Written by Dr. Sanjana V.B Bhms,dbrm,cdn

Founder & medical director of siahmsr wellness.in

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Reviewed by SIAHMSR medical team.

Castor oil - health benefits

The oil is extracted from the seeds of a Ricinus communis plant. It is used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. It is translucent oil with yellow tint. The oil is filtered and steamed to remove ricin a toxic component in the oil that causes rancidity of the oil.

The oil is extracted from the seed of the Ricinus communis plant and its primary constituent, Ricinoleic Acid, along with some of its salts and esters function primarily as skin-conditioning agents, emulsion stabilizers, and surfactants in cosmetics. Ricinus Communis Seed Oil is the naming convention for castor oil used in cosmetics. 

Chemical composition

The oil contains glycerides of isoricinoleic acid, ricinoleic, dihydroxy-stearic acid, stearic acid, eicosanoic acid, linolenic acid, palmitic, and linolenic acid. 

Health benefits

 Castor oil is useful for various medicinal & cosmetic purposes

·       Improves glow and shine of hair due to its moisturizing effect

The oil has moisturizing effect on hair. Ricinoleic acid and its derivatives present in the oil have moisturizing quality. The fatty acids in the oil have very good penetrability and nourish the hair follicles.

·       Germicidal and fungicidal effect

 Ricin and ricinoleic acid present in castor oil protects hair and scalp skin from fungal and microbial infections 

·       Helps in male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia

Ricinoleic acid has been shown to penetrate skin and act as an inhibitor of prostaglandin D2 synthase (PGD2).

·       Improves digestion

Some people consume castor oil to help digestion. Although it speeds up digestion the research data regarding that is inconclusive.

·       As a topical application for skin diseases

It is used in complementary medicine as a topical application for psoriasis and eczema.

·       Used as an emollient for skin

It is used by many people for acne due to its antimicrobial and skin softening potential.

·       It hydrates or moisturizes your skin

               Although it is used as a cosmetic for skin, evidence supporting this data is inconclusive.

Safety

The oil is relatively safe to use. But research evidence is lacking regarding its action on gut. Some people ingest castor oil to manage constipation. Although it can relieve constipation, it may produce nausea and vomiting as a side effect.

Reference

     1.   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14595575/  

2.  Subramaniyan V. Nuts and Seeds in Health and Disease Prevention. Location United States: Academic Press; 2020. Therapeutic importance of caster seed oil; pp. 485–95.

3.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26456343/

4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313523#how-does-castor-oil-work

5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18080873/