15 HEALTH BENEFITS OF CASTOR OIL - NUTRITION - 2025

The benefits of castor oil range from anti-inflammatory use to strengthening hair or nails, as well as a lubricant for the car among others. Here we will detail those related to our health.

Castor oil is a compound obtained from the Ricinus communis plant, also known as castor or infernal fig. It is a generally purple shrub that has a robust stem from which nerves and leaves emerge.

The oil that is extracted from this plant has different properties that are beneficial for health, although precautions should be taken when applying it on the body because it can be harmful, in fact, the seeds of this plant are toxic.

15 Health Benefits of Castor Oil

1- Helps prepare the body for childbirth

The consumption of castor oil from the 38th week of pregnancy helps the body prepare for childbirth. The reason is that this substance stimulates the activity of the intestines that are located above the uterus.

Castor oil should be taken in small doses to avoid diarrhea and loss of fluids and nutrients, for this reason, many doctors do not recommend that it be consumed for this purpose.

2- It is an ally to combat dermatological diseases

Castor oil has been proven to help keep skin in good condition. In 1985 the researcher Louis R. Inwood carried out a study in which he tested this substance in people suffering from fungi, herpes and psoriasis.

The result was that castor oil was the most influential compound in curing these ailments, although it should be accompanied by other elements such as zinc, hydrophilic ointment or starch.

In this list you have other good foods for the skin.

3- It is a natural laxative

The most abundant component in castor oil is ricinoleic acid. It is an omega 9 fatty acid, considered as a stimulant that alters gastric activity and the flow of water that circulates through the small intestine, being a very effective laxative, and ideal for people who suffer from constipation.

But it should always be consumed moderately and consult your doctor beforehand.

On this list you have other foods to avoid constipation.

4- It is an effective remedy against rough skin and acne

Ricinoleic acid, along with other elements contained in the oil, smooth and hydrate the skin avoiding pimples and calluses. It is used as a pharmaceutical compound to achieve this purpose.

5- Helps ward off cardiovascular diseases

The second most abundant component in castor oil is oleic acid. Like ricinoleic, it is an omega 9 fatty acid that is also found in other foods such as olive oil or avocado.

Oleic acid is beneficial for blood vessels, in fact, it is abundant in many foods that make up the Mediterranean diet for its ability to protect the body from ailments such as hypertension.

The drawback is that this component is not very abundant in castor oil, so there are more effective methods to prevent cardiovascular problems.

6- It is compatible with other compounds to avoid the appearance of various ailments

Castor oil can be chemically treated. Formulated with isosorbide, a compound derived from glucose that has the ability to widen blood vessels, it allows the blood to circulate fluently, avoiding skin problems such as cellulite, herpes or the formation of calluses by applying the oil on various areas.

7- It serves to protect and beautify the lips

Castor oil is a component that is becoming common in lipsticks. It is used as an additive in these products due to the amount of fatty acids it contains, since they keep the lips hydrated, improving their image.

Castor oil has been shown to be a good healer. This substance creates a film on the wound formed by a series of compounds that contain high amounts of chitosan, which is a biomolecule made up of monosaccharides that fulfill the function of supplying energy to cells.

This causes wounds to heal faster when this oil is applied to them.

9- Clean the face of imperfections

Castor oil is considered a natural cosmetic that acts against blemishes, dark circles and fine lines that form on the skin.

This substance hydrates the skin and regulates its oil level, forming part of the components that protect the skin from inclement weather such as sunlight or wind.

10- It is a natural remedy against inflammations

In some areas of India and South America, inflammations and boils, which are not large, are usually treated by covering them with leaves heated until softened and castor oil allowing the components of this substance to act on the affected area.

11- Can be used as massage oil

Sometimes, castor oil is also used to apply massages to treat contractures, muscle overloads or unload some parts of the body. The reason is that this substance is very moisturizing, pleasant to the touch and has a pleasant smell.

12- It is a suitable product to care for the scalp

Castor oil is an element that is increasingly used in cosmetics. Many products, such as shampoos or conditioners, include this substance since the properties of this oil give the hair a natural appearance, remove oil and add more shine. It is also recommended to apply small amounts directly to the hair.

13- Helps hair growth

Castor oil is a stimulant for hair growth since its composition rich in omega 9 and ricinoleic acid makes it an enhancer that is used in lotions and shampoos to strengthen hair.

14- It is used for wound healing

Although it is not often used for this purpose in Europe, in some South American countries castor oil is usually part of the Balsam of Peru, an ointment obtained from the Myroxylon balsamum tree, and which is rich in cinnamic and benzoic acid, elements that are used in medicine and perfumery.

For the manufacture of this balsam, large amounts of castor oil are used since its components provide the balsam of Peru with healing, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and analgesic properties.

15- It is an element widely used in cosmetics

The moisturizing properties of castor oil, its anti-inflammatory capacity, the protection and shine it provides to the hair or its use to eliminate acne and other skin conditions, make this substance widely used in lipsticks, hair dyes. hair, or aromatic creams.

Origin and characteristics of Ricinus communis

Castor oil is obtained from the plant, Ricinus communis, it is part of the Euphorbiaceae family, being a herbaceous plant that can reach 5 meters in height and that grows luxuriant in semi-arid temperature conditions.

There is some debate as to its origin. Although it is noted that it comes from Ethiopia, it is normally located in India, which is currently the country that is responsible for most of the production and export of this oil.

The seeds from which castor oil is obtained are found inside the fruits of the plant. These are small in size and have a prickly touch. At first glance, castor oil is a yellow liquid that conveys a feeling of viscosity.

Egypt, the civilization that discovered the medicinal power of castor oil

Advances in beauty care, medicines and treatments have been typical of the Egyptians. The Nile was one of the referents of this civilization and medical advances were related to its droughts or floods.

The fertility provided by the river allowed physicians of Pharaonic times to obtain plants and elements that they later used in their experiments.

After the discovery of the Edwin Smith papyrus, which was a surgical document of great value for the history of medicine, it mentions a multitude of substances, among which opium and castor oil stand out.

The main use that was given at this time was as a laxative, but also as fuel for lamps.

Castor oil as fuel

Ricinoleic acid, the main component of castor oil, makes this substance have many uses, and it is a viable material for the production of biodiesel.

The biodiesel obtained from castor oil is much cheaper and more environmentally friendly than that which comes from other oils. In addition, the use of this fuel is less polluting than others that are derived from oil. Castor oil is an increasingly valuable resource for the chemical industry.

Another use for castor oil in this industry is as a lubricant for engines. The reason is that this substance withstands the high temperatures that an engine experiences.

In addition, due to its characteristics, castor oil takes time to oxidize, preventing engine wear when friction occurs between the metal surfaces of the structure.

The Ricinus communis plant is found in various regions of the planet. Since the benefits of this oil began to be recorded in the 20th century, many countries have dedicated themselves to producing and marketing it.

Since the 1980s, the main producers of castor oil have been Brazil and India, precisely this country where its origin is located, produced about 90,000 tons a year, more than half of world production. Even so, it has been surpassed by Brazil, which generated 122,000 tons of castor oil.

These nations are followed by Asian and South American countries such as China, Thailand, the Philippines, Uruguay or Colombia. Even the former Soviet Union produced this oil.

With the passage of time the situation of the castor oil trade has worsened due to low yields, higher prices and technological development that has allowed the production of competitive products.

All this has caused that in many producing countries the surface of the cultivation areas of Ricinus communis has decreased.

Nowadays, the commercial future of castor oil is uncertain, although it has experienced a brief upswing in sales due to its properties as a laxative and its use in beauty treatments, more and more vegetable oils are emerging that cause similar effects and become competitors direct.

Risks of consuming castor oil

Consuming excessive amounts of castor oil can be very harmful to health. A professional should always be consulted as the seeds contain ricin and a number of toxic allergens that can even lead to death.

The ingestion of these seeds can cause diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain, although it should be noted that the oil that is extracted from these seeds does not contain ricin, which is a very toxic component, used mainly as a laxative.

Proof of its toxicity is that it is used in the manufacture of plastics, fuels and lubricants

Its excessive consumption can also cause intense thirst, a feeling of hypothermia, tachycardia, malaise or asthenia, in addition to possible allergies.

Other negative effects that it can cause are alterations in the body fluid of the organism, damaging the intestinal mucosa, causing asthmatic attacks and generating hives. Therefore, before using castor oil for any purpose, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

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