.
- It is used as an excellent lubricant that widely used in heavy machinery, industrial tools, kitchen appliances, hand-cranked meat grinders, scissors, etc. to make them work properly for a longer time.
- In olden days, castor oil is used to induce labor pain but nowadays, doctors are advising pregnant women that should not consume castor oil for inducing labor pain why because it causes dehydration and may result in the risk of miscarriage or premature birth.
- Castor oil won’t cause any allergic reaction on the skin but if you’re a first time user then make sure to do some skin patch test before regular application.
- Make sure to consult your doctor if you’re suffering from any serious health problems before using this castor oil.
Try these castor oil methods to grab the benefits of your skin, hair and perfect health. Do you know any other castor oil benefits? Then share your experience with us in the below comments box.
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