Castor oil has many benefits and not all of them are relegated to making your internal organs healthy.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on February 27, 2020. It has since been updated.
Did you know that sometimes, all it takes is one particular ingredient to help cure so many everyday beauty and health issues we face? Well, one of those is castor oil, a multi-purpose oil that has been proven to help enhance your beauty and boost your health in so many ways.
According to Medical News Today, castor oil is a vegetable oil that comes from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant and is said to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, moisturizing, and some other useful properties. Castor oil contains Vitamin E, proteins and Omega 6 fats and is a translucent liquid with a yellow tint that has been able to help people's health not just internally, but externally as well.
So how can it help you solve beauty concerns?
A specific compound called ricinoleic acid is what gives castor oil the ability to not only nourish your hair, increase its flexibility, and reduce breakage by making your roots stronger, it can also promote blood circulation in your scalp. Added to that, the omega-6 fatty acids that are present in this oil can help make your hair longer and thicker. Gently massage your scalp with castor oil a few times a week. Leave it in for an hour and then wash it out with your regular shampoo.
When castor oil penetrates the skin, it can boost the production of collagen which in turn softens and hydrates the skin, making it smoother. Take a small amount of castor oil and rub it over the wrinkled area such that it is well-absorbed into the skin. Leave it overnight and wash off in the morning.
The rich, moisturizing nature of castor oil can help get rid of dry skin when you rub on the affected area. Additionally, it can increase the hydration in scaly areas such as your heels. It can help rub away any calluses that are formed and treat cracked heels. Mix a few tablespoons of oil with warm water and soak your calluses in it as this mixture will act as a natural skin lubricant. As for your lips, the vitamin E, minerals and omega fatty acids present in it can help heal chapped lips fast and restore the balance of moisture. This is best to do in winter especially.
The antibacterial and antifungal properties of castor oil help boost healthy and strong nail and cuticles. Applying a few drops directly onto your nails or even diluting it in warm water and soaking your nails a few times a week can give you beautiful nails.
Oily skin, as well as dry skin, can trigger acne. When we use beauty products to get rid of the oily skin, they end up drying it out instead. And then the acne gets worse. However, applying castor oil which contains high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids, can actually help in the restoration of the skin's natural moisture. Apply a tad bit of castor oil on your face, slowly rub it in using circular motions, leave it as is overnight and then rinse it in the morning with warm water.
It's the omega-3 fatty acids in the castor oil that can help you get rid of stretch marks. These compounds help reduce the lightened pigmentation caused by stretch marks. They stimulate the growth of healthy tissue in the skin while also minimizing the inflammation that is associated with stretch marks. Apply castor oil to the area where there are stretch marks, rub it in softly and gently and leave it in overnight. Wash it off in the morning.
While these benefits can certainly make your beauty problems a lot easier to deal with, if you feel nauseous, notice skin rashes, dizziness or muscle cramps, it is best to visit a doctor. They might be able to tell you if you are allergic to castor oil or if there is another issue associated with your symptoms.
References:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319844#benefits
https://theeverygirl.com/why-you-need-castor-oil-in-your-beauty-regimen/
https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/side-effects-of-castor-oil-you-should-be-aware-of/
Disclaimer : This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
