Castor oil is a type of vegetable oil that comes from pressing the seeds of the castor bean plant. It has been used for a long time in cosmetic products due to its lubrication properties. It is traditionally made in Western India but is now commonly produced in China and Brazil.
However, castor oil has many proven health benefits, such as wound healing and antiviral properties. Castor oil is also used in animal feed, medical products, hygiene products, cosmetics, paints, and dyes.
The castor bean plant seeds contain a poisonous substance called ricin, which can be lethal if ingested raw, but the heat involved in processing castor oil destroys ricin, making castor oil safe to use.
Castor oil is a thick, colourless, pale yellow oil with a distinctive smell and unpleasant taste, similar to Vaseline. Its main component is ricinoleic acid, which is a type of monounsaturated fatty acid.
10 Castor Oil Health Benefits
Experts say castor oil has been proven to offer various scientific health benefits and applications. The subsequent health advantages are listed below:
1. Castor Oil Can Help Treat Constipation