Castor oil to me brings back memories of Mary Poppins and the subsequent song “A Spoonful of Sugar” as anytime you see people on television or in classic films taking castor oil before bed, such as in the classic film Peter Pan, they all grimace from its bitter and unappetizing taste!
As such, the health benefits of castor oil are not quite so cute, but more medical or “industrial” so to speak. However, that does not mean that castor oil doesn’t have a place in your home! After all, it has been around for a long, long time for a reason; here are 8 of its KEY health benefits!
- Castor Oil can be used as natural laxative!
Castor oil has long been known for its purging effects, from both ends. This is due actually to a toxin called ricin. Castor oil itself is made from the plant Ricinus Communis, where the toxin receives its name of course.
If consumed in large quantities castor oil can be dangerous to you. However for our purposes, to help with constipation, and to clean out your bowels in a natural way, consume 1 to 2 Tablespoons and experience purging over the next two to five hours.
- Castor oil can be used for massage!
Since castor oil is considered a “warm oil” one that increases blood circulation and “heats up” in a way therefore it makes great massage oil! Perhaps you’re experiencing soreness from working out often, but now just take a little castor oil and give yourself a little massage!
Furthermore, castor oil is a great vessel for other essential oils, such as relaxing lavender or energizing orange peel and ginger! Add for more healing and the feel you want to go for with your massage!
- Castor oil fights fungal infections!
The anti-fungal and anti-septic properties of castor oil are another of the main reasons people have kept castor oil around for so long! The undyclenic acid that is in castor oil is what is truly fungal fighting! Thus, it can be used to treat common fungal diseases like ringworm, athlete’s foot and tinea cruris (*ahem* crotch itch).
- Use on pets to help heal minor wounds!
Did I mention that castor oil has anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties? Well those properties don’t just stop with humankind! Animals also tend to lick their wounds and any medication you may have put on off, therefore the bad taste may prevent them from doing so. If they do anyway, the only side-effect might be loose stool, like with humans!
- Spot treatment for skin abnormalities!
With a cotton swab, apply to any difficult acne, warts, or skin tags that you have been experiencing. With persistence the anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties can get those under control!
- Moisturize skin!
Castor oil is highly viscose and a bit unwieldy, but if you rub some on your hands and then on the areas of your skin that are dry they will stay moist for quite a while as the oil will sit on top of the skin. It’s a humectant, which means it locks in moisture!
- Keep your hair with castor oil!
The Ricin and Ricinoleic acid with their anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, two of the main contributing factors to hair loss, in castor oil can help you keep your hair for longer! Simply apply to your hair and let sit for a while before washing it out! The thick fatty acids in castor oil that make it so viscous will also help to moisturize your scalp!
- As a mechanical lubricant!
Castor oil is always oily in high or low temperatures, and castor oil does not react to rubber so it can be used on moving parts with rubber seals and not have an effect on them! This way you aren’t working with unnatural mechanical oils which exude dangerous fumes that you’d be inhaling the entire time you worked!
I hope you learned a little more about this fascinating substance, and how you might apply it to your advantage!
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