The Many Benefits and Uses of Castor Oil
Castor oil has been used since ancient times. Its first recorded medical use dates back to the Ebers Papyrus, an ancient Egyptian medical treatise. Castor oil is a viscous, pale yellow vegetable oil extracted from the bean (actually a seed) of the castor plant, which thrives in humid tropical climates. Its common name is thought to derive from the word "castoreum," the dried perineal glands of the beaver. Castoreum was once used as a perfume base and was replaced by castor oil. The bean contains ricin, a highly cytotoxic protein that is denatured and rendered harmless by the heat of the oil extraction process.
The traditional name for this plant is "Palma Christi" due to its supposed resemblance to the hand of Christ and its widely recognized healing power. These days, even practitioners consider it too potent for internal use against constipation or as a means to induce labor. However, its external use is a different story. In this use, it is prized for its healing, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, immunomodulatory, and skin-softening properties, as well as against gastrointestinal issues like gas, bloating, and constipation. When used topically, castor oil is usually applied as a compress placed over swollen glands, cysts, and other lumps and growths. It has a particular effect on the lymphatic system, removing toxins and poisons. For this reason, it is best to place a compress over the lymph nodes located near the shoulders, groin, upper back, and neck, as well as on the abdomen, liver, or kidneys. Despite all its age-old effectiveness, the precise mechanisms of action of castor oil have not been explained in detail by science.
Topical Castor Oil and the Immune System
A double-blind study of 36 healthy subjects before and after the application of castor oil compresses for two hours a day, while resting in bed, found that castor oil produced a "significant" temporary increase in T-11 antigens over a seven-hour period after treatment. T-11 antigens have been shown to be closely linked to an upsurge in the body's specific defense mechanism. Speculation is that castor oil affects T-lymphocytes located in the upper layers of the skin, and they, in turn, play an influential role in the immune system in general. In addition, the topical application of castor oil can stimulate prostaglandins, which also affect the immune system.
In another study, 17 participants underwent castor oil packs over the liver region for 1.5 hours a day during two five-day periods spanning two weeks. The result was a normalization of total lymphocyte count, with two of the participants also experiencing normalization of liver enzyme levels and cholesterol levels.
Topical Castor Oil and Pain Reduction
A series of experiments conducted on laboratory animals to study the pain-reducing and anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil compared to capsaicin demonstrated that castor oil was as effective as the latter, but without the drawbacks of skin irritation. Thus, the oil is useful for neuropathic skin disorders such as post-herpetic neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy.
Topical Castor Oil and Constipation
A study of elderly people suffering from constipation found that castor oil compresses alleviated the symptoms of constipation.
An Ayurvedic Tradition
In Ayurvedic medicine, castor oil is considered the king of medicines. It is used to treat vata diseases and arthritis, especially when these manifest as pain, swelling, and deformities of the joints and bones. In addition to these arthritic conditions, it is used externally to relieve lumps, warts, fungal infections of the skin and nails, as well as for conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is also used topically to treat styes, conjunctivitis, and foreign bodies in the eyes.
Antimicrobial Properties
A test-tube study on the use of castor oil as a component of toothpaste in 2%, 5%, and 10% solutions showed that it exhibited antibacterial action to varying degrees against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis bacteria. At a 10% concentration, this castor oil solution demonstrated antimicrobial activity comparable to commercial toothpastes.
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