What are the best castor oil uses for hair and skin? I know you can take it internally, but I also heard you can get rid of wrinkles with it.
Cindy, Rochester, NY
You’re right, you can take castor oil for constipation and induce labor, but there’s a lot more it can do. Some of the best castor oil uses are for healing skin problems and strengthening hair. The full overview oncastor oil uses and what it can treat is here.
For example, castor oil helps skin produce more collagen and elastin. These are the building blocks in the skin that make it look and feel younger. And if you massage this oil into your face each night, it will help make fine lines disappear. It even helps clear up acne.
The same type of treatment works to shrink and fade scars or heal cracked skin. It cures brittle nails and softens up dry nail cuticles. If you want longer eyelashes, thicker eyebrows, or stronger hair, you can use castor oil on them, too. Apply it to the roots and let it work overnight for best results.
Castor oil is naturally anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. You can use it to clear up a fungal infection in toenails or soothe a bug bite. Some people like to use castor oil to relieve menstrual cramps and migraines, too.
As always when you try a new natural remedy, test it in small amounts and wait a day to see how you react. Castor oil, although derived from a poisonous plant, is normally safe in reasonable quantities. Should you experience a rash, swelling, cramps, nausea, or other undesirable reaction, just don’t use castor oil.
To go even more natural, grow castor beans yourself. Although the plant is toxic and must be grown with care, the flowers and leaves are beautiful and you can harvest your own beans – maybe make your own castor oil!
Joan