Castor oil comes from the castor bean plant, an eastern native of flowering species. Through cold pressing of the seeds, its oil is extracted. Among others, ricinoleic acid makes castor oil a good anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and pain-relieving agent. Traditionally, it was used by ancient Egyptians to manage dry eyes and constipation, whereas Ayurvedic medicine in India relied on it to treat arthritis and skin diseases. Today, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and skin care products also feature this product. There are many benefits of castor oil, so let’s discover them in this blog.
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5 Effective Uses Of Castor Oil
Helps Relieve Constipation
Castor oil is known widely for relieving occasional constipation caused by irregular elimination of body waste. It stimulates muscular contractions, moving them along the intestines to dispose of waste material from the human body system. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has authorized castor oil as an effective and safe stimulant laxative. However, use has fallen over time due to newer laxatives with fewer side effects being available.
It may even reduce straining during bowel movements, soften stools, and produce a feeling of not fully emptying bowels thoroughly after bowel movements are done away with.
Has Moisturizing Qualities
Castor oils, which are rich in fatty acids, contain properties that help you keep your skin hydrated. By retaining moisture, it functions like a lotion. Moreover, it aids in acting as a barrier to prevent skin from losing moisture.
Manufacturers usually add castor oil to lip balms and makeup because of its moisturizing properties. However, due to its thickness, it may require dilution with carrier oils like almond, coconut, or jojoba oils.
Various studies have shown castor oil helps heal wounds faster, reduce acne scars, and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Help Keep Dentures Clean
Plaque prevention is essential for denture wearers and their general health since the oil keeps it from building up. On top of dentures, a sticky film of fungus and germs can accumulate. This illness increases the risk of oral fungal infections such as Candida, which can cause denture stomatitis, an inflammatory or painful fungal infection of the mouth.
Castor oil has been shown in several studies to have antimicrobial and antifungal qualities, which may aid in maintaining clean dentures. Even soaking dentures in a 10% solution of castor oil for twenty minutes can kill oral bacteria and fungi. Another study shows how brushing and soaking dentures in castor oil solution significantly reduces infections caused by Candida among those who have them.
Used to Induce Labor in Pregnancy
In history, people used to provoke labor using castor oil; even now, some midwives prefer this natural means. A laxative effect from the oils is considered one of the attributes responsible for inducing labor by irritating bowels, which irritate the uterus, hence causing contraction.
A study in 2018 showed that expectant mothers consumed castor oil in almost 91% of cases and, as a result, faced smooth delivery with no complications. It is, however, vital for one to obtain advice from a medic before using it as an induction method due to the probability of feeling sick upon ingestion, which may lead to vomiting and diarrhea.
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Relieve Arthritis Pain
Castor oil can alleviate arthritis pain triggered by inflammation. In this study, 92% of participants experienced a substantial decrease in knee pain after taking castor oil capsules three times a day for four weeks.
Another study examined how topical castor oil application reduces joint pain. In this study, participants were supposed to rub castor oil onto their skin above the affected knees once daily for two weeks. After two weeks, every participant experienced less joint discomfort and inflammation.
To Sum It Up
To sum up, there are numerous castor oil benefits, which is why it can be used for health and beauty. Initially invented for dry eyes, constipation, arthritis, or skin problems, it remains a multipurpose remedial substance for everyone.
While castor oil is a good laxative, it can also moisturize the skin, relieve constipation, wash dentures, and even help induce labor. However, before reaping the benefits of rubbing castor oil on stomach, formal consultation with medical experts should be sought to ensure safety and enhance treatment efficacy.
References
Curtis, L. (2023, November 14). Health Benefits of Castor Oil. Health.
https://www.health.com/castor-oil-benefits-6827595
Kubala, J. (2024, April 1). 4 Benefits and Uses of Castor Oil. Healthline.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/castor-oil
