Benefits of Castor Oil
July 16, 2009
In traditional medicines, castor oil is widely used for treating various health conditions. The oil extracted from castor beans is used for making vegetable oils and several household toiletry products, including soaps and lubricants.
The lubricant property of castor oil is widely utilized for making brake fluid, inks, dyes, paints and waxes. Recent studies have found that castor oil has several health benefits.
The healing property of castor oil emanates from the triglyceride fatty acids present in it. Nearly ninety percent of this triglyceride fatty acid is comprised of ricinoleic acid. Ricinoleic acid is a powerful antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal agent. Castor oil is perhaps the richest source of ricinoleic acid.
Cures skin infection
Presence of ricinoleic acid makes castor oil suitable for topical application. It can be applied on the skin to cure various types of skin infections, fungal nail infections and acne. Castor oil reduces skin inflammation, irritation and itching. Castor oil can also be used for treating keratose, which is a wart-like like benign skin growth. To cure skin diseases, soak a cloth in castor oil and wrap the affected area with it overnight.
Constipation remedy
Castor oil is a popular remedy for constipation. Besides easing bowel movement, castor oil can alleviate several other gastrointestinal problems including dysentery and inflammatory bowel syndrome.
Castor oil for lactating mothers
Folk healers recommend castor oil to lactating mothers. Poultices made from the leaves of the castor bean plant are put on the breasts to increase milk production. It cures stagnation in the mammary glands and is a treatment for mammary gland inflammation.
Strengthens immune system
According to studies, castor oil could increase the number of lymphocytes in our body. Lymphocytes are required to ward off disease causing germs from our body. Castor oil strengthens the immune system. It is beneficial for the function of the thymus gland, lymph nodes, lymphatic tissues lining the small intestine and the spleen. Castor oil absorbed through the skin is capable of improving the function of the lymphatic system.
People suffering from hair loss, could apply castor oil on their scalp. Fungal infections of the scalp, which is often responsible for hair loss, could be cured with castor oil. Castor oil provides nourishment to the scalp, facilitating hair growth. Castor oil is applied on the eyelashes and eyebrows to make them thick.
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