Castor oil has many benefits. It is used in its pure form, added to lotions and moisturizers, and even taken orally. Together with your doctor, we’ll figure out why it’s useful and how it works.
Castor oil is one of the most popular and valuable vegetable oils. The ancient Egyptians began using it as a laxative and to induce labor. Today, castor oil is included in many cosmetic products: from mascara and hair care products to scrubs. In addition, you can add it to your favorite cream or make a homemade mask from it. A nice bonus: this universal beauty product is sold in almost every pharmacy.
Can castor oil be taken internally?
Only castor oil capsules are taken internally. The protective shell of the capsule disintegrates in the duodenum, exposed to pancreatic enzymes. Thanks to this, the gastric mucosa is not irritated by contact with the contents.
The broken capsule shell releases the contents in the intestines, which provokes irritation of the villi and intestinal walls along its entire length. This leads to a reflex increase in peristalsis, due to which feces move more actively towards the anus, simultaneously softening the intestinal muscles.
Medicinal properties
The healing properties of castor oil are limited to a fairly narrow area. This is still one of the most effective and natural laxatives with a mild effect , which does not lead to disruption of the natural regulation of intestinal function. Castor oil is taken internally as a laxative, the effect occurs after 2, maximum 8 hours.
In addition, the oil stimulates labor and enhances lactation.
But the main use of oil for medical purposes remains the use of its viscous consistency and emollient properties to create balms and ointments with a variety of functions - from healing to protecting damaged skin.
Where to apply castor oil
I use the product to treat calluses. The oil effectively softens the skin, so it can be applied to rough calluses to soften the rough areas of the foot. After applying the oil, your feet should be wrapped in warmth - for example, put on cotton socks.
The same effect is observed when used on the face. The oil makes the skin more elastic, reducing the intensity of wrinkle formation. When lubricating the space between eyelashes, the oil penetrates to the bulbs, where it acts as a growth activator. It wakes up sleeping bulbs. Long-term use of the oil at night can make eyelashes appear thicker.
Indications for use
Oral administration is indicated for constipation . Externally, castor oil is used in ointments and balms to soften the skin, strengthen hair, remove dandruff , treat ulcers , wounds and burns .
In cosmetology, castor oil is used as a care product for hair, eyelashes, lips, and heels.
The antimicrobial activity of ricinoleic acid allows the use of castor oil for fungal and bacterial infections (including mycoses of the nails and fingers), inflammatory diseases of internal organs and skin, infectious diseases in gynecology, keratosis , ringworm , chronic itching that accompanies infectious diseases , acne .
In addition, in folk medicine, the remedy is used to prevent abdominal stretch marks, to treat sebaceous cysts, muscle strains, hemorrhoids , chronic fluid retention in the body, problems with the lymph nodes, liver and gall bladder, asthma and arthritis .
When does castor oil start to work?
When taken orally, the capsule substance is released in the duodenum. With different congestion of the gastrointestinal tract, and depending on the individual activity of the pancreas, destruction of the capsule may occur 15-30 minutes after administration. And the laxative effect is achieved much later - within 5-6 hours. This time is required for the oil to activate the intestinal muscles along its entire length. This means that until the oil itself reaches the end of the intestine, the laxative effect will not appear.
Methods of using castor oil
The use of oil for both medical and cosmetic purposes is significantly limited by its density and viscosity. In aromatherapy, castor oil is used both in pure and diluted form.
Undiluted castor oil helps solve specific problems and is used for internal use. The oil is also mixed into cosmetics and various emulsions as a nutritional or softening component in the form of a 10% additive.
Recommended methods for using castor oil:
- for the production or enrichment of cosmetics in a ratio of 1 to 10 with the base product;
- to improve the condition and increase the thickness of eyelashes, castor oil in its pure form is applied with a brush daily or rubbed into the eyelids with massage movements three times a week;
- to combat wrinkles, castor oil in its pure form is applied to the facial skin and a light facial massage is performed, moving along the massage lines and removing excess oil after the procedure;
- to combat age-related changes in the skin around the eyes, heated castor oil is applied with fingertips using driving movements, carrying out the procedure twice or thrice a month;
- to improve the condition of dry hair and scalp, use oil compresses from an equal mixture of castor and almond oils or castor and olive oils, with the addition of half the dose of shampoo, repeating the compresses 1-2 times a month;
- to stimulate hair growth in children, castor oil is rubbed into the scalp at night with thorough washing of the hair in the morning with a course of procedures until improvement or 1-2 times a month;
- to strengthen hair, use onion masks from a mixture of onion juice (2 tablespoons) and castor oil (2 tablespoons) for 30-40 minutes or at night rub the scalp with a strengthening and dandruff-eliminating mixture of castor oil (1 tablespoon), alcohol (1 tablespoon spoon or 2 tablespoons of vodka) and onion juice (1 tablespoon);
- to combat dandruff, rub a mixture of castor oil (2 tablespoons) and calendula tincture (2 tablespoons) into the scalp for 30-40 minutes;
- to stop hair loss, rub a mixture of alcohol and castor oil in equal parts into the scalp for 1-2 hours, followed by rinsing with acidified water and thoroughly washing off any remaining oil with shampoo;
- for pigment spots, warts, hemorrhoids, apply pure oil to the affected areas, followed by massaging twice a day until results are achieved;
- orally as a laxative on an empty stomach in the amount of 15-30 g;
- Turkish red oil can be used as an emulsifier
Can children drink castor oil?
If a child has stool retention, the reason should be found out. Castor oil will be a safe solution to the problem if difficult bowel movements are associated with poor diet:
- low consumption of fiber (fruits and vegetables);
- insufficient amount of fluid to drink;
- abuse of flour products.
In all other cases associated with intestinal obstruction, impaired blood supply to the rectum, and abrasion of the villi due to celiac disease (gluten intolerance), a doctor’s consultation is needed and treatment is prescribed, which often becomes inevitable surgical intervention.
For rare episodes of difficult bowel movements caused by poor nutrition, the following dosage in children is acceptable:
- 4-5 years old – one capsule orally with meals;
- 6-7 years old – two capsules with meals;
- over 8 years old - two capsules with one meal and another capsule with the next.
If there is no expected effect within 24 hours, you should contact a gastroenterologist.
Storage rules
Although this oil is completely resistant to rancidity, the composition of fatty acids can change under the influence of air, light and temperature, and accordingly, after opening the oil, its characteristics and properties may change.
Castor oil is a base with a limited shelf life, which retains its characteristics only for 1-2 years, and the oil must be stored tightly closed, in a dark container and protected from access to light. Once you start using castor oil, you can only store it in the refrigerator.
Contraindications
Contraindications for use are:
- hypersensitivity to castor seed oil;
- poisoning with male fern extract or fat-soluble toxic substances (for example, benzene or phosphorus);
- acute diseases localized in the abdominal cavity (including internal bleeding into the abdominal cavity or the lumen of its hollow organs, acute inflammatory processes, strangulated internal hernias , various forms of obstruction of the digestive tract);
- pregnancy.
Helps get rid of acne
Finding an oil that actually fights acne seems out of the ordinary. But not in the case of castor oil. It is antimicrobial and, when applied directly to the skin, fights acne-causing bacteria. The oil also helps reduce inflammation, which later turns into acne. It is known to be associated with an imbalance of certain types of bacteria on the skin, including Staphylococcus aureus. Castor oil, as a natural antiseptic, can also cope with this cause of facial rash.
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Overdose
An overdose occurs when taking a dose exceeding 7 grams per kilogram of weight. Characteristic symptoms of overdose are:
- sharp cramps in the abdomen ;
- diarrhea;
- kidney dysfunction;
- hallucinations;
- dizziness;
- loss of consciousness.
Antidotes for castor oil are Loperamide and Atropine sulfate . Treatment is aimed at:
- replenishment of electrolyte and fluid losses (as a rule, the patient is prescribed a combined intravenous and oral administration of rehydration agents );
- elimination of violations caused by an overdose on the part of various systems and organs.
If neurotoxic effects , 5 to 10 mg of diazepam .
Physico-chemical characteristics
Molecular formula: C3H5(C18H33O3)3. Transparent or slightly yellowish liquid (freezing point = −16 °C), thick and viscous. The smell is weak, the taste is peculiar, unpleasant.
Unsaturated compounds are oxidized under the influence of atmospheric oxygen and light. Oxidation products initiate the polymerization of unsaturated compounds - this happens, for example, in sunflower oil. In castor, the content of double bonds is low, its components do not polymerize.
CAS registration number: 8001-79-4.
Interaction
Castor oil reduces the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D and K. The use of the drug in a dose of up to 4 grams per day increases the absorption of fat-soluble drugs - Mebendazole , Probucol , Griseofulvin , Dryopteris filix-mas (male fern) extract.
In combination with saline laxatives, the possibility of a sharp increase in the laxative effect cannot be ruled out.
M-cholinergic receptor blockers ( Pirenzepine , Platyfilin , Atropine sulfate ) and antispasmodics ( Drotaverine , Papaverine ) weaken the effect of the oil.
Glycerin and cholinesterase inhibitors ( Rivastigmine , Pyridostigmine , neostigmine ) potentiate the laxative effect of the drug.
The drug potentiates the effect of drugs that increase the contractile activity of the myometrium ( Oxytocin , Methylergometrine , prostaglandins , Ergometrine ). This combination increases the likelihood of uterine rupture during childbirth.
When applied topically, it increases the percutaneous absorption of drugs that are applied to the skin simultaneously.
What is the raw material for oil?
Castor oil is made from the seeds of the castor bean, a palm-like plant that can be seen in many people's flower beds. Only in tropical regions does it reach 12 meters in height, and in the middle zone it grows to only 2 meters.
The variety of castor beans is enormous, thanks to crossbreeding, but the more common species are:
- Ordinary.
- Cambodian.
- Cossack girl.
- Bourbon.
The plant is poisonous because it contains ricin poison. But the oil made from it is safe for the human body and even very useful.
Moisturizes and nourishes the skin
Castor oil is found in many moisturizing formulas, but it actually works even more effectively when applied after your body cream. It is better not to use it on the face due to the increased level of comedogenicity. But as a nourishing agent for knees, elbows and feet, it will work perfectly. Thanks again to the monounsaturated fatty acid ricinoleic acid, which acts as a natural moisturizer for the skin. It retains moisture, preventing its loss through the stratum corneum of the epidermis.
Analogs
Level 4 ATX code matches:
Slabicap
Kafiol
Guttasil
Senadexin
Laxigal
Senna leaves
Herbion Laksana
Dulcolax
Bisacodyl
Regulax Picosulfate
Regulax
Weak
Mukofalk
Senade
Guttalax
Ricinova oliya-Viola , Agiolax , Bisacodyl , Glaxenna , Dulcolax , Guttalax , Laxigal , Mucofalk , Izafenin , Regulax , Slabilen , Slabicap , Senade , Tisasen , Picoprep , Fibralax .
