Surprising Health Benefits of Castor Oil

There are multiple oils good for our overall health including coconut oil, olive oil and castor oil. Castor oil has been used since ancient times to treating skin problems, hair issues, constipation and arthritis. Castor oil is derived from the seeds of Ricinus communis plant. The seeds of this plant are also used in medicines, shampoos and skincare products. There are multiple benefits of castor oil for hair and skin. During ancient Egypt, castor oil was used to lit lamps, treat eye ailments and stimulate labour in pregnant women. It is also an essential part of Ayurveda due to its several health benefits.

How does castor oil works?

Castor oil is a rich source of monounsaturated fatty acid and ricinoleic acid. Fatty acid in castor oil has all the goodness to treat multiple ailments in the human body. This odorless, as well as tasteless oil, is profuse with antioxidants. Today, castor oil remains a popular remedy to treat various health issues. There are some benefits of drinking castor oil that we are going to share below to let you understand better.

Benefits of drinking castor oil

1.      Increase immunity

For those who easily catch a cold and cough, castor oil works as a miraculous remedy. Frequent consumption of castor oil can boost your immunity, increase white blood cells, helps your body fight infections, increase count of T-11 cells and improves the production of lymphocytes in your body. This is magical oil that initiates the body to produce more antibodies to stop intruders like viruses, fungi, bacteria and cancer cells from harming the body. People who consume organic castor oil have a tough immune system. This also detoxifies your blood, support heart health and solving digestive issues. Your blood flow and immunity go hand in hand to save you from harmful microorganisms. Castor oil works to boost your immunity and blood flow and saves you from getting chronically ill.

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2.      Treat Constipation

One of the most crucial benefits of drinking castor oil is that relieves the frustrating problem of constipation. When you start the consumption of castor oil it works as a stimulant laxative and causes your stomach to move more. Excessive use of castor oil is not recommended as it can impair the functioning of your digestive system. Consume 3 tablespoons to relieve the symptoms of constipation. We understand the constipation is a serious problem linked to a lot of other health issues. Castor oil can also be used to treat abdominal cramps and indigestion issues.

3.      Induce labour

Once castor oil was prescribed by the doctors to induce labour. Castor oil is known as the best laxative. Ingesting a small amount of castor oil can jump start your labour. It works as a stimulant for the bowel and irritates the uterus. Women can experience some common castor oil side effects like diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, etc. Never use castor oil without the prescription of your doctor. It’s always wise to talk to your gynaecologist about any induction method. Induction before your due date is not a good idea, as it can cause serious danger to you and your child.  

Benefits of castor oil for skin

1.      Treats skin irritation

Want to get rid of the problem of skin irritation forever? Here is the best solution for you. Use castor oil on your skin and it will fight bacteria overgrowth on your skin pores. When castor oil penetrates into your skin deeply, it softens and hydrates the skin. Castor oil also works to solve the deeper issues causing acne, dryness, irritation, fungal infection, eczema, etc. Treatment of serious skin conditions is one of the most crucial benefits of castor oil for skin. Apply castor oil gently on your face in a circular motion every night before going to bed and leave it overnight. When you’ll wash your face in the morning, you’ll see a difference in your skin condition. You can apply it all over your body to get a shinier and soft skin. For better absorption of oil, steam your face before applying it.

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2.      Treats wrinkles

The most common cause of early ageing of the skin is dryness. Due to the reduction of collagen, your skin loses its elasticity. Castor oil applied on your skin can penetrate deep into your skin and boost the production of collagen. It will work best to hydrate your skin and rejuvenate it by making it soft, shiny and smooth. You can apply castor oil on your face, neck and hands in the night and leave it overnight for better results. Sun exposure is also the reason for early skin ageing. So, use castor oil before going out for protection against UV rays and save your skin from sunburn and other serious skin issues.

3.      Make your skin beautiful

Castor oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acid. It is a natural moisturizer that promoted hydration & keeps your skin naturally hydrated. It helps you get rid of sunburns, uneven skin tone, blemishes, skin pigmentation, wrinkles and dark spot. With the regular application of castor oil on your face, you can see a positive difference in your face glow. It will make your skin soft, supple and blemish-free. Castor oil is used is multiple skin products like lotion, makeup and cleansers. If you want to reap the benefits of castor oil for skin, then try applying it on your face regularly before going to bed.     

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Benefits of castor oil for hair

1.      Promotes healthier and shinier hair

Doctors recommend massaging your hair twice or thrice a day for the extra nourishment. Enrich your scalp with the goodness of castor oil by massaging your scalp regularly. Ricinoleic acid and omega-6 fatty acids increase the blood flow to your scalps and improve hair growth. With the regular massage of scalp with castor oil, you are likely to get a healthier and shinier scalp. It will provide moisture to your hair and keep its shine retained. Apply it regularly to get Benefits of castor oil for hair. You can also go for shea moisture jamaican black castor oil shampoo for better results.

2.      Say Bye-bye to flakes

Dandruff is annoying and embarrassing. By using shampoo and chemical-based oils, you can get rid of it, but not permanently. Chemical-based shampoos and oils are temporary solutions to get rid of dandruff. If you want to get rid of bigger, waxy flakes from your scalp, then use castor oil with honey, aloe vera gel and lemon. Apply this magical mask to your hair roots for 20-30 minutes and wash your hair. Apply this twice/thrice a weeks before shampoo and get rid of itchy dandruff and fungal infection on your scalp. Getting rid of dandruff forever is one of the major Benefits of castor oil for hair.

Hope you find our list of benefits of castor oil helpful. If you don’t want to consume castor oil directly, then you can get castor oil pills from the market and use it to multiple purposes. There are different castor oil uses. Either apply it directly on your skin or consume it moderately to avail its benefits.  

You may face castor oil side effects like dizziness, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, nausea, low blood pressure and pelvic congestion. So before adding castor oil to your diet, consult your family doctor and then start its consumption.