top of page

Castor Oil Speeds Up Healing & Improves Your Immunity


Direct link to article: https://draxe.com/castor-oil/

What Is Castor Oil?

Throughout history, castor oil’s most popular use has been for treating skin infections, lowering constipation and boosting the appearance of hair health, but research has shown that castor oil has even more important applications for supporting the immune system. Castor oil is capable of increasing white blood cells and the count of T-11 cells (a type of special white blood cells that act like antibodies) produced within the body’s lymphocytes that help kill viruses, fungi, bacteria and cancer cells.

Many of castor oil’s benefits come down to its chemical composition. It’s classified as a type of triglyceride fatty acid, and almost 90 percent of its fatty acid content is a specific and rare compound called ricinoleic acid. Castor oil is considered to be pretty unique because ricinoleic acid is not found in many other substances, and it’s such a dense, concentrated source. It is produced by cold-pressing the seeds and subsequent clarification of the oil by heat.

Aside from its primary constituent, ricinoleic acid, castor oil also contains certain beneficial salts and esters that function primarily as skin-conditioning agents. At the same time, they help stabilize the texture and consistency of products, which is why castor oil is used in so many cosmetics, hair and skin-care treatments.

According to the International Journal of Toxicology, castor oil and hydrogenated castor oil reportedly were used in 769 and 202 cosmetic products, respectively, during the time of an analysis in 2002! Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil is the name given to the type of castor oil used in cosmetics, which you might find listed on the ingredient label, especially in lipsticks.

Castor Oil Benefits

As an unsaturated fatty acid, ricinoleic acid found in castor oil has many healing abilities, including:

  • supporting the lymphatic system

  • increasing circulation

  • preventing the growth of viruses, bacteria, yeasts and molds

  • fighting skin disorders and infections

  • helping to kill ringworm, keratoses, skin inflammation, abrasions and fungal infections

  • healing acne

  • helping hair grow

  • reducing itching and swelling on the skin

  • fighting toenail fungus

  • easing constipation

  • hydrating chapped lips

  • reducing painful sunburns

  • helping with pregnancy and inducing labor

  • and many more

One of the major reasons castor oil has strong immune-enhancing effects is because it supports the body’s lymphatic system. The most significant role of the lymphatic system, which is spread throughout the whole body in small tubular structures, is that it absorbs and removes excess fluids, proteins and waste materials from our cells.

Lymph nodes located within these tubes act like the body’s natural filters for toxins, and they also pump out antibodies when we’re sick to keep foreign proteins or bacteria at bay. If you’ve ever had an enlarged lymph node in your neck or near your genitals, for example, this is a sign that a high level of antibodies are being released in order to fight an infection near that area.

When the lymphatic system isn’t working properly, this can eventually lead to the failure of many healthy cells and possibly degeneration and destruction of organs. For example, poor lymphatic drainage of the heart is linked to tissue damage, which can add to or worsen coronary heart disease conditions.

Aside from capturing leaking fluid from our tissues that contain waste, increasing function of the circulation system and helping create defensive antibodies for the immune system, the lymphatic system also helps absorb lingering fat molecules within the small intestine. In fact, a large percentage of all the fat absorbed from the gut requires the help of the lymphatic system. Some fat molecules remain unabsorbed because they’re essentially too large to move from the small to large intestine. This means they can be released into the lymphatic system and then into the bloodstream, where they can be carried throughout the body to be used for fuel.

10 Castor Oil Uses

1. Improves Immune Function

Castor oil is believed to improve lymphatic drainage, blood flow, thymus gland health and other immune system functions. Research has shown that patients who use abdominal castor oil packs have significant increases in the production of lymphocytes compared with patients using placebo packs. Lymphocytes are the immune system’s natural “disease-fighters” that attack outside invaders such as toxins, bacteria and other perceived threats.

Castor oil helps with the production of proper levels of lymphocytes, which are released and stored within the lymphatic tissue from the thymus gland, spleen, lymph nodes and tissue that lines the small intestine. The lymphatic system also impacts the circulatory and digestive systems, which is why castor oil has benefits for helping you detox, supporting heart health and healing digestive issues like constipation, too.

Castor oil is hydrolyzed in the small intestine by pancreatic enzymes, leading to the release of glycerol and ricinoleic acid, along with other beneficial metabolites.

2. Boosts Circulation

Proper blood flow and immunity go hand in hand. When the lymphatic system fails (or edema develops, which is the retention of fluid and toxins), it’s much more likely someone will become chronically ill.

The circulatory system is responsible for pumping blood to and from the heart, where it moves oxygen throughout the body through small arteries and tiny vessels called capillaries. Within microscopic tubular structures held in the lungs, blood exchanges oxygen and nutrients for cellular waste. This process is crucial for keeping us alive, bringing oxygen to our cells and detoxing our bodies.

3. Fights Skin Infections and Wounds

As you probably already know, beauty is more than skin deep; the health of your skin is often a reflection of the health of your gut, immune system and hormonal balance. The real price of beauty is steep, and loading your skin with chemical ingredients found in store-bought skin care products usually only makes irritation worse. Castor oil is completely natural and synthetic-free, yet it can be directly absorbed through the skin, resulting in several positive outcomes for skin’s appearance.

First and foremost, circulation and blood flow increase, which helps the body better fight infections and heal wounds. Castor oil also works like a natural antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobrial agent that targets underlying causes of skin disorders. Lymph flow also improves with castor oil use, which can help speed up the removal of cellular-related toxins and therefore lowers levels of swelling, redness and inflammation at the root of most diseases.

4. Helps Balance Hormones and Improve Libido

Enhancing the absorption of fat molecules within the digestive tract is essential for the formation of healthy hormones.

That’s what makes castor oil consumption a way to balance hormones naturally. Also with less floating toxins present within and around cells, coupled with better blood flow, sex organ function works more efficiently and people experience less PMS symptoms, fatigue, mood swings and depression.

5. Induces Labor

Castor oil is a time-honored natural remedy for inducing labor. For centuries, pregnant women at full term have been given castor oil orally to help speed up uterus contractions. The reason castor oil works for inducing labor is because ricinoleic acid in the oil activates EP3 prostanoid receptors in the uterus. One downside of using castor oil to help with delivery, and the reason it’s not commonly used in hospitals, is that some woman feel nauseous due to its effects.

6. Heals Dry, Irritated, Sun-Burnt or Acne-Prone Skin

As a natural antibacterial agent, castor oil works similarly to coconut oil for healing skin. It also makes a great skin moisturizer, anti-inflammatory blemish treatment, and can delay the signs of aging like wrinkles since it helps increase collagen and elastin production.