Obtained from the seeds of castor, a tropical shrub, castor oil is a vegetable oil with multiple virtues. This ancient oil was already used in antiquity for many purposes, and even Cleopatra used it to remove makeup. Thanks to its many health and beauty benefits, castor oil is one of the natural products to have at home. In this post, you will learn more about the different uses of castor oil and its various properties.

The health benefits of castor oil

If castor oil has been used for a long time by women to take care of their beauty, this 100% natural product is also used for medicinal purposes. In countries of African origin and in the Indian subcontinent, it is administered to pregnant women for the induction of childbirth. This oil is also your best ally for relieving eye irritation and joint pain. But how to use it ? The principle is to make a mixture of castor oil with a little turmeric and cayenne powder , which you apply to the joints concerned.

This oil also has laxative properties, which is why it helps people who suffer from constipation and relieves colic in infants as well as hemorrhoids. By applying it on the stomach, it also treats colitis or disorders of the intestine and the stomach. Also take advantage of its soothing benefits to fight against insomnia. It also removes corns on the feet. Organic castor oil is also available in some stores. Refined, this oil is appreciated for its quality.

The multiple benefits of castor oil

Like other essential oils, castor oil is also very popular in the field of cosmetics . Thanks to its many properties, it acts effectively on certain parts of the body such as the skin, hair, nails, etc.

For the skin

Very rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, castor oil is considered an excellent natural moisturizer that soothes irritated and acne-prone skin. It deeply nourishes your skin while gently plumping the dermis. It is also a very effective anti-aging, used as a beauty mask to delay the appearance of wrinkles. By restoring elasticity to the skin, this oil helps to fight against stretch marks , which appear especially after pregnancy, loss or rapid weight gain. You can also apply this product if you have skin problems like herpes, eczema or burns. It is also a good makeup remover.

For hair

Castor oil is renowned for its ability to restore strength and shine to dry, oily or brittle hair to gain density and thickness. Its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties also make it a better product for getting rid of dandruff, folliculitis, and scalp infections. That’s not all, because it also promotes blood circulation in the scalp thanks to its ricinoleic acid content. This explains the regrowth of hair. This acid also helps balance the pH of the scalp and repair damage caused by chemicals.

For nails

Applying a few drops of castor oil to the nails daily helps strengthen them. By hardening the keratin, it makes the nails stronger . Due to the various activities practiced every day, the nails are attacked and become friable, brittle and soft. Thanks to this oil, they will be protected and hydrated. It thus acts on the nail to help it look better, but also on the cuticle, and can possibly treat fungi and other bacteria