What's OIL-ed is New Again
The Comeback of Castor Oil
Not a nutrition related post but this is post on the rising popularity of a natural health product. CASTOR OIL. If you follow certain holistic health ‘influencers’, the talk of the benefits of castor oil is making a comeback. Castor oil has been used for thousands of years for medicinal use, beauty and other household purposes.
Fun Fact: Cleopatra was believed to have used castor oil to brighten the whites of her eyes.
Castor oil is the oil obtained from the seed or bean on the castor plant and was used for thousand of years for face oil and in oil lamps for lighting. In the 1800’s it was marketed as the cure all for every digestive issue. Today, we are hearing that castor oil is benefiting skin issues, hair issues, detoxification and reproductive issues.
What Makes Castor Oil So Magical?
Castor oil’s chemical structure is a combination of linoleic acid (omega 6), oleic acid (omega 9) and ricinoleic acid (only found in castor oil). Ricinoleic acid is a versatile and easy manipulated oil because of its structure. Ricinoleic oil is a great carrier oil and has the ability to penetrate deep into the dermis (middle) layer of the skin.
The dermis or middle layer of the skin is a comprised of blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, arrector pili muscles (helps mediate our temperature)
Is Castor Oil Use Dangerous?
NO! Although if used as a laxative, overuse can deplete our electrolyte balance. So all in moderation.
The Many Uses of Castor Oil
I mean, what is castor oil not used for? The first time I had ever heard of castor oil, was when I was pregnant and many books talked about it being used for the induction of labor.
When talking to my husband about castor oil, he said ‘oh my mom used to give me that when I was a kid’. No, my dear that was cod liver oil. Two totally different oils!
But that is a very common statement.
Castor oil is used for digestive issues and is known to be effective against microbes such as e.coli and candida. It is used to relieve constipation. Taken in small doses orally will work but the use of a more gentle method is a castor oil pack.
Castor oil packs is the use of castor oil absorbed into a flannel fabric and placed on your body at the area affected. This is held in place for hours or over night for maximum effectiveness. You can make one at home or purchase on online
Castor oil is also used for skin and hair. Used to help hair re-growth including eyebrows and eyelashes, helps lessen wrinkles and fine lines of the skin, reduces redness of skin. It is useful for minor skin irritations, skin fungal infections and bug bites.
Castor oil is also known to be anti-inflammatory and castor oil packs have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for joint pain relief.
Purchasing Castor Oil
Now that castor oil has become more mainstream, it is important to not get fooled by brands offering a knock off oil that is not the highest of quality. You need to look for castor oil that is organic, hexane free, cold pressed and in a glass container. There are many great brands out there.
For more reading on all things castor oil head to this link - The Naturalpath
Danni
I’ve just had two friends taking about castor oil. So I obviously don’t follow those influencers! I’ll have to get some.
I ❤️ castor oil! 🙌🏽