Reaching 12 feet or higher, with large ornate leaves and showy seedpods, the castor plant (Ricinus communis) produces oil with medicinal and non-medicinal value. Pressed from the plant’s round shiny seeds, castor oil dates back to the ancient Egyptians, who left the seeds, or beans, in burial tombs. The “Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine” reports the historical use of castor oil to protect eyes from irritation. As recent as the pioneer era in the United States it found favor in facial oils and creams. Today, castor oil holds an enviable status in alternative medicine.
Internal
A spoonful of castor oil was the standard treatment for constipation and cheeky children at the turn of the 20th century and it’s still an effective laxative today, reports Gale. So effective is castor oil at clearing the bowels, some hospitals use it to prepare a patient for abdominal x-rays.
A popular folk treatment for an overdue pregnancy, castor oil may induce contractions in pregnancies at full term, states a 2000 Winthrop University Hospital study, published on PubMed.gov. Because of this, women who are not ready to deliver their babies should avoid taking castor oil, even in small amounts.
Available in health food stores, the taste of castor oil is offensive to some but by storing it in the refrigerator and blending a spoonful of oil with orange juice, you may find it tolerable, advises Gale. Do not take castor oil as a laxative longer than one week without a doctor’s supervision.
External
Castor oil is thick and sticky by nature, but with the addition of other oils, such as almond oil or jojoba oil, it smooths on evenly to soften dry skin and retain moisture. Gale recommends using castor oil externally to treat bruises, corns, ringworm and sunburn. Some hairdressings, cosmetics and even contraceptive gels and creams may contain castor oil, states Gale.
Used to treat menstrual cramps, joint pain, back pain, digestive disorders and gallstones, castor oil packs consist of folded flannel moistened with castor oil then placed on the affected spot and covered with plastic wrap and a heating pad. Edgar Cayce, a renowned psychic of the early 20th century, introduced the castor oil pack and it’s still popular today with alternative health practitioners, although medical studies confirming the results are lacking.
Non-medical
Castor oil’s versatility and value is apparent in its many non-medical uses, including the manufacture of some types of soap, synthetic resins, high-performance motor oil, brake fluids, plastic food packaging, paints and insulation. It is also valued as a lubricant in engines and in the production of inks and cleaners, says Agricultural Products India.
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