Best Organic Castor Oil of 2018 Reviewed

Why You Need Castor Oil

 

When you’re faced with a health problem, why not call Mother Nature for help?

Excessive chemicals are used in almost all health and beauty products these days, which is wreaking havoc on our bodies and the environment (1).

It’s time for you to be sensible.

Start looking to the various flora spread across our precious earth for solutions to your health problems.

Go green! Your body will surely thank you!

There’s no denying the efficacy of various medicines that modern medical science has to offer.

The same goes for quality beauty products, but many consumers are concerned about unwanted side effects.

Therefore, you constantly have to carry out a cost-benefit analysis in your mind.

You may find a potent product that promises complete dandruff management through continual use, but what about the health of your hair?

There’s a reason why you’re seeing an increasing number of people looking for alternative ways to heal themselves.

Natural therapy is en vogue. And we’re so glad it is!

By returning to nature for solutions, we discover safer, more reliable ways to improve our health, appearance, and vitality (2).

New plants, herbs, and extracts are coming into the limelight, and in some cases, we’re falling in love with familiar natural products all over again.

 

What is Castor Oil

 

You know castor oil, don’t you?

We’re sure you’re familiar with this famous laxative.

But here’s the thing – it’s more than just that.

In the past, a bottle of castor oil was a staple in every household.

Mothers used to give it to their kids as a punishment when they misbehaved.

As far as punishments go, a spoonful of castor oil isn’t half-bad.

This nutrient-rich oil may cause a child to make a yucky face, but her body is surely grateful.

Castor oil is extracted from the seeds of Ricinus Communis (also called the castor oil plant).

The seeds are pressed to obtain a pale-yellow oil that’s a rich source of ricinoleic acid, along with many other fatty acids with numerous benefits.

This reactive oil is completely safe to use, and it’s versatile enough to be used for healing and medicinal products, as well as lubricants for heavy machines (3).

Like many others, you may have just started thinking about using this amazing, natural oil.

But throughout history, it’s been frequently used.

In fact, the ancient Egyptians, Indians, Chinese, Greeks, and Romans used castor oil for various purposes.

It was used as a fuel for lamps, a trusted laxative and purgative, an antibacterial agent, and a way to improve the health of skin and hair.

 

Benefits of Castor Oil

 

You’re sure to find castor oil awe-inspiring.

From your skin and hair to your digestive and immune system, castor oil works wonders.

This nutrient-packed oil is rich in vitamin E, omega 6 and 9 fatty acids, and many other vitamins and minerals.

It’s a standalone oil that works perfectly with most other essential oils, so it’s imperative that you have some present in your kitchen cabinet at all times.

By using castor oil, you can:

 

Get Regular

 

Small quantities of castor oil are perfectly safe to ingest, and they can prove to be a much healthier substitute to other over-the-counter laxatives that you usually get for yourself and your family.

Unlike most other laxatives that work in your large intestines, it starts working its magic in the small intestine.

You can expect relief from your constipation within just a few hours of its ingestion (4).

 

Give Your Muscles Some Rest

 

Perhaps you have sore calves and thighs after a workout, and you’re looking for a quick fix.

Then rubbing some castor oil over your sore muscles may do the trick.

You can mix it with other essential oils and give yourself a soothing, relieving massage.

 

Bring Your Inflammation Down

 

As a result of an injury like arthritis or an injury, inflammation can be painful, but castor oil can help treat it as well.

You can make a castor oil pack by using a piece of flannel and placing it over the affected areas for a while.

You’re likely to experience the alleviation of pain and inflammation.

 

Stop Fungal Growth

 

Castor oil has long been well-known for its antifungal properties.

It’s also used in many antifungal medicinal products.

If you apply mildly warm castor oil and some other essential oils to a patch of skin under fungal attack, it may show considerable improvements.

It’s an effective treatment for fungal diseases, such as ringworm, athlete’s foot, and tinea cruris (crotch itch) (5).

 

Boost Hair Growth

 

Massaging your scalp with mildly warm castor oil doesn’t only soothe and calm you, it increases the blood flow to your hair follicles, which promotes hair growth.

If you leave castor oil in your hair overnight and wash it with a natural shampoo in the morning, then you’ll be sure to make your locks longer and shinier.

 

Brush Off Your Dandruff

 

If you mix some castor oil with honey and lemon juice and apply it to your scalp for about half an hour, it’ll effectively clean dandruff from your scalp.

Your dandruff is most often caused by a fungus, so the antifungal properties of castor oil can come in handy by keeping flakes away from your head.

 

Effective Conditioner

 

You can add a couple of drops of castor oil to your regular conditioner and give it a touch of nature.

Castor oil works particularly well for dry hair by locking in the moisture after you shower.

Castor oil has also been shown to work well to treat split ends, as well as weakened hair.

 

Make Your Eyelashes Pop

 

Have you heard of this new trend? Women are putting castor oil on their lashes!

Why you may ask? Well, it works, that’s why.

If you want to say goodbye to your eyelash extensions, leave some castor oil on your lashes overnight.

Thicker eyebrows are also a current trend, so while you’re at it, why not rub some castor oil on your eyebrows?

It’ll stimulate the growth of hair and give your eyebrows a lush look.

 

Moisturize

 

Castor oil is nature’s moisturizer.

If you have dry skin, you can mix castor oil with sesame seed oil to gently massage your face.

For normal skin, grape seed oil may go well with castor oil.

But if you have oily skin, you can mix it with some jojoba oil.

Leave it on for a couple of minutes, put a warm damp washcloth over your face, and wipe off the extra oil with a cotton pad.

Then your skin will be supple and radiant.

 

Keep Wrinkles under Control

 

Castor oil is also known to boost the production of elastin and collagen in the skin, allowing it to retain its flexibility.

Whether you want to maintain your youthful looks or want some help with your existing wrinkles, give castor oil a try.

 

Remedy for Sunburn

 

Mixing equal quantities of castor oil and coconut oil helps soothe your sunburned skin.

Its anti-inflammatory properties can help bring the redness and swelling down while offering effective relief from any pain or discomfort you may be suffering (6).

 

Beat Your Acne

 

The ricinoleic acid present in castor oil has antimicrobial properties, which can help you control your mild acne.

Just thoroughly wash your face, apply some castor oil over the affected areas, and leave it overnight.

You can expect to see some improvement in a couple of weeks.

It’s important that you consult your skin specialist before starting castor oil therapy.

 

Get Rid Of the Scars

 

The fatty acids in castor oil are highly penetrative.

They can easily get absorbed and work from within.

They promote the growth of healthy, new tissues around scars and improve the appearance of the scars themselves.

They can also act as a preventative measure against the appearance of stretch marks during pregnancy (7).

 

Comprehensive Manicure

 

Applying castor oil to your nails and cuticles is sure to get you smoother, softer fingertips.

Brittle, cracked nails can vastly benefit from a daily massage with castor oil.

It can also be used as a moisturizing hand cream.

 

Clear Up Your Allergies

 

If you orally ingest a few drops of castor oil, you can improve your immune system, which will help your body fight against common allergies.

Although castor oil is safe for ingestion, it’s important that you consult your doctor before taking it.

 

Induce Labor

 

One of the most well-known benefits of castor oil is that it helps induce labor, as it causes strong pelvic contractions and may trigger uterine contractions.

Castor oil has been used throughout history to help with delivery, but doctors advise against it, as resulting diarrhea can cause severe dehydration.

 

How Castor Oil Works

 

By now, castor oil should’ve impressed you.

It’s a perfect way to make your life healthier and easier.

There are many benefits to castor oil, but the working mechanisms of this natural oil are simple:

• High Viscosity

Castor oil is one of the most viscous vegetable oils out there.

This property makes it perfect to be used as a lubricant for machines and household items.

Viscous natural oils also make for a good moisturizer in cold climates, as they stay put without clogging the pores.

• Antimicrobial Properties

One of the many reasons why castor oil treats so many skin conditions is that it’s able to prevent and restrict bacterial and viral growth on your skin.

The many antimicrobial fatty acids in castor oil give this oil the amazing ability to fend off germs.

• Penetrative Power

The fatty acids that constitute most of this amazing oil have the unparalleled ability to be absorbed deep into the skin, where they can affect the underlying muscles.

It’s surprising to see how many ailments related to muscles and joints subside as the result of the topical application of castor oil.

• Warmth

Castor oil is a great way to provide steady warmth to a sore or fatigued part of your body.

Once warmed, the oil doesn’t cool down for quite a while, so it acts as a perfect heating pad to offer you the relief you deserve.

And the high warmth quotient of castor oil makes it an effective anti-inflammatory agent (8).

• Antifungal Agent

Undecylenic acid is a byproduct of the ricinoleic fatty acid that’s abundant in the oil.

It has potent antifungal properties, and it’s been shown to be effective against fungal diseases, such as ringworm, athlete’s foot, and tinea cruris.

You can access this extremely effective natural antifungal agent without exposing your body to the toxic effects of the antifungal drugs (9).

• Decongesting the Lymph Vessels

Ricinoleic acid is a great anti-inflammatory chemical.

Its analgesic properties work wonders by opening up the lymph vessels in your body and getting rid of the toxic wastes blocking the vessels.

The fluid in these vessels moves freely without causing pain in your muscles and joints.

 

How to Use Castor Oil

 

If you’re wondering how you can tap into the powers of castor oil, fear not!

In addition to oral ingestions, this versatile oil can be applied in a variety of ways.

Here are some of the most effective ways to take advantage of the efficacy of castor oil.

 

Gentle Massage

 

Whether you’re looking to get rid of unsightly blemishes, reduce pigmentation, or get your stretch marks under control, placing a few drops of castor oil on the affected area and massaging the skin with gentle, circular motions works wonders.

If an elderly friend of yours has arthritis, nudge them to massage their joints with castor oil.

They’ll definitely thank you! (10)

 

Dropper

 

If thickening your hair is your goal, a dropper is the best way to utilize the benefits of castor oil.

Place three parts castor oil and one part jojoba oil in a dark-colored dropper bottle.

Shake it well to mix the ingredients.

Part your hair, and use the dropper to add a few drops of this viscous oil to your scalp.

Gently massage the area and see your hair come to life right in front of your eyes.

 

Castor Oil Pack

 

As mentioned above, castor oil packs are amazing.

They allow the steady absorption of warmth and goodness of potent fatty acids into your skin without causing any harm.

To make a castor oil pack, all you need is a piece of cotton flannel and some castor oil.

Get an appropriately sized piece of flannel and thoroughly soak it in castor oil.

To give the pack enough time to thoroughly soak, you should start this process a day before you apply it to your body.

When using it, place the pack on the desired part of your body, cover it with a sheet of plastic, place a heating pack (such as a hot water bottle) on top, and experience the soothing, healing powers of this extraordinary oil (11).

 

What to Look for in Castor Oil

 

To get the most out of your castor oil experience, you need to get the best product you possibly can.

You might think it won’t be that hard to find because it’s just oil.

Well, the properties and benefits of any oil heavily depend on the purity of the sources, as well as extraction procedures.

Here’s a look at some of the things you need to keep an eye on when buying castor oil.

• Natural and Organic

Look for bottles of castor oil that clearly mention the organic nature of the contents on the label.

It’s preferred to get a product that doesn’t shy away from naming the country of origin.

This information is important because only seeds grown in areas with the perfect climatic conditions succeed in delivering the benefits.

• Gently Pressed Seeds

To extract the oil from the castor seeds, they must be crushed and pressed with steady, continuous force.

It’s important to methodically carry out the entire process without using excessive heat or chemicals such as hexane, which has the ability to change the composition and efficacy of the oil.

Cold-pressed oil is usually referred to as extra-virgin castor oil, and it’s preferred by most experts (12).

• The Appearance

Castor oil is a highly viscous oil that’s usually pale yellow when cold-pressed.

There are some castor oil products in the market that are more transparent, as they’ve been filtered to lower iodine content.

As the name implies, Jamaican black castor oil is dark in color, but it has pretty much the same properties.

 

What to Avoid in Castor Oil

 

Whether you’re looking to use the power of castor oil to fight a particular ailment or are just a fan of the many benefits it has to offer your skin (and general wellness), you need to get a product that manages to effectively deliver the goodness castor oil has to offer.

Here are a few signs that you should avoid a product:

• A Bottle without a Best-By Date

Oil isn’t like wine; it doesn’t get better with age.

If the packaging of a particular castor oil bottle doesn’t mention the harvest date of the castor seeds or the best-by date of the oil, you should leave it on the shelf.

Whether you’re buying your castor oil from a pharmacy or online, it’s important to make sure the oil hasn’t expired.

• A Transparent Container

An extended period of light and heat may reduce the efficacy and change the flavor or texture of castor oil.

But a dark-tinted glass bottle can keep the oil safe from the harms of the sun and heat.

If castor oil is being sold in a transparent plastic bottle, you shouldn’t buy it.

• Unsatisfied Users

Are you the kind of person who reads reviews before buying something?

Well, you should.

Before choosing a particular brand of castor oil, there’s no harm in checking the relevant reviews, especially from users who know a thing or two about castor oil.

It’s important to filter the reviews to extract some useful information about the strengths and weaknesses of a particular product.

Buy one that makes the most sense to you.

• High Cost Per Ounce

If you plan to frequently and liberally use castor oil on your hair, the cost may become a factor.

It’s important that you don’t go for low-quality products to just save a few bucks.

Remember, your skin and health are at stake.

However, wanting the most for your money isn’t a crime.

Roughly calculate the amount it costs for one ounce of castor oil, and go for the highest-quality product that costs the least.

 

Precautions

 

The ricinoleic acid that makes up most of the composition of castor oil is a potent chemical that has to be used with caution.

An overdose of it may cause severe dehydration, abdominal cramps, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

To make sure you’re taking the prescribed quantity of the oil, it’s important to use a well-marked measuring tool or a dropper (13).

Since it causes strong pelvic contractions and is used to induce labor, (14) you shouldn’t ingest castor oil during pregnancy until it’s time to deliver the baby.

It’s always best to perform a skin test before you apply any product to your hair or skin.

A good way to check for any allergic reactions is to gently rub a very small amount of castor oil on the side of your neck.

 

Conclusion

 

Castor oil is one of the best oils that nature has to offer.

If you want your hair to stand out, your skin to be blemish free, and your aches and pains to be things of the past, you can’t go wrong with the organic, cosmetic healing powers of castor oil (15).

It goes deep into your skin to cleanse and moisturize it, leaving you with a healthy, young, supple appearance.

Don’t waste your money on questionable skin and beauty products.

Instead, turn to a gentle, pure offering from nature.

Get castor oil!