Castor oil, which is quite popular, has been in use for thousands of years. I have used it for a few years now, and there is nothing negative to say about it. But just to note, I don’t use it on its own; I mix it with other essential oils to make a hair oil cocktail that has strengthened my mane a bit. Other than this, there are other benefits of castor oil, from being an anti-inflammatory agent with antibacterial properties to a skin care best friend.
Castor oil, which can be classified as a home remedy (laxative) or a beauty remedy, is a vegetable oil produced by pressing castor seeds to extract the said oil. It was originally a native of Asia and Africa, but now it can be found in many other places. After all, my castor oil is Jamaican (so, go figure).
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Although I mentioned there’s nothing negative to say about the many benefits of castor oil, I would like to whisper that the only thing I dislike about it is it’s thick and sticky consistency. If you are a first-time user you’ll beg to wonder how ‘that’ should go in your hair, leave alone the skin. But if you keep at it, you might be surprised at how fast you become addicted. After all, it’s quite effective and reliable, but only if you have a patient bone somewhere in your body.
5 Uses and Benefits of Castor Oil
1. Natural Moisturizer and Conditioner
Most folk use castor oil on their hair compared to them using it on the skin. This is because the oil can be a natural moisturizer for dry and damaged hair if used consistently. Not only for the strands but for the scalp too. In addition, you can use it to get rid of a flaky scalp, and dandruff, all in one go. The oil has humectant properties that lock in moisture, which helps in reducing hair breakage and flaking of the scalp.
How to: If you don’t like the thick and sticky consistency of castor oil, you can add a tablespoon of the stuff to your conditioner. After shampooing your hair, apply and thoroughly massage the mixture, leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse.
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2. Promotes Hair Growth
This is one of the benefits of castor oil that it’s most popular for, in addition to adding a touch of health to your hair. It is rich in omega-6 fatty acids and ricinoleic acid, which increase blood circulation, and we all know increased blood circulation on the scalp means healthy hair growth, which leads to stronger follicles, hence preventing hair fall.
How to: Depending on the density of your hair, massage pure castor oil on your scalp regularly to promote the blood flow. You can also use it as a hot oil treatment, by leaving the oil on your hair overnight and rinsing the following morning.
3. Treats Acne
If you thought castor oil was only for hair and constipation, you are slightly wrong because it also works wonders for the skin. It contains essential fatty acids which help in restoring the skin’s natural moisture and antibacterial properties which fight off acne-causing bacteria. Its consistency might be thick but it penetrates the skin’s layers effectively to tackle the cause of your acne.
How to: After cleansing your face, steam it to open up the pores. Immediately massage pure castor oil slowly until it’s absorbed. Leave it overnight then wash it off in the morning.
4. Slows Down the Clock
Yes, anti-aging. This is one of the little-known benefits of castor oil. When applied on the skin, the oil slowly and effectively stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which are the cornerstones of a younger-looking skin devoid of fine lines and wrinkles. Add its hydrating properties, and you have a winning overall skin care product that’s a time-saver.
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5. Reduces the Appearance of Stretch Marks
Most of us might not like the look of stretch marks, but we already have them and the next best thing is to get comfortable with them. But sometimes you might want to reduce their appearance just a little bit; to get a slightly smoother skin. This is where castor oil comes in. The fatty acids it contains makes it a good remedy for reducing stretch marks due to its moisturizing effects.
How to: After a bath, massage castor oil onto the target area. Leave it on for 30 minutes to make sure it penetrates deep into the skin, then wipe off the remaining bits. Another option is to add it to your body lotion, and just let it work its magic all over your body.
Have you ever experienced the benefits of castor oil? Feel free to share what it solved for you.
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