Castor oil : A vitamin-rich oil for shiny locks and healthy bowels

Castor oil : A natural miracle remedy

A vegetable oil extracted from castor seeds, castor oil is a remarkable plant product with high levels of ricinoleic acids. This specific fatty acid is one of the best anti-inflammatory agents known to mankind. Castor oil can be used both for consumption and topical application to derive unique health benefits. Let us understand the wide uses of this beneficial oil and why you should add it to your grocery list.

Say goodbye to bodily inflammation

Bodily inflammation is nothing but the body’s own defense system at work; trying to get rid of damaged cells, potential toxins, and other waste substances. It is understood that inflammation’s existence implies that your body’s internal defense mechanism, i.e, your immune system is at work.  However, long-term or chronic inflammation spells danger for your body. This is one of the primary causes behind the onset of chronic diseases such as high cholesterol and even cancer.

What castor does is that it reverses the process of chronic inflammation in the body. Owing to one of its most critical components, ricinoleic acid, castor oil can manifest significant pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. This key property can be used to treat chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Studies reveal that ricinoleic acid can reverse the damaging effects of rheumatoid cells and thus could be one of the best treatment methods for this disease.

Say hello to naturally glowing skin

In addition to ricinoleic acid, castor oil is also a rich source of omega 6 fatty acids that have remarkable benefits for your skin. Dermatologists contend that any type of oil is nourishing for your skin. However, the unique constituents of castor oil make it much more superior to other body oils. Extra virgin organic castor oil, when massaged on to face every day can leave the skin looking lustrous, supple, and healthy.

You can also use it to moisturize your dry and flaky skin by massaging it on the dry skin area and leaving it overnight. The best results are seen when you use a humidifier or a steamer to open your pores and allow your skin to absorb the natural goodness completely.

This can also be used in addition to other moisturizing substances such as shea butter or as a standalone ingredient in treated cracked and dry heel skin effectively. Be it the dry weather conditions, pollution, or weather change – anything that could cause your skin to lose its moisture and radiance, castor oil is there to make you glow naturally again.

Heal wounds faster

Wound healing is indelibly linked to our overall health and slow wound healing could be a precautionary symptom of an underlying condition such as diabetes. There are many other factors that could go into delaying the process of wound healing – a phenomenon which could spell danger for your body.

A wound that heals slowly increases your chances of contracting toxic infections such as those caused by MRSA.  The build-up of dead cells and dry skin and formation of pus-filled blisters can be highly disabling and infectious. This is where castor oil can save you from developing and transmitting infections.

The compounds present in castor oil actively create a barrier between the foreign environment (that could contain toxic pathogens) and the wound and moisture it so that the wound healing procedure is accelerated. Not only that, but castor oil can also revive the growth of new healthy cells in place of the damaged/infected cells that further overall wound healing process.

Combat the adverse effects of aging

Aging is an inevitable part of continued life. Sooner or later, every human being who crosses a particular threshold of age starts showing the tell-tale signs of aging whether they like it or not. Gray strands of hair and gradual formation of wrinkles are the most evident visible signs. Castor oil, in addition to it all its numerous health benefits, can, in fact, be your best weapon in keeping the visible signs of aging at a bay.

The secret lies in how castor oil impacts the blood circulation in your body. Regular massaging of castor oil on your skin will improve the flow of blood to the skin layers and with improved circulation comes availability of better nourishment. Better nourishment in terms of more nutrients and oxygen reaching every skin cell.

This, in turn, rejuvenates the skin thus warding off the deleterious effects of aging from your skin, especially your face. It also serves the purpose of reducing and preventing dark spots and uneven skin tone, which is often a sign of poor nutrition and sun damage.

Troubled with constipation? – No more irregular bowels

The laxative effect of castor oil has been utilized since centuries- much before modern medical science could explain it. And the science behind castor oil promoting healthy bowels can be also boiled down to it ricinoleic content. This fatty acid naturally binds to the smooth muscles which form the interior surface of your intestines.  This phenomenon aids in healthy muscular contraction along the large and small intestine and thus helps in pushing out the stools effectively.  The interesting thing to note here is that this fatty acid can have a similar binding effect on the interior walls of the uterus. Thus, it can also help in proper contractions during labor and help induce labor in pregnant women who might be having a problem during childbirth.

The healthy and lustrous locks you always wanted

If it’s good for your skin, it’s good for your hair. The immensely beneficial components found in this miracle oil moisturize your scalp and may even promote hair growth.  Studies indicate that as high as 40% American women experience hair fall and hair thinning. This age-old remedy for combating hair loss and regrowing hair works because of it ranks high in essential nutrients – proteins, vitamins, fatty acids – and a multitude of antioxidants that nurture your scalp and stimulate the hair follicles. Additionally, it also keeps the scalp clean and dandruff free that further adds to the health of the scalp that promotes hair growth. Castor oil is a natural fungicide and also keeps atopic dermatitis away.

Strengthen your immunity from within

Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies and help fight against infectious microbes and cancer-causing agents. Any threat to your body activates the body’s internal defense mechanism – the immune system which is mainly made of these special lymphocytes. What castor oil does is that it increases the production of these disease-fighting cells in the human body.

The lymphocytes are produced by lymphatic tissues that are located in the spleen, thymus, lymphatic nodes, and even the small intestine. Adequate lymphocyte count is critical in keeping infections, cancers, and other malaises at a bay. Since intestines are also involved in the production of these cells, castor oil consumption has an overall beneficial effect on the digestion process in addition to strengthening immunity.  In the same lines, having proper lymphocytic levels also ensure that you have a healthier circulation of blood in your body. Healthy circulation, in turn, implies each cell of your body gets ample nutrition and oxygen.

Natural cure for troubled joints

Arthritis and other causes of joint pain can wreak havoc in your life. Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the leading causes of disability in the world. Not only to do they restrict your day-to-day living but can even become a painfully chronic part of your life in the longer run. Castor oil’s anti-inflammatory property can prove to be of great relief in this very aspect. Studies have proven that massaging castor oil with the right technique on to the aching and/or inflamed joints can help in attaining effective relief from the painful symptoms. The main constituent substance, ricinoleic acid, has strong painkilling properties which are uniquely effective in case of knee joint osteoarthritis. Experts believe that gently massaging castor oil on the affected joint and then using heat packs on that area is an effective form of treating painful joints.

Castor oil – Don’t forget these

Undoubtedly this wonder oil comes with innumerable health benefits and is replete with healing potential. Be it itchy skin or a troubled tummy- castor oil can easily take care of a number of bodily conditions we experience on a daily basis. Castor oil can be ingested or applied topically depending on the nature of the ailment.

Since it is very thick oil, it is generally diluted with other essential oils to reap maximum benefits. The amount of castor oil to be consumed depends on the age of the person and the severity of the symptoms. At times, high dosage of castor oil can increase digestive distress instead of treating it thus it is important that one consumes it in prescribed/controlled dosage only. Doctors suggest that it shouldn’t be consumed regularly for more than a period of a week.

There are capsules of castor oil available too; however one must practice proper precaution while taking these owing to the side-effects it could lead to. Pregnant and lactating mothers shouldn’t take these without consulting the doctor first. If at all there is an allergic reaction to the oil, one must seek immediate medical attention.

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