Thousands of plant species offer healing and pain recovery for certain ailments. One such plant is Ricinus communis, and the oil extracted from its beans is the popular castor oil. Even though there are many discussions and anecdotal evidence on castor oil being helpful for constipation and other benefits, it has also another positive advantage.
Castor oil can be used to alleviate knee and joint pains! Are you curious to know what makes this oil beneficial for relieving pain and enhancing joint and muscle function? Do you want to know how to properly use castor oil for knee pain relief? If yes, read this article to find out the answers to your questions.
Understanding Castor Oil
Castor oil is a colorless or pale yellow vegetable oil extracted by pressing castor beans from the Ricinus communis plant. Belonging to the spurge family, the castor oil plant is mainly cultivated in South America, India, China, and Africa. The density of castor oil is 0.961g/cm3 and the boiling point is estimated to be 313 degrees Celsius or 595 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is a nonvolatile fatty oil that is viscous and has a mild odor with a nauseating taste. It is generally non-edible and has around 90% ricinoleic acid which is a monounsaturated, 18-carbon fatty acid. It also contains other compounds such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, etc. According to the European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology, around 600-800 million pounds of castor oil is produced for various uses.
The major applications of castor oil include the manufacturing of soaps and lubricants, the production of certain cosmetics such as hair oils, and embalming fluids, the creation of certain printing inks, dyeing aids, textile finishing materials, greases, and hydraulic fluids. For human usage, castor oil is also a crucial part of traditional medicine and its applications include childbirth, laxative usage, food and preservatives, medicines, etc.
How Does Castor Oil Relieve Knee Pain?
Castor oil can be used to relieve knee and joint pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Research shows that ricinoleic acid, the major fatty acid in castor oil, can reduce inflammation and swelling associated with conditions such as arthritis. A study published under NIH has explained this stating that applying castor oil with diclofenac sodium was found to be effective in patients with knee arthritis.
Due to the anti-inflammatory effects, the free radicals in the skin get attacked by the castor oil compounds which leads to the reduction of inflammation and pain associated with arthritis and knee pain. It also increases lymphocytes in your body that can protect it against harmful toxins and prevent the pain associated with knee and joint issues. It has shown that castor oil can promote T Cells production in your body which are a type of antibodies that protect you from infections and diseases.
Another way in which castor oil relieves pain is by improving blood circulation. When applied to the area, it enhances blood flow and circulation leading to better joint and muscle flexibility. All these factors contribute to relief from knee pain.
Also read: Potential Health Benefits Of Cold Pressed Castor Oil
How To Use Castor Oil For Knee Pain?
There are different ways to use castor oil for knee pain. One method is the simple, direct application of the oil on the affected area. For this, just heat some castor oil and take a sufficient amount of it in your palms.
Now apply the oil in circular motions over the knees for at least 5 minutes. This gentle massage can alleviate inflammation and pain effectively. It also helps with improved joint mobility and flexibility. Another method of using castor oil for knee pain is applying a castor oil pack. To make this pack you need to have the following items:
- A flannel-like cloth
- Castor oil
- Plastic wrap
- Hot water bottle or heating pad
Application method: First you need to soak the flannel cloth in castor oil until it is fully saturated. Now place this cloth over the knee joints. Next, you have to wrap the plastic around this to prevent its leakage into your dress or bedclothes. Now, place a hot water bottle or heating pad above this and let it be in this position for at least 30-45 minutes.
Another way of using castor oil to relieve knee pain is by mixing it with certain essential oils such as peppermint oil or eucalyptus oil. Before applying this mixture, you need to take a small amount of the mix and apply it to another part of your body to check there is no allergic reaction.
Benefits Of Using Castor Oil
Apart from relieving knee pain, castor oil has other purported health benefits. Some of these benefits include:
- Alleviates symptoms of constipation
According to the FDA (Food and Drugs Administration), castor oil can be used as a laxative to find temporary relief from constipation. It is generally considered a safe and effective laxative stimulant that can create softer stools and prevent the straining of bowel movements. A study published in the Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice has explained that castor oils are effective in treating constipation in elderly adults.
- Supports cleaning of dentures
Having antibacterial and antifungal properties, castor oil can clean dentures and prevent plaque accumulation. Some studies have shown that soaking your dentures in a castor oil-based solution can ward off bacteria and fungi. It mainly kills candida (yeast) infections which are the main culprit behind denture stomatitis, an infection that causes painful inflammation.
- Promote skin moisturizing qualities
Dermatologists suggest that castor oil can be used to even out skin tones and moisturize your skin. The presence of omega 3s in the oil can hydrate your skin and provide it with moisturizing properties. Castor oil can also prevent spots and blemishes on your skin.
- Helps with inducing labor
Traditionally, in certain cultures around the world castor oil was used to induce labor. Research shows that it can cause uterine contractions and will be effective in accelerating the child delivery process. Some studies show that if a woman is 40 weeks pregnant castor oil can induce delivery within 24 hours.
- Might be good for your hair
Even though there is no scientific proof that castor oil supports hair health, anecdotal evidence shows otherwise. Ample reports are being made on behalf of the hair health benefits of castor oil. It can hydrate and moisturize the hair strands and promote hair growth.
You might also like to read: Castor Oil For Thyroid: Benefits, Methods, and Precautions
Are There Any Side Effects For Castor Oil?
Like a coin that has both sides of good and bad, castor oil also has possible side effects.
- Vomiting and nausea
- Abdominal fullness with pain
- Dizziness
- Thirst
- Anal irritation
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Swelling
- Skin rashes
- Itching
Who Should Avoid Castor Oil?
Certain groups of people should avoid consuming castor oil. They include:
- Women at all stages of pregnancy
- Children under 12 years of age
- People with castor plant allergies.
- People with rectal bleeding and stomach pain
- People who have symptoms of appendicitis
- People who have symptoms of a blocked intestine
- Older patients
The Bottom Line
Castor oil is a vegetable oil extracted from castor beans and seeds of the Ricinus communis plant. It is highly viscous and is colorless or pale yellow in appearance. Castor oil has different applications both for industrial and human purposes. In the industrial field, it is widely used for the production of certain cosmetic items. It has a crucial role in traditional medicine as well. Castor oil is FDA-approved for treating occasional cases of constipation due to its laxative properties.
Due to the presence of ricinoleic acid, an anti-inflammatory compound, castor oil can also be used to alleviate knee pain. It has been shown to improve blood flow and enhance T cell production which is a kind of antibodies that prevent the onset of infections and diseases. Certain people shouldn’t consume castor oil and care and discretion should be maintained to avoid possible side effects.
FAQs
Yes. Castor oil is generally considered effective for alleviating knee pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Take at least three teaspoons of castor oil and warm it up a little bit. Now apply this on the knees and massage in circular motions by applying moderate pressure.
If you have knee pain, sit in a relaxed position and place the castor oil pack on the knees. Now place a plastic sheet over the pack. After this, you can gently press this area using a heating pad or hot water bottle and leave the pack for at least 45 minutes.
If consumed orally it can cause side effects such as nausea, dizziness, bloating, abdominal cramps, etc.
It shouldn’t be used for long periods as it might cause unwanted side effects.
For issues such as constipation, castor oil has been reported to be working within 6-12 hours of consumption.
