7 Benefits and Uses of

Castor Oil
Castor oil is a multi-purpose vegetable oil that people have used for
thousands of years.

It’s made by extracting oil from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant.

These seeds, which are known as castor beans, contain a toxic enzyme
called ricin. However, the heating process that castor oil undergoes
deactivates it, allowing the oil to be used safely.

Castor oil has a number of medicinal, industrial and pharmaceutical uses.

It's commonly used as an additive in foods, medications and skin care

products, as well as an industrial lubricant and biodiesel fuel component.

In ancient Egypt, castor oil was burned as fuel in lamps, used as a natural
remedy to treat ailments like eye irritation and even given to pregnant women
to stimulate labor (1Trusted Source).

Today, castor oil remains a popular natural treatment for common conditions
like constipation and skin ailments and is commonly used in natural beauty
products.

Here are 7 benefits and uses of castor oil.

1. A Powerful Laxative
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Perhaps one of the best-known medicinal uses for castor oil is as a natural
laxative.

It’s classified as a stimulant laxative, meaning that it increases the movement

of the muscles that push material through the intestines, helping clear the
bowels.
Stimulant laxatives act rapidly and are commonly used to relieve temporary
constipation.

When consumed by mouth, castor oil is broken down in the small intestine,
releasing ricinoleic acid, the main fatty acid in castor oil. The ricinoleic acid is
then absorbed by the intestine, stimulating a strong laxative effect (2Trusted
Source).

In fact, several studies have shown that castor oil can relieve constipation.

For example, one study found that when elderly people took castor oil, they
experienced decreased symptoms of constipation, including less straining
during defecation and lower reported feelings of incomplete bowel movements
(3Trusted Source).

While castor oil is considered safe in small doses, larger amounts can cause
abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (4Trusted Source).

Although it can be used to relieve occasional constipation, castor oil is not

recommended as a treatment for long-term issues.

SUMMARYCastor oil can be used as a natural remedy for occasional

constipation. However, it can cause side effects like cramping and diarrhea
and should not be used to treat chronic constipation.

2. A Natural Moisturizer
Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid.

These types of fats act as humectants and can be used to moisturize the skin.
Humectants retain moisture by preventing water loss through the outer layer
of the skin (5Trusted Source).

Castor oil is often used in cosmetics to promote hydration and often added to
products like lotions, makeup and cleansers.

You can also use this rich oil on its own as a natural alternative to store-
bought moisturizers and lotions.

Many popular moisturizing products found in stores contain potentially harmful

ingredients like preservatives, perfumes and dyes, which could irritate the skin
and harm overall health (5Trusted Source).

Swapping out these products for castor oil can help reduce your exposure to
these additives.

Plus, castor oil is inexpensive and can be used on the face and body.

Castor oil is thick, so it’s frequently mixed with other skin-friendly oils
like almond, olive and coconut oil to make an ultra-hydrating moisturizer.

Though applying castor oil to the skin is considered safe for most, it can cause
an allergic reaction in some people (6Trusted Source).

SUMMARYCastor oil can help lock moisture in the skin. Though this natural
alternative to store-bought products is considered safe for most, it can cause
allergic reactions in some.

3. Promotes Wound Healing

Applying castor oil to wounds creates a moist environment that promotes
healing and prevents sores from drying out.
Venelex, a popular ointment used in clinical settings to treat wounds, contains
a mixture of castor oil and Peru balsam, a balm derived from
the Myroxylon tree (7Trusted Source).

Castor oil stimulates tissue growth so that a barrier can be formed between
the wound and the environment, decreasing the risk of infection.

It also reduces dryness and cornification, the buildup of dead skin cells that
can delay wound healing (8).

Studies have found that ointments containing castor oil may be especially
helpful in healing pressure ulcers, a type wound that develops from prolonged
pressure on the skin.

One study looked at the wound-healing effects of an ointment containing

castor oil in 861 nursing home residents with pressure ulcers.

Those whose wounds were treated with castor oil experienced higher healing
rates and shorter healing times than those treated with other methods
(9Trusted Source).

SUMMARYCastor oil helps heal wounds by stimulating the growth of new

tissue, reducing dryness and preventing the buildup of dead skin cells.

4. Impressive Anti-Inflammatory
Effects
Ricinoleic acid, the main fatty acid found in castor oil, has impressive anti-
inflammatory properties.
Studies have shown that when castor oil is applied topically, it reduces
inflammation and relieves pain.

The pain-reducing and anti-inflammatory qualities of castor oil may be

particularly helpful to those with an inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid
arthritis or psoriasis.

Animal and test-tube studies have found that ricinoleic acid reduces pain and
swelling (10Trusted Source).

One study demonstrated that treatment with a gel containing ricinoleic acid led
to a significant reduction in pain and inflammation when applied to the skin,
compared to other treatment methods (11Trusted Source).

A test-tube component of the same study showed that ricinoleic acid helped
reduce inflammation caused by human rheumatoid arthritis cells more than
another treatment.

Aside from castor oil’s potential to reduce inflammation, it may help relieve
dry, irritated skin in those with psoriasis, thanks to its moisturizing properties.

Although these results are promising, more human studies are needed to
determine the effects of castor oil on inflammatory conditions.

SUMMARYCastor oil is high in ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that has been
shown to help reduce pain and inflammation in test-tube and animal studies.

5. Reduces Acne
Acne is a skin condition that can cause blackheads, pus-filled pimples and
large, painful bumps on the face and body.
It’s most common in teens and young adults and can negatively impact self-
esteem.

Castor oil has several qualities that may help reduce acne symptoms.

Inflammation is thought to be a factor in the development and severity of

acne, so applying castor oil to the skin may help reduce inflammation-related
symptoms (12Trusted Source).

Acne is also associated with an imbalance of certain types of bacteria

normally found on the skin, including Staphylococcus aureus (13Trusted
Source).

Castor oil has antimicrobial properties that may help fight bacterial overgrowth
when applied to the skin.

One test-tube study found that castor oil extract showed considerable
antibacterial power, inhibiting the growth of several bacteria,
including Staphylococcus aureus (14Trusted Source).

Castor oil is also a natural moisturizer, so it may help soothe the inflamed and
irritated skin typical in those with acne.