17 Incredible Benefits of Castor Oil For Skin, Hair and Health.
When I was a child, my grandmother often spoke to me about castor oil.
For her, castor oil was THE remedy par excellence, a remedy to relieve all types of ailments and health problems.
Before listing its magical benefits, it would be good to introduce castor oil.
Our ancestors knew it by another name: "beaver oil".
Castor oil is a vegetable oil obtained by cold extraction of the seeds of the castor bean, a plant native to tropical Africa but which is cultivated today in many countries around the world (China, Brazil, India, etc.).
Its powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties have been known and used for centuries, which explains its continued success around the world.
Nowadays many industries take advantage of the therapeutic and cosmetic benefits of castor oil.
Castor oil is thus one of the main ingredients of many cosmetic products (soaps and massage oils), textiles and even medicines.
The benefits of castor oil
Castor oil is one of the few natural remedies whose uses apply to several very common ailments and health problems.
Here are the 17 amazing uses and benefits of castor oil in our daily life:
Benefits of castor oil for the skin
1. Effectively treats skin problems
When it comes to skin problems (sunburn, acne, dry skin and stretch marks), castor oil is a real blessing.
It can prevent you from many types of infections, such as warts, boils, yeast infection and chronic itching.
To treat sunburns, warts, candidiasis, or acne, simply follow these steps:
- Use a cotton ball soaked in castor oil.
- Apply the oil directly to the affected areas of your skin.
- Leave on for 1 hour.
- After 1 hour, rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Note: for faster treatment, use this treatment morning and night.
For small affected areas, apply a plaster soaked in castor oil. Then cover this adhesive tape with another clean, dry adhesive tape.
For large affected areas, use a clean piece of cloth soaked in castor oil. Apply the piece of tissue to the affected area for 1 hour. Rinse thoroughly.
2. Eliminate ringworm
Castor oil is an effective remedy against ringworm, a mild but persistent disease of the scalp caused by yeast infection that affects all age groups.
How to explain it? One of the active ingredients in castor oil isacid undecylenic, a powerful fungicide that kills fungi and works particularly well on ringworm.
Here are the steps to remove ringworm with castor oil:
- Dilute two teaspoons of castor oil in 4 teaspoons of sweet almond oil.
Note: You can also macerate castor leaves in sweet almond oil for several hours. Then heat the oil over low heat.
- Apply this mixture with a cotton swab on the affected areas of the scalp.
- For best results, leave on overnight. Continue this treatment until the ringworm disappears completely.
3. Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Used in direct application to the skin, castor oil penetrates the epidermis deeply. The oil stimulates the production of collagen and D'elastin, which softens and hydrates your skin.
Therefore, daily castor oil care delays the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and makes your skin smoother and more supple. Castor oil can even help reduce crow's feet, those little fine lines around the eyes.
For best results, apply a drop of castor oil to your previously washed face daily for 2 weeks. For the rest of your body, you can also apply castor oil every night before going to bed.
To discover : Here are 7 Effective Wrinkle Tips You Don't Know About.
4. Treats and eliminates acne
Castor oil has a high content of ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that has the particularity of eliminating acne-generating bacteria.
In addition, ricinoleic acid penetrates the skin deeply, making it an ideal natural remedy for treating and eliminating acne.
Here's how to use castor oil to treat acne:
- Wash your face with hot water, in order to dilate the pores of your skin.
- Then, make circular movements with the tips of your fingers to make the castor oil penetrate well into your skin.
- Leave on overnight.
- The next morning, rinse your face with cold water.
To discover : 11 Natural Recipes Dreadfully Effective Against Acne.
5. Deeply hydrate your skin
Castor oil is a great moisturizer. Thanks to its high fatty acid content, this oil easily penetrates the skin.
This promotes optimal hydration of the epidermis, including for particularly dry areas. A small amount of castor oil is sufficient for this type of treatment.
So, if you are looking for an inexpensive, highly effective and 100% natural moisturizer, look no further!
Here is a little advice for use:
- Apply a few drops of castor oil on your face.
- Massage your skin well every night.
If you follow our tips, your skin will be smooth, supple and revitalized - every morning!
6. Reduces scars
One of the most common uses of castor oil is for scar reduction. Admittedly, this process only gives results after several weeks: very regular applications of castor oil are necessary.
But, believe us, the game is worth the candle: the aesthetic benefit is very real in the end.
And once the result is obtained, it is a 100% natural solution with permanent effects. And once again, this property of castor oil which reduces scars is based on its richness in fatty acids.
These deeply penetrate the fragile skin of scars, to give them more volume and stimulate the regeneration of healthy tissues.
Patiently, castor oil works to remove your scars and strengthen your skin.
7. Reduces stretch marks
Castor oil is the perfect remedy to reduce stretch marks. In addition, the processing is extremely simple.
Just massage castor oil directly on your stomach and thigh stretch marks, regardless of their origins (pregnancy / significant weight gain / loss).
For optimal results on your stretch marks, massage with castor oil regularly.
To discover : The Ideal and Natural Remedy against Stretch Marks.
8. Disinfects sores effectively
Castor oil is a great disinfectant that you can use on small, open wounds that are not serious.
When you have daredevils, it can help!
It has indeed powerful antimicrobial properties. You can therefore use it to treat skin infections of fungal origin (ringworm, as seen above), but also small cuts and scrapes.
Castor oil also relieves itching and eases pain.
In conclusion, the antimicrobial properties make castor oil a decidedly essential product in your first aid kit, it is a 100% natural remedy for everyday ailments.
To discover : The First Aid Kit Based On 12 Medicinal Plants.
9. Reduces age spots
Several studies indicate that castor oil can help reduce skin pigmentation.
More and more dermatologists are therefore recommending the use of castor oil to treat pigmentary disorders (age spots, freckles, discoloration and other "skin imperfections").
Castor oil is packed with fatty acids, including omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are sort of “the magic ingredient” that helps reduce skin pigmentation.
How? 'Or' What ? They penetrate weakened areas of the skin and “drain” the pigments. Omega-3 fatty acids hydrate the skin while stimulating the growth of healthy tissue.
The result ? Supple skin with reduced "imperfections" (redness, age spots or scars).
Benefits of castor oil for hair
10. Promotes hair growth
Castor oil is by far the best natural remedy for stimulating hair growth.
To give your hair more thickness, apply the oil directly to the scalp and massage with your fingertips.
You can also mix it with coconut oil or sweet almond oil.
Castor oil increases blood circulation to the scalp follicles, which in turn accelerates hair growth.
It also contains a lot of essential fatty acids, called omega-6 fatty acids, which play an important role in the health and strength of your hair.
For best results, apply castor oil to your scalp and leave it on overnight. To help the oil penetrate your scalp well, cover your hair with a towel or shower cap.
The next day, rinse your hair well. This treatment will also reduce split ends in your hair and prevent it from breaking.
When you wake up, your hair will be revitalized, thicker and perfectly hydrated.
To discover : 10 Natural Masks To Repair Your Hair.
11. Thickens eyebrows
As you just read, the use of castor oil promotes hair growth.
Therefore, you can also use it to thicken your eyebrows and eyelashes - and quickly.
The special chemical composition of castor oil will also prevent your eyelashes and eyebrows from breaking.
Here's how to do it:
- Rub your eyelashes and eyebrows with castor oil, before going to bed.
- For best results, repeat this treatment every evening.
Alternative method:
- You can also massage each eyebrow with castor oil, for 2 min.
- Leave on for about 30 minutes.
- Clean your eyebrows with lukewarm water, then with a mild cleanser.
- For best results, repeat this treatment daily.
To discover : The trick to having long and thick eyelashes naturally.
12. Gives character and shine to your hair color
Castor oil is a great way to naturally darken your hair color.
It is its high nutrient content that then allows your hair to retain moisture better. As a result, your hair appears darker and shinier.
Here's how to do it:
- Prepare a small amount of castor oil (about the size of a pea).
- Mix the oil with your leave-in conditioner or styling mousse.
- Each time you use, apply the mixture evenly, so as to distribute it evenly over your hair.
The high content of Vitamin E Castor oil can also help heal dry, brittle nails and damaged cuticles. Try massaging a small amount of castor oil on your cuticles for 2-3 months: the results are amazing.
To discover : 3 Miracle Remedies To Repair Your Split Ends.
Health Benefits of Castor Oil
13. Effectively treats constipation
Castor oil is a powerful laxative that can help you treat constipation quickly and naturally.
For best results, swallow 1 teaspoon of castor oil diluted in a glass of water, once a day, for three days.
To discover : The 11 Natural Remedies You Should Know For Constipation.
14. Relieves osteoarthritis and joint pain
Castor oil is an excellent remedy for osteoarthritis. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal for relieving joint pain, inflammation of the nerves and muscle pain.
Follow these steps to relieve your joint pain with castor oil:
- Prepare a piece of cotton flannel or a piece of soft cotton fabric, then fold it in 4.
- Dip the fabric in castor oil.
- Squeeze the fabric well to extract excess oil and apply it to the painful joint - being careful to wrap it with stretch wrap.
- Apply a heat source to the joint - you can use a hot water bottle or a hot / cold bag. Thanks to the stretch film, the oil will not dirty your hot water bottle.
- Leave on for 1 hour.
Note: Do not throw away your oil soaked cloth, as it is reusable. You can keep it in the refrigerator, in a freezer bag.
For best results, follow this treatment twice a week. To relieve the lingering pain of rheumatoid arthritis, you can drink 2 teaspoons of castor oil, diluted in water. Castor oil compresses can actually relieve joint and muscle pain.
To discover : 6 Remedies to Relieve Osteoarthritis and Any Inflammatory Pain.
15. Stimulates the liver and lymphatic system
Castor oil can also relieve pain in the liver. Indeed, castor oil-based treatments drain excess fluid from the liver and lymphatic system.
For this treatment, follow the same steps as described above, with one difference - you just need to use a piece of cloth large enough to cover your tummy.
Apply the castor oil compress to your stomach, cover it with stretch wrap and finally with an old towel.
For best results, put a pillow under your knees and lie on your back, for at least 1 hour.
16. Strengthens the immune system
Many physicians and naturopathic practitioners use castor oil to increase the rate of white blood cells and strengthen the immune system.
Castor oil dramatically increases the number of lymphocytes in the blood (T and B cells) in less than 24 hours.
A castor oil treatment stimulates your body's defense mechanisms, which "ultimately" strengthens your immune system.
To discover : 11 Foods To Strengthen Your Immune System and Improve Your Health.
17. And more benefits of castor oil ...
The benefits of castor oil are numerous.
Besides the remedies described above, you can also use castor oil to treat:
- gastrointestinal disorders
- period pain
- migraines
Although it has no side effects, consult your doctor anyway before ingesting castor oil (to treat constipation, for example), in order to avoid any complications.
Also, be sure to read the instructions on the bottle carefully, especially the instructions for ingesting castor oil.
How to use castor oil safely?
As you just read, castor oil has many benefits for the skin. However, when it comes to facials, it is advisable to use it sparingly.
In fact, excessive use of this concentrated product can clog the pores and cause irritation or rashes.Therefore, be careful not to use large amounts of castor oil on your facial skin.
Warning : Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and people with intestinal obstruction or appendicitis should not consume castor oil without first consulting their doctor.
Nutritional value of castor oil
Thanks to its high content of unsaturated fatty acids, in Vitamin E, in protein and in minerals, castor oil is highly beneficial to the body.
Here is a detailed table of the nutritional values of castor oil:
Average composition of castor oil in fatty acids:
Ricinoleic acid: 85 to 95%
Oleic acid: 2 to 6%
Linoleic acid: 1 to 5%
Stearic acid: 0.5 to 1%
Palmitic acid: 0.5 to 1%
Dihydroxystearic acid: 0.3 - 0.5%
Other fatty acids: 0.2 to 0.5%
Castor oil is generally recognized to be safe and effective. However, few studies have been conducted to define the exact mechanisms of castor oil benefits. Researchers are divided on how it works.
Precautions to take
Before resorting to natural remedies, take this little basic skin allergy test. Apply a few drops of castor oil to your arm before going to bed. If this causes itching, rash, or redness, then castor oil is not suitable for you and you might want to use another natural remedy.
To discover : 63 Essential Medicinal Plants For Healing.
Ingestion of undiluted castor oil can have negative effects (it is not recommended by doctors). The best way to administer castor oil orally is to dilute 1 to 2 teaspoons in a glass of water.
Where can you find castor oil?
Castor oil is easily found in organic stores or herbalists.
To buy it now, we recommend this castor oil, cold pressed and certified 100% organic.
There you go, now you know the benefits of castor oil :-)
Did you already know this little-known product? Share your uses for castor oil with us in the comments. We can't wait to hear from you :-)
Do you like this trick ? Share it with your friends on Facebook.
Also to discover:
11 Natural Alternatives To The Antibiotics Our Ancestors Used.
The First Aid Kit Based On 12 Medicinal Plants.
