Castor vegetable oil: benefits and uses in natural cosmetics and health

Castor oil, among its first uses in India, would have been used to take care of nails, And it is not a hazard ! Its ricinoleic acid deeply nourishes and strengthens the nails. Result: nails are thicker and shiny following daily and long-term application of Castor oil. This vegetable oil is also known for the growth of skin appendages and in particular for that of nails. Indeed, it promotes nail growth while nourishing the cuticles, which are the thin layers of skin surrounding the nails. 

The action of Castor oil on eyelashes and eyebrows results from the same phenomenon as on hair! This oil will strengthen the hair and stimulate the hair bulbs with a supply of nutrients. Thus, Castor oil helps strengthen eyelashes and eyebrows, densify them, and stimulate their growth to fill in the holes. In addition to this, it nourishes eyelashes and eyebrows to make them shinier, but also softer to the touch. 

As on the hair, Castor oil will act on two levels on beard, both by nourishing it, but also by promoting its growth. Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid (80 to 92%) which nourishes the skin and the beard from the root of the hair. Thus, dry beard hairs are softer, shinier and stronger. Castor oil can also be used to densify and stimulate hair growth, particularly those of sparse or patchy beards. Indeed, the vitamin E contained in Castor oil acts on the microcirculation of the skin by providing all the necessary nutrients to the hair bulb. Thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties, it creates an environment favorable to the growth and densification of hair.

Castor oil is recognized, but also widely used for the growth of hair thanks to its exceptional molecule: ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid stimulates hair growth and strengthens the hair fiber while nourishing it. Its action is reinforced by its vitamin E composition, which promotes microcirculation of the scalp and thus stimulates the supply of nutrients to the hair bulb. According to several studies, ricinoleic acid is also seen as a potential target in the management of baldness in bald men. This ricinoleic acid would block the production of prostaglandin D2 synthase, which is the synthesis product of prostaglandin D2 responsible for the miniaturization of hair follicles and the inhibition of hair growth. 

Rich in ricinoleic acid, this bioactive compound present in Castor oil ensures the attenuation, even depigmentation of brown stains skin. It also helps prevent their appearance thanks to the antioxidant properties of the oil.

A stimulating laxative, Castor oil immediately relieves constipation occasional 4 to 8 hours after ingestion. Indeed, the ricinoleic acid contained in Castor oil stimulates intestinal motility as well as digestive enzymes thanks to its irritant action on the intestinal mucosa. In addition to accelerating intestinal transit, it "cleans" the intestine thanks to its violent purgative action. Studies even report the effects of Castor oil in cases of poisoning. On the other hand, Castor oil taken orally has many side effects: vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc. This is why this route of use is reserved for medical prescription, and should not be used by children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with sensitive or fragile intestines as well as people allergic or intolerant to natural laxatives. 

Thanks to its richness in ricinoleic acid, Castor oil deeply nourishes and repairs the hair fiber by closing the hair scales. hair. It also helps strengthen and coat the hair fiber. Dull, dry and damaged hair regains its shine, softness and natural beauty. At the same time, the presence of vitamin E (natural antioxidant) in its composition protects the hair from external aggressions and helps hair growth. Antibacterial and antifungal, Castor oil cleanses the scalp for healthy hair. 

Castor oil has interesting therapeutic properties to fight against winter illnesses and other microbiological infections. It is antibacterial and antiviral, acts against flu, warts and even gastroenteritis. In addition to this, Castor oil is immunostimulating. It will increase the body's defenses against pathogenic germs. According to the American doctor William A. Mc Garey, Castor oil improves the functioning of the thymus and other organs of the immune system. In particular, he demonstrated via two separate studies that patients using hot Castor poultices showed a significant increase in lymphocytes, compared to patients who used a placebo.

Castor oil nourishes and strengthens the skin's natural barrier thanks to the ricinoleic acid it contains. It also has anti-inflammatory skin and analgesic properties, allowing it to soothe the discomfort of dry to very dry skin such as tightness, itching or redness. It also facilitates skin repair and accelerates the healing process. With its vitamin E composition, it protects the skin from multiple external attacks (cold, pollution, sun rays, etc.) that it faces on a daily basis.

Even if Castor oil is far from being the most famous for stretch marks, it has interesting molecules to prevent and attenuate them. Rich in ricinoleic acid, Castor oil nourishes and consolidates the skin's hydrolipidic film for more supple and elastic skin. It also prevents the degradation of collagen and elastin fibers thanks to its vitamin E content. 

Castor oil prevents premature aging of the skin and wrinkles thanks to its antioxidant molecule, vitamin E. In fact, it protects the skin from external aggressions as well as the degradation of collagen and elastin fibers present in the dermis of the skin. Castor oil also helps strengthen the skin's hydrolipidic film. Thus, the skin is hydrated, but also more supple and elastic. 

Antibacterial, Castor oil acts against the development of bacteria which are responsible foracne. In addition to this, it relieves inflammatory acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Low comedogenic, it is suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone skin. Castor oil has the particularity of not clogging the pores of the skin. Consequently, it does not contribute to the formation of comedones (blackheads, pimples, or even microcysts) in acne-prone skin. 

Castor oil can reduce dark circles only if these are linked to skin aging thanks to its vitamin E content. On the other hand, Castor oil is not the vegetable oil to prioritize against dark circles. It does not have circulatory and fluidifying properties which are nevertheless useful for restoring good blood circulation below the eyes.