Description

Description

Rich in anti-inflammatory ricinoleic acid to fight swelling, it’s also bursting with antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. Your great-grandma would’ve kept Castor Oil on hand as a skin moisturiser, a laxative and to ease arthritis pain.

Apply Castor Oil directly on the skin or use a compress. It can be taken internally but be cautious and take a small amount to start with because it can cause cramping, bloating and diarrhoea.

Botanica Culture Castor Oil is 100 per cent organic and cold pressed. It’s free of Hexane, a chemical solvent often used to extract the oil.

What it does

A thick, odourless oil extracted from the castor bean plant, Castor Oil has a range of wellness benefits. It softens wrinkles, shrinks cysts, eases constipation and piles, relieves asthma and soothes arthritis – just a few of its many benefits.

Castor oil is a triglyceride fatty acid, containing almost 90 per cent ricinoleic acid, one of the unsaturated omega-9 fatty acids. Our bodies love omega acids! They’re full of soothing, anti-inflammatory and immunity boosting properties.

A moisturising master, Castor oil is used in many commercial beauty products. It’s even better in its natural form, free of perfumes and dyes. It can be strong on the skin, so you can also blend it with other skin saving oils, such as Jojoba Oil or Rosehip Oil.
Research has found it relieves the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee, with 92 per cent of participants in a study experiencing significant improvement in arthritis-associated pain.
And it’s been approved by the US’ Food and Drug Administration as natural laxative for easing constipation. Its ricinoleic acid causes the intestine muscles to contract, allowing stuck things to move!

Use Castor Oil to:

• Soothe pain and swelling
• Treat fungal infections
• Relieve constipation
• Moisturise deeply
• Calm irritated skin
• Add shine to your hair
• Grow your eyebrow

How to use

You can apply Castor Oil directly to the skin but it is better to blend it with other oils (Jojoba Oil, Rosehip Oil or Sweet Almond Oil) as a topical remedy or moisturising treatment.

Castor Oil compress

• Take a piece of cotton or wool and soak it in Castor Oil
• Apply to your skin and leave it on, even overnight, so the oil can penetrate.
• You can also use a heating pad on top of the compress.

 

This method is often used as a remedy for constipation, dry skin, arthritis or period cramps.

Taking Castor Oil orally

– Take in a capsule as a supplement.
If you’re using it as a laxative, take 10-20ml per day. Start with less in case you have an adverse reaction to the oil.

15 ways to use Castor Oil on your face or body

The wonders of Castor Oil’s ricinoleic acid make it a blessing for the skin. It penetrates deeply into the skin’s layers and maintains healthy skin flora. It also has cooling properties, to soothe skin irritation and redness, shielding the skin from bacterial infections and microbes.

Castor Oil for the Face

 

1. Wrinkles

Castor oil stimulates the production of elastin and collagen to increase your skin’s elasticity and firmness. Castor oil helps plump up your skin, making it supple and radiant. After cleansing and toning, massage a blend of Castor Oil and Golden Jojoba Oil into your face for several minutes. Leave it on overnight and wash off in the morning.

 

2. Dry Skin

A wonderful humectant, Castor Oil helps skin retain moisture and avoid water loss, for a beautifully hydrated complexion all day. Use it on your face overnight so that it can penetrate deeply.

 

3. Acne

Castor oil naturally draws out dirt, dead skin cells, excess oil and bacteria without drying your skin. Apply a drop of Castor Oil to the affected area or create a blend with Castor Oil and Sweet Almond Oil. Leave on overnight. Remove with cleanser in the morning. Use every day for 2 weeks and then twice a week for maintenance.

 

4. Blackheads

Castor oil is non-comedogenic, which means it reduces the risk of developing blackheads or clogging pores, making it suitable for sensitive skin. Naturally astringent, it clears impurities and restores the skin’s pH balance. Gently apply directly to blackheads or use in a blend. Massage in circular motions. Leave on overnight and cleanse your face in the morning.

 

5. Rosacea

Topical Castor Oil with Lavender Essential Oil: Castor oil is anti-inflammatory. Spray your skin with toner (Derma Botanica No.2) then apply Castor oil blended with 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil before bed.

Castor Oil for the Body

 

6.Arthritis

Castor oil’s anti-inflammatory properties make it perfect for massaging into arthritic joints and sore muscles.

• Massage warm Castor Oil directly into affected joints before you go to sleep. Leave it on during the night.
• Use a Castor Oil compress with a heating pad or hot water bottle over it. Cover the heating pad in an old towel so it doesn’t get oily. Put the used compress in a bag in the ‘fridge so you can use it again.
• Add 1 tablespoon of Castor Oil to a glass or water or milk.

 

7. Stretch Marks

Castor Oil’s fatty acids and help to moisturise, break down and repair stretch marks. Make a blend of:

• 1 tablespoon Castor Oil
• 2 tablespoons Sweet Almond Oil
• Massage into the skin. Leave oil on skin for 20 minutes and allow it to penetrate.

 

8. Constipation

Castor oil has long been used as a natural laxative. It stimulates the small and large intestines so that impacted fecal matter can move through the colon. Castor Oil’s fatty acids also help the bowel to retain moisture.
Add 10ml Castor Oil to a glass of warm milk or water. Drink the whole glass. You’ll feel the effects after about 2 hours.
Castor Oil is safe to use in small doses but please be careful. Large amounts can causes cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.

 

9. Moles and Skin Tags

Mixed Castor Oil with a small amount of baking soda to make a paste. Apply the paste to the affected area and cover with a bandage. If you apply the paste daily for about six weeks, the mole or skin tag will disappear.

 

10. Fungal Infections

Castor Oil contains undecylenic acid – great for relieving fungus and yeast infections in the body. It’s also a powerful treatment for athlete’s foot and ringworm. Mix a few drops with coconut oil, apply to the infection and leave on overnight. A study also showed that brushing and soaking dentures in Castor Oil also greatly reduced candida in the gums of elderly people.

 

11 . Menstrual cramps

Massage warm Castor Oil over your abdomen to relieve menstrual cramps and period pain. The ricinoleic acid is anti-inflammatory and analgesic. You can also make a Castor Oil compress to leave on your abdomen.

 

12. Insomnia

If you can’t sleep, rub castor oil along your eyelids before going to bed. Your body absorbs the oil and promotes healthy circulation, increasing relaxation.

 

13. Corns

Hard calloused corns on your feet are painful and irritating. Castor Oil’s hydrating power can soften and heal them. Soak your feet in warm water for about 15 minutes. Dry feet and apply castor oil to the corn. Repeat for 10 days. You should be able to peel the corn away easily.

 

14. Treatment of Cysts

Castor oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, making it potentially beneficial in reducing the swelling and pain associated with cysts. The ricinoleic acid in castor oil can penetrate the skin and help in reducing inflammation. It’s also believed to improve lymphatic circulation, which might aid in reducing the size of cysts over time.

• Apply warm castor oil directly to the cyst and cover it with a clean cloth.
• Over this, place a hot water bottle or heating pad for 15-30 minutes. This heat helps in increasing circulation and promoting healing.

 

This treatment can be done daily. However, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment, especially for persistent or painful cysts.

 

15. Relief for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Castor oil’s anti-inflammatory properties may provide relief from the pain and swelling associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The ricinoleic acid in castor oil is thought to have analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-inflammatory effects, which can be beneficial in managing arthritis symptoms.

• Warm a small amount of castor oil and gently massage it into the affected joints.
• You can also apply a castor oil pack – soak a cloth in castor oil, place it on the affected area, cover it with plastic wrap, and then apply a heating pad or hot water bottle for about 30 minutes.
• This treatment can be repeated daily or as needed for pain relief.

 

It’s important to note that while castor oil can be a helpful complementary treatment, it should not replace conventional treatments prescribed by a healthcare professional.

 

How to use Castor oil for your hair

Bursting with Vitamin E and omega fatty acids, Castor Oil keeps your hair glossy and full of health. It helps prevent hair loss, improves blood circulation to the scalp and naturally hydrates and conditions your hair. It can increase hair growth, reduce hair damage from products and styling and prevent dry scalp.

By moisturising the hair shaft, it reduces hair breakage and gives your hair back its bounce and lustre.

Use it once or twice a week and in very small quantities. Less is more with Castor Oil. Never apply it directly to your hair. Always mix with Sweet Almond Oil or Golden Jojoba Oil before applying to the roots or scalp.

4 ways to use Castor Oil for your hair

1. Hair Growth

Create a hair pack with:

• 1 teaspoon Castor Oil
• 1 tablespoon Sweet Almond Oil

 

Mix the oils well. Apply to your scalp. Avoid getting the oil on your hair strands because it is hard to wash out. Cover hair with a shower cap and leave oil on for 20 minutes, then wash out. You can also leave on overnight. Repeat weekly for 6 weeks to reduce hair loss and strengthen hair roots.

2. Dandruff

Castor Oil’s antibacterial and anti-fungal properties work wonders on dandruff. Blend:

• 2 tablespoons Castor Oil
• 1 tablespoon Golden Jojoba Oil
• Lemon juice from half a lemon

 

Apply to dry scalp. Leave for 30 minutes before rinsing.

3. Thicker Eyebrows

The antioxidants and fatty acids in Castor Oil nourish the hair follicles in your eyebrows and ward off bacteria that can slow down hair growth. Create a blend of Castor Oil and Golden Jojoba Oil and apply to your eyebrows each night before you sleep.

4. Longer Eyelashes

Castor Oil boasts Vitamin E as one of its ingredients. Apply as blend, with Sweet Almond Oil to moisturise and refresh the area, promoting quicker eyelash growth and stronger hair quality.

 

Ingredients

Castor Oil contains 85-90 % ricinoleic acid and other fatty acids: oleic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid and dihydroxy stearic acid. It also includes flavonoids, Vitamin E, phenolic acids, amino acids, terpenoids and phytosterols.

These combine to offer powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, fungicidal, laxative, anti-allergic, anti-ageing and analgesic properties

 

Botanical Name: Ricinus communis

Country of Origin: USA

 

Cautions

Do a skin patch test before using. Leave the oil on a small patch of skin on your arm or neck for 24 hours. If no rash occurs, you’re less likely to be allergic. If you experience irritation, rinse thoroughly and do not use again.

When taking Castor Oil internally, try a very small amount (5ml or less) to make sure you can tolerate it.

Please check with your doctor if you have pre-existing medical conditions and want to take Castor Oil.

• Do not use on wounds or broken skin.
• Keep out of reach of children
• If sensitivity occurs, discontinue use.
• Avoid contact with eyes and sensitive areas of the body.