Castor Oil
This is the most popular remedy for hair growth. It’s also being used for constipation.
Usage
Castor oil moisturizes the skin, so it is mostly used for the production of cosmetics such as soaps, lotions, and creams.
It is used for the care of dry and damaged hair, so it is applied before shampooing.
Hair Growth
While there is not a lot of research to support this, people claim it works and it’s widely used for this purpose.
As a laxative
The seeds in castor oil contains enzyme called ricin, which is used as a stimulative laxative.
A natural moisturizer
Castor oil is great for skin, becasue it has ricinoleic acid that are moisturizing the skin.
How to use castor oil?
In a form of oil
You can use oil for your hair, nails, eyelashes and for your skin.
As a Supplement
Available in capsules, as a laxative and typically causes a bowel movement to occur in 2 to 3 hours.
The cultivation of castor oil began far in the past, and evidence of its use was discovered in Egyptian tombs around 4000 BC.
Castor oil was reportedly used for lighting - this oil was put in oil lamps.
Even Herodotus mentions this plant as "kiki" and claims that it comes from Egypt.
Palikuri Indians in Guyana used it to treat high temperature.
About
Oil is obtained by cold pressing the seeds of the plant (Ricinus communis). Although it is known for its internal use as a purgative, castor oil is also excellent for external use.
A detailed description of the mentioned plant was given by Theophrastus and Dioscorides, who also gave detailed information about the process of extracting the oil and its use as a diuretic.
Castor oil moisturizes the skin, so it is mostly used for the production of cosmetics such as soaps, lotions, and creams.
It is used for the care of dry and damaged hair, so it is applied before shampooing. It is useful to lubricate the lashes with castor oil because it accelerates their growth. Ricinus originates from the southeastern Mediterranean basin, East Africa, and India, but is widely distributed throughout the tropic.
This plant was known for its beneficial properties, and even the Palikuri Indians in Guyana knew it, who used it for external rinsing in people who had a high temperature for a long time.
Composition
Castor plant is rich in monounsaturated fatty acid and bioactive compounds. Its fatty acid profile consists mainly of ricinoleic acid and other minor acids, such as stearic, palmitic, and oleic acid. Ricinoleic acid of castor oil has chemical properties that makes it attractive for a wide spectrum of applications.
Other biological compounds in the castor oil, including carotenoid, tocopherol, tocotrienol, phytosterol, phospholipid, phytochemical, and phenolic compounds. They cumulatively contribute to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the oil. Castor oil composition is influenced by the area of production and method of extraction.
It has a variety of effects on the gastrointestinal tract, including inhibition of water and electrolyte absorption, stimulation of water secretion into the intestinal lumen, and depression of small bowel contractile activity.
Science
Conjugated fatty acids present in the castor oil have attracted much attention as a new type of pharmaceutically beneficial functional lipid. Castor oil is well–known for its numerous health properties, with the laxative effect being the most noticeable one.
Moreover, the roots and leaves of the castor plant are also useful as an ingredient of different prescriptions for nervous diseases. Recently, FDA has approved castor oil as a direct food additive for use as a flavoring agent and/or adjuvant.
Safety
Castor oil is known to cause irritations to the skin, which could further lead to dryness, sensitivity, and even hair loss in extreme cases. There have been a lot of reports of dermatitis after using castor oil. Although safe in small doses, larger amounts can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The herb is not recommended as a treatment for long-term issues, pregnant women, young children, and the elderly, as well as people with certain health conditions.
Fun Facts
People in ancient Rome called the castor tree the palm of Christ or the palm of Jesus, and these names have remained to this day.
Sources
Scarpa, A., & Guerci, A. (1982). Various uses of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis L.) a review. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 5(2), 117-137.
Rakesh, M. R., Kabra, M. P., & Rajkumar, V. S. (2011). Evaluation of antiulcer activity of castor oil in rats. International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy (IJRAP), 2(4), 1349-1353.