Not the Castor Oil of your childhood!

Castor oil has made a comeback. Back in the day, it was used as a laxative, and you’d ingest it because your mother made you! Today there are so many more health benefits to this oil.

Castor oil is a thick vegetable oil that is made from the seeds of the castor plant. Historically, it was used as a beauty tool.  Supposedly Cleopatra used it to brighten the whites of her eyes.  It has vitamin E, omega-9 and omega-6 fatty acids. The primary active ingredient is a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid, which is an omega-9 fatty acid.

Needing to use essential oils – castor oil can cause them to go deeper into the skin. Using it as a carrier oil, it goes beyond the top layer of your skin into the tissues. Therapeutically, this can be really helpful and is where a castor oil pack comes in handy. A castor oil pack is a less messy way of potentially detoxifying your body and reducing inflammation.

Regularly using castor oil can also help with hair growth. Many use on their eyebrows and eyelashes.  It nourishes the hair follicles and enhances circulation. This can successfully be done with an eye compress while you sleep. Using this compress can balance melatonin and help you naturally have deeper sleep.

Castor oil can still be used if you are constipated.  It is suggested that instead of ingesting, that a castor oil pack be used.  It is just as effective and doesn’t have the potential cramps that ingesting can sometimes cause.

Some other uses include balancing hormones, balancing the microbiome, natural pain reliever, wrinkle reducer, and also as an antioxidant for eye health.

Take another look at castor oil. It’s a great tool in your wellness toolkit!!!

Until next time - Be your own health champion!