Castor oil benefits

Castor oil is a pale yellow liquid, which is extracted from the beans that grow on the castor plant. It has many medical uses and it has been used for a very long time to treat a number of ailments.

Health benefits of castor oil

Castor oil has germicidal properties and it is widely used to prevent and treat infections. It is an excellent antioxidant and it is great against inflammatory conditions. Most of the benefits of this oil derive from its high content of unsaturated fatty acids.

Castor oil can be used both internally and externally. It can be used for massaging in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. It reduces the inflammation, redness, swelling and pain associated with those conditions.

Taken internally, castor oil is primarily used for its laxative effect. It provides almost instant relief for constipation, although, like any other laxative, it should not be used too often. It can also be taken internally to treat and cure gastrointestinal problems due to bacterial infections.

Castor oil boosts the immune system and because of the antioxidant properties it can prevent diseases like Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis.

Castor oil benefits for eyes

If used as eye drops, castor oil can clear the eyes of any debris or dirt particles that irritate the eye. It can successfully solve conditions like stye, which is an infection of glands in eyelids. It can also be used to treat blepharitis, an inflammatory condition in which the eye becomes red, painful and itchy. Alongside these uses, castor oil can be applied to increase the growth of eyelashes in people who have very thin or short lashes.

Castor oil for skin and hair

If applied topically, castor oil can cure a number of skin conditions, which include eczema, rashes, warts, ulcers, cuts, scrapes, bruises, ringworm, dry skin, itchy skin, sunburn, sun allergies and more.

It can also be used to repair skin that is damaged due to dryness, cold, heat or wind. It repairs cracked and flaky skin of the feet, especially the heels, and it prevents stying and scaling.

Castor oil can even be used to reduce the lines that appear around the eyes due to aging.

This versatile oil can cure many scalp conditions, including dry and flaky scalp and dandruff. It strengthens the roots of the hair and makes it strong and shiny. It also increases the hair growth. Castor oil is particularly recommended for dry, dull and brittle hair and for split ends.