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Ricin is a potent toxin derived from part of the waste mash produced when beans from the castor plant are processed to make castor oil. It is contained in the hull of the bean, which is discarded in the oil manufacturing process. Research has shown that castor oil contains antibacterial properties that make it appropriate to apply to a wound. The potassium salt in castor oil appears to control infection and promote healing. That said, castor oil continues to be touted as a treatment for a wide variety of conditions, from headaches to menstrual cramps. People have used castor oil for thousands of years as a natural treatment for a variety of health issues.
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Due to a lack of research, there are no official recommendations for the dosage of castor oil. It's possible to be allergic to the castor plant, as contact dermatitis has been reported in rare cases after using topical castor oil. Typically, these and other side effects will subside once castor oil use stops.
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When massaged into the skin or scalp, castor oil helps to stimulate blood flow, which can promote hair growth and give your skin a healthy glow. For a more customized treatment, you can mix castor oil with other carrier oils, like jojoba oil or coconut oil, to help dilute it and thin the consistency, suggests Burrell, which will make it easier to use, even on fine hair. On the other hand, if you want a richer formula, mix castor oil with olive oil for a major deep-conditioning hair treatment (definitely skip this one on fine or low-porosity hair, though).
What are the main benefits of castor oil for hair?
If you have fine-to-medium hair that’s prone to greasiness, smooth castor oil through your mid-lengths to ends and let it sit for 10 minutes before shampooing. But if your hair is a medium-to-thick texture, you can massage castor oil into your roots and smooth it through your ends, leaving it on for up to an hour (or overnight) before rinsing. Hill also suggests sitting under a bonnet hair-dryer to help the oil better penetrate your hair. Though it may seem counterintuitive, Dr. Clay recommends avoiding the scalp because “it may lead to occlusion of the scalp pores and hair follicles which could lead to inflammation, dandruff, and itching,” she says. While the latter claim is highly debatable, there are still tons of benefits to using castor oil on your hair thanks to its antimicrobial properties.
"There is no evidence for it and no scientific theory supporting that it would work. So yes, it's a total myth." Both Dr. Green and Emmanuel agree that less is more when it comes to using the oil. Because it’s so thick, it can clog pores, cause build-up, and even lead to scalp irritation.
Ceremonia Aceite de Moska Pre-Shampoo Scalp & Hair Oil
Yates says that creating an at-home natural castor oil treatment is also an easy option, and it can be used in various ways. To create a pre-shampoo treatment, she suggests applying a castor oil mixture on the mid-lengths and ends of hair to help alleviate dryness sometimes caused by shampooing super damaged ends or overprocessed hair. “This will help protect damaged ends from becoming over-dry due to the detergents found in shampoos or even the harshness of the water,” she says. While castor oil can cause side effects, it's usually related to the scalp and should not cause hair to fall out. "Some people may have a skin sensitivity to castor oil, and this can cause problems when it’s rubbed into the scalp," Kingsley says. Steer clear if you have a flaky, oily scalp condition, like seborrhoeic dermatitis, as "applying castor oil to your scalp and leaving it on can make the problem worse," she explains.
This shampoo is also available in a bundle with a hydrating shea butter conditioner bar. If you have oily hair, consider this triangular-shaped bar, which uses ingredients like charcoal to detoxify the scalp, reduce excess oil, strengthen hair and maintain scalp health, according to Superzero. It also comes with its own bag for any broken pieces (continued use will eventually cause it to break), so you don’t waste any product, according to the brand. This bar is also highly rated, with a 4.8-star average rating from over 270 reviews at Superzero. Iman Balagam is a beauty contributor at Cosmopolitan with nearly four years of experience writing beauty stories that range from curling irons to collagen for hair growth.
This article discusses how to use castor oil for your hair and the purported benefits. It also covers what to look for when choosing a castor oil product and the possible side effects. Certain brands will offer storage solutions, including bags, cork containers, metal containers and self-draining bar storage. What you use to store your shampoo bar is up to personal preference. In fact, a survey from 1999 found that 93% of midwives in the U.S. used it to induce labor. But while some studies have shown it might help, others have not found it to be effective.
Derived from the seeds of the castor bean (Ricinus communis), castor oil has industrial applications as a lubricant as well as use as an additive in cosmetics and foods. Oftentimes, supplements may interact with various medications or other supplements. In the case of castor oil, drug or supplement interactions are not well-documented. The castor oil plant, Ricinus communis, contains ricin, which is a known toxin. Fortunately, the ricin is removed from the castor bean in making castor oil.
The only potential disadvantage of using castor oil for hair growth is that it is so heavy that it can be difficult to wash out of your scalp, potentially causing buildup, acne, and overall a greasy scalp, notes Dr. Cheung. If you're interested in growing longer, stronger hair, chances are you've come across castor oil in your search. The ingredient dates back to Ancient Egypt, and is still prized for its beauty benefits. Castor oil is pretty hydrating, and can be used on hair and lashes to moisturize the hair and prevent breakage, says Philip B., founder of Philip B. Haircare. "It also contains fatty acids which nourish the hair follicles," adds board-certified dermatologist, Tiffany Clay, MD. Explains that if you looked at the molecular structure of castor oil, you'd see that it's a glycerol with a long-chain fatty acid.
An observational, retrospective study looked at the use of castor oil to induce, or initiate, labor. The study took place over five years and included women between 40 and 41 weeks pregnant, which is full-term. Compared with the control group, the women who used castor oil showed a higher probability of going into labor within 24 hours. An overgrowth of Candida fungi can lead to a condition called denture stomatitis, an infection that leads to inflammation, redness, and irritation in the mouth. For example, Venelex, a common ointment used in clinical settings, combines castor oil and Peru balsam, a balm derived from the Myroxylon balsamum tree, to treat wounds. Its antifungal properties help to balance the vaginal flora, preventing the overgrowth of Candida albicans, the fungus responsible for most yeast infections.
Castor Oil: Myths and Facts - Health Matters
Castor Oil: Myths and Facts.
Posted: Fri, 25 Aug 2023 17:47:42 GMT [source]
Research in animals shows that ricinoleic acid may help fight swelling and pain caused by inflammation when applied to your skin. One study in people found it was as effective at treating symptoms of knee arthritis as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Containing high amounts of ricinoleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid, castor oil has, according to a 2012 study, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
The research on castor oil as a skin salve is pretty limited, says Robin Evans, M.D., a clinical instructor of dermatology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and founder of Southern Connecticut Dermatology. However, slathering the stuff on will, at the very least, give your skin a dewy, more youthful glow. Moist skin looks better than dry skin—think of a raisin versus a grape,” Dr. Evans says.
Leave on for minutes, then rinse out with shampoo to remove the oil. Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased.
Venelex, which contains castor oil and balsam Peru, is an ointment used to treat skin and pressure wounds. The active ingredient in castor oil is a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid. However, it is typically recommended to avoid using multiple supplements for the same purpose at a time. Talk with your healthcare provider about which supplements are best for you. Aside from the lack of evidence, interactions with castor oil may still exist. You should discuss any potential interactions between castor oil and the medications or supplements you're taking with your healthcare provider.
