Castor Oil Benefits, Properties And Different Uses

Castor Oil Benefits

Of tropical origin, the castor oil plant is a shrub with imposing leaves. The seeds of which, by cold pressing, offer an excellent vegetable oil for nourishing and strengthening the hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. This forgotten vegetable oil also has many fascinating cosmetic and therapeutic properties. It is also used in synergy with essential oils for its perfect tissue penetration despite its viscosity. Latin name: Ricinus communis L. Part used: seeds. Check out how to use essential oils.

castor oil benefits

Castor Oil Properties

  • Nourishing, fortifying: this vegetable oil excels at strengthening eyelashes, eyebrows, and growing hair which becomes more robust, thicker, and shinier. It also strengthens and hardens the nails.
  • Anti-inflammatory, analgesic: this vegetable oil calms inflammation of the skin and calms pain. It thus relieves many skin conditions.
  • Antiviral, antibacterial: this vegetable oil helps fight against influenza, warts, gastroenteritis. It is also active against fungal infections.
  • Immunostimulant: this vegetable oil increases the body’s defenses against pathogenic germs.
  • Digestive, laxative: Castor vegetable oil promotes digestion and intestinal transit and will be useful in cases of constipation, food poisoning. It is also used to purge the body of toxins.

Castor Oil Cosmetic features

  • Skin type: drydamagedmature
  • Hair type: hair lossdulldryfrizzyflatfine

Castor Oil For Hair – For dull hair, hair loss, dry hair, frizzy hair

Castor oil is particularly interesting in hair care for two reasons. The first is its exceptional concentration of ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid, which cannot be found anywhere else, gives it a very viscous texture which will help to coat the hair, nourish it and thus strengthen the hair fiber. This fatty acid also has antifungal and antibacterial properties to cleanse the scalp. And who says healthy scalp, says healthy hair! The second reason would be due to the presence of vitamin E in its composition. Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant that will protect hair from external aggressions, repair it, and stimulate its growth. It also promotes microcirculation of the scalp, and thus stimulates the

  • Application advice:  make a hair mask on dry and disentangled hair by applying the necessary amount. Insist on the ends, and gently massage the scalp. Leave on for at least an hour, or overnight, then shampoo. Very viscous, Castor oil can be diluted in another vegetable oil (depending on its hair type) at 50% for example.
  • Complementary essential oil (s): in case of dry, damaged or frizzy hair, the essential oils of True Lavender or Ylang Ylang can be added to the vegetable oil. Against hair loss, Himalayan Nard, Ginger or Grapefruit will be more effective. 
  • Other suitable vegetable oils: many vegetable oils are used to nourish the hair:  Argan,  Avocado,  Shea butter,  Coconut, or  Cocoa butter.

Castor Oil For Brittle Nails

Among its first uses in India, Castor oil would have been used to take care of the nails, and it is not a coincidence! Its ricinoleic acid and its omega 6 and 9 nourish the nails in depth: thicker and shiny, less brittle and soft, and the cuticles are more flexible and easier to push back. Even if the Castor leaves a slightly greasy effect, it will completely strengthen the nails.

  • Application advice: apply 1 to 2 drops of Castor oil on each nail, then massage until penetration. Repeat 2 to 3 times a week for better efficiency.
  • Complementary essential oil (s) :
  • Other suitable vegetable oils: Blackcurrant,  Camellia, or  Broccoli oils are also known to strengthen the nails.

Castor Oil To Strengthen Eyelashes

The action of Castor on the eyelashes and eyebrows results from the same phenomenon as on the hair! This oil will strengthen the hair and stimulate growth by providing nutrients and stimulating. Thus, it strengthens the eyelashes and eyebrows, densifies them, and stimulates the growth to fill the holes.

  • Application advice: in the evening before bedtime, apply castor oil to the eyebrows and eyelashes using a cotton swab or a clean, dry eyelash brush. Be careful not to get it in the eyes.
  • Complementary essential oil (s): it is possible to make a two-phase make-up remover by adding cornflower hydrosol, Damascus rose, Green tea, or Cistus hydrosol to Castor.
  • Other suitable vegetable oils: Castor oil being a very viscous oil, to facilitate make-up removal it is recommended to dilute it in a more fluid vegetable oil such as Apricot Kernels, Avocado, or  Coconut for example (slightly heated between the fingers ).

Castor Oil For Skin – For dry skin, damaged skin

Castor oil is emollient and softening, thanks to its richness in fatty acids. In particular, the ricinoleic acid, which is one of the omega-9 fatty acids, will strengthen the skin’s natural barrier: the hydrolipidic film! Castor oil also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, allowing it to calm the discomfort of dry to very dry skin. It also facilitates the repair of the skin and accelerates the healing process.

  • Application advice: apply a few drops of castor oil to the dry and damaged areas of the skin. Dilute preferably to 50% in another vegetable oil.
  • Complementary essential oil (s) :
  • Other suitable vegetable oils: to nourish dry and damaged skin, it is also possible to use Argan oils,  Shea butter,  Hemp, or even  Sesame for example.

Castor Oil For Beard Growth

As on the hair, the Castor oil will act on two levels on the beard. It will nourish the skin under the beard, too often forgotten and therefore too often neglected, and soften and strengthen the hairs by its action on the keratin. Castor oil can be used to improve and shine beard hairs, stimulate hair growth and fill in heterogeneous beards, or to densify it.

  • Application advice: apply a few drops of oil to the beard, massaging the skin for better penetration at bedtime to act all night long castor oil. Rinse off excess oil the next morning. To be renewed 3 times a week. To facilitate the application, it is possible to dilute the castor oil in another vegetable oil.
  • Complementary essential oil (s): Himalayan spikenard essential oil can be used to stimulate hair growth.

Castor Oil For Constipation

Ricinoleic acid widely present in castor oil gives it laxative properties. When ingested, this acid irritates the lining of the intestine to force the stomach to produce digestive enzymes (called lipases) in greater quantities. The intestines then begin to work more ardently to speed up transit thanks to these famous little enzymes. Castor helps fight against constipation, but not only! It also has a purgative action allowing it to cleanse the body of various poisonings. On the other hand, castor oil taken orally can present dangers at high doses, and its action is rather express (4h to 8h). Therefore, this route of use is reserved for medical prescription and should not be used by children under 6 years old, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people with sensitive intestines. The American doctor William A. Mc Carey was interested in the use of Castor ointment. He also devoted a book listing 80 case studies have used castor oil, particularly against poisonings.

  • Application advice :
    • Orally, for adults only and by agreement of the doctor,  a small tablespoon is not to be renewed.
    • By the cutaneous route (to be preferred),  in hot poultice on the abdomen.

Castor Oil For Immunity

Castor oil has interesting therapeutic properties to fight against winter diseases and other microbiological infections. It is antibacterial and antiviral, acts against the flu, warts, or gastroenteritis. In addition to that, Castor oil is an immunostimulant. It will increase the body’s defenses against pathogenic germs. According to the American doctor William A. Mc Garey always, castor oil improves the functioning of the thymus and other organs of the immune system. In particular, he demonstrated via two separate studies that patients using hot castor oil poultices showed a significant increase in lymphocytes, compared to patients who used a placebo.

  • Application advice: make a hot castor oil poultice, to be applied on the stomach for at least an hour.
  • Complementary essential oil (s): to stimulate immunity, the essential oil of reference is Ravintsara.
  • Other suitable vegetable oilsNigella oil, due to its very particular composition, also helps to stimulate immunity.

FAQs

What is castor oil used for?

Castor oil is used to treat constipation. It may also be used to clean out the intestines before a bowel examination/surgery. Castor oil is known as a stimulant laxative. It works by increasing the movement of the intestines, helping the stool to come out.

Can I put castor oil on my face?

The essential fatty acids that castor oil contains help in restoring the skin’s natural moisture balance. Apply castor oil gently on your face and massage in circular motions. You can even leave it overnight and wash it off in the morning. You can also use steam to open your pores and help your skin absorb the oil better.

Does castor oil remove dark spots?

Gently massage castor oil to your brown spots, leave it on for a few hours and rinse twice a day to make them slowly fade away. After a few applications, castor oil can also help even out your skin tone making your face appear brighter and younger.

Is castor oil good for under eyes?

Its moisturising properties and fatty acid content can nourish the skin under your eyes and keep it hydrated. Also, castor oil is rich in antioxidants that prevent skin damage done by free radicals. The oil is known to enhance collagen and elastin synthesis and reduce fine lines, making your skin look younger.

Can castor oil grow eyebrows?

The fatty acids that make up castor oil are believed to be extremely nourishing to the skin. Many people report that with regular application, castor oil has helped them to grow thicker, longer eyelashes and eyebrows.

Does castor oil clog pores?

Sensitive skin: Castor oil has a low comedogenic score. This means it is unlikely to clog pores in the skin and reduces the risk of developing blackheads, making it appropriate for use on sensitive skin.

Can castor oil reduce wrinkles?

Castor oil contains fatty acids that have moisturizing, skin health-enhancing, and antioxidant properties. The fatty acids may also help minimize wrinkles. Castor oil also has emollient properties known to help improve your skin’s texture and healthy appearance.

How long does it take for castor oil to grow hair?

There is no standard as far as how often you should use castor oil, but it’s recommended one to two times a week for at least three months, as that’s typically how long before you’ll see new hair coming in.

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