Castor oil comes from the castor seed, Ricinus communis, and is native to India. Due to its unusual composition, castor oil has a number of heath benefits and healing properties. Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid – a unique fatty acid that has been used medicinally for a long time. Over the years it has also been used as an ingredient in skin care products, as food additives, and in the manufacturing industry. The FDA has labeled castor oil as safe and effective and along with the World Health Organization has established the recommended daily intake of castor oil of up to 0.7mg/kg body weight. This works out to approximately one tablespoon of castor oil for adults and one teaspoon for children.
Due to its immunity strengthening and anti-inflammatory properties, castor oil is used to treat yeast infections, constipation, digestive problems, menstrual disorders, headaches, acne, inflammation, Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis. One of the main benefits of castor oil is its use in the treatment of arthritis. Arthritis refers to the inflammation of the joints in the body. If you suffer from arthritis, you will experience a range of unpleasant symptoms such as severe pain in the joint areas along with swelling and stiffness. While medication can provide pain relief and reduce inflammation, a more preferable long-term solution for arthritis involves natural remedies or cures with fewer side effects.
Castor oil arthritis cures are considered effective and safe as compared to some other natural remedies. There are several different ways castor oil can be used to treat arthritis and some of these ways are:
Soak a cloth in castor oil and place it on the affected joints and swollen parts of the body. To make this remedy more effective, place a hot water bottle over the soaked cloth and leave for up to 45 minutes. This helps reduce inflammation and pain in the joints.
Castor oil can also be taken orally to treat arthritis. Simply mix a tablespoon of castor oil in the beverage of your choice. This could be your morning cup of tea or coffee or a juice or in a glass of milk last thing at night.
People with arthritis can reduce pain and stiffness in the joints by massaging the affected areas with warm castor oil. Make sure that the oil is not too hot or it will scald the skin. Perform this gentle massage every night before sleeping. Leave the oil on your skin overnight to allow for proper absorption to maximize its healing benefits.
In severe cases of arthritis, boil a glass of water and mix in a pinch of ginger powder. Cool this water; add two tablespoons of castor oil and mix well before drinking. The best time to drink this concoction is first thing in the morning or last thing at night.
If you are strapped for time or hate the taste of castor oil, you can have a castor oil capsule or supplement instead but keep in mind that this alternative is not as effective as pure castor oil
When buying castor oil, stick to brands available at a health food store as castor oil available at a supermarket may be meant for industrial use and may not be safe for human consumption. Look for oil that is pale yellow or light in color and is cold-pressed only. While castor oil is considered safe when taken in moderation, precautions should be taken especially when ingesting the oil. An overdose of castor oil could lead to side effects such as vomiting, nausea, cramps and stomach pain. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid castor oil treatments as should people with acute intestinal problems. It is always best to consult with your doctor before beginning any new treatment, as there are cases where even natural remedies such as castor oil could counteract with your regular medication and lead to other complications.