CASTOR OIL

Castor oil is a traditionally used, excellent remedy to clear waste material from the intestines. It is less irritating than Epsom salts and has no side effects other than normal cleansing reactions. Take one to three teaspoons of castor oil in 1/3 glass of warm water on an empty stomach in the morning or before going to sleep at night (depending on which works better for you). It is a very beneficial treatment for stubborn cases of constipation. It can also be given to children (in smaller dosages). While castor oil is not recommended to replace Epsom salts or magnesium citrate during the liver cleanse, in case of an allergy to the above, castor oil may be used as a substitute.

Castor Oil Plant

Castor oil is a useful and versatile oil that comes from the castor oil plant. The castor oil plant produces castor beans, which is where the oil cis taken from. Castor oil has a multitude of uses, in both the health and industrial sectors. The castor bean is composed of 40% to 60% oil, and this oil is rich in triglycerides known as ricinolein. Castor beans, however, also contain a potent toxin known as ricin, which is present in low concentrations.

Description

The castor oil plant is a species of flowering plant that can reach up to 39 feet, the size of a small tree, when growing in open spaces and warm climates. However, every castor oil plant varies greatly in its appearance and growth habits. The plant is generally fast growing, but the castor beans are cold hardy, meaning they require a long frost-free season in order to mature. This is why why the castor oil plantthrives in the southeastern Mediterranean Basin, Eastern Africa, India, and other dry and tropical regions.

Leaves

The castor oil plant has large leaves that are 15-45 centimeters long. They are long-stalked, and palmate with 5-12 deep toothed lobes. These leaves are glossy and often appear red or bronze-tinted when young. As the plant grows older, the leaves gradually change color to dark green. Sometimes, they assume a reddish tinge when mature. Even the stems vary in pigmentation.

Flowers

The flowers appear in clusters at the end of the main stem in late summer. The flowers are usually green or red in color, depending on the variety of the plant. They have no petals.

Male flowers often appear yellowish-green with prominent creamy stamens. They appear in ovoid spikes up to 15 centimeters long. Female flowers appear on the tips of the spikes and can be distinguished by their prominent red stigma.

Fruits

Castor plant fruits appear as oblong, spiny pods, which contains an average of three seeds. Their color ranges from green to reddish purple. The seeds contained within the fruit are oval and light brown, sometimes appearing mottled or streaked with light and dark brown shades. The pod resembles a pinto bean.

History

Greek historian Herodotus first documented the castor oil plant in 4th century B.C. and called it “Kiki.” He said that the oil from Kiki was used by the Egyptians for various purposes, such as providing fire for lamps and as an ingredient for unguents. By this point, the plant had already been introduced to Greece, where it is cultivated up to the present day under the same name. Later on, both Theophrastus and Dioscorides described the castor oil plant, and Dioscorides even gave an account of the process of extracting the oil from the plant. He emphasized that the seeds should be used externally as they were extremely purgative. There was also a mention of this plant in the Bible under the name “Kikajon”, in the Book of Jonah.

During the early Middle Ages, the castor oil plant became popular in Europe for its medicinal qualities, particularly in the treatment of various skin diseases. Albertus Magnus, the bishop of Ratisbon, recorded and cultivated the plant in the middle 13th century, but the plant later fell out of favour and became less popular.

In the 18th century, castor oil and seeds required for European medicine were imported from Jamaica, and the name “castor” started to be used.

Cold Pressed Castor Oil

Many people are already aware of the various health benefits of castor oil. However, there are many different types of castor oil, such as black castor oil, hydrogenated castor oil and castor oil granules. One of the most popular types of castor oil is cold pressed castor oil, since this is considered to be the oil with the greatest concentration of nutrients.

What is Cold Pressed Castor Oil?

Just like any other type of castor oil, cold pressed castor oil is extracted from castor bean seeds. These castor bean seeds are rich with oil, which makes up 50-60% of their weight. To extract the oil from the seeds, pressure is applied to the beans so that they release the oil and all the nutrients they contain, including minerals and essential fatty acids.

Some manufacturers make use of excessive heat, chemicals and solvent to extract the castor oil from the castor beans. Although this method of extraction is quicker and cheaper, the castor oil produced is inferior in quality because the oil’s purity is compromised. Furthermore, many of the nutrients and beneficial compounds are lost during the manufacturing process.

That is not the case with cold pressed castor oil, which does not make use of excessive heat and other chemicals to produce the oil. Instead, natural methods of pressing are used. This process takes time, but produces 100% pure, food grade quality castor oil. Cold pressed castor oil can be used as a dietary supplement as it is suitable for both internal and external use.

The purest form of cold pressed castor oil is virgin castor oil, which is produced from the first cold pressing of castor beans. It is considered to be the highest quality oil, since the first pressing releases the highest concentration of the castor beans’ minerals, nutrients and essential fatty acids. Virgin castor oil has a variety of health and wellness benefits.

Medicinal Benefits

Cold pressed castor oil has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties which can help detoxify the intestines and blood vessels and keep them healthy. Castor oil can be used to ease inflammation, reduce blood pressure, clean the intestines, improve blood circulation, improve immune system function, stimulate the liver and gall bladder, reduce swelling and soothe irritated skin.

Acting as a laxative for constipation problems

Treatment of skin problems like itchiness, ringworm, dry skin, fine lines and wrinkles

Encouraging the growth and regrowth of hair

Treatment of scalp problems, such as dandruff

Inducing labour

Relieving pain from arthritis

Relieving skin and nasopharyngeal allergies

Treatment of warts, moles, and cysts

Boosting immunity

Other Uses

The castor oil plant is not only used for medicine, but is also widely used in the industrial sector. Here are some of its industrial uses:

Manufacture of leather in upholstery

Colouring and dyeing

Creation of artificial rubber

Manufacture of transparent soaps

Manufacture of candles

Manufacture of varnishes

Manufacture of fly papers

Motor lubricant in internal combustion airlines

Insecticides

Toxicity

While the castor oil plant certainly has many benefits, it also has a deadly component: the ricin toxin, found in raw castor beans. In fact, ricin is one of the most poisonous naturally occurring substances known to mankind. It is poisonous not just to humans but also to various animal species. Ingesting four to eight castor beans is said to be lethal to adults, but reports of castor bean poisoning are relatively rare.

Symptoms of ricin poisoning include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate and seizures. It can progress to severe dehydration, low blood pressure and decrease in urine within a few days. The symptoms can persist up to a week, although they typically start to appear within two to four hours of ingestion. Full recovery is possible when the poisoning is treated promptly.

There is no need to worry about ricin poisoning from using or ingesting castor oil, since the poison is extracted from the beans when the oil is made. Commercially available castor oil is not toxic to humans in normal doses, and can safely be used internally or externally.

Castor Oil Benefits

Many people regard castor oil as a remedy for a number of conditions, and with good reason. Even if castor oil cannot solve all health problems, it can certainly help with many issues, including those concerning the hair, skin, gastrointestinal system and immune system.

For a long time, castor oil has been used as a laxative and labour stimulant. However, it is so much more than that, as it also helps treat a variety of gastrointestinal diseases and even possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also used to boost the immune system, and is believed to help protect the body against a variety of diseases.

What Makes Castor Oil Effective?

Before delving into the health benefits of castor oil, it might be helpful to know first about the ingredients of castor oil that make it an effective remedy for a variety of health conditions.

Castor oil is essentially a triglyceride made from castor seed, which contains high amounts of ricinoleic acid. This is the ingredient that is thought to be responsible for many of castor oil’s healing properties.

Aside from that, castor oil also contains high amounts of vitamin E, which is responsible for its positive effects on the hair and skin. It also has omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids, which help in boosting immunity and avoiding infections.

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Castor Oil Uses for Constipation

Perhaps the most famous of all the castor oil uses is its laxative effect for the treatment of constipation. Ricinoleic acid stimulates contractions of the smooth muscles in the intestines, hence paving the way for bowel movement to take place.

Even if you are not constipated, you can also use castor oil for bowel cleansing. One teaspoon of castor oil taken daily for three consecutive days is enough to reap its laxative effects.

A substance known as ricinoleic acid is found in castor oil and is responsible for stimulating the digestive system, hence promoting defecation.

According to a study published in 2010 in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, castor oil is an effective treatment for constipation among the elderly. However, excessive use of castor oil can also result to diarrhea, so drinking one teaspoon of pure cold-pressed castor oil every morning for three consecutive days is enough to relieve the problem. If you don’t like the taste of castor oil, you can mix it with orange, cranberry, prune or ginger juice to counteract the bitterness.

Although more studies are needed to prove the effectiveness of castor oil in the treatment of other gastrointestinal disorders, users report that castor oil is also beneficial for the following gastrointestinal disorders:

Dysentery

Inflammatory bowel disease

Colitis

Appendicitis

Liver ailments

Labour Stimulation

In the past, castor oil has been used to initiate the labour process for women who are already full term but are not yet experiencing contractions. Since it stimulates the smooth muscles of the bowels, it also tightens the uterine muscles in the process, thus inducing labour. Aside from that, ricinoleic acid also activates the prostanoid receptor in the uterus, hence making the delivery process easier.

Unfortunately, only a few healthcare practitioners use castor oil for inducing labour these days, since it has a nauseous effect on pregnant women. Other modern methods of inducing labour have also been discovered, making the use of castor oil for inducing labour rather obsolete.

Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Uses

The pain-relieving properties of castor oil can be credited to the presence of ricinoleic acid, which acts as an anti-inflammatory. Thus, one of the proven castor oil benefits is the reduction of inflammation and joint swelling associated with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. It can also help soothe back pain and menstrual cramps.

There are two ways to take advantage of the castor oil benefits for pain. One is through oral consumption of two tablespoons of castor oil mixed with a glass of water. The second way is through the application of castor oil packs on the painful area.

Immune System Booster

Studies show that castor oil can increase the body’s white blood cells, making the body better equipped to fight infections. In fact, even after just 24 hours of application of castor oil packs, the body’s T-11 cells and total lymphocyte count increase and enhance the body’s defense mechanism. This can actually help heal mild surface tumors and even help drain excess fluids from the lymph and the liver.

To take advantage of the castor oil benefits on the immune system and the liver, you can place a castor pack on the abdomen and cover it with either a plastic sheet or old towel. Lie flat on your back while supporting your knees with a pillow for an hour to achieve the best results since its low molecular weight gives it the ability not just to penetrate the skin but also reach the deeper organs of the body. Castor oil can even be used for massage therapy in order to take advantage of its immunity benefits.

Castor Oil for Infections

Rounding up the list of castor oil uses is its antimicrobial effects on the body, which include antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. That being said, it is effective for the treatment of ringworms, cysts, and warts, plus also helps in the healing of minor wounds and scratches. It can also reduce pain and itchiness on the affected areas.

Castor Oil Uses for Pain

Pain relief is another one of the many castor oil uses for the body. The amazing ricinoleic acid also has anti-inflammatory properties, hence lessening the swelling and inflammation of tissues and joints for people with rheumatoid arthritis. It can also be used for providing relief for menstrual cramps, abdominal pain, and back pain.

Those with severe rheumatoid arthritis can ingest 2 tablespoons of castor oil mixed with a glass of water to soothe their pain. For less severe cases, the topical application of castor oil will do the trick.

Castor Oil Uses for Skin

Because castor oil has low molecular weight, it can be readily absorbed by the skin, hence providing multiple skincare benefits. You can use this in getting rid of acne, sunburn, dry skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and stretch marks. It can also help moisturize skin, leaving your skin soft and smooth.

To use castor oil on the skin, pour a small amount of castor oil on a cotton ball, and then apply this directly on the affected area. Leave it on for about an hour before rinsing it with clean water. Repeat this process in the morning and at nighttime for best results.

Castor Oil for Hair

Frequent application of castor oil to your hair can help stimulate healthy hair growth. If you are not suffering from hair loss, you can also use castor oil to keep your locks shiny and smooth. In fact, a lot of castor oil users testify that castor oil is actually effective in managing their kinky hair, and even for the treatment of split ends and hair breakage.

The benefits of castor oil on the hair can be credited to the fatty acids, vitamin E, and ricinoleic acid inherent in castor oil. These provide hair the nourishment that it needs, and also stimulate blood circulation in the scalp. Hence, it can also solve bald patches, dry scalp, and dandruff problems. You may also use castor oil for thickening your eyebrows, as well as for darkening your hair color.

You can take advantage of the castor oil uses for hair by applying a pea-sized amount of castor oil on your hair and massaging it on your scalp. You can leave it on overnight and rinse it in the morning, or you can also leave it for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it with water and shampoo.

Other Castor Oil Uses

Aside from the many castor oil uses for health, there are also several castor oil uses that are non-medicinal, such as the following:

• Component of plastic, rubber, varnishes, lubricant, paint, and dyes

• Mold inhibitor

• Aircraft lubricant

• Flavoring agent

• Food additive

• Ingredient in cosmetic products

Castor oil is certainly one of the most useful oils in the world today. But before you ingest castor oil, make sure that you consult your doctor first to know if it is the best treatment for you, as too much castor oil can also have side effects.

Castor Oil Packs

Castor oil has many medicinal benefits which have been proven time and again throughout the centuries. While castor oil can be used in many different ways, one popular application is through the use of a castor oil pack.

Castor oil packs are cloths soaked in castor oil applied externally to the skin of a specific area of the body to promote healing. You can buy ready-made castor oil packs online or create one yourself.

Before you attempt to make your own castor oil pack, you should first learn about the various benefits of castor oil packs for your body.

Benefits of Castor Oil Packs

The main benefit of castor oil packs is their ability to promote the healing of various parts of the body. They can also reduce inflammation, improve blood and lymph circulation, and even reduce digestive problems like constipation without the need to actually ingest the castor oil.

What makes a castor oil pack effective is the fact that it can deeply penetrate the skin and reach the underlying organs where the pack is applied. Therefore, they remove the need to ingest castor oil to take advantage of its medicinal benefits.

The application of castor oil packs is recommended as a part of a holistic approach, since it can cure a wide variety of disorders. It is also deemed to be safer than drinking liquid castor oil.

Circulatory System

The circulatory system is composed of the heart, blood, and blood vessels, such as veins and arteries, running throughout the entire body. When you apply a castor oil pack to any area of your body, it can promote circulation by bringing in fresh, oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood to the area concerned. It can also promote proper healing of damaged areas and promote the formation of scar tissue and adhesion.

Reproductive System

Castor oil packs are effective in aiding fertility, especially for women. When you apply a castor oil pack to your lower abdominal area, it supports ovarian, fallopian tube and uterine health, detoxifies your reproductive organs before conception, and boosts the health of your egg cells. All of these things prepare your reproductive system for fertility.

Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is composed of lymphocytes, lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes and lymph fluid running around the entire body, although there are certain areas that have a higher concentration of lymph nodes. The lymphatic system provides immunological defense against diseases.

Unlike the circulatory system, the lymphatic system does not have a “heart” that pumps lymph fluid throughout the different parts of the body. The movement of lymph along the lymphatic vessels can be promoted by external movement and manipulation, such as regular exercise. When you use a castor oil pack to stimulate the lymphatic system, toxins and waste particles are removed from the body more efficiently because the pack stimulates the movement of lymph throughout the body. The castor oil pack acts as a “pump” for lymphatic circulation.

Liver and Digestive System

The liver is responsible for removing chemicals, hormones and other biologically active molecules from the blood. It changes the structure of, or inactivates, these substances so that they can be excreted from the body through the kidneys. Simply put, the liver acts as the body’s detoxifying agent. Excess toxins and hormones can build up inside the liver, and castor oil packs can be instrumental in aiding the detoxification process. Liver detoxification is actually one of the main uses of castor oil packs.

Musculoskeletal System

Since topical application of castor oil can relieve pain, you can also use castor oil packs for soothing inflamed joints and strained muscles. If you are experiencing any arthritic pain, you may also find this can be relieved by the application of castor oil.

How to Make Castor Oil Packs

Although it’s possible to buy a ready-made castor oil pack, it’s easy make your own. To make your own castor oil pack, simply follow these instructions:

1. Prepare the following materials:

Three sheets of cotton flannel or undyed wool, big enough to cover the affected area

Castor oil

Hot water bottle

Old clothes and sheets to prevent bedding from getting soiled

Container with lid, big enough to hold all the sheets of flannel or wool

Plastic wrap, one to two inches larger than the flannel or wool

Solution of baking soda and water

2. Place some old clothes or sheets on the area where you will be lying.

3. Place the flannel or wool inside the container. Pour castor oil on it and soak the cloth in the oil so that it becomes saturated, but not to the point of dripping.

4. Place the castor oil pack on the affected part of your body.

5. Cover it with the plastic wrap.

6. Place the hot water bottle over the pack and leave it on for 45-60 minutes.

7. Remove the pack and cleanse the area with baking soda and water solution.

8. Store the castor oil pack inside the covered container in the refrigerator. You can reuse the castor oil pack up to 30 times.

How to Use Castor Oil Packs

Exactly where on the body you will place the castor oil pack depends on which area is affected. For instance, if you want to detoxify the liver, you should place the castor oil pack on the right side of the abdomen. If you have problems with digestion and constipation, you can simply place the pack over the central part of the abdomen. For reproductive problems like infertility, ovarian cysts, and menstrual irregularities, place the pack over the lower abdominal region.

Do not apply castor oil packs to broken skin. You should also avoid using them during menstruation, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil Benefits

Jamaican Black castor oil is one of the more popular variants of castor oil, especially among women who are trying to treat hair and skin problems. The skin and hair are the main focus of Jamaican Black castor oil, since, unlike regular castor oil, it cannot be taken orally.

Jamaican Black castor oil derives from the Jamaican way of purifying the castor oil beans, and then adding the ashes produced by the purification process into the castor oil itself. The presence of residual ashes gives Jamaican Black castor oil its distinctive dark colour, and also what makes it a potent treatment for the hair and skin.

Hair Care

One of the many Jamaican Black castor oil benefits is its ability to promote hair regrowth. People with thinning hair and bald spots find this type of castor oil to be highly effective in regenerating their hair just by topically applying it to one’s bald spots. The castor oil is believed to boost blood circulation through the hair follicles, resulting in faster hair growth.

Aside from stimulating hair growth, another of the Jamaican Black castor oil benefits is helping combat hair loss and hair breakage. The omega-6 essential fatty acid content of Jamaican Black castor oil helps hair grow darker, smoother, shinier and healthier. Jamaican Black castor oil even benefits your eyelashes and eyebrows, as applying castor oil to them can make them grow darker and fuller.

Jamaican Black castor oil can also treat scalp infections, helping to prevent problems that may arise from an unhealthy scalp, such as bald patches and dandruff.

To enjoy the Jamaican Black castor oil benefits for your hair, try using it as a hot oil treatment. You can apply the oil to your hair and scalp overnight, wrapping your hair in a cap or towel so the oil does not stain your bedding. The next day, wash the oil thoroughly out from your hair using mild shampoo and warm water. Doing this once or twice a week will give the best results. You can also apply the oil to your hair and scalp every day shortly before shampooing, rinsing it off after a few minutes.

Skin Care

There are numerous Jamaican Black castor oil benefits for the skin. In fact, these benefits extend to the lips and nails, and even to the treatment of warts, moles, and cysts.

Because of the presence of omega-6 and 9 fatty acids in Jamaican Black castor oil, it has the ability to deeply cleanse the skin and tighten pores. It is a highly effective facial cleanser, especially for people who have acne. Jamaican Black castor oil also contains vitamin E, which helps increase the skin’s elasticity and can speed up the healing of scars and blemishes, wrinkles and fine lines, and even stretch marks.

Other Jamaican Black castor oil benefits for the skin include acting as a lip balm, as it helps soothe chafed lips. A good tip is to use the excess oil from your lips as a cuticle and nail oil. This will soften your cuticles and help your manicure last longer.

Because of the antimicrobial properties of Jamaican Black castor oil, it can act as an excellent disinfectant for open wounds and also help heal fungal infections, such as ringworms, and minor cuts and scratches. Its ability to get rid of warts, moles, and cysts can be credited to its immune system-boosting properties.

With the many castor oil benefits ranging from gastrointestinal relief to skin care, castor oil should be a part of every household, enabling everyone to take advantage of its wide range of uses.