Castor oil is a vegetable oil that has been known for thousands of years. The benefits of castor oil are quite diverse, both for health and beauty. To find out what are the benefits of castor oil, see this article.
Castor oil is an oil extracted from the seeds of the castor plant (Rinicus communis). Thanks to its abundant benefits, until now castor oil continues to be used as a mixture for food, herbal medicines, and skin care products.
Various Benefits of Castor Oil
The benefits of castor oil are generally obtained from its high ricinoleic fatty acid content. Here are the various benefits of oil for health and beauty:
1. Treating constipation
This is one of the most well-known benefits of castor oil. Castor oil is believed to be used as a natural remedy to relieve constipation. This benefit comes from the ricinoleic acid content in castor oil which can increase intestinal muscle movement, making bowel movements easier.
2. Accelerate skin healing
Castor oil is also able to speed up the healing process of wounds or inflammation and irritation of the skin, because this oil has excellent anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties.
The anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil can reduce swelling and pain in wounds or inflammation. At the same time, the moisturizing properties of this oil can prevent dryness and buildup of dead skin cells in wounds that can slow down the healing process.
In addition, castor oil can also stimulate the growth of new tissue faster, so the risk of infection will also decrease. Research also shows that wounds treated with castor oil heal better.
3. Moisturizing skin
You can also use castor oil as a natural skin moisturizer. The content of ricinoleic acid in castor oil is useful for hydrating and maintaining water levels in the skin.
Castor oil is safe to use on all skin, including facial skin. However, because castor oil has a thick texture, it may feel a little sticky on the skin.
If you don't like the sticky texture, you can mix castor oil with other oils that are also beneficial for hydrating the skin, such as almond oil, olive oil, or coconut oil.
4. Treating acne
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, castor oil is also thought to be useful for treating acne. The anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil can reduce inflammation in acne-prone skin and soothe irritated skin.
Castor oil also has antimicrobial properties so it can help fight and inhibit the growth of excess bacteria that can cause acne, such as bacteria Staphylococcus aureus.
5. Maintain healthy hair and scalp
Using castor oil as a natural hair mask on a regular basis can help keep your hair and scalp healthy. The anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil reduce inflammation that can cause dandruff.
In addition, castor oil is also able to increase scalp moisture and hair root health. That way, hair growth will increase and be protected from hair loss. In fact, you can use this oil to thicken eyebrows and eyelashes.
Things to Pay Attention to When Using Castor Oil
Although it has many benefits, castor oil can cause some side effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, and allergies. To avoid this, castor oil must be used in proper dosage. So, always follow the instructions for use listed on the product packaging.
If you want to use castor oil on your skin, try to apply a little bit at a time and see how it reacts. If allergy symptoms occur, such as redness or itching, stop using it immediately.
In addition, pregnant women are also not advised to use castor oil, because this oil is believed to trigger contractions or childbirth.
If you are still unsure about the use of castor oil and its benefits, you can consult a doctor. That way, the doctor can advise on the safe use of castor oil and according to your needs.