Introduction:
Castor oil is a vegetable derived from the Ricinus communis plant with numerous medical compositional properties. Castor oil is extracted from castor beans and is primarily used for commercial purposes. It is commonly seen in countries like Africa, India, and South America, where India is the leading producer of castor oil. Castor oil is a thick non-volatile fatty oil that has a distinctive taste, color, and smell. It contains an enzyme (proteins that help in metabolism and carry out chemical reactions within the body) called ricin which is potentially a harmful enzyme that gets deactivated and evaporates when boiled under higher temperatures.
Is Castor Oil Good for Hair?
Castor oil is one of the commonly used and preferred home remedies when it comes to hair health. Castor oil is one of the highly beneficial oils loaded with triglycerides and antioxidants. Castor oil, apart from the superficial benefits, penetrates deeply into the scalp helping it heal from the roots. Castor oil is good for the growth of hair. The benefits of castor oil on hair are:
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Nourishes and Hydrates Hair: Castor oil is a naturally dense and viscous oil that, when applied to the hair, provides hydration and seals the hair, preventing it from excessive loss of moisture from the hair. Castor oil contains an essential amino acid (protein) called ricinoleic acid that serves as a natural emollient, smoothing the hair. The presence of omega-six and nine fatty acids adds to the hydration and evaporation of moisture.
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Antibacterial and Antifungal in Nature: Castor oil's antimicrobial nature is highly potent because of the presence and function of the lectin protein called ricin in castor beans. The presence of this lectin protein has a very high antibacterial property with a high blood clotting activity and growth-inhibiting nature of the disease-causing human bacteria. This antimicrobial property of the lectin plant is done by binding the carbohydrate molecules in the bacterial cell wall. Because of this property, the application of castor oil on hair helps in fighting bacterial infections.
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Makes Hair Healthy and Shiny: Castor oil is composed of oleic and linoleic acids. Both these essential amino acids enrich the nourishment of the hair strands. Linoleic acid stimulates hair growth, maintaining healthy scalp conditions and preventing excessive moisture loss. Whereas oleic acid helps in locking moisture, this property from both these essential acids makes the hair more supple, soft, and pliable preventing it from breaking and dehydration.
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Enriched With Vitamin E: The rich amount of vitamin E and natural fatty acids that are good for hair health. Vitamin E restores the natural protein synthesis cycle of the hair, which regulates the normal growth and rest cycle. Vitamin E strengthens the hair stands, acting as a bonding agent and preventing excessive shedding of hair.
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Promotes Hair Growth: Although there is a tiny clinical study proving this point, a healthier hair scalp and follicles boost hair growth tremendously, and applying castor oil on hair, along with its other properties, enriches the hair follicle strengthening it from deep within. Applying warm castor oil on the scalp and scalp massage promotes blood circulation in the scalp and induces the rate of hair to grow faster and thicker. It also keeps the scalp hydrated preventing it from drying out, especially in places of hot weather.
What Are the Benefits of Castor Oil?
Castor oil is a triglyceride that possesses various natural properties, as shown by an increased viscosity. and is high in antioxidants. The benefits of castor oil are as follows:
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It acts as a natural moisturizer when applied to the skin.
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Castor oil when taken orally, serves as a natural laxative that helps in treating constipation. But, it needs to be taken under medical supervision.
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The anti-inflammatory property promotes wound healing as it is rich in proteins and amino acids.
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It reduces acne due to its antibacterial properties.
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It prevents and treats wrinkles as it is rich in vitamin E. It contributes to anti-aging effects.
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It promotes hair growth and nourishes them. Some people use this oil on their eyelashes and eyebrows to promote growth.
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It alleviates joint pain and inflammation.
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Sometimes, castor oil can help stimulate contractions during labor in pregnant women.
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It detoxifies the liver and removes toxins from the body. The oil is good for the liver, aids in scavenging free radicals,
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It enhances immune responses and supports them
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.It contributes to the relief of joint pain and inflammation.
How to Apply Castor Oil?
The castor oil can be applied in the following ways:
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An individual should take a small amount of castor oil on the palm and evenly spread it on the skin to prevent dryness.
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In the case of acne treatment, castor oil can be mixed with coconut oil and applied on acne-prone areas, and left in place for 15 to 30 minutes. Then rinse it with water.
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Castor oil can be directly applied to the hair and left for an hour before shampooing.
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For the growth of eyelashes and eyebrows, the castor oil can be applied on clean mascara or a cotton swab and applied directly over the eyelashes and eyebrows and left overnight.
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To relieve joint pain and inflammation, warm the castor oil and gently massage over the affected joints.
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For liver detoxification, castor oil is applied to the cloth, and that cloth is tied over the skin. Then, place a heating pad.
What Are the Precautions to Be Taken While Using Castor Oil?
While the use of castor oil is one of the safest oils to use, excessive usage of oil should be prevented, and mindful usage is recommended. The things to be considered while using castor oil are:
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Castor oil is very sticky, heavy on the scalp, and possesses a natural odor; hence, it is important to dilute castor oil along with some carrier oils like coconut or jojoba oil to reduce the thickness and dilute the smell.
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Castor oils have potential staining properties and should be used with caution to prevent staining of clothes.
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The viscosity of the oil makes it very difficult to get it removed easily, and hence, it is necessary to do proper shampooing to get rid of the oil traces.
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It is always important to have a medical opinion in case of excessive hair loss, as the application of castor oil cannot solve the cause, but rather treating the underlying cause is highly recommended.
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The viscosity and heaviness of the oil can lead to headaches and congestion. Hence, people with a history of sinusitis or upper respiratory tract infection can use it cautiously.
Conclusion:
Castor oils have been prescribed by physicians and used for over a hundred years now and are considered non-toxic and safe to be used by humans, especially for topical applications like skin and hair. Castor oil has many beneficial properties as it is rich in protein content and natural oils that act as natural emollients to keep the hair shiny, smooth, and supple. Hence, the usage of castor oil for the benefit of the hair can be used under allowed quantities. It plays a significant role in ayurvedic treatment and preparation of ayurvedic medicines. However, it should also be kept in mind that the benefit of castor oil is seen as an adjunct in hair health along with the intake of rich and proper nutrients required for hair health and growth.
