Castor Herb

Other Names of Castor Herb: Castor bean, Ricinus communis, Mexican seed, mole bean, and palma Christi

Useful Parts of the Plant: Seeds

Castor plant is native to the Mediterranean region, India, and Eastern Africa. It is an annual plant, which usually blooms between July and September. The plant has ramified roots with an erect green stem. It has large glossy leaves that are long and segmented. The male flowers are green in color, while female flowers have red stigmas. The part of the plant that used therapeutically is the seeds, which are colloquially referred to as beans, albeit they are not scientifically beans. The seeds are used to extract castor oil, which is used to impart a variety of health and other benefits. Castor oil is thick and sticky.

Nutritional Information and Properties of Castor Herb

Castor oil is primarily rich in triglycerides, particularly recinolein, which is not found in anything other than castor oil. The total fat content is up to 50%. After fats, the next nutritional component that forms a major chunk of the castor oil is protein, with it comprising 20%. Other components found in castor oil are mineral salts, glucides, oleic acid, water, certain enzymes, and vitamin E. On account of its nutritional content, castor oil is a potent laxative and purgative agent. It is also known to enhance skin texture. Castor plant contains a substance called recin, which is toxic in nature, and it is thus not used in any form other than the oil extracted from the seeds. Ingestion or use of the castor herb in any form can result in fatality. Further, some people may be sensitive to the oil as well. It is best to consult an herbalist or doctor when using castor oil as a home remedy.

Health Benefits and Therapeutic Uses of Castor Herb

Some of the health benefits of castor oil are listed as under:

Castor oil may be used to cure warts. It can be massaged on the skin for 15 minutes, twice a day till the wart disappears.
Castor oil may be used to soothe tired eyes. You can rub castor oil on eye lashes before going to bed. It also serves to make eye lashes smooth and shiny.
Castor oil may also be used to enhance the texture of hair. Mix a few drops of castor oil, glycerin, and egg white, apply it on scalp and strands, wait for a few minutes and wash it off.
Castor oil is antimicrobial in action and as such prevents acne and pimples. It penetrates deep in the skin and inhibits microbial growth, thereby preventing and curing various skin afflictions.
Castor oil also helps slow down the effects of ageing. However, you should use a meager amount of oil on skin, and wash it off in 2 to 3hours. Also, castor oil enhances the texture of skin, which is due to its rich vitamin E content, making the skin smooth and supple.
Castor oil also helps prevent constipation and digestive disorders, attributed to its laxative properties.
Castor oil, when used as castor oil packs, enhances the activity of thymus glands, thereby increasing the concentration of T-cells in the body. This may alternatively be inferred as strengthening of immune system, preventing and curing a variety of afflictions. In fact, castor oil also relieves the symptoms of AIDS, though partly.
Castor oil is anti fungal in action and helps relieve fungal infections including ringworm.
Castor oil may also be used to cure problems of the muscular system, including muscle and ligament sprains.
Castor oil, being an antimicrobial agent, may be used as antiseptic ointment on wounds. It would help prevent bacteria or microbial infection of wounds, thereby preventing the wound from becoming septic.
Castor oil may also be used to cure stretch marks caused during pregnancy. It may be applied at night, massaging on the abdominal area to get rid of the marks.
Castor oil also helps prevent and cure sebaceous cysts. Sebaceous cysts are usually caused by blockage of sebaceous or oil glands by bacteria or viruses. Castor oil, on account of its antimicrobial activity, relieves this.
Castor oil also cleanses the body be regulating the circulatory as well as excretory system.