Do you know what castor oil is? In Ancient Egypt castor oil served to light lamps. It had the additional benefit of being a hidden surprise in beauty and wellbeing. The multifaceted beans are used to produce lubricating oils, paints, varnishes, as well as cosmetic oil. A plant known as castor bean plant produces these extraordinary seeds which later pass through processes and convert into mystical cosmetic oil. Organic Castor oil has become a basic need and a staple ingredient in skin care. It is perfectly suited for massage due to its moisturizing properties. In this article, we will investigate the enthralling world of expeller-pressed castor oil, tracing its history and investigating its usefulness. 

HISTORY OF CASTOR OIL

Although initially castor plant was considered as an unwanted weed, with the passage of time people became acquainted with the benefits of its seeds, and it gained international recognition.  A man named Edgar Casey became popular by granting access to the advantages of castor oil to the public, and known as a Father of Holistic Medicine. Edgar Casey educated people on its benefits and this oil became “Palm Christi”. 

Old civilizations such as the Egyptians, Chinese and Persians used the castor plant as skin- repair ointment and as a fuel for their lamps. Now this plant has its roots in Europe and Africa.

Extraction of Castor Oil

Organic Castor oil is extracted from fully developed beans of the castor plants by a method known as expeller pressing method or through solvent extraction. Unlike the Flax seeds of soy beans they are not tempering or grinding .

In the commercial extraction process, these beans are passed from machines to take off their coats. The more rigorous this section, the clearer the resulting oil. These castor beans are then passed into a cage press to extract crude oil from them. This oil is purified and clear, it may be of pale yellow color or colorless. The refined oil can be retained for up to 4 years. 

Now the press-cake moves through a further pressing process, and remaining oil is extracted using the process of solvent extraction. And this oil is known as Number III oil that cannot be refined successfully. 

Organic Castor Oil Benefits

Skin Care

• Skin Hydration: Organic Castor oil has superb moisturizing and superb skin nourishing qualities. It has a creamy texture that will hydrate your skin intensely. To avoid dry patches and rough skin, simply apply it on your skin. 

• Acne Treatment: Mainly because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities, this oil shows compassion to treating acne. Organic Castor oil is an anti-inflammatory substance and generally subdues the redness of acne, providing itself as a convenient solution for stubborn blemishes.

• Scar Mitigation: If you apply it regularly, the scars and marks on the face will fade away. It helps to minimize the visibility of scars and nourishes skin.

Castor Oil Benefits for Hair 

Castor oil is posited to augment both the resilience and the tensile strength of hair strands. Notably, castor oil encompasses ricinoleic acid, a compound recognized for its moisturizing properties pertinent to hair. People suffering from hair and scalp dryness should apply this oil at night and wash it off in the morning—moreover, the antifungal properties of castor oil help to fight dandruff. It functions as an antioxidant, thereby it affords a protective quality to the hair against potential damage.

Treatment for Osteoarthritis 

The castor oil ameliorates the symptoms of arthritis for four weeks; double-blind comparative clinical study. The main perspective of this study was how organic castor oil improves knee arthritis efficiently. Approximately 0.9 milliliters of castor oil three times a day could strengthen the knee joints. 

Wound Healing

Since ancient times, organic castor oil has been used for health benefits, showing a significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus and E.Coli. According to some authors, it also has powerful anti-cancer properties. To stop the production of pathogens on a wound it also moisturizes the wound. Hence, it promotes healing. We can use it  over a wound because it acts as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory substance.

Soothes Sunburns

A general remedy including 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and 2 teaspoons of castor oil mixed together have effective results on sunburn.  

Digestive Health

Organic castor oil is a natural bowel stimulant. If you are suffering bowel movement difficulties,1–2 tsp of organic cold-pressed castor oil in a glass of warm water may help get relief. However, use it occasionally with precautions and consult a doctor.

Precautions

• While applying organic castor oil on your skin or hair, remember small amounts can be powerful. Try to avoid too much application to prevent sticky or greasy feelings.

• Some people have sensitive skin, and some can be allergic to it. So, apply the castor oil to a specific patch on the skin. Be careful while applying near the eyes to prevent direct contact. 

Castor Oil Packs

An exceptional way to extract the advantages of organic castor oil is castor oil packs. These packs have been used for centuries to alleviate inflammation, promote healing, and provide protection against several infections. To create an oil pack, several ingredients are used

• A piece of brushed cotton (large enough to cover the affected area)

• Organic cold-pressed castor oil

• A hot water bottle

• Plastic wrap

Contradictions for Organic Castor Oil 

The seeds of castor oil produce hazardous byproducts referred to as Ricin. Though the temperature during commercial oil extraction is inactive, still it can cause allergic reactions on sensitive skin. Castor oil can cause itching, rashes, and redness due to surface application.  Serious complications may include breathing, swelling, dizziness, and infection in the throat. Do a patch test for your skin 24 hours before applying castor Oil  It is strongly recommended that after a skin patch test, wait for 24 hours for greater utilization of castor oil.