Castor Oil Benefits For Your Health And Skin

Healthy hair and castor oil are interconnected. The compounds of this oil like ricinoleic acid and other fatty acids can help your hair shine.

When used as a massage oil, castor oil improves blood flow in the scalp region. The increased blood flow supplies enough nutrients to the hair follicles hence nourishing them. This benefit is universal to any massage oil, but its unique compounds make the result different.

A range of advantages is offered by castor oil for those looking to achieve stronger, longer, and healthier hair including:

• Stimulates Blood Circulation
• Strengthens Hair Roots
• Ricinoleic Acid present in the oil boosts Scalp Health
• Moisturizes and Conditions
• Promotes Thicker Hair
• Reduces Hair Thinning and Baldness
• Prevents Premature Graying

Regular applications have been shown to help combat hair loss, reduce split ends, and improve overall hair texture.

Castor oil has a thick consistency. This makes it an emollient, meaning it can lock in the moisture of the skin. This property can be beneficial for rough and dry skin types. For individuals who constantly face flakiness and rough patches, castor oil can do wonders.

The moisture-locking property of castor oil can be a proper solution for areas more prone to dryness including elbows, knees and heels. In such areas, regular application of castor oil is recommended. Flaky skin, rough patches and uneven skin tone, all can be healed with this nature's formula.

The anti-inflammatory compounds present in the castor oil help to calm our immune system whenever it over-reacting. So when applied topically, the oil can help with conditions like sunburn, acne, and dermatitis.

For best results, consider applying a warm compress with castor oil to the affected area. This is particularly beneficial for larger areas of inflammation. The fatty acid called ricinoleic acid present in castor oil has both anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing properties. Different research done in animals also supports the fact that ricinoleic acid may be the specific compound that helps in fighting swelling and pain caused by inflammation.

Related: 13 Best Anti-Inflammatory Teas

Castor oil is a popular laxative. The compounds present in the oil help stimulate the muscles in the intestine, supporting optimum bowel movements. The rate of movement of stool in the intestine is also enhanced. So for anyone facing constipation and indigestion, castor oil can be the medicine you've been looking for.

One of the advantages of castor oil as a laxative is its quick mode of action. After ingestion, it will not even take an hour to show its laxative effect. Saying that excessive consumption of castor oil is not good as well. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and abdominal cramping have been observed in individuals overconsuming it. The appropriate amount can be determined by taking help from healthcare professionals.

Castor oil brings good news with it, and this time it is for people who face joint pain on a daily basis. Just massage your joints with castor oil on a regular basis, and dyang, all your pain can subside.

The mode of action is not any different here. Castor oil just makes sure the blood flow is proper in the affected area, reducing swelling and pain on regular application.

Castor oil is also considered a natural analgesic. Meaning, it takes all the pain away. In case of joint pain, castor oil can numb the nerve endings there, hence providing a sense of comfort.

Castor oil is also a protective shield against fungal infections. The unique compounds that possess anti-fungal properties and help the skin to maintain its natural pH, make it a potent anti-fungal agent.

A degradation in the balanced pH level of the skin is related to the increased chances of fungal attack. By preventing this, our skin is made inhospitable to fungi. So, whenever you are applying castor oil to the skin, you are also making sure you are creating a less conducive environment for fungal growth.

This oil has gained popularity as a natural solution for people wanting longer and thicker eyelashes and eyebrows. When a small amount of castor oil is applied regularly, it helps to attain healthy and fuller growth. This is possible as the oil nourishes the hair follicles in these areas.

The proteins in the oil have a remarkable role to play here. They provide strength and resilience to individual hair strands. All the hair strands hence stand strong, tall and thick. This prevents losses due to premature shedding. 

The regenerative properties of castor oil are also highly praised. Known to promote collagen formation, a type of tissue that ensures the elasticity of the skin, castor oil helps upscale the scar healing process.

The appearance of scars and stretch marks can hence be made less worrisome by the application of castor oil. For this, you have to use this oil to gently massage the target area regularly.

Proper hydration is also required to reduce the scars. The emollient property we mentioned earlier has a supporting role here. By locking in the moisture, castor oil makes sure the natural healing process races up.

Easing the muscle contraction process is what period cramps go away. This is what exactly castor oil does. The contraction of uterine muscles is brought to ease by castor oil, hence reducing the period pain.\

To get this exact benefit, you have to massage your abdominal oil with warm castor oil. The warmer the oil is, the more efficiently the oil penetrates. The improved blood flow after the application makes everything easier.

You can also apply a warm oil pack to the lower abdomen. Just soak a cloth in warm oil and place it on the lower abdomen for a soothing effect. The heat, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, all have a role to play in here to make the uterine muscle relax.

We talked about the moisturizing properties, but it would be surprising for you to know that castor oil can help prevent skin ulcers. People with conditions like diabetes are more prone to this kind of ulcer, for them, castor oil can be a natural remedy for prevention.

The increased blood circulation to the prone areas helps prevent any kind of tissue damage. The antimicrobial property of the oil also has a marvelous job to do here. Infection caused by various bacteria and fungi is hence prevented, which otherwise can make the condition even worse. Hence, castor oil forms a protective barrier and a clean environment putting skin ulcers at bay!

Acne is a condition where your skin pores get blocked. They appear mainly due to bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes. And as we know by now, castor oil has potent antimicrobial properties, application of castor oil means farewell to acne.

Acne can also develop due to the excess sebum production. If the skin is dehydrated, the skin may produce more sebum to compensate for the situation. Castor oil can also help cope with this condition as it's totally moisturizing.

Contrary to the popular belief that oils can worsen acne, castor oil has only benefits. Moreover, it has a low comedogenic rating, meaning there is less chance for it to clog the skin pores.

Related: Acne And Tea: 15 Natural Remedies For Clearer Skin

Dandruff is closely related to dry scalp. Being an excellent emollient, castor oil takes away the dryness and replaces it with moisture on the head region.

Also, dandruff is triggered by the growth of yeast-like fungus called Malassezia. The antimicrobial properties of castor oil save us here. The scalp flora hence is established ensuring dandruff is treated.

When massaged into the scalp, it removes all the dead skin cells and prevents their accumulation which can also give rise to dandruff.

Castor oil has had a significant use in inducing labor since traditional times. The hormone responsible for the effective uterine muscle contraction during labor is prostaglandin. And guess what, ricinoleic acid in castor oil promotes the secretion of prostaglandin.

When ingested, castor oil regulates bowel movements which in turn increases the level of prostaglandins. This hormone can initiate and smoothly conduct the uterine muscles' contractions throughout the labor. As a result, the labor pain is reduced.

Basking in the warmth of the sun is a fun thing to do, but the aftereffects may not be that great! The sunburns that come after enjoying the sunshine do need some remedy, and one effective one can be castor oil.

The anti-inflammatory properties make sure the burning reactions on the skin are adequate. The oxidative stress on the skin cells can also accelerate due to sunburn.

This can result in different skin conditions like premature aging which is prevented by castor oil. Not only does the castor oil have long-term benefits but when castor oil is applied to the affected area, it can provide a cooling sensation that can provide immediate relief.

Minor cut, abrasions or bruises have their own healing time. When castor oil is applied to the affected area, it may support the healing process. By reducing swelling and controlling unnecessary inflammatory reactions, the compounds present in the oil make sure that you don't have to suffer more.

The antimicrobial properties of the oil also aid the process. Further contamination of the affected area by bacteria and fungi is prevented, thus preventing any complications. Thus, castor oil also serves as a protective barrier.

The protein collagen, an important constituent of skin is also required for proper healing. Castor oil also favors wound healing by stimulating collagen production.