Different Uses for Castor Oil

Castor oil is extracted from castor seeds. It is a very pale yellow liquid with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. It has been used for centuries to treat various skin ailments, as well as constipation, and has been used to induce labor. It has a strong and rather unpleasant taste, but can be ingested. It can also be used externally.

Inducing Labor

• Castor oil stimulates the bowels to empty, and many people believe that it can also be used to stimulate the uterus to empty. Typically, two to six hours after drinking a castor oil and juice cocktail, a pregnant woman will have diarrhea and then begin contractions. Some recipes for the castor oil cocktail are: 2 ounces castor oil mixed with 2 ounces orange juice concentrate that's followed by one or two glasses of water; 2 ounces castor oil mixed with a large glass of juice; and 3 teaspoons castor oil mixed with a glass of juice and 1 teaspoon baking soda to make a fizzy cocktail.

Facial Cleansing

• Castor oil also is used to deep cleanse the pores of the face. Those with oily skin are advised to blend 30 percent castor oil with 70 percent sunflower seed oil; those with balanced skin are advised to have a 20 percent to 80 percent ratio; and those with dry skin are told to blend 10 percent castor oil to 90 percent sunflower seed oil. Smooth and massage the oil blend over the face until the pores are saturated.

  Apply a clean warm washcloth, warm enough to open pores, over the face and keep it there until it cools. Once cooled, wipe the oil away gently with the washcloth, rinsing it under hot water. Repeat this procedure several times until all the oil has been wiped away.

Laxative

• Castor oil stimulates the bowels to empty. People use it as a laxative by taking a teaspoon of castor oil in the morning to stimulate their bowels. It can be taken with juices to cut the bitter taste without adversely affecting the laxative effects. People are advised not to take castor oil continuously for more than three days.

Skin Treatment

• Along with cleansing the skin, castor oil can be used to treat skin irritations like sunburn, abrasions, acne, dryness, boils, warts, stretch marks, liver spots, athlete's foot and inflammation. Apply castor oil to the affected areas using a cotton ball or, for large areas, an unbleached cotton cloth; wrap it to stay on overnight. For very small areas, apply the castor oil onto the gauze part of a bandage.

  Castor oil can also be used to treat wrinkles, as it helps stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. Apply it sparingly over wrinkled skin with a cotton ball, especially around the eyes.

Stye Treatment

• Castor oil's anti-bacterial components have been found to be effective against styes---infections on the eyelid's oil glands. Treat the stye with a very small drop of castor oil directly two to three daily.

Arthritis and Muscle Soreness Remedy

• Castor oil's anti-inflammatory properties are used to relieve arthritic joints, nerve inflammations and sore muscles. Typically, a small cotton pad is soaked with castor oil and then applied to the ailing joint or muscle. Cover the pad with plastic wrap and place a hot water bottle or heating pad on the plastic-covered cotton pad for about 45 minutes to an hour daily.