Castor oil has been used for centuries as a medicinal tool for healing. It has been used for skin healing, reducing swelling and inflammation around the body, reducing painful menstrual symptoms, hair growth, skincare and so much more. With this blog post, I want to dive a little deeper into the healing properties of castor oil while exploring some of its uses and modes of topical application.
What is castor oil?
Castor oil is an oil that is extracted from the beans of the castor plant. It is a clear, thick oil that can be used holistically for the body. It can be applied topically for skin healing, inflammation, acne, cysts, digestive issues, and joint pain, or used internally to prompt a laxative effect.
Castor oil is a very powerful oil that contains compounds such as ricinoleic acid, linoleic acid, and oleic acid. One of the compounds within castor oil that contribute to its amazing effects on its absorption and deep penetration of the skin is ricinoleic acid. This compound is what drives castor oils healing properties deep within our tissues thus having an effect on internal organs and joints.
How To Use Castor Oil
- Skin Issues, Anti-aging, Acne, Cellulite, Discoloration, Moisturizing
Castor can be applied all over the body. Because of its deeply nourishing and thick texture, it provides the skin with a deeply hydrating finish and seals in moisture. It smooths fine lines and can even plump up wrinkles while soothing cracked and flaky skin. Castor oil is very effective at drawing out impurities and breaking them down making it a great supporting step in your skincare routine for people suffering from acne and inflamed skin. Oleic acid, another compound mentioned earlier, is a monounsaturated fatty acid one that helps fight premature aging and helps the skin fight against free radicals. It aids in the skin’s renewal process making it great for repairing skin and skin cell turnover. It works together with the other compounds in castor oil to aid in the renewal and healing process.
- Castor Oil Packs
Castor oil packs are layers of cloth that is coated in castor oil and applied to the abdomen on the side of the liver, or pelvic area. They are usually left on overnight or for at least 30 min to an hour. The purpose of the castor oil pack is to soak the area in for an extended period of time so the oil penetrates the skin and is able to work its magic within the tissue. Wherever the castor oil is applied, it will be absorbed into the skin quickly and have an effect on the area. Castor oil packs are placed on areas like the liver because the liver is part of one of our detoxification pathways. Because castor oil can penetrate into the liver tissue, it is able to help optimize liver function supporting detox and hormonal health.
- Dissolving fibroids, cysts, breast lumps, natural analgesic
As mentioned before, castor oil gets quickly absorbed into the skin making it great at seeping into the body and targeting/ breaking up cysts and fibroids. It has been used to slowly dissolve and shrink fibroids and cysts with consistent use over time. It is believed that this happens due to castor oils' effect on the lymphatic system, optimizing the function of our detox pathways. Applied to areas like the womb, breasts, and lower back it is said to reduce pain from the menstrual cycle in those areas. With a combination of gentle massage and the application of castor oil, one can find much relief from PMS and other hormone-related disorders by this process, helping the body to eliminate waste and toxins more effectively.
When it comes to using anything medicinal it is important to consider all precautions before. Castor oil should not be used if you are pregnant it can cause contractions and result in preterm labor. Using it internally can cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, and one should always consider speaking to your healthcare provider before using castor oil for any major health conditions.