17 Benefits Of Castor Oil (Arandi) For Skin, Hair, And Health
As a child, I remember my granny recommending castor oil for just about any ailment. For her, it was the go-to home remedy for a host of problems. Known as ‘Arandi Kaa Tel’ in Hindi, ‘Aamudamu’ in Telugu, ‘Erandela Tela‘ in Marathi, ‘Amanakku Enney‘ in Tamil, ‘Avanakkenna‘ in Malayalam, and ‘Rerira Tela’ in Bengali, it happens to be one of the most widely used ingredients. Castor oil is extracted by pressing the seeds of the castor plant, also known as Ricinus communis (1). It is a vegetable oil, and the plant is largely native to Africa and India. But the oil has been made famous all over the world for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It is used in various cosmetics, soaps, textiles, massage oils, and even medicines, owing to the fact that it has plenty of benefits for your skin, hair, and health.
17 Amazing Castor Oil Benefits
Skin Benefits
- Heals Inflamed Skin
- Fights Signs Of Aging
- Reduces Acne
- Moisturizes Skin
- Fades Blemishes
- Prevents Stretch Marks
- Reduces Pigmentation
Hair Benefits
- Promotes Hair Growth
- Treats Scalp Infections
- Prevents Premature Graying
- Conditions Hair
Health Benefits
- Treats Ringworms
- Disinfects Wounds
- Acts As A Laxative
- Reduces Joint Pain/Arthritis
- Boosts Immunity
- Treats Back Pain
Skin Benefits
1. Heals Inflamed Skin
Castor oil is a boon when it comes to healing skin inflammation that can be caused by sunburns, acne, and dry skin.What You Need
- Castor oil
- Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
- Take a cotton ball and dip it in castor oil.
- Apply directly to the affected skin area.
- Leave it on for an hour. Then, wash it off.
Why Does It Work
Castor oil has healing properties that help with skin inflammations of all sorts (2).
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2. Fights Signs Of Aging
One of the amazing benefits of castor oil for skin is that when it is used topically, it can slow down aging.Why Does It Work
Castor oil, when applied to the skin, penetrates deeply and stimulates the production of collagen and elastin (3). This, in turn, helps soften and hydrate the skin. It delays the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and makes the skin smoother, softer, and younger. The fine lines around the eye area can also be treated with its application.
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3. Reduces Acne
Those who have acne-prone skin tend to shy away from most oils as they tend to clog pores and aggravate their problem. Using castor oil can prove to be beneficial in reducing acne.What You Need
Few drops of castor oilWhat You Have To Do
- Wash your face with warm water. This will help open your pores.
- Simply massage your face in a circular motion with the oil.
- Keep it on overnight and wash your face the next morning with cold water.
Why Does It Work
Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid that fights off the acne-causing bacteria (4). It effectively penetrates the skin layers, making it an excellent remedy for acne (5).
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4. Moisturizes Skin
Castor oil leaves you with smooth, supple, and revitalized skin. So if you are looking for an inexpensive and natural skin moisturizer, you know what to reach out for!What You Need
A few drops of castor oilWhat You Have To Do
After thoroughly cleaning your face, massage with castor oil using gentle, circular motions.Why Does It Work
Castor oil is a wonderful moisturizer (6). The highly concentrated fatty acids penetrate the skin easily. This helps remove dry patches and restores hydration of the skin. Castor oil finds uses in various industries, but it is prized in the skin care segment for its ability to moisturize effectively.
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5. Fades Blemishes
Castor oil is often used for fading blemishes and scars. The results won’t be visible overnight. It works slowly in this regard and needs to be used regularly to see prominent results.Why Does It Work
Once again, the fatty acids present in castor oil come to the rescue. They penetrate deep into the scar tissue and plump it out while encouraging the growth of healthy tissues around it. This helps the blemishes fade away(7).
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6. Prevents Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are usually the result of pregnancy when the skin on the abdomen experiences drastic stretching over a short period. More elastic skin means lesser stretch marks, and this is where castor oil comes into play.Why Does It Work
Castor oil is rich in fatty acids. So when it is used topically during the final two months of pregnancy, it can prevent stretch marks (8).
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7. Reduces Pigmentation
Castor oil is extremely good for clearing your skin of spots and marks. It is so effective that dermatologists recommend castor oil to treat uneven skin tone, spots, and marks because of its ability to reduce pigmentation.Why Does It Work
Castor oil is crammed with fatty acids, specifically omega-3 fatty acids. These omega-3s hydrate the skin, while stimulating the growth of healthy tissue, thus giving you a blemish-free and supple skin (9).
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Hair Benefits
8. Promotes Hair Growth
Castor oil is an excellent remedy for promoting hair growth. Massaging your scalp with it can give you thicker and longer hair.Why Does It Work
The oil boosts blood circulation to the follicles, leading to faster hair growth. The oil also has omega-9 essential fatty acids that are responsible for healthy hair (10). It also helps reduce split ends, controls hair breakage, and conditions and moisturizes your hair.
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9. Treats Scalp Infections
Scalp infection can cause major hair problems like bald patches, dandruff, and an itchy scalp. Using castor oil can help get rid of these issues.Why Does It Work
Castor oil is antifungal and antibacterial. It can fight pathogens and microorganisms causing the infection (11).
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10. Prevents Premature Graying
If your hair has started showing the first signs of graying, applying castor oil can prevent your hair from losing more pigment.Why Does It Work
The application of castor oil is a popular method to prevent premature graying (12). It helps your hair retain its pigment, and delays your hair turning gray or white
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11. Conditions Hair
An answer to all hair woes, castor oil can be extremely helpful in treating dry and damaged hair.What You Need
1 teaspoon castor oilWhat You Have To Do
- Add a teaspoon of castor oil to your leave-in conditioner and shake well.
- Use after you shampoo your hair.
Why Does It Work
The humectant properties of the oil help lock in the moisture in the hair (13). This prevents your hair from turning dry and makes it smoother and softer.
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Health Benefits
12. Treats Ringworms
Castor oil effectively treats ringworm, a common and stubborn problem across all age groups.What You Need
- 2 teaspoons castor oil
- 4 teaspoons coconut oil
Why Does It Work
The active compound called undecylenic acid that is found in castor oil helps treat ringworms (14).
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13. Disinfects Wounds
Castor oil works as an excellent disinfectant on cuts and scrapes.Why Does It Work
The antimicrobial properties make it effective for treating minor cuts and scratches (15). And because it has anti-inflammatory properties, it also helps relieve the pain.
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14. Acts As A Laxative
One of the primary uses of castor oil is as a laxative. It is still used widely as a part of conventional and folk medicine.Why Does It Work
The ricinoleic acid present in castor oil is what induces laxation (16). Hence, consuming castor oil can help if you are suffering from constipation.
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15. Reduces Joint Pain/Arthritis
Castor oil is a great remedy for treating the pain caused by arthritis. A castor oil pack can provide relief from the joint and tissue pain.What You Need
- Castor oil
- A piece of soft cotton fabric
What You Have To Do
- Take the piece of fabric and fold it into squares. Soak it in castor oil.
- Squeeze out excess oil and place the cloth on the affected joint. Take care to cover it with a plastic wrap.
- Place a hot water bottle or heating pad on this. The plastic will save the bottle from getting oily. Leave it on for an hour.
Why Does It Work
The anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil make it ideal for relieving joint pain, nerve inflammation, and sore muscles (17).
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16. Boosts Immunity
Naturopathy practitioners and followers observe that castor oil helps boost immunity. Even when it is used topically, it increases the defense mechanisms of your body.Why Does It Work
Castor oil, when used topically, increases the number of T-11 cells, which signals a boost in the defense mechanisms in the body (18). The T-11 cells form antibodies against pathogens and toxins, which promotes better health.
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17. Treats Back Pain
Castor oil is one of the best natural remedies when it comes to treating backache. Massaging castor oil on your back is a natural way to get rid of any pain and stiffness.What You Have To Do
Using castor oil to cure a backache is an alternative therapy. Here is how you can make a therapeutic use of this vegetable oil.- Apply castor oil topically on the pain points of your back.
- Now, go for a ‘castor oil pack’. Ask someone to cover the area with a clean and soft cloth. You can additionally use a plastic wrap.
- Place a hot water bag on the back for an hour. It helps the oil to permeate the inflamed tissues.
- Repeat the process for three subsequent days.
- The pack works even without using a hot fomentation. You just have to leave the oil a little longer. You can prepare a pack before going to bed and leave it overnight to heal your back.
- Using castor oil pack for back pain is an easy and safe home remedy. Of course, there is a little hassle in covering the area with plastic and tying it to your body for long, but the result is worth the effort.
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Simple Ways To Use Castor Oil For Stomach Cleansing
Let’s look through the various ways one can use castor oil to cleanse our stomach and get rid of all the ailments!1. Castor Oil And Milk
Castor oil and milk make an amazing ayurvedic home remedy for stomach cleansing. It eases the stomach and treats intestinal problems like bloating, acidity, constipation and irritated bowels.How To Make
- Pour cold milk in a glass.
- Add about 1 full tsp of castor oil to the glass half filled with milk.
- Mix properly.
- Drink once every week on an empty stomach to get freedom from stomach toxification.
2. Castor Oil And Orange Juice
This innovative stomach cleansing home remedy is a perfect supplement for people suffering from extreme toxicity and constipation.How To Make
- Add castor oil and orange juice in equal proportions (around 2 ounces each) in a glass.
- Mix the ingredients well and consume the supplement on an empty stomach.
- Follow it up by drinking hot water after 20 minutes.
- Drink hot water around 3 to 5 times every 20 minutes.
- Once the stomach gets completely clean, and you feel light, consume yogurt.
3. Castor Oil Detoxification Pack
Stomach cleansing is a detoxification method that leads to various health benefits. Castor oil pack is an amazing therapy that aids in stomach cleansing.How To Make
- Rub castor oil all over your stomach.
- Find a clean cloth for covering your belly region. You can also buy medicated hot bandage to cover your stomach.
- Wrap a clean towel around your belly to further insulate it.
- Place a hot water bottle on the towel and keep it on for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
4. Castor Oil And Hot Water
Castor oil and hot water make an amazing stomach cleansing supplement that removes harmful bacteria from the gut and stomach. The harmful bacterium is replaced with health-friendly bacteria that ease digestion and reduce acidity and bloating.How To Make
- Take around 1 tsp of castor oil and pour it in a cup.
- Fill the cup with hot water and stir so that the castor oil doesn’t stick to the base of the cup.
- Drink twice a week on an empty stomach to get the best results.
5. Castor Oil And Ginger
Castor oil and ginger are amazing ayurvedic cleansing supplements that offer freedom from Vata and Kapha.How To Make
- Boil water in a pan.
- Add crushed ginger to it.
- Cook it for 10 minutes on a medium flame.
- Filter the ginger tea in a cup.
- Add about 1 tsp castor oil to the ginger tea and mix well.
- Drink on an empty stomach for 1 week.
Benefits And Uses Of Castor Oil For Stomach Cleansing
Having known the wonderful ways to use castor oil for stomach cleansing, it is time to find out why you should use castor oil for stomach cleansing. Know the ways castor oil is beneficial for stomach cleansing!- Stomach toxification leads to constipation. It causes abdominal pain. Castor oil works like a natural laxative that eases constipation and reduces pain with gradual use.
- Castor oil reduces the level of toxins in the stomach. This improves digestion and reduces common abdominal problems like irritable bowels, cramps, gas, nausea, and vomiting. This reduces depression and fatigue in the long run.
Nutritional Value Of Castor Oil
| Average composition of castor seed oil / fatty acid chains | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acid name | Average Percentage Range | |||||||
| Ricinoleic acid | 95 | to | 85% | |||||
| Oleic acid | 6 | to | 2% | |||||
| Linoleic acid | 5 | to | 1% | |||||
| Linolenic acid | 1 | to | 0.50% | |||||
| Stearic acid | 1 | to | 0.50% | |||||
| Palmitic acid | 1 | to | 0.50% | |||||
| Dihydroxystearic acid | 0.5 | to | 0.30% | |||||
| Others | 0.5 | to | 0.20% | |||||
Conduct a basic allergy test before you jump on the remedy wagon of castor oil. Dab a few drops of castor oil on your arm and leave it on overnight. If you experience itching or rashes or redness, you might be allergic.
Ingesting castor oil can cause nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weakness (20). If you are experiencing these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
Castor oil has been known to induce early labor, so it is not advisable for pregnant women to consume it. It may interact with other medications, so you need to consult you doctor before using castor oil.
Getting rid of waste is one of the body's important functions. But when constipation occurs, this function is halted. Constipation is a condition that occurs when a person has difficulty passing stools.
According to an article in the journal Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology, an estimated 35 million people experience constipation in the United States.
Contents of this article:
- Causes of constipation
- What is castor oil?
- When to see a doctor
- Preventing constipation
- Other treatments for constipation
Causes of constipation
Constipation usually stems from at least one of the following three causes:Constipation can be very uncomfortable
- Slow movement of stool through the bowel
- Difficulty completely emptying the bowel due to pelvic disorders
- Having a disorder called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Other health problems that can contribute to constipation include:
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Conditions that affect the brain or spine, such as Parkinson's disease
However, castor oil has a very specific laxative effect that may make it ineffective and even harmful for a person with constipation. Before using castor oil to treat constipation, a person should consider several factors.
What is castor oil?
Castor oil is a type of vegetable oil that comes from the beans of the castor plant. The oil is pale yellow in color and available at most pharmacies and health food stores. Castor oil is sometimes used in the making of soaps, waxes and polishes, painting, plastics, and medicines.Why might castor oil improve constipation?
Castor oil is known as a stimulant laxative. When a person drinks the oil, it stimulates the small intestine to start moving more. This increased motion will make stool start to move through the intestine so it can be eliminated.People can usually buy castor oil for a low price, making it an attractive alternative to some higher-priced medications.
However, stimulant laxatives are considered some of the harsher laxatives, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. This is because they cause the intestines to sometimes move, squeeze, and contract harder than they normally would.
For this reason, castor oil should only be used as an occasional constipation reliever. People may want to try using aids that soften the stool instead of laxatives first, such as olive oil.
In addition to its use in relieving constipation, castor oil is also used as a medication that can make people vomit. For this reason, it should be taken with caution. A person could take it for constipation and become nauseous.
How much castor oil should be used?
Castor oil is recommended as a short-term solution to constipation
The oil is very thick, which can make it hard to swallow. For this reason, some manufacturers will add the oil to other preparations to make it easier to drink.
A person should always read the label of their castor oil preparation carefully to ensure that they are taking the proper dose for constipation. A typical dose might be around 15 milliliters, which is about half an ounce or three teaspoons.
The strong smell and taste mean that many people will mix it with another drink to make it easier to consume. Examples include:
- Fruit juice
- Milk
- Soft drink
- Water
How long does it take castor oil to work?
Castor oil typically causes a bowel movement to occur in about 2 to 3 hours. However, it may take up to 6 hours to work in some people.Due to the timing of when castor oil works, most doctors don't recommend taking it before bedtime.
Risk factors and considerations
Certain groups of people shouldn't take castor oil due to safety concerns. For example, pregnant women shouldn't take castor oil.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classify castor oil as a Category X medication. This means the oil has been shown to cause risk to the fetus or fetal abnormalities if taken. The risks to a pregnant woman far outweigh the benefits of taking castor oil.
A person also shouldn't take castor oil if they have any of the following symptoms:
- Rectal bleeding
- Strong, sudden stomach pain
- Symptoms of appendicitis
- Symptoms of a blocked intestine, such as inability to pass gas and vomiting
- Vomiting
One of the most serious is that the bowels stop working like they should because they're so dependent on castor oil to help them move. This can lead to long-term constipation.
Other side effects of long-term use can include:
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
- Too little potassium in the body
- Loss of important nutrients because the stool passes too quickly
- Muscle weakness
- Swelling of the bowel
Castor oil for children and babies
Castor oil shouldn't be used in children younger than 6 years of age. If a child is between the ages of 6 and 10, caregivers should contact the child's pediatrician before giving castor oil to ensure it is safe for the child.While castor oil may help reduce constipation, there are often safer and gentler methods, especially for children. Examples could include adding more fiber into a child's diet or taking a stool softener.
Sometimes children also have a fear of going to the bathroom in public places or even having a bowel movement. In this case, it's important to treat the underlying cause and not just the constipation.
When to see a doctor
If a person has been experiencing constipation for more than a week, they should seek medical attention. A doctor can work to identify the potential underlying causes of constipation and suggest additional changes.Constipation can be part of a group of symptoms that signal a medical emergency. An example is a blocked intestine, where stool stops moving and backs up in the intestines. This increases the chances that the intestines could tear.
A blocked intestine also causes very uncomfortable symptoms, like bloating and stomach pain. Symptoms that require emergency attention from a doctor include:
- Bleeding from the mouth or rectum
- Confusion
- Nausea that won't go away or gets worse
- Sudden, unexplained muscle weakness
Preventing constipation
A high-fiber diet is recommended for a healthy lifestyle
- Increasing the amount of dietary fiber. A person should get between 22 and 34 grams of fiber per day, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Dietary fiber sources include beans, whole-grain cereals and breads, fruits, and vegetables.
- Drinking plenty of water. Water will add bulk to the stool, making it easier to pass and stimulating the bowels to move.
- Exercising regularly. Taking a walk 30 minutes a day or making an effort to get up and move around can help the bowels start to move, reducing constipation.
- Never ignoring the urge to use the bathroom. People should allow themselves enough time to have a bowel movement without straining.
Other treatments for constipation
Castor oil is just one of many laxative medicines used to treat constipation. Examples of other medicines include:- Bulk-forming agents, such as FiberCon or Metamucil
- Lubricants that make stool easier to pass, such as Fleet enemas
- Osmotic agents, such as Milk of Magnesia or Miralax
- Stool softeners, such as Colace
If constipation is severe and leads to a blocked intestine, surgery may be necessary. That's why doctors try many different methods to treat constipation to prevent the condition from becoming more serious.
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