Is Castor Oil worth the hype?

We can start by saying – yes, it is. 

Castor oil has been used for centuries for many reasons – skincare, hair care, etc. It is definitely one of those oils your grandmother used to have around and you never really knew why. But we can tell you one thing – she was definitely wise to have it! 

Traditionally used as a remedy for treating various skin conditions and infections, relieving constipation, and increasing the health of hair, recent studies have shown that castor oil can be used to support the immune system, and an anti-inflammatory agent, antimicrobial agent, and lymphatic stimulant.

You can use it in a couple of different ways. Apply it directly to the skin, use it through a pack, or mix it with other oils to use it as a topical remedy. Orally, add it to milk or lukewarm water or taken in the form of a supplement.

Here’s a few benefits from this magical oil:

Natural Arthritis Remedy

Castor oil’s anti-inflammatory properties make it an excellent massage oil for arthritic joints, sore muscles, and inflammation of your nerves. The ricinoleic acid that castor oil contains possesses the ability to boost anti-inflammatory properties within the body and is considered a safe remedy for arthritis pain.

A Natural Moisturiser

Castor oil is used in cosmetics to promote hydration. Manufacturers often add it to products like lotions, makeup, and cleansers. You can also use this rich oil on its own as a natural alternative to store-bought moisturisers and lotions. Also, using pure oil may irritate some people’s skin, so it’s best to dilute it with another oil, like jojoba or coconut oil. Try testing the combination on a small area of skin to see how your skin tolerates it before applying it on larger areas.

Another way to use it is for your hair. Castor oil has been claimed to have a slew of benefits including strengthening strands, promoting hair growth, and nourishing dry scalp. And while the oil itself likely can’t make the hair grow, it’s loved for its ability to create a healthier environment on the scalp that makes for way better hair growth.

Since it is an oil, a little will go a long way—it’s all about moderation and being cautious. Start out with a patch test, keep expectations realistic, and heed their advice of using a small amount during application to ensure you don’t experience any adverse reactions. It’s also often recommended you don’t use it more than once a week.

Boosts Wound Healing

Lab studies have shown that this oil is effective against many types of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Out of all the staphylococcal bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus is considered the most dangerous and can cause mild to serious skin infections and other concerning staph infection symptoms.

It can also help with wound and pressure ulcer healing thanks to its moisturising as well as antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. It mixes well with other ingredients like almond, olive and coconut oil, all of which have unique benefits for skin.

An Alternative to Collagen 

As mentioned, some people use castor oil for hair growth and shine. Another product famous for strengthening your hair is collagen, that comes in powder form or capsule. An advantage is that the effects of it are instant, whilst with collagen it may take a while until you see results if your may concern is hair growth and lustre. Applying it directly will give you the shine you’re looking for and, with prolonged use, you may see the growth benefits as well.

Using castor oil is a useful and inexpensive way to promote skin health, and it may have particular benefits for facial skin.

Have you tried castor oil and what do you use it for? Here at Gr8 Health, we stock one of the best options on the market for cast oil – check out Grasses of Life Organic Cold Pressed Castor Oil here!

References

https://www.oneagorahealth.com/30-outstanding-castor-oil-uses-and-benefits.html#:~:text=Castor%20oil%20has%20strong%20antibacterial,it%20to%20the%20affected%20area.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/castor-oil#2.-A-natural-moisturizer

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4942971/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15931146/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319844#takeaway

https://www.byrdie.com/castor-oil-for-hair-growth