Castor oil is a must have in your house.  You will surely be impressed by this versatile oil's many uses. 13 out of its numerous benefits are summarized  below:

13 Health Benefits Of Castor Oil

1.Safe and natural laxative — A 2010 study highlighted how castor oil packs helped to effectively reduce constipation among the elderly.8 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) actually deems this oil "generally regarded as safe and effective" for use as a stimulant laxative.

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Oral ingestion of castor oil can "purge" the digestive tract within two to five hours. However, remember to take it in the appropriate dose. Adults can take 1 to 2 tablespoons, while children 2 to 12 years old should be given only 1 to 2 teaspoons.

Infants below 2 years old are not advised to take more than a teaspoon at a time. When giving it to children, try mixing it in freshly squeezed juice so it becomes more palatable.

2.Muscle pain relief — Rub the oil on your muscles after an intense workout to promote blood circulation and relieve soreness. Mix it with peppermint oil or Roman chamomile oil for extra healing and soothing effect.

If the lymphatic system is not working properly, such as in people with arthritis, joint pain occurs. Massaging castor oil on the joints can help ease the congestion and jumpstart your lymphatic system.

A 2009 study published in Phytotherapy Research supports this, and reveals that castor oil helps relieve pain among patients with knee osteoarthritis.

3.Helps treat fungal diseases — It's said that castor oil is just as effective as antifungal drugs in treating common infections like ringworm, jock itch (tinea cruris) and athlete's foot.

Simply warm the oil, apply onto the affected area before bedtime and leave it on overnight. Repeat for a week or until the infection has disappeared completely.

4.Promotes healthy hair growth — Massaging warm castor oil on your scalp (and even your eyebrows) may stimulate the follicles and result in extra hair growth. Do this every night, and you might see improvement in as little as two weeks. Castor oil may work on areas that have been affected by alopecia as well.

5.Alleviates joint pain — The ricinoleic acid in castor oil has a decongestant effect on the lymphatic system, which is responsible for collecting waste from your tissues and carrying it to your bloodstream to be eliminated.

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6.Gives your hair a richer color — Castor oil locks in the moisture in your hair, giving it a richer and thicker appearance. To get this effect, warm a tablespoon of the oil and use your fingertips to coat each strand, running your fingers through your locks to get it on as much hair as possible.

7.Natural mascara — Melt a tablespoon of beeswax in a double boiler, then add 2 tablespoons of charcoal or cocoa powder (depending on your hair color) and castor oil and mix until you get the desired consistency.

This homemade mascara contains no toxic chemical ingredients, unlike other conventional beauty products out there. Alternately, you can apply castor oil to your lashes every night to make them look fuller and thicker.

8.Skin moisturizer — The fatty acids in castor oil can nourish and moisturize dry skin. Due to its viscous nature, it stays put and easily penetrates into your skin tissue.

Remember that a little goes a long way — simply rub a teaspoonful between your palms and apply all over your skin.

9.Banishes blemishes and other skin problems — Say goodbye to unsightly and embarrassing skin growths with the help of castor oil.

Because of its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, it may have some beneficial effects on skin tags, acne and warts. One study published in the Journal of International Toxicology also found that castor oil may have positive effects against occupational dermatitis.11

10.Assisting a good night's sleep — It's said that dabbing a small amount of castor oil on your eyelids can help you fall asleep much easier. Castor oil may promote a deeper and longer sleep.

11.Works great for colicky infants — Colic sometimes occurs during the first few months of a baby's life and can lead to long periods of excessive crying. Its exact cause is still unknown, although gas is believed to be a major culprit. To use castor oil for colic, simply rub it gently all over your child's abdomen.

12.Safely treats your pets' wounds — If you see minor cuts or wounds on your dog's or cat's skin, dab a bit of castor oil to help facilitate healing, due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. If your pet licks the wound (as most pets do), the oil is not harmful but could lead to loose stools.

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13.All-around lubricant — If you have items around the home that need lubrication, such as squeaky hinges, scissors or meat grinders, castor oil works perfectly for these problems. Due to its consistent viscosity, castor oil does not freeze, so it can be ideal for either hot or very cold temperatures.

When used topically, it's not necessary to blend castor oil with a carrier oil; just make sure to test the oil on a small part of your skin to check for any allergy or skin reaction.

Aside from rubbing or massaging it directly on your skin, you can make a castor oil pack, which I believe is the coup de grace of this holistic therapy. 

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