Health Benefits of Castor Oil

Castor oil is a natural remedy derived from castor beans (Ricinus communis). The main component of castors oil is ricinoleic acid, a type of fatty acid shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. It has long been used in traditional medicine, castors oil is sometimes taken orally as a laxative, used as a topical to promote hair growth, or used as a skin moisturizer. Others use castor oil to promote pregnancy during pregnancy or to start the flow of breast milk.

Health Benefits

Here are Some health benefits and uses of castor oil

1. As a Powerful Laxative

Perhaps one of the best-known medicinal uses for castor oil is as a powerful laxative. It’s classified as a stimulant laxative, meaning that it increases the movement of the muscles that push material through the intestines, helping clear the bowels. Stimulant laxatives act rapidly and are commonly used to relieve temporary constipation.

When applied to the skin, castor oil packs are thought to promote circulation and promote healing of the tissues and organs under the skin. Some alternative therapists use packets of castors oil to improve liver function, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and improve digestion.

Castor’s oil packs could improve some of the symptoms of constipation, according to a 2011 study from Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. In a trial of older patients with constipation, researchers found that seven days of treatment with castor oil packs helped reduce several of the symptoms of constipation, such as nausea during menopause. However, packs of castor’s oil have failed to have an impact on intestinal flow or excretion rate.

2. As a Natural Moisturizer

Many use castor oil as a skin moisturizer, to reduce wrinkles, and to improve skin quality.

Castor oils is often used in cosmetics to promote hydration and often added to products like lotions, makeup and cleansers.

You can also use this rich oil on its own as a natural alternative to store-bought moisturizers and lotions.

Many popular moisturizing products found in stores contain potentially harmful ingredients like preservatives, perfumes and dyes, which could irritate the skin and harm overall health.

3. Get Rid of Rheumatoid arthritis

Taking castor oil supplement may be of some benefit to people with osteoarthritis of the knee, a 2020 study from Phytotherapy Research shows.

For four weeks, 50 men and women with osteoarthritis of the knee (40 years of age and older) were taking castors oil or diclofenac sodium (three anti-inflammatory drugs) three times daily for four weeks. The results show that both treatments are very effective in eliminating the pain associated with osteoarthritis. In the diclofenac sodium group, 90% (45 participants) showed significant improvement in pain levels; in the castors oil group, 92% (46 participants) showed significant improvement in pain levels.

The authors of the study noted that the findings were significant because there were no adverse effects associated with the use of castor oil for osteoarthritis in this study. But in the group that took diclofenac sodium, 20% of patients complained of mild gastritis and 4% of patients complained of skin rashes.

Other Uses

In addition to the studied use of castor oil, the product is widely used for other prescribed health benefits. Proponents claim that castor oil can treat a variety of conditions, including:

• Acne
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Athlete’s foot
• Cerebral palsy
• Menstrual cramps
• Migraines
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• The caterpillar
• Sunburn
• Yeast infection

Castor oil has also been used as a contraceptive. There is enough scientific evidence to know whether castor oil is safe or effective in the treatment of any of these conditions.

Potential side effects

Swallowing large amounts of oil can be dangerous, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Castor oil can also cause loss of fluid and potassium in the body when used for more than a week or in doses of more than 15 to 60 milliliters a day.

Conclusion: Always use castor oil upon suggestion by Doctors also store castors oils in a cool, dark place away from the sun. If the oil starts to smell bad, it is bad and should not be used.

Also Read: What are the Health Benefits of Neem.