Historical Organic Castor Oil
Castor oil is a thick and odorless substance that can be applied topically or consumed directly. Also referred to as ricinus oil, caster contains an abundant supply of ricinoleic acid – an uncommonly found compound found nowhere else in nature.
An ancient Egyptian practice, lamp oil has long been employed as lamp fuel and for medical use; Cleopatra herself reportedly used it to improve her eye health (allegedly using it to light up her whites!). Also ingested to induce labor or ease constipation and other digestive ailments.
The Historical Uses of Castor Oil
Castor oil, made from the seeds of Ricinus communis’ castor plant, has many uses ranging from motor fuel and high-gloss paint production to skin care and hair products, not forgetting natural remedies for digestion problems, constipation or other health concerns.
Folk healers around the globe have used organic castor oil for millennia as part of traditional therapies, dating back to ancient Egypt where its first recorded use can be found as lamp fuel and later medicinal ointment use by Cleopatra herself and mentioned in an Egyptian medical text from 1500 BC called Ebers Papyrus.
Since its invention, stimulant laxatives have become an enduring natural remedy for inducing labor and remain one of the most frequently prescribed to pregnant women at full term to speed up uterus contractions. However, using stimulant laxatives while pregnant may pose risks, including meconium staining and maternal electrolyte abnormalities; so prior to trying it it’s wise to consult your obstetrician.
Before applying organic castor oil topically, it’s essential to conduct a patch test to ascertain your skin’s reaction and for people with certain medical conditions, like appendicitis or gastrointestinal obstruction, it is wise to avoid stimulating laxatives like this one.
Ayurvedic Uses
Castor oil has long been used in Ayurved medicine as an all-natural detoxifier and lubricant, applied directly onto joints or areas experiencing discomfort to ease their discomfort. organic Castor oil may also help balance certain body energies known as doshas to keep them balanced; for this reason it has long been applied directly onto belly buttons (known as “nabhis”); many report it assists with hair growth, relieves constipation and decreases hemorrhoids risk.
Dravyaguna Vignyan: Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants reports that Eranda Tailam (castor oil) is a key component in various Ayurvedic herbal remedies for both internal and external use due to its purgative properties. Eranda Tailam can stimulate intestinal contraction and remove toxins from the digestive system thereby helping balance Vata dosha; when combined with sweet, bitter and astringent herbal preparations it may also help alleviate Kapha dosha as well.
Eranda tailam, an Ayurvedic preparation that uses haritaki powder roasted in organic castor oil, is often recommended to treat constipation, rheumatism, lumbago, inflammation and pain conditions as well as menstrual pain, warts or ovarian cysts. While generally safe, always consult your healthcare provider prior to trying any new remedies at home.
Chinese Uses
Castor oil was traditionally consumed as a laxative to promote regular bowel movements and ease constipation, attaching to receptors in the colon and stimulating muscle contractions to push stool through. Unfortunately, due to its potency and potential unpleasant side effects such as cramps and bloating, its long-term use should be avoided.
“Elitecraft” Modern times sees it often used as a natural alternative to prescription laxatives. Additionally, it is mixed with other oils and used in acupuncture treatments, massaging acupressure points of the body for healing purposes and applying acupuncture needles along them. Furthermore, “elitecraft” can also be combined with CBD oil to facilitate energy flow throughout your system through moxibustion (burning it).
Castor oil may help improve lymphatic circulation, helping the lymph system clear away toxins and waste materials more effectively. It may also benefit thymus gland health, reduce inflammation, strengthen immunity and support overall immunity systems. Furthermore, its rich source of ricinoleic acid supports healthy metabolism as well as antimicrobial properties which may prevent infections.
Indian Uses
Indian castor oil (known by its Hindi name Arandi Ka Tel) is an all-purpose vegetable oil with anti-inflammatory and astringent properties that has many applications. It can be used as an oil to remove dandruff, treat baldness, promote hair growth, cure stretch marks, reduce wrinkles, improve eyelash thickness and restore eyebrows, treat nail fungus/brittleness/nail fungus as well as act as laxative for constipation relief.
With anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, antioxidant, vasoconstrictive and wound-healing properties that make it highly beneficial in treating piles symptoms including swollen hemorrhoids. Furthermore, it relieves pain by increasing blood flow to the area thereby speeding healing while acting as a natural laxative to combat constipation as well as detoxifying your body by ridding it of harmful toxins.
Castor oil can help relieve swollen hemorrhoids when mixed with tea tree essential oil and applied directly to the affected area using cotton swabs. You may also take organic castor oil internally as an antidiarrheal medication; however, for best results please seek advice from an Ayurvedic or medical healthcare practitioner prior to doing so as its potency could cause adverse side-effects.
High-quality cold-pressed, hexane-free organic castor oil can provide maximum benefits. Tropic Fusion provides organic castor oil that is comprised of Indian, Jamaican and Haitian variants for maximum effectiveness.
Read also:Benefits and Risks of Organic Castor Oil