Castor oil is a vegetable oil derived from the castor plant Ricinus communis, an herb native to Africa and India. Castor oil is produced by pressing ripe seeds that have had their outer covering (hull) removed. The hull contains a deadly poison called ricin. The oil or seed does not contain any ricin. Castor oil has been used as medicine for centuries. Castor oil acts as a stimulant to the bowels, which irritates the uterus and causes contractions.
Castor oil is used as a laxative for constipation, to start labor in pregnancy, and to start the flow of breast milk.
It may also be used to clean out the intestines before a bowel examination/surgery. Castor oil is known as a stimulant laxative. It works by increasing the movement of the intestines, helping the stool to come out.
Some people apply castor seed paste to the skin as a poultice for inflammatory skin disorders, boils, carbuncles, pockets of infection (abscesses), inflammation of the middle ear, and migraineheadaches.
Castor oil is used topically to soften skin, bunions and corns; and to dissolve cysts, growths, and warts. It is also applied to the skin for osteoarthritis. Castor oil is used in the eyes to soothe membranes irritated by dust or other materials.
Castor oil is an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant oil which has been used for centuries for its therapeutic and medicinal benefits. It is believed that most of castor oil's benefits are derived from its high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids. Although it has a strong and rather unpleasant taste, castor oil is used in cosmetics, soaps, textiles, medicines, massage oils and many other everyday products.
Castor oil is rich in a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid which is effective in killing microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi that causes infection on the face. Aside from eliminating harmful bacteria, the oil is also a natural emollient that can effectively trap moisture within the skin, reduce dehydration of the epidermis and keep the skin looking fresh and glowing. Finally, the oil is also rich in antioxidants that help prevent premature skin aging.
This oil from castor bean seeds is applied to many health problems that you often encounter on a daily basis, such as:
Constipation – As an alternative remedy, castor oil is a very effective laxative. It provides temporary relief to diarrhea and constipation.
Ringworm – Undecylenic acid, which is one of the active compounds of castor oil, helps fight ringworm, a fungal infection.
Skin Problems – Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, which delivers anti-inflammatory benefits to the skin. It provides treatment for minor cuts, burns, abrasions, sunburn and prevents skin disorders such as acne and eczema. Aside from these, one of the benefits of castor oil is in skin conditioning. It serves as a natural emollient, which stimulates the production of collagen and elastin that hydrates and moisturizes the skin. It treats wrinkles, repairing and rejuvenating the skin to make it look flawless and smoother. When applied regularly, castor oil also helps diminish dark circles under your eyes.
Aside from these, natural castor oil also treats yeast infections, gastrointestinal problems, migraines, menstrual disorder, and athlete's foot.
Castor oil is also a remedy for other health conditions, which include:
Labor Induction – Castor oil is used to induce labor in pregnant women. Note to seek consultation with your doctor first before ingesting the oil as it may bring potential side effects to the mother and to the baby.
Sciatic Nerve Pain – The oil relieves sciatia, a painful condition characterized by lower back pains and soreness in your lower limbs.
Hair Loss – One of the therapeutic benefits of castor oil is in hair growth treatment. Castor oil helps increase hair growth and makes hair healthier, softer, shinier and fuller.
Arthritis – Castor oil acts as a natural remedy for arthritis. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it helps massage arthritic joints and sore, tired muscles.
Lymph Problems – Another medical benefit of the oil is in lymph treatment. Castor oil stimulates the activity of the lymph system, which is responsible for eliminating the body's metabolic wastes.
Tumors – By placing a castor oil pack (a piece of flannel soaked in castor oil) over a tumor, it can help reduce the appearance of tumors in your body.
In addition, castor oil is also believed to deliver medical benefits to certain neurological problems, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy.
With the many health benefits of castor oil, it is no wonder why it is one of the most beneficial oils that are available for us to use. Castor oil is truly a valuable, organic remedy that can help improve your body's physical fitness, vigor and overall wellness.
The anti-inflammatory properties of Castor Oil make it an excellent massage oil for relieving arthritic joints, nerve inflammations, and sore muscles.
Make a small pad by folding a small piece of unbleached cotton flannelette into 3 or 4 layers.
Dip the cotton pad into Castor Oil and place it on to the affected joint or muscle.
Cover the pad with a plastic wrap.
Place a hot water bottle or heating pad over the plastic wrapped cotton pad. The plastic wrap will prevent the water bottle or heating pad from getting oily.
Leave the cotton pad on for 45 minutes to an hour, once per day.
This Castor Oil pack can be reused. Simply place it into a plastic ziplock bag and refrigerate it until it is ready to be used again. It can be refrigerated in a ziplock bag.
Studies have shown that Castor Oil is a very strong laxative, which makes it very effective against constipation. Therefore, simply take a teaspoon of castor oil in the morning. You can mix the oil with orange juice, cranberry juice, prune juice, or ginger juice to take away from the bitter taste without affecting the laxative effects. However, do not take it continuously for more than 3 days. If symptoms persist for longer than 3 days, consult your physician immediately.
Ringworm is known to be a stubborn condition to treat, but one of the active compounds of Castor Oil (Undecylenic Acid) has been found to be very effective at treating this fungal infection.
Spray Castor leaves with some hot water and coarsely crush the leaves.
Soak the leaves in pure coconut oil.
Warm the leaves to a temperature that will not burn the skin, and apply the leaves over the affected area as a poultice.
Leave on the skin for at least one hour, or optionally overnight.
You may wrap the leaves with unbleached cotton fabric to prevent the oil from staining your bed sheets.
Repeat the procedure every night before going to bed until cured. However, if you notice any redness or discomfort around the area, discontinue this remedy.
Successful studies have approved the use of Castor Oil for skin infections and other skin problems such as sunburn, abrasions, acne, dry skin, boils, warts, stretch marks, liver/age spots, athletes foot and chronic itching and inflamed skin.
Dip a cotton ball into Castor oil and apply it onto the affected skin in the morning and at night.
Alternatively, for larger skin areas, soak an appropriately large piece of unbleached cotton cloth in Castor Oil and wrap the affected area overnight.
If the area is very small, soak a Band-Aid in Castor Oil and cover the infected skin overnight.
For stubborn fungal infections that affect the skin or nails, it is recommended to soak the affected skin in Epsom Salt for 10-15 minutes to soften and disinfect the skin before applying Castor Oil. This can help speed up the healing process.
The anti-bacterial components of castor oil have been found to be effective against styes (oil gland infections on the eyelid). Simply apply a very small drop of the oil directly onto the stye 2 or 3 times per day.
Castor oil is a natural emollient that penetrates the skin and helps stimulate the production of collagen and elastin which can soften and hydrate the skin. Therefore, it is a wonderful natural treatment for wrinkles since it restores and rejuvenates skin's natural youthful appearance by making skin smoother, softer and pliant. Dip a small cotton ball into the oil and apply it on wrinkled skin before going to bed. Use only a small amount of oil when applying it to the skin near the eyes.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor. If you are self-treating, follow all directions on the product package. If you are uncertain about any of the information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication on an empty stomach. Measure the dose carefully using a special measuring device/cup. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. You may take this medication with juice to improve the taste.
Dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or take this drug more often than directed. Do not take this medication for more than 7 days unless directed by your doctor. Serious side effects may occur with overuse of this medication (see also Side Effects section).
It may take 6 to 12 hours before this medication causes a bowel movement. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens, or if bleeding from the rectum occurs. If you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.
Castor oil seems to be safe for most people when used short-term. However, side effects can include abdominal pain or cramping, stomach discomfort, cramping, colic, nausea, and faintness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Castor oil might also cause fluid, potassium and electrolyte loss from the body, especially when used for more than a week or in doses of more than 15-60 mL per day.
Stomach/abdominal pain or cramping, nausea, diarrhea, or weakness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: persistent nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, muscle cramps/weakness, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, decreased urination, mental/mood changes (such as confusion).
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Castor oil seems to be safe for most people when used short-term. There are no known safety issues for external use. However, do not use for internal purposes with intestinal obstruction. Do not use internally for more than 10 days consecutively.
Castor oil is classified by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as generally recognized as safe and effective for use as a stimulant laxative.
Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should not use castor oil, nor should people with intestinal blockage, acute inflammatory intestinal disease, appendicitis, or abdominal pain. Medicines that are dissolved in or based on castor oil compounds can cause allergic reactions.
Although castor oil might be safe when used for starting labor in pregnant women at term, it should not be used without the supervision of a healthcare professional. It is UNSAFE to use in pregnant women who are not at term since it might bring on labor too early.
Castor beans are extremely poisonous and can kill people or animals if chewed or swallowed. Also, handling the seeds can lead to allergic reactions.
The whole seed is UNSAFE to take by mouth. The outer coating (hull) of the castor seed contains a deadly poison called ricin. This outer coating can cause nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; abdominal pain; dehydration; shock; blood cell destruction; severe fluid and chemical disturbances; liver, kidney, and pancreas damage; and death. Chewing as few as 1-6 whole seeds can kill an adult. If the seed is swallowed whole, poisoning is less likely; however, prompt medical attention is still an absolute necessity.
If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or call 911 immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe stomach/abdominal pain or cramping, persistent nausea/vomiting/diarrhea.
Children: Castor oil might be safe when taken by mouth in appropriate doses short-term. But taking castor oil for more than one week or taking more than the typical children's dose of 1-15 mL per day, depending on age, can cause a chemical imbalance in the body. Of course, all the warnings against chewing or swallowing whole seeds apply to children as well as adults.
Pregnancy: Using castor oil in pregnant women at term (ready to deliver) seems to be safe. Midwives routinely use castor oil for starting labor in pregnant women who are ready to deliver. However, castor oil should not be used for this purpose without the supervision of a healthcare provider. Pregnant women who are not at term should not use castor oil because it might start labor early and cause a miscarriage. Do not chew or swallow whole seeds. Serious health effects, including death, can occur.
Breast-feeding: Not enough research has been done to know whether a mother's use of castor oil is safe for nursing infants. Consult your doctor before using castor oil while breast-feeding.
Intestinal problems: Don't use castor oil if you have a blocked intestine, unexplained stomach pain, or problems with your bile ducts or gall bladder.
Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with CASTOR OIL
Castor oil is a laxative.
Some laxatives can decrease potassium in the body. "Water pills"
can also decrease potassium in the body. Taking castor oil along with
"water pills" might decrease potassium in the body too
much.
Some "water pills" that can decrease potassium
include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone),
furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDIURIL,
Microzide), and others.
The following doses have
been studied in scientific research:
BY MOUTH:
For constipation: 15 mL of castor oil is commonly used.
For cleaning the bowel before surgery or examining the colon (colonoscopy): The dose for adults and children over 12 is 15-60 mL of castor oil given 16 hours before the procedure. For children age 2-11 years, 5-15 mL is typically used. In children younger than 2 years, 1-5 mL is commonly used.
For starting childbirth: A variety of dosage schedules have been used. Single doses vary from 5-120 mL of castor oil. A one-time dose of 60 mL in fruit juice is commonly used. Other dosing schedules that have been used include 5 mL in peppermint tea every 2 hours, 15 mL three times daily, 30 mL every 2 hours, 30 mL every 6 hours, 30 mL every 3 hours for 3 doses, 60 ml daily, and 60 mL daily for 2 days.
The following reviews have been selected:
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17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars DRY SKIN RELIEF!!!, January 2, 2008
By
T.P. (Denver, CO)
What the MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR LOTION INDUSTRY does not want you know. THIS PRODUCT IS EXCELLENT, SUPER, AWESOME, GREAT FOR DRY SKIN!
It keeps your hands and skin soft and stays on all day. NEVER WILL I USE LOTION AGAIN!!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Miracle Oil, November 2, 2011
By
William E. Davis "FotoFreak" (Dayton OHIO)
I tore my rotator cuff years ago, and the surgeon looked at the MRI and ordered three separate surgeries. I wanted a second opinion. I went to a sports medicine massage therapist, and she offered an alternative: Massage to put the muscles and ligaments in the right place, then a Castor Oil regimen to get the inflammation out of the shoulder so the body could heal it. I started with 10 degrees of motion, and finished two months later with 100% range of motion thanks to the Castor Oil twice a week and some simple 'dangle and swing' the arm exercises.
Since then, I've used it to get rid of bruises, sore muscles, stop my eyes from burning, heal almost any kind of skin problems, and after so many successes, I became [a promoter] for Castor Oil. ONe of my friends came back to life from fighting intestinal lesions that he can now ignore thanks to abdominal hot packs with Castor Oil. I'm improving how much hair grows on top of my head using a 50-50 mix of Castor Oil and Witch-hazel (to thin it out a bit so it spreads easier), and it works. I play guitar, partly due to the supple hands provided by Castor Oil treatments wherein I put my hands in rubber gloves with Castor Oil, and then use heating pads, and my hands feel like those of a 20-year old, tho I'm nearly 60. It also reduces the three fingers I have with trigger finger.
I know that many people cook with castor Oil,. but I have not tried it, but I plan to. I'm confident that CO can help with things like eshophigal eruptions, heartburn, and on and on and on...
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Works on inflammation, August 16, 2011
By
Sheltie mom
I had bunion surgery and had to wear a special shoe. My foot was very swollen and painful. For days I used Traumeel on my skin and bandaged my foot. I saw no results. I then started to soak cotton pads in castor oil and place them under my bandages. The results were immediate. The bruising and swelling went down tremendously. Within a few days I was able to put weight on the foot that was operated on. I had bunion surgery on my other foot 4 years ago and only used arnica and Traumeel on my skin. I recovered much slower and had to wear sometype of orthotic shoe for 3 months. I wish I thought about using castor oil back then.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Miracle Worker!, November 18, 2011
By
Sarrita
OK I have always been a product junkie, spending too much on creams and lotions of all sorts. Never thought to use something as simple as an oil. I feel like I have just come across a gold mine! I initially purchased the product for my man once I read about its benefits in reversing baldness. As I researched a little more, I found many more advantages such as longer and thicker lashes and brows, tightening and softening skin, eliminating wrinkles and stretch marks, removing callouses and warts and other fungal infections, treating acne, shinier healthier hair....etc. So far I have only used it for a couple of days, and I am already blown away. The softening effect on my skin is nothing like I have ever experienced. Never again will I spend money on expensive face creams...
Another amazing effect is on my callouses on the soles of my feet, as I run a lot. Absolutely better than any foot cream I've ever used. I massage it in nightly and wear socks right before bed. Instant gratification...
All I can say is stop spending money on name brands and go for the source. You will not be disappointed!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Caster oil for acne, October 20, 2011
By
Shelley
We have tried many acne treatment products for my son with little results and excess drying. I read an article about castor oil treating acne. We are getting results, slowly. The first benefit is his skin is softer and feels better. He is less oily - I can assume this from not overly drying it out with harsh products and then his body compensating by making more oil. How we use it: take a hot wash rag and steam open pores, massage oil on skin, and then wipe clean with a hot/warm wash rag. Finish with a cold splash of water to close pores. This works, but it takes time. However, it is worth it because he is not getting exposed to harsh chemicals that didn't work anyhow.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars induced my labor, August 2, 2011
By
Astrid Sperling "baked veggies" (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
I used this product to induce my own labor and boy did it work. Most of the reviews on amazon for this product were for external use only, but if you are overdue with a baby, I highly recommend this stuff! I was 5 days overdue and drank 2oz castor oil, mixed with orange juice. It didn't taste nearly as bad as I had expected. 2 hours after drinking the oil/juice mix, my labor started, 5 hours after that, my beautiful, healthy baby was born. She was my first baby and i have a family history of long labors, so since I have no comparison, I give all credit to the oil.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Miracle Product For Sprains, Pain (Used 10+ years), June 19, 2011
By
L. Yarberry "Always Learning" (Houston, Tx)
I've used this product for over 10+ years for everything from a sprained ankle, to sore muscles from working in the yard, even bruises. I've found my recovery time to be much quicker when used with either cotten or wool flannel accompanied by heat (either a heating pad or hot water bottle). I'm not sure why it works, but I am very happy that it does. I've even convinced my husband. He thinks it is excellent also. I don't know that it would work for everyone, but I know it works for us. I do believe in natural cures when possible. I've recommended it to family and friends for years.
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