Castor Oil: the Basics

Castor oil is a type of vegetable oil that is made by pressing castor beans. It has an unmistakable smell and taste that made it one of the most popular folk remedies that are still being used all over the world. Its earliest documented medicinal application dates back to 1,500 BCE, where it was used as a laxative. Expert historians believe that its use may even date back several centuries prior.
Up to this day, castor oil is still used as a laxative. Its versatility, however, made it a component in various drug preparations such as in antifungal ointments, anti-cancer drugs, anti-rejection treatments for those who underwent organ transplants and balms for treating multiple skin conditions.
Beyond medical applications, castor oil has other uses as a food preservative, as a component in cosmetic products and as a coating emulsion in the polyurethane industry. Castor oil also serves as a precursor in various industrial chemicals. Its use extends to the manufacture of industrial lubricants, in aviation and refining biodiesel fuels.

Can Castor Oil Help You Lose Weight?

While there are no studies that will give a conclusive answer to this question, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if science confirms such claims given the versatility of castor oil. Those who have been using castor oil for weight loss have varying opinions on how they think castor oil works. Experts also chime in on their theories on how castor oil helps promote weight loss. The following are the most probable reasons why castor oil can help in your efforts to shed unhealthy weight.

1. Laxative Properties. One of the most obvious reasons behind castor oil’s effectiveness in helping you lose weight would be its laxative properties. Just like other slimming teas, you’ll experience a sudden drop in weight because food and fluid will pass faster through your digestive system. It will be easy to dismiss this as not being the ideal kind of weight loss. However, those who are suffering from constipation due to a calorie-restricted diet may also be suffering from a slower metabolism. Taking castor oil will help restore bowel movement and in the process, reboot the body’s metabolism.
2. Anti-Inflammatory Properties. Studies show that castor oil has potent anti-inflammatory properties. One of its compounds, ricinoleic acid, was observed to have the ability to ease pain and swelling, even when the oil is only administered topically. Its ability to alleviate inflammation and pain means that it can help manage fluid retention, thus helping regulate water fluctuations and retention in women, especially during their menstrual cycles.
3. Suppressing Hunger and Cravings. According to some of its users, taking castor oil with their favorite weight loss beverages can effectively ease their hunger pangs and eliminate their cravings. It is still unclear whether this is due to the unpleasant taste of castor oil or if it directly affects the body’s hunger signals.

How Much Castor Oil Should I Drink?

The ideal dosage of castor oil for weight loss purposes vary according to the individual’s weight, age, and health condition. How do you use castor oil to cleanse your stomach? To treat constipation and to evacuate the bowels, experts recommend a single dose of castor oil that is between 15 to 60ml. It may take a bit of experimentation to determine the dose that works best for your needs.
Those who are taking castor oil for weight loss purposes often add a tablespoon of castor oil to their favorite beverages to mask the taste. You may also add other herbs to the drink to boost the results that you are after. For instance, you may want to make the appetite suppressing properties of castor oil more effective by adding other ingredients that can also suppress cravings such as ginger or cinnamon bark.
If the taste of castor oil is just too much for you to handle, you can try massage castor oil in areas where you want to lose inches. Keep massaging around the area using up to three tablespoons of castor oil for ten minutes before applying a plastic wrap (e.g., your tummy, arms, or thighs). Remove the wrap after 10 minutes. Repeat daily and consistently until you achieve the desired results.

Other Benefits of Castor Oil

Having castor oil in your home will be beneficial for you in more ways than just your bowel movements and in losing weight. Here are some of the other benefits of castor oil.

• Moisturizer. Castor oil comes packed with ricinoleic acid, which belongs to a category of fats humectants. This type of fat is ideal for moisturizing the skin because it helps it retain moisture by preventing water loss through the skin. This ability is the reason why castor oil is a staple in beauty products such as cosmetics, lotions, balms, and skin cleansers.
• Treating Wounds. Applying castor oil can speed up the healing of wounds. Castor oil stimulates the growth of new tissues in the wound, keeps it moisturized and prevents dead skin cells from accumulating in and around the wound.
• Managing Acne. Castor oil’s ability to ease inflammation makes it an ideal alternative to store-bought acne treatment solutions. Apart from reducing inflammation, castor oil also has antimicrobial properties that work effectively against the common types of bacteria on the skin. Castor oil may speed up the healing of acne lesions by fighting bacterial overgrowth.
• Antifungal Properties. Castor oil has been observed to have antifungal properties, which make it ideal for treating fungal infections in the mouth. It works well against Candida albicans, a common fungus among those who wear dentures. Soaking the dentures in solutions with castor oil will help kill off the candida overgrowth.

What are the Side Effects of Castor Oil?

Since castor oil has very potent laxative properties, users have to take it with extra caution. You can experience adverse effects if you consume more than the recommended doses of castor oil. These may include diarrhea, upset stomach, dizziness, and nausea. In more severe cases, you might suffer from stomach irritation, rashes, and toxicity from ricinoleic acid. Some may also experience allergic reactions from consuming castor oil
If you are set on using castor oil for weight loss purposes, make sure to purchase edible castor oil whether you plan on ingesting it or just applying it topically. For added safety, it will be a good idea to consult your doctor before trying out any castor oil for weight loss methods.