Castor oil : Health Benefits, Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Castor oil is a vegetable oil that is also known as Arandika tel. This oil is produced from castor beans. Castor oil has so many beneficial properties for skin, hair, and for healing health problems. The oil has a laxative property that helps manage constipation and helps with the fast digestion of food. For all stomach problems, it must be consumed with milk or water. Castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial for reducing joint pains for arthritis patients. The oil has so many benefits for healthy skin because of the fatty acids present in it. You can improve your skin tone with the regular application of castor oil. On the other hand, if you want to grow and manage your hair, then massaging castor oil along with olive or coconut oil is the best option as castor oil promotes fast hair growth. However, the oil must not be used in excess as it can lead to stomach cramps. 

Properties of castor oil:

Castor oil has so many beneficial properties that are helpful in the treatment of various health issues. Some of these properties of castor oil are as follow:

• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Laxative property 
• Anti-fungal properties
• Antibacterial properties
• Ushna property
• Sookshma property
• Sara property
• Vata balancing property
• Rechana property 
• Rasayana property
• Antioxidant property

Historical uses of castor oil: 

Castor oil is a multi-purpose vegetable oil that people have used for hundreds of years, and the oil is extracted from the castor beans. Castor oil has several medicinal uses and benefits for many health problems. This oil is highly used in medicines, skin, and hair care products. In ancient times, the oil was used as fuel for lamps and was even given to pregnant ladies for stimulating labor. Some health problems that are treated by using castor oil are

• Skin problems
• Hair growth problems
• Constipation
• Healing of wounds
• Arthritis pain 
• Reduces acne from the face or body.

So these were some of the problems that can be treated by using castor oil. This oil has excellent properties that are beneficial for treating many health problems for years. 

Benefits of using castor oil in medicinal treatments:

Castor oil is extracted from castor beans and is a multi-purpose oil that is highly valued when it comes to medical treatments. Castor oil is known for its excellent properties and benefits. Check out all the benefits of castor oil mentioned down-below.

1. Helps in the treatment of constipation problem

Tips for the consumption of castor oil:

If you are suffering from constipation, then you can consume castor oil by following these steps.

1. You need to take about 3-4 teaspoons of castor oil in a glass.
2. Add warm milk to the glass and mix well.
3. Take castor oil with milk for one week to treat constipation.
4. Do not consume excess castor oil, and if you wish to exceed one week, you must consult your doctor first. 

1. Helps with the induction of labor

1. Helps with intestine preparation before surgery

For a long time, Castor oil is used as a colon cleansing agent and is used for bowel and intestine preparation before surgery. This oil is considered as a common agent during the colonoscopy.

1. Helps with skin problems

Tips for using castor oil for treating skin problems

If you have extremely dry skin or have acne or pimples, then you could follow these steps for the treatment.

1. Steaming your face is the first step that you must do. The hot steam helps open up the pores.
2. After steaming your face for 4-5 minutes, take a few drops of castor oil in your palms and rub together to massage it on your face.
3. You have the option of adding rose water to the oil to make it less thick. 
4. You can repeat this process for 14 days for healthy and acne-free skin. However, you need to do this at night before going to bed.
5. You can clean your face with a good cleanser or face wash and cold water to close down the skin's pores in the morning.

1. Helps in the treatment of dry eyes

1. Good for arthritis treatment

Castor oil has Vata balancing and anti-inflammatory properties, which are beneficial for providing relief from the symptoms of arthritis-like muscle pain, joint pain, inflammation, or stiffness.  

Tips for using castor oil for the treatment of arthritis

If you have arthritis, then you must follow these tips mentioned down-below:

1. Take a generous amount of castor oil and massage it on the affected area. Keep massaging the oil on the affected area for 5-10 minutes.
2. You can repeat this process one or two times a day for better results.

Dosage of castor oil recommended by doctors:

The quantity of castor oil recommended by doctors is as follows:

• Castor oil - You could take half or one tablespoon of castor oil for a maximum of two times in a day.  
• Castor oil capsule- You could take one or two castor oil capsules two times a day.

Usage of castor oil for medical treatments:

Castor oil can be consumed for medical treatment; check out how you can consume this medicinal plant for your medical treatments. 

1. Castor oil with milk, water, or fruit juice

You could consume castor oil with milk, water, or fruit juice to treat constipation or improve your appetite. Follow these tips to consume castor oil with milk.

1. You can take about 2-3 teaspoons of castor oil in a glass.
2. Add warm milk in and glass and stir properly.
3. You can consume this every night before going to sleep. This will help in managing constipation. 
4. You also can add water or fruit juice with castor oil if you do not like it with milk.
5. If you want to consume castor oil with water, make sure you are adding warm water and drinking it after meals.
6. You can consume castor oil with warm water two times in a day to manage constipation. 

1. Castor oil capsule

You could consume castor oil capsule by following these steps:

1. You can take one or two castor oil capsules.
2. Swallow the castor oil capsules with warm water.
3. It will help if you consume castor oil capsule 2 hours after having your meal.
4. You can take these capsules two times a day.

1. Plain castor oil 

You could use plain castor oil for massaging and getting rid of joint pains or muscle stiffness. The oil also works great for skin problems when applied directly. Check out how you can use the plain castor oil for massaging. 

1. You could take about 6-7 drops of castor oil or as required in the palm of your hands and then apply the oil on the affected area.
2. After applying the castor oil on the affected area, start massaging in circular motions.
3. If would help if you massaged the affected area before you go to bed and let it stay overnight.
4. You also have the option of using a hot pad after massaging the oil on the affected area. This was you can get some relief from joint pain or muscle stiffness. 
5. If you want to treat skin problems like acne or psoriasis, you could apply castor oil with a cotton ball on the affected skin 1-2 times a day.

1. Castor oil with lemon juice

You can use castor oil with lemon juice for clear and healthy skin. You can follow these steps for using castor oil with lemon juice.

1. You could take about one tablespoon of castor oil in a small bowl.
2. Add half lemon to the castor oil in the bowl and mix well.
3. You could then apply this mixture on your face and neck and let it stay for some time before washing it off.
4. After 10-15 minutes, wash it off using cold water.
5. You can repeat these steps 3-4 times in a weak for healthy and glowing looking skin.

Side effects of castor oil

Some of the side effects of excess consumption of castor oil are as follows:

• Vomiting 
• Nausea
• Diarrhea 
• Muscle cramps
• Decreased urination 
• Dizziness 
• Rashes 
• Itching 

Precautionary guide for using castor oil:

Certain precautions must be considered before the consumption of castor oil. Check out certain precautions that must be followed seriously:

    Expert advice: 

According to expert advice, you must take care of the following things.

• The castor seeds are extremely toxic as they have a toxic ingredient called Ricin on the outer covering, and the castor seed could even lead to death. Therefore, according to experts, you must never consume castor seeds. 
• You should not consume castor oil if you are suffering from health problems like stomach pain, blocked intestines, or have issues with gall bladder or bile ducts.
• You must never exceed the recommended dosage of castor oil as excess consumption of castor oil could lead to diarrhea. Therefore, you should consume castor oil as recommended by your doctor for a limited time period.
• If you face problems like stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness after castor oil consumption, you must stop the usage.

    For breastfeeding ladies:

There is not enough evidence whether the oil is safe to use for breastfeeding ladies. Therefore, it is advised not to consume castor oil if you are breastfeeding.

    For pregnant ladies:

Pregnant ladies cannot consume castor oil during pregnancy without consultation from their doctors. 

    For allergic patients 

You must consume castor oil under the ut doctor's supervision if you have an allergy or allergic to certain castor oil ingredients. Also, you must avoid castor oil if you have oily or acne-prone skin. You can do patch testing before using castor oil on the skin. 

FAQ about castor oil

How to store castor oil?

You must store castor oil in a secure bottle or a container and keep it in a cool place away from direct sunlight or heat.

Can we use castor oil with olive oil?

You can use castor oil with olive oil to apply on hair. You can follow these steps for the application of castor oil with olive oil.

1. You could take about 1-2 tablespoon of castor oil in a bowl.
2. Then add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil in the same bowl and mix well.
3. Heat the oil for 30 seconds or 1 minute before application on the scalp.
4. Start massaging the oil on the scalp for a few minutes and let it stay for 1-2 hours.
5. After a few hours, wash off the oil by using a good shampoo.
6. You can repeat this process every few days or every week for faster hair growth and manageable hair. 

Which are the best castor oil brands for hair?

The best castor oil brands for hair are as follows:

1. Aroma magic castor oil
2. Aloe Veda distills cold-pressed castor oil.
3. Soulflower castor oil
4. Khadi pure herbal ayurvedic castor oil
5. Nature's absolutes cold-pressed castor oil.
6. Morpheme remedies castor oil

So these were some brands that you can buy from online or offline stores.

Does castor oil help in weight management?

There are two views to this question. Check out the scientific view and the ayurvedic view for using castor oil for weight management.

Ayurvedic tip for using castor oil for weight management

You could follow these tips for using castor oil for managing your weight:

1. You could take about half or one tablespoon of castor oil with warm water in the morning before breakfast. You also have the option of taking castor oil with fresh juice. 
2. You must continue this process for seven days, but you must consume it every alternate week for 2-3 months for better results. 

Is it OK to take castor oil with prescription medicines?

Castor oil must never be taken with Diuretic drugs due to the following reason:

• Consumption of castor oil with Diuretic drugs can decrease the body's potassium levels. That is why you must not take castor oil with Diuretic medicines, and you must consult your doctor to avoid further complications.

Is castor oil safe to use during pregnancy?

Castor oil is used very commonly for labor induction. So if you are pregnant and are about to deliver, then consuming castor oil is safe. However, if you are pregnant but not in the term, you must not consume castor oil. Castor oil seeds are also very toxic and can cause instant death due to Ricin's toxic ingredient found in the outer covering of the seed.

When is castor oil unsafe for use?

There are two views to this question. Check out the scientific view and the ayurvedic view.

Is it good to drink castor oil?

Castor oil can be consumed after consulting with your doctor. But it is recommended that you must consume castor oil with warm milk or water for better results.

What is the right time for consuming castor oil if you are suffering from constipation? 

If you are suffering from constipation, then the right time for taking the castor oil is at night before sleeping. The correct way to consume castor oil for treating constipation is as follows:

1. You could take about half or one tablespoon of castor oil with warm milk.
2. Take this at night before sleeping for better results. However, if you still do not feel any relief, then you must consult your doctor.

Does castor oil help in the treatment of hemorrhoids?

Castor oil has ropan property, which is beneficial for the treatment of hemorrhoids. The oil helps in managing constipation, and constipation is known to be the prime cause of hemorrhoids. 

Is castor oil the best remedy for the treatment of constipation?

There are two views to this question. Check out the scientific view and the ayurvedic view.

Is castor oil good for cleansing of the stomach?

There are two views to this question. Check out the scientific view and the ayurvedic view of using castor oil for stomach cleansing.

Ayurvedic tip for using castor oil for stomach cleansing

You could follow this tip for using castor oil for stomach cleansing:

1. You could take about two or three teaspoons of castor oil in a glass.
2. Add warm milk in the glass and mix well to consume
3. You can consume this every night before going to sleep for managing constipation.

Can gallstones be treated with the usage of castor oil?

There is not enough scientific evidence to support whether gallstones be treated with castor oil or not. 

Is castor oil good for fertility?

Castor oil can help prevent infertility. Infertility is when certain hormones prevent the follicle maturation in the ovary and prevent ovulation, which in turn prevents pregnancy. 

Can we treat the symptoms of fibroid with the usage of castor oil?

There are two views to this question. Check out the scientific view and the ayurvedic view of using castor oil to treat the symptoms of fibroid.

Does castor oil help in treating the symptoms of endometriosis?

Castor oil is used for treating the symptoms of endometriosis. Some of these symptoms are muscle pain and cramps, which can be reduced with the topical application of this oil. 

What is the right procedure for using castor oil for hair?

Castor oil is used for promoting hair growth and making hair manageable. The right procedure of using castor oil for hair is as follows. You can follow this procedure for the application of castor oil on hair.

1. Take a generous amount of castor oil in a bowl. The amount of oil is dependent upon your hair length. So take oil according to your hair length and density.
2. Then you must take the same amount of coconut oil or olive oil in the same bowl and mix them together. You could also take any other oil as per your preference.
3. If would help if you heat the oil before applying it to your hair and scalp.
4. After heating the oil, start massaging the oil onto your scalp and hair for 5-10 minutes. For best results, let the oil stay overnight. 
5. In the morning, wash off the oil by using a good shampoo. It may be difficult to remove the oil from hair with only one wash. Therefore it is recommended that you wash your hair two times. 

There are certain things that you need to keep in mind before using castor oil for hair.

• You must never use castor oil without mixing it with other carrier oil as the alone application of castor oil on hair can entangle your hair and can lead to hair felting.
• You must use castor oil only two-three times a week.

What are the benefits of castor oil for skin?

There are two views to this question. Check out the scientific view and the ayurvedic view of using castor oil for skin.

Can castor oil be used for the treatment of acne?

There are two views to this question. Check out the scientific view and the ayurvedic view of using castor oil for controlling acne.

Ayurvedic tip for using castor oil for controlling acne

You can control and treat your acne by following these steps:

1. Steaming your face is the first step that you must do. The hot steam helps open up the pores.
2. After steaming your face for 4-5 minutes, take a few drops of castor oil in your palms and rub together to massage it on your face.
3. You have the option of adding rose water to the oil to make it less thick. 
4. You can repeat this process for 14 days for healthy and acne-free skin. However, you need to do this at night before going to bed.
5. You can clean your face with a good cleanser or face wash and cold water to close down the skin's pores in the morning.

 Are there any benefits of applying castor oil on hair?

There are two views to this question. Check out the scientific view and the ayurvedic view of using castor oil for controlling acne.

Is castor oil useful for removing stretch marks?

There are two views to this question. Check out the scientific view and the ayurvedic view of using castor oil for controlling acne.

Ayurvedic tip for using castor oil for stretch mark prevention

You can follow this tip for preventing the stretch marks using castor oil:

1. Take a generous amount of castor oil in the palm of your hands and massage it on to the affected area until it is deeply absorbed in the skin.
2. Repeat this process for 1-2 times a day.
3. Continue this for about 3-4 weeks for better results.

What is the right way of using castor oil with coconut oil for the growth of hair?

Since castor oil is very thick, it is best used when mixed with coconut oil for hair growth. You can follow these steps to mix castor oil and coconut oil for promoting hair growth:

1. You could take about 1-2 tablespoons of castor oil and coconut oil in a bowl and mix them together.
2. Warm this mixture of oils for 2-3 minutes before applying on the hair.
3. Now massage the oil on the hair and scalp. 
4. Let the oil stay for 1-2 hours before washing it off.
5. After keeping the oil for 1-2 hours, wash it off using a good shampoo. 

What is the right procedure for the application of castor oil on the face?

There are a few ways of using castor oil on the face. You can opt for any of these ways for the application. 

1. Castor oil massage

You could use castor oil for massaging your face. Follow these steps for the application.

1. The first step is cleaning your face by using an excellent herbal cleanser.
2. Take about one tablespoon of castor oil in the palm of your hands and massage it on your face by following a circular motion. The circular motion will help in the stimulation of blood flow in the skin cells.
3. Rinse off the oil with cold water and do not use a facewash.
4. It will help if you follow this procedure at night before going to bed.
5. In the morning, use an excellent herbal face wash to clean your face.
6. This way, you can have healthy and glowing skin. 
7. You can repeat this process 2-3 times a week.

1. Castor oil and turmeric powder

You can use castor oil with turmeric powder if you want to lighten your skin tone. Follow these steps for the application:

1. Take about half a tablespoon of turmeric powder in a bowl and add about one tablespoon of castor oil to it. Mix both the content to make a paste. 
2. You can then apply this mixture after cleaning your face correctly.
3. You must apply the paste in circular motions. 
4. Let the paste stay on your face for 15-20 minutes before washing it off.
5. After 15-20 minutes, wash off the paste and pat dry your face.
6. You can repeat this process 2-3 times in a week for better skin tone and glowing skin.
7. Castor oil, lemon juice, and honey

You can make a mixture of castor oil, lemon juice, and honey for the skin's application. Follow these steps to prepare the mixture:

1. You could take about one tablespoon of castor oil in a bowl. Then add about one tablespoon of honey and half a tablespoon of lemon juice in the bowl.
2. Mix all the ingredients and make a thick paste.
3. You can then apply this paste on a clean face.
4. Let the paste stay for a good 10-15 minutes.
5. After the time is over, you can wash off the paste.
6. You can repeat this process for 3-4 times a week to reduce pigmentation and get a healthy glow. 

Does castor oil help in the treatment of eczema? 

Castor oil has an emollient property, which is beneficial for the treatment of eczema. Some symptoms of eczema are itchy, dry, and inflamed skin. Castor oil acts as a natural moisturizer that helps treat dry skin. Since castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties, it is beneficial for inflamed skin. Therefore, a person suffering from eczema can apply castor oil on the affected area daily to treat eczema.

Does castor oil make a good body massage oil?

There are two views to this question. Check out the scientific view and the ayurvedic view of using castor oil for body massage.

Tips for using castor oil for body massage

Castor oil is good for body massages, and you can follow this procedure for a body massage using castor oil.

1. You could take about 3-5 tablespoons of castor oil or as per required for massaging the oil over the body.
2. To treat body pain or joint pain, you could take a cotton pad and dip it in castor oil. Place the dipped cotton pad over the affected area and wrap it with plastic.
3. Then place a heating pad over the plastic for about an hour.
4. This will help in getting rid of arthritic pain from the affected area.
5. You can repeat this process every week to get better results. 

Is castor oil a good agent for anti-aging?

Castor oil has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which help delay the signs of aging by preventing wrinkles and keeping the skin nourished and healthy. Therefore, applying castor oil on the skin can help in managing the aging symptoms. You can use castor oil on your face in circular motions to promote the flow of blood.

( Disclaimer : The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or ayurvedic doctor. )