Surprising Castor Oil Benefits You Didn’t Know About
In this post, we will talk about the surprising castor oil benefits you probably didn’t even know about! Castor Oil has anti-inflammatory properties and helps so many things! It can help with aches, pains, digestive issues, dry scalp, itchy scalp, menstrual cramps, blood flow, blood circulation, and SO much more!
This post will explore the benefits of applying castor oil to your body, starting with small doses, and also mention about a unique method involving the belly button, and how it can be used on other parts of your body too.
Whether you’re dealing with lots of ailments or other ones like hair loss, dry skin, arthritis pain, or joint pain, castor oil might just be the natural remedy you’ve been searching for.
*This post includes my affiliate links
What is Castor Oil?
But first! Let’s talk about what castor oil is! Castor oil is a type of vegetable oil pressed from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant (seeds of the castor bean plant), native to South America.
It’s rich in ricinoleic acid, which is a unique type of fatty acid known for its potent anti inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
While it’s widely used for its health benefits, it’s important to choose organic, cold-pressed castor oil (organic, cold-pressed, hexane-free castor oil) to avoid any additives or chemicals. I bought this castor oil and love it! (see picture of it below!)
Castor Oil Benefits for Pain Relief and Body Detoxification
One of the traditional uses of castor oil is for pain relief, particularly for conditions like arthritis. You can apply castor oil directly to the affected area to help soothe pain and reduce inflammation.
Castor Oil has SO many various uses! For a deeper impact, making a castor oil pack can significantly enhance its healing properties, especially for detoxifying the liver.
If you don’t feel like making one at home, then you can also buy castor oil packs on Amazon for pretty cheap!
Here’s how to make a castor oil packs:
- Soak a piece of 100% cotton cloth or piece of cotton flannel in organic, cold-pressed, hexane-free castor oil.
- Cover the soaked cloth or flannel piece with plastic wrap to prevent oil leakage and to prevent stains.
- Place a heating pad or hot water bottle over the plastic wrap for 20-30 minutes. Start with shorter durations of about 5-10 minutes and gradually increase to avoid overwhelming the body.
It’s really important to listen to your body and adjust the castor oil accordingly because everyone reacts to it differently!
The Belly Button Method
Applying castor oil to the belly button is an ancient practice believed to improve digestion and cure dry eyes, thanks to its ability to penetrate deeply into the body.
This method is simple: just apply a few drops of castor oil directly into your belly button and allow it to absorb overnight.
There are said to be tons of nerve endings in your belly button and that is why putting some castor oil in your belly button is so effective!
Potential Risks and Considerations
While castor oil is generally safe, it’s really important to proceed with caution to help avoid any unpleasant side effects. As with using any new products on your body, just remember to start slow and small!
Here are some helpful potential use ideas to get you started with using castor oil safely:
- Always do a small skin patch test to ensure you don’t have allergic reactions. This is the best way to avoid and bad reactions to your skin.
- Consult with a healthcare provider before using castor oil, especially if you have a medical condition or pregnant women, (as it can induce labor by causing uterine contractions).
- Always start with using small quantities and build up to more as your body gets used to castor oil for best results.
Are Your Detoxification Pathways Open?
Castor oil is a potent detoxifier that facilitates the movement of toxins within the body but does not extract them.
To effectively remove the toxins from your body, it’s important to make sure that your detoxification pathways are open.
Just always remember to go slowly when using the castor oil and only use a little bit at first and work your way up to a larger amount.
How To Open Your Detoxification Pathways
- Drinking plenty of high-quality water, such as distilled or reverse osmosis water. Aim for about one quart per 50 lbs of body weight daily.
- Ensuring regular bowel movements, as most toxins exit through the bowels.
- Promoting sweat through methods like saunas, exercise, or dry brushing to expel toxins through the skin.
Do These Things To Safely Help The Toxins Out Of Your Body
If you experience detox symptoms such as headaches, flu-like symptoms, skin reactions, or emotional disturbances, it’s a sign that toxins are being released faster than they can be eliminated.
Some of these things are the same things you do when opening up your pathways, but if you are starting to feel yucky, then you can do these things too, to help you feel better.
How To Manage The Detox Symptoms:
- Pause your castor oil treatments and allow your body to rest.
- Consider using activated charcoal to help absorb toxins, but be mindful to stay well-hydrated as it can be dehydrating. These are the activated charcoal capsules I bought and take sometimes.
- Drink lots and lots of water!
- Go poop!! Seriously, go!
- Exercise and sweat up a storm or lie in a sauna (see the sauna I bought, linked below)
If you do take activated charcoal for detox symptoms, just remember that the charcoal pills will probably cancel out any medication you have taken for the day. So if you are taking any important medications, you need to consult your doctor first! Duh!
I have always wanted a sauna, so I bought a sauna box around Christmas (it was on sale and a great price)! This is the sauna I bought! There is still a $30 off coupon you can check and get it for cheap right now. So be sure to check that out before it’s gone.
Other Uses of Castor Oil
- Natural Laxative: Castor oil is known as a natural remedy for constipation, enhancing bowel movement.
- Hair Growth: Applying it to the scalp can help promote healthier, thicker hair by nourishing the hair follicles. You can also use it on your eyebrows and eyelashes too!
- Skin Care: Its hydrating properties make it an excellent moisturizer for dry skin and effective in reducing acne and fine lines. You can also use carrier oils with it like coconut oil, or jojoba oil.
My Personal Experience with Castor Oil
I’ve personally used castor oil for arthritis in my thumbs. By applying it overnight with a cotton ball and bandage, I found significant pain relief by morning. This simple remedy has worked wonders for me, proving that sometimes, ancient remedies really do hold up!
Castor oil is a versatile oil with numerous benefits ranging from improving hair health to easing joint pain and enhancing overall health.
By understanding how to use it correctly and recognizing its potential uses, you can safely incorporate this effective treatment into your daily wellness routine with (hopefully) no adverse effects.
Worth Mentioning Again and Again!
Remember, while castor oil is a powerful natural remedy, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment, especially if you have underlying health issues that could give you potential side effects and we don’t want that!
Happy oiling, and here’s to a healthier you!
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