If you are on the lookout for natural support to add to your body’s toolkit, pay attention to castor oil. A vegetable oil that is filled with nutrients, castor oil comes from castor beans, which grow in east Africa. Used commonly for cosmetic and Ayurvedic purposes in India and the West Indies, the oil from the castor bean is sticky, thick, and typically clear or yellow.

Ayurvedic Castor Oil Benefits

Ayurveda is a traditional Indian medicine that utilizes natural resources like plants for healing. In Ayurvedic tradition, castor oil is considered to be the deliverer of multiple conditions, making it one of the most important natural tools you can use.

Skin Care

The external cooling effect of castor oil makes it a useful tool in healing skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and dry, itchy issues. When the thick oil is applied before bed to areas of the skin that are suffering, it works overnight to soothe and heal.

Eye Disorders

Due to its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, castor oil is effective in helping dry, itchy eyes, pink eye, styes, and glaucoma when used as an eye drop. With only a couple of drops a day, these common eye conditions can be relieved in just a few days.
When it comes to the eyes, castor oil is thought to heal painful and uncomfortable conditions, as well as thicken eyelashes and reduce wrinkles and circles. To help the eyes, castor oil drops can be applied right before bed and massaged in.

Arthritis

The anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil make it a potential help for arthritis. When treating this painful joint condition, castor oil can be taken internally, applied externally, or used in both ways cohesively. As arthritis is inflammation in the joints, the anti-inflammatory properties should work to reduce inflammation, thereby relieving pain. Ayurvedic healing recognizes the properties of castor oil and utilizes them to aid in healing arthritis.

Colon Cleanse

When castor oil is taken internally, it causes heating with its purgative properties. Becoming a laxative and cleaning out the colon, it is used to rid the body of toxins and heat. By eliminating negative components stored in the body, it supports a free, healthy gut.

Castor Oil Cosmetic Benefits

Along with traditional, Ayurvedic benefits, you can also find a number of cosmetic uses for castor oil. Due to being a fatty acid, castor oil gives essential nutrients and proteins to hair follicles, as well as preventing inflammation of the follicles.

The oil has also been said to encourage shine in the hair and can potentially promote hair growth by protecting the hair follicles.

Using Castor Oil for Ayurvedic and Cosmetic Benefits

Castor oil can be applied externally or taken internally. When you use castor oil,
your intended purpose will dictate the way that you take it.

External

Use castor oil externally for skin conditions, arthritis, eye disorders, and hair health. Apply by rubbing a generous amount of the thick oil on the area in need. Massage the oil in and leave it there as it begins to work.
Applying the oil before bed is useful as you are less likely to unwittingly remove it. For eye conditions, drop the oil into your eyes before bed and massage it around the eye. For hair health, rub the oil onto your scalp before shampooing.

Internal

Castor oil can be taken internally for
arthritis help and colon cleansing. Add castor oil to warm ginger tea and drink before bed. For a colon cleanse, add 1-2 tablespoons and drink it for no more than 3 nights. If used for arthritis, add 1 teaspoon and drink for up to 10 nights. Castor oil should never be taken internally for a long period of time.