If you are searching for an affordable, multi-purpose oil to keep in your home, castor oil is an excellent choice!
Castor oil is extracted from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant, naturally found in Africa, India and South America. Today, India is the largest producer and exporter of castor oil globally, responsible for almost 83.65% of total exports.
Castor oil is loaded with ricinoleic acid (a potent antioxidant), Vitamin E, proteins, minerals and has antifungal and antibacterial properties that make it virtually a cure-all for anything that ails you. Castor oil has been used for thousands of years and it is still trending today!
How to Use Castor Oil?
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A Natural Laxative
One of the best-known medicinal uses for castor oil is as a natural laxative to relieve temporary constipation. It increases the movement of the muscles that push material through the intestines, helping clear the bowels. The laxative effect works quickly—within two to six hours—so do not take it right before bed!
One study found that when older people took castor oil, they experienced decreased symptoms of constipation, including less straining during bowel movement and lower reported feelings of incomplete bowel movements.
Although it can be used to relieve occasional constipation, castor oil is not recommended as a treatment for chronic constipation. To maintain healthy bowel movement, drink plenty of water (at least eight glasses per day), eat more fresh fruit and fibre-rich foods, or take a fibre supplement such as NewLife™ Herbal Klenz Powder.
As castor oil is used by medical professionals to induce birth, women at all stages of pregnancy should avoid consuming castor oil.
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Anti-aging Moisturiser for Healthy Glowing Skin
The ricinoleic acid found in castor oil is a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals that cause collagen damage and wrinkles.
In addition, the fatty acids in castor oil work to hydrate and soothe your skin from any irritation. It also works as an emollient, smoothing flaky skin and making it feel softer. It can also provide a barrier on the skin and lock in moisture, promoting moisture retention.
It is a natural alternative to store-bought moisturisers and lotions. Many popular skincare products contain chemicals, preservatives, perfumes, which could irritate the skin and harm your overall health in the long run.
Swapping out these products for castor oil can help reduce your exposure to these additives. Besides, it can be used for the whole body and face.
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Shiny, Healthy Hair
Castor oil is the elixir for healthy scalp and healthy hair. Use it as a natural hair conditioner to lubricate, coat and condition hair strands to improve smoothness and shine. Hair becomes much less brittle, so there is less breakage.
Castor oil may also benefit those who experience dandruff due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
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Makes Hair Grow
Castor oil increases blood flow to the scalp, supplying valuable nutrients to hair follicles, thus promoting natural hair growth. If you have balding areas on your scalp or you want thicker hair, or wish for thicker eyebrows or eyelashes, castor oil works wonderfully.
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Promotes Wound Healing
Castor oil can also relieve the pain from scratches and other abrasions and help them to heal quickly. Applying castor oil to wounds creates a moist environment that stimulates tissue growth so that a barrier can be formed between the wound and the environment, decreasing the risk of infection.
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Relieves Skin Inflammation
Castor oil has both pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, thus helping skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema by alleviating their symptoms and reducing flare-ups. Again, it is a natural, healthier alternative compared to most body creams which come with preservatives, chemicals, and fragrance.
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Gets Rid of Dark Circles and Tired Eyes
From a stressful lifestyle to lack of sleep, hormonal changes to genetics, many things can lead to dark circles under the eyes, and they can become permanent if neglected for too long! Give castor oil a try, it can help to fight dark circles or soothe the tiredness around your eyes.
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Acne Treatment
Acne is most common in teens and young adults and can negatively impact self-esteem.
Castor oil decreases the inflammation from the acne and kills bacteria, which helps the acne to clear up. Put it on affected areas before you go to bed, and you will notice a drastic improvement when you wake up in the morning.
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Healthy Lips
Castor oil does wonders for dry and cracked lips. If you did not already know, castor oil is added to many lip remedies you buy over the counter! You can rub a bit on your lips, and it will help heal cracks and prevent further chapping.
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Fights Candida
Candida albicans is a type of fungus that commonly causes dental issues like plaque overgrowth, gum infections, and root canal infections. Castor oil has antifungal properties and may help fight off Candida, keeping the mouth healthy.
Castor oil may also help treat denture-related stomatitis, a common issue in older adults who wear dentures. A study found that brushing with and soaking dentures in a solution containing castor oil leads to significant reduction in Candida in older adults who wore dentures.
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Arthritis Pain Reliever
Massaging castor oil into achy joints will give you a bit of relief from the pain of arthritis. You can mix castor oil with enough turmeric to make a paste and then rub it into your joints.
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Relieves Sore Muscles
Castor oil is excellent for alleviating sore muscles. Just apply it directly to the painful area and then massage for as long as you like. It is great as a general massage oil even if you do not have sore muscles, its Vitamin E content is fantastic for your skin.
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Prevents Stretch Marks
Rubbing castor oil into the skin can help to improve elasticity and prevent stretch marks caused by pregnancy.
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Cures Calluses, Corns, Ringworm, and Fungal Ailments
Castor oil applied directly to calluses and corns can help alleviate the pain and swelling they cause and ultimately make them disappear. This may take a few applications but it definitely works. It also works great at curing ringworm and other fungal ailments.
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Insomnia Treatment
Castor oil helps cure your sleepless nights. Just rub a bit on your eyelids before you retire for the night, making sure to not get any in your eyes. The castor oil will help to bring about a peaceful night’s sleep, and you will wake up refreshed in the morning.
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Alleviates Colic in Babies
Warm a bit of castor oil by rubbing it in your hands and then gently massage the baby’s belly area. This will help alleviate the pain of gas and other tummy troubles in your infant and help them sleep without causing any adverse side effects like many over-the-counter medications.
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Haemorrhoids Treatment
Castor oil works great for shrinking haemorrhoids and alleviating the pain and itching that they cause. Note that this really only works for haemorrhoids that are outside the body.
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Beautiful Nails
Massaging just a small amount of castor oil into your cuticles, on your fingernails and toenails each day for a couple of months will give you long, healthy and beautiful nails.
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Removes Warts and Skin Tags
Castor oil can be used to remove unsightly warts and skin tags. Apply the oil to the wart or skin tag every day for a few weeks, and you should begin to see them disappear.
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Lubricates Scissors, Grinders and Door Hinges
Castor oil makes a great lubricant for scissors, grinders and appliances. Because it actually can be ingested, it is much better for use on metals that touch food than other lubricants that should not be ingested. It works for door hinges too.
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Perks Up Your Plants
If your plants seem to be a bit lifeless, a mixture of castor oil will perk them right up. Castor oil can also be used as a safe, non-toxic natural herbicide and pesticide. So be garden smart, use castor oil in your garden without having to worry about the potential side effects that commercial formulas may cause to your children, pets or the environment.
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Insect Repellent
You can also use castor oil as a safe, natural, non-toxic insect repellent.
