Castor Oil Benefits All You Need About Ingredients & Uses

Castor oil is extracted from the seeds of the plant known by the name of Ricinus communis. This plant can be easily found in the tropical areas of Asia and Africa. Castor beans or the seeds from which the oil is extracted comprise of a toxic ingredient by the name of ricin. However, the toxic ingredient gets deactivated after castor oil undergoes a heating process. The oil which gets extracted from the seeds is a translucent liquid having a yellowish tincture. This oil belongs to the category of vegetable oil and finds its use in a wide range of medical and cosmetic purposes. Castor oil can be found in a wide variety of household products ranging from paints to cleaning products. This oil has been very advantageous in the treatment of various medical conditions specifically issues related to the digestion. Castor oil is believed to have very useful properties like antimicrobial, moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, etc. which can be used to provide several health benefits to the people.

The main ingredient of castor oil is ricinoleic acid which makes for 85 to 95 percent of the oil. It is an unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid. The second ingredient of the castor oil is oleic acid. It is a monosaturated omega-9 fatty acid. It is present in the range of 2 to 6 percent. The next ingredient of the castor oil is linoleic acid. It is present in the range of 1 to 5 percent. It is a poly saturated omega-6 fatty acid. The other ingredients which are present in the castor oil include alpha-linolenic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and dihydroxystearic acid. All these ingredients are present in the range of 0.5 to 1 percent each.

There are various benefits of using castor oil but it must be used with care and caution. Castor oil can be used topically on the skin, it can be applied on the hair, and it can also be consumed orally. While making use of castor oil for topical application a few drops of oil is more than sufficient to provide necessary relief in the various conditions of the skin. For attaining the benefits associated with hair the castor must only be applied in small quantities probably a few drops would be enough. The dosage of the oil to be used must be confirmed from the doctor as excessive topical application of the oil can lead to a severe adverse reaction. Castor oil can be taken orally as it can be used as a laxative. The dosage of the castor oil to be given to a patient is decided by the doctor. For treating the condition of constipation 15 to 60 ml single dose orally is sufficient in adults. In children below the age of 2 years, the dose ranges from 1 to 5 ml. For children in the age group of 2-12 years 5 to 15 ml is sufficient. It is important to note that the dose must be taken only once and should not be altered in any case as it can cause various side effects like low blood pressure, electrolyte imbalance, and diarrhea.

Traditionally the castor oil has been used topically for reaping various hair and skin benefits. Today majority of the companies in the cosmetic industry make use of castor oil as a major ingredient in their various beauty care products. Some of the benefits of castor oil for hair and skin are given below

• Wrinkles reduction: castor oil boasts of natural emollient which reduces the face lines and wrinkles appearing on the skin. The oil penetrates deep into the skin and provides the necessary nourishment to the skin. It does not get clogged in the pores.
• Dry skin nourishment: for people with dry skin castor oil proves to be a great moisturizer as it can seep deep into the skin. The high concentration of the fatty acids stimulates the healthy functioning of the skin cells.
• Hair growth: castor oil provides great benefits to the hair. It thickens the stands of hair along with providing deep conditioning. The pH level of the scalp gets balanced by the ricinoleic acid which is the main ingredient of the oil.
• Treats scalp infection: an infection in the scalp can lead to hair problems like dandruff, and bald patches. These issues can be treated by using castor oil due to the presence of antibacterial and antifungal properties.
• Premature graying of hair: one of the most popular treatments for preventing the premature graying of hair is making use of castor oil. Through this oil, necessary aid is provided to hair so that it can retain its pigment
• Stretch marks prevention: the castor oil helps in preventing the formation of stretch marks during pregnancy. The oil works in the form of a humectant and helps in maintaining the elasticity and moisture of the skin. The presence of fatty acids in the oil stimulates the functioning of the skin to regenerate the tissues thereby enhancing the texture and strength of the skin.
• Cleansing: castor oil boasts of triglycerides which provide necessary assistance in eliminating the dirt from the skin and thereby cleansing it.
• Repairing of split ends: for the purpose of controlling the problem of split ends hair require proper and deep conditioning. The use of castor oil is a great choice to provide deep conditioning. Use of castor oil not only improves the overall health of the hair but also helps in restoring the necessary moisture.
• Sunburn: the anti-inflammatory and soothing qualities of castor oil prove to be very beneficial in treating sunburn. Blisters associated with sunburn will not be formed after the topical application of the oil due to the presence of ricinoleic acid. Additionally, the presence of fatty acids in the oil helps the skin in remaining hydrated.
• Uneven skin tone: castor oil proves to be very beneficial in restoring the skin tone as the presence of fatty acids in the oil stimulates the growth of healthy skin tissue.

The other benefits of using castor oil are given below

1. Disinfects the wound: if a person gets any cuts or scrapes applying castor oil can be very beneficial as it boasts of antimicrobial properties thus making it very effective in not only disinfecting but also treating the wound.
2. Ringworm: the problem of ringworm is very common and it covers the people of nearly all the ages. The presence of undecylenic acid in the castor oil provides necessary assistance in the treatment of ringworms
3. Joint paint: for people suffering from the problem of arthritis massaging the joints with castor oil proves to be highly beneficial as it has anti-inflammatory properties which provide relief from the pain and inflammation in the joints
4. Constipation: for people suffering from the problem of chronic constipation oral consumption of castor oil can provide immediate relief from the problem. The presence of ricinoleic acid makes it a natural laxative.
5. Back pain: in people suffering from the problem of back pain massaging castor oil can provide a soothing effect on the pain due to the anti-inflammatory property of the oil.
6. Immunity booster: topical application of castor oil on the skin boosts the immunity of an individual. It may be hard to believe but it is true. Use of castor oil enhances the number of T-11 cells which stimulate the defense mechanism of the body.
7. Mouth sores: the presence of antibacterial properties in the oil help in treating the problem of mouth sores.
8. Itching relief: if a bite from a bug is making one go crazy with the itch then a topical application of a single drop of castor oil on the affected area provides necessary relief from the itch.
9. Acne: for people suffering from the problem of acne castor oil can prove to be a blessing. The presence of ricinoleic acid restricts the growth of the bacteria causing acne.
10. Fights fungus: topical application of castor oil proves to be very advantageous in fungal infections as it has strong anti-fungal properties which help in treating the fungal infection.

Making use of castor oil either topically or orally is a very effective and inexpensive way of improving health. Castor oil provides great benefits to skin and hair. Castor oil is still recommended as a laxative by various doctors. Although, the castor oil has several benefits but must only be used in recommended doses. An overdose of the oil either topically or orally can lead to several health hazards.