Castor oil is a multipurpose vegetable oil that people have used for thousands of years. It is made by extracting oil from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant.

 

These seeds, which are known as castor beans, contain a toxic enzyme called ricin. However, the heating process that castor oil undergoes during production deactivates the ricin, allowing the oil to be used safely.

 

Castor oil has a number of medicinal, industrial, and pharmaceutical uses. It is commonly used as an additive in foods, medications, and skin care products, as well as an industrial lubricant and biodiesel fuel component.

 

In ancient Egypt, people burned castor oil as fuel in lamps, used it as a natural remedy to treat ailments like eye irritation, and even took it to stimulate labor in pregnancy.

 

Here are some potential benefits and uses of castor oil. We also cover its use as a hair treatment and precautions to consider.

 

Perhaps one of the best-known medicinal uses for castor oil is as a natural laxative.

 

It is classified as a stimulative laxative, meaning that it increases the movement of the muscles that push material through the intestines, helping clear the bowels. Castor oil is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a stimulative laxative.

 

Stimulative laxatives act rapidly and are commonly used to relieve temporary constipation or to clean out the bowel before medical procedures.

 

Here is generally how it works: When you consume castor oil by mouth, it is broken down in the small intestine, releasing ricinoleic acid, the main fatty acid in castor oil. The ricinoleic acid is then absorbed by the intestine, stimulating a strong laxative effect.

 

Several studies have shown that castor oil can relieve constipation.

 

For example, a 2011 study found that when older adults took castor oil, they experienced decreased symptoms of constipation, including less straining during bowel movements and lower reported feelings of incomplete bowel movements.

 

Whats more, another study demonstrated that castor oil was effective at cleansing peoples bowels before they underwent a noninvasive type of colonoscopy called a colon capsule endoscopy .

 

While castor oil is considered safe in small doses, larger amounts can cause abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea .

 

Although it can be used to relieve occasional constipation, castor oil is not recommended as a treatment for long-term health concerns.

 

Also, make sure to speak with a healthcare professional to get their recommendation before using castor oil to treat constipation. Misusing castor oil can lead to dangerous side effects, like electrolyte and acid-base imbalances, which could be life threatening.

 

Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid. These types of fats can be used to moisturize the skin. They act as occlusive moisturizers, which prevent or reduce water loss through the outer layer of the skin.

 

Castor oil is used in cosmetics to promote hydration. Manufacturers often add it to products like lotions, makeup, and cleansers.

 

You can also use this rich oil on its own as a natural alternative to store-bought moisturizers and lotions.

 

Many popular moisturizing products found in stores contain potentially harmful ingredients like preservatives, perfumes, and dyes, which may irritate the skin and harm overall health.

 

Swapping out these products for castor oil can help reduce your exposure to these additives. Plus, castor oil is inexpensive and you can use it on both your face and body.

 

Castor oil is thick, so people often mix it with other skin-friendly oils — like almond, olive, and coconut oil — to make an ultra-hydrating moisturizer. Though applying castor oil to the skin is considered safe for most, it can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

 

Also, using pure castor oil may irritate some peoples skin, so it is best to dilute it with another oil, like jojoba or coconut oil. Try testing the combination on a small area of skin to see how your skin tolerates castor oil before applying it on larger areas.

 

Applying castor oil to wounds creates a moist environment that may help promote healing and prevent sores from drying out.

 

Venelex, a popular ointment used in clinical settings to treat wounds, contains a mixture of castor oil and Peru balsam, a balm derived from the Myroxylon balsamum tree.

 

Venelex is used as a wound dressing for chronic and acute wounds and skin ulcers, including:

 

It helps reduce odors, protect wounds, and create a moist environment to promote healing.

 

Additionally, ricinoleic acid, the main fatty acid found in castor oil, has anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing properties. It may help reduce skin inflammation, support healing, and aid in pain reduction in people with wounds.

 

Studies have found that ointments containing castor oil may be effective for treating a number of different wounds.

 

In a 2013 case study, treatment with a spray containing a combination of balsam of Peru, castor oil, and an enzyme called trypsin helped heal an abdominal surgical wound in an 81-year-old man who was unable to tolerate other forms of topical therapy.

 

Keep in mind that castor oil topical wound treatments contain a combination of ingredients, not just castor oil. You should not apply castor oil to any wound without checking with a healthcare professional first. 

 

Many people use castor oil as a natural hair treatment. This is because castor oil has moisturizing properties, which could help lubricate the hair shaft, increasing flexibility and decreasing the chance of breakage.

 

Even though some people regularly use castor oil as part of their hair care routine, there is currently no scientific evidence that castor oil helps promote hair health, stimulates hair growth, or reduces hair loss.

 

The same goes for using castor oil on your eyelashes. Some people use castor oil for eyelash growth, but no scientific research has shown this is actually effective.

 

Castor oil is also commonly used as a treatment for dandruff, a common scalp condition characterized by dry, flaky skin on the head. While some effective hair treatments for dandruff do contain castor oil as an ingredient, theres no evidence that castor oil on its own is effective for treating dandruff.

 

In fact, castor oil could lead to a condition called acute hair felting in people with long hair. This condition causes the hair to become twisted and tangled, resembling a hard birds nest.

 

One case study reported that after a 20-year-old woman with long hair used a combination of coconut oil and castor oil on her hair, it became severely matted immediately after washing. The study authors suggested that the thickness of the castor oil combined with the women very long hair led to sudden felting.

 

Typically, acute hair felting can not be treated and the hair must be cut off.

 

Even though this condition is rare, people with long hair should be cautious when using castor oil as a hair treatment.

 

healthlin.com