Castor Oil

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Castor oil is a vegetable oil obtained by pressing the seeds of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis). The common name "castor oil", from which the plant gets its name, probably comes from its use as a replacement for castoreum, a perfume base made from the dried perineal glands of the beaver.
See also : Castor Oil Packs

Special Precautions of Castor Oil

  • Throughout the 20th Century, there has only been a serious adverse effect from castor oil posted in medical records. However, toxicity concerns are reasonable. It comes from the castor bean, which contains a highly toxic compound called ricin. Ricin can be fatal, but it's usually eliminated with the cold press and filtering process used for medicinal castor oil.This is similar to oleander or mistletoe. Both are toxic in their basic raw forms, but the extracts have been used to successfully cure cancer. Medicinal castor oil's filtering with the cold press process eliminates all or almost all of the ricin. Castor oil created by extraction is rather toxic and usually used for industrial purposes.
  • Never consume Castor oil during pregnancy : Medicinal castor oil should never be used by pregnant women. There is a risk of induced abortion. For others, even if traces of ricin contamination slip into a bottle of cold pressed castor oil, it would take a very large amount of consumption to create an adverse effect.
  • Castor oil's main side effects fall into the categories of skin reactions and gastrointestinal upset, which isn't terribly surprising given the agent's actions on your intestinal wall. Castor oil is broken down by your small intestine into ricinoleic acid, which acts as an irritant to your intestinal lining. This effect is what gives castor oil the ability to reverse constipation—but it's also the reason that some people report digestive discomfort, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal side effects. If you suffer from cramps, irritable bowel, ulcers, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, colitis, prolapses, or have recently undergone surgery, you should probably avoid castor oil due to these possible adverse reactions.
  • Be sure to use only cold-pressed castor oil that is hexane-free. Avoid refined, adulterated oils which can clog the skin's pores. Cold-pressed castor oil retains its valuable nutrients.
  • Avoid contact with eyes. Pure cold pressed Castor seed oil is potent (unlike its diluted imitations) and can be an eye irritant similar to pepper spray.

The benefits of Castor Oil are

Castor oil is extracted from the seeds of the Ricinus Communis plant and has been used since time immemorial for a variety of conditions and complaints, including hair and skin care.

  • Treating hair breakage and encouraging hair growth with castor oil has long been recognized in the alternative health field. Cold pressed castor oil is tasteless and odorless when pure.Castor oil’s moisturizing properties make it a wonderful hot oil treatment. It repairs hair, delivering essential nutrients and minerals to the scalp, and dissolving sebum, bacteria and built-up chemicals.A particular type of castor oil, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, has been shown to help re-grow hair by stimulating the production of keratin.Regular use encourages stronger hair that is less prone to split ends and chemical damage.
  • Laxative to relieve constipation and stimulate healthy digestion
  • Pain reliever for achy muscles and arthritic joints
  • Anti-inflammatory agent
  • Remedy for abdominal discomfort
  • Cure for skin disorders, such as ringworm, athlete’s foot and eczema
  • Blemish buster
  • Ointment for open wounds : Castor oil stimulates tissue growth so that a barrier can be formed between the wound and the environment, decreasing the risk of infection. It also reduces dryness and cornification, the buildup of dead skin cells that can delay wound healingVenelex, a popular ointment used in clinical settings to treat wounds, contains a mixture of castor oil and Peru balsam, a balm derived from the Myroxylon tree.
  • Conditioning treatment for hair and skin
  • Cancer : The most common application of castor oil is as a Castor Oil Packs. Castor packs cleanse and detoxify the liver, kidneys and intestines, thereby aiding digestion and soothing abdominal discomfort. Enhanced with phytonutrients, castor oil penetrates deep into the lymphatic system, purging the intestines of harmful toxins. Because castor oil encourages lymphatic drainage, castor packs may help to shrink tumors and cysts when placed directly over or under the tumor.
  • Castor oil boosts the immune system not only by eliminating toxins, but also by increasing immune cells, such as white blood cells, which help stave off infection.
  • When placed on achy joints and muscles, castor packs reduce pain. Castor packs are also a popular treatment for alleviating cramps during menstruation.
  • Its small molecular size enables it to penetrate deeply into the skin, cleansing and unclogging pores of excess oil, bacteria and makeup. When applied 2-3 times a day for several weeks, castor oil uses has also proven effective as a remedy for skin conditions such as sunspots, warts and moles.
  • Anti-fungal : Castor oil has antifungal properties and may help fight off Candida, keeping the mouth healthy. One test-tube study found that castor oil eliminated Candida albicans from contaminated human tooth roots. Castor oil may also help treat denture-related stomatitis, a painful condition thought to be caused by Candida overgrowth. This is a common issue in elderly people who wear dentures.

References

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