Castor oil has been known for its multi-purpose benefits since ancient times. Castor oil has numerous health benefits and is used in the fields viz. medicine, industry, and pharmacy. It is one of the essential ingredients in skin beauty products, medications, foods, bio-diesel fuel, lubricants, etc. Besides this, it has many medicinal uses in case of eye irritation, stimulating labour pain, constipation, skin allergies, etc.
Top 10 surprising benefits of castor oil
- Excellent laxative: Castor oil is one of the most beautiful natural laxatives due to ricinoleic acid, which plays a vital role in emptying the bowels. Thus, it provides excellent relief from constipation.
- Hair conditioner: Castor oil is a vital hair moisturiser. It strengthens the hair shaft, thus decreasing the chances of hair brokerage. It is also suitable for treating dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis, skin inflammation, etc.
- Acne prevention: The oil has antimicrobial properties and thus fights against the growth of bacteria. Being a natural moisturiser, it soothes the irritated skin, which causes acne.
- Wonderful moisturiser: Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, which helps to moisturise and hydrate the skin. Due to this, it is used in many cosmetic products like lotions, makeup, and cleansers.
- Wound healing: It acts as a moisturiser, thus promoting healing and preventing pain in the injured area. This oil stimulates tissue growth and prevents dryness, thus healing wounds.
- Anti-inflammatory: Due to the presence of ricinoleic acid, it has enormous anti-inflammatory effects. The application of the oil ensures a reduction in inflammation and pain.
- Treating arthritis: Castor oil is an excellent lubricant to reduce inflammation and is also an analgesic.
- Treating infertility: In some research, it has been shown that the use of castor oil helps to unblock the fallopian tube. But more studies have to be carried out in this direction.
- Delay the signs of ageing: It has anti-inflammatory effects and fights the free radicals that accelerate ageing. It can be used under the eyes, around the mouth, forehead, chin, and neck.
- Treating haemorrhoids: Because of their inflammatory effects, their application has a good impact on treating haemorrhoids.
Medicinal uses of castor oil
Some of the medicinal uses of castor oils are being given below:
- It is one of the best laxatives.
- Inducing labor pain
- Used to treat gallstones
- It is used to treat plantar heel
- In controlling fibroids
- Use in endometriosis treatment
- Psoriasis and eczema
- Moles
- Genital warts
- Chapped lips
- It is also used with modern drugs like
- Miconazole (Antifungal agent)
- Paciltaxel used in chemotherapy
- Sandimmune used in organ transplant
- Nelfinavir mesylate used in HIV
- Tacrolimus-immunosuppressive drug
- Xenaderm ointment for skin ulcer
- Aci-Jel to maintain the acidity of the vagina
- Optive-Plus for artificial tears
Side effects of castor oil
Though castor oil is known for unknown potential benefits, some precautions should be taken while eating it.
- It is safe in small doses.
- Excess consumption of it leads to abdominal cramps.
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- It should be avoided if somebody has perennial constipation.
- It facilitates birth pain. Therefore, it shouldn’t be consumed during pregnancy.
- Dehydration and electrolytic imbalances.
- Skin allergy
- The plant contains harmful allergens that can cause permanent nerve damage.
Nutritional facts of castor oil
Castor oil is triglyceride, which constitutes ricinoleic acid (90%). It also contains other fatty acids like oleate, linoleates, alpha-linoleic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, dihydroxystraric acid, etc.
Castor oil products
It is essential to oil that is used in the manufacturing of different types of products.
- Skincare products
- Shampoos
- Soaps
- Lubricants
- Hydraulic acid
- Brake fluids
- Paints
- Dyes
- Coatings
- Inks
- Cold
- Cold-resistant plastics
- Waxes
- Polishes
- Nylon
- Pharmaceuticals
- Perfumes
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