Castor Oil Benefits
Castor oil is one of the oldest herbal remedies around - present in almost every ancient civilisation.
It's perhaps most famous for its use as a natural laxative, but the applications of castor oil have increased significantly into other areas across recent years, particularly in the cosmetic field.
Castor oil also boasts several medical benefits that make it a worthy asset to any wellness collection.
We'll be breaking down all the facts about castor carrier oil, including its most infamous benefits as well as the most popular uses of castor oil.
What is Castor Oil?
Identifiable by the botanical name Ricinus communis, castor oil is a non-volatile fatty carrier oil that is derived from the seeds of the castor bean plant.
It is usually cold pressed or expeller pressed to retain its nutrients, and ranges from a common pale yellow colour to variations of dark amber or light green.
Castor oil is native to the Mediterranean as well as to parts of Eastern Africa, however the largest quantities of castor oil can be found in India. In fact, India is responsible for over 90 percent of castor oil exports across the globe.
Like most carrier oils, castor oil is generally odourless, and is therefore a popular choice for combining with essential oils in order to dilute them for topical use.
The fascination surrounding castor oil and its benefits comes from its exceptionally high content of ricinoleic acid - a fatty nutrient that counts for around 90 percent of castor's natural composition.
It is also rich in other healthy fats and compounds such as flavonoids, amino acids, terpenoids, and phytosterols. All these elements contribute to castor's success as a wellness agent for the hair, skin, and body.
What are the benefits of Castor Oil?
Despite its relative popularity for digestive issues, castor oil can be found in over 700 cosmetic products - and counting - thanks to its surplus nutrient and fatty acid count.
These healthy compounds have also led to numerous other applications that have been used for centuries by ancient societies up to the present day.
Some of the most prominent castor oil benefits include:
Boosting hair health
Aiding digestion
Moisturising and healing skin
Strengthening the immune system
Healing joint pain and inflammation
How to use Castor Oil
1. Skin
Castor oil can be applied to the skin in a number of impactful ways. Its most popular use is as a natural cleansing alternative, but it's also not uncommon to apply castor as a moisturiser or body ointment depending on which benefits you prefer to target.
For use as a natural cleanser, simply pour around a teaspoon of oil onto your palm and massage in circular motions onto your face as needed. Then, proceed to rinse the oil off with warm water. This technique is great for protecting your skin against dryness and irritation as well as for clearing acne.
When using castor oil as a moisturiser, apply an amount around the size of a coin to your palm, rub your hands together, and apply across your face as needed. This same method can be used for spot treating dry areas or outbreaks of psoriasis.
2. Hair
Adding castor oil to your daily haircare routine may not only boost your chances at longer locks, but also promote healthier, shinier, and stronger hair in the long run.
To effectively apply, warm up a small amount of oil into your palms and smooth onto your hair - starting from the roots and gradually moving down to the tips. Leave the oil in for at least fifteen to twenty minutes before rinsing out in the shower.
You could also try adding essential oils like rosemary to the mix to help increase your chances of successful hair growth.
If you're looking to use castor oil on your beard, apply the same technique as above using warm water or your chosen beard wash to rinse thereafter. Application to the eyebrows and eyelashes should be done gently with a cotton bud, being careful to avoid the eye area.
3. Nails
Castor oil acts as a fantastic protective agent for the cuticles and nail beds, with its thick, enriching formula helping to target dryness as well as encouraging strength.
Thanks to its high levels of omega 6 and 9, castor oil is also said to help with nail growth and can even eliminate signs of infection as a result of its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
To apply, add around fifteen to twenty drops of castor oil to the base of your cuticles using a cotton ball or pad. Massage the oil into your nails for two to three minutes, and leave on for a few hours until the oil has absorbed. Wipe off any excess oil and continue with your routine as normal.
4. Massage
Because castor oil is so effective at relieving constipation, massaging a few drops onto your abdominal area may be a good way to encourage better bowel movements as well as relieve some of the cramping.
You could also try rubbing the oil onto these areas for the benefit of boosting immune functions, as well as relieving joint or muscular pain across your body.
Pour some castor oil into a bowl and heat gently until lukewarm (try not make it too hot!). Apply in circular motions to your chosen areas for around ten minutes, or for however long you see fit until the oil is absorbed.
5. Aromatherapy
While castor oil itself doesn't give off any particular kind of smell, it is incredibly useful for diluting essential oils safely onto the skin and hair.
As essential oils are naturally very potent, they require carrier oils like castor to make them safe for topical use. Combining castor oil with essential oils like rosemary, lavender, or frankincense can work well to boost many of its existing benefits.
