Castor oil comes with various health benefits, which is why it has been widely used in medicine, industry, and pharmaceuticals. It is commonly found in food, skincare, and medication. This oil is said to have benefits like promoting hair growth, boosting immune function, reducing inflammation, moisturizing the skin, slowing down signs of aging, preventing blemishes or scars, relieving muscle pain, promoting digestive health, and more. Cold-pressed castor oil is produced by pressing the castor seeds.
They are 100% pure and organic. The difference between cold-pressed castor oil and normal castor oil is that cold-pressed castor oil is derived from a natural process, whereas, refined oil comes after various chemical processes. You get the maximum health benefits from cold-pressed castor oil, while refined oil loses some of its minerals and vitamins.
Since the cold-pressed process retains the aroma, flavor, and natural antioxidants of the castor oil, it is ideal for skin and hair care products. In detail, let us know more about castor oil and how it benefits us.
What is caster oil?
Castor oil is a non-edible oil that is a source of ricinoleic acid (85-95%), a monosaturated, 18-carbon fatty acid, that has a long chain of carbon atoms attached to hydrogen. Castor is one of the oldest cultivated crops and is considered one of the most important commercial values as it is used to manufacture lubricants, soaps, and coating, among others.
It is a vegetable oil pressed from caster beans and is a colorless or pale yellow liquid with a distinct taste and odor. There are cold-pressed caster oil and refined caster oil. However, cold-pressed castor oil provides more health benefits than refined caster oil, as the cold-pressed process retains the aroma, flavor, and natural antioxidants and is 100% natural pure. On the other hand, refined caster oil might lose its vitamins and minerals in the process.
There are mainly two types of caster oil; yellow caster oil and black caster oil. Yellow caster oil is derived by cold-pressing fresh caster beans, and black caster oil is produced by roasting the caster beans and using heat to extract the oil. Castor oil has a mild odor and a nauseating taste.
According to the National Library of Medicine, caster oil has a density of 0.95 g/cm3, and a mixture of glycerides, chiefly ricinolein (the glyceride of ricinoleic acid). Castor oil is rich in anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, anti-viral, anti-allergic, antiaging, immune-boosting, labor-inducing, and antirheumatic properties.
Nutritional facts of cold pressed castor oil
According to WebMD, the nutritional facts of caster oil include;
- Calories- 120
- Fat- 14 grams
- Protein- 0 grams
- Diber- 0 grams
- Carbohydrates- 0 grams
- Sugar- 0 grams
The active ingredient in castor oil is a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid, and caster oil is also rich in vitamin E, omega-9 fatty acids, and omega-6 fatty acids.
Difference between regular and cold pressed castor oil
The main difference between cold-pressed and refined caster oil is that cold-pressed caster oil is 100% pure and natural, whereas, refined caster oil comes after various chemical processes. Cold-pressed caster oil provides various health benefits, while refined caster oil might lose some of its vitamins and minerals in the process. Cold-pressed oil is considered healthier, as it has more nutrients and lasts longer.
However, cold-pressed caster oil is more expensive. Refined oil is cheaper but might not be good for you. Since cold-pressed caster oil is purer, most people prefer it over refined caster oil. Both cold-pressed and refined caster oils are useful for different applications but cold-pressed caster oil is ideal for skincare and hair care products.
Cold-pressed caster oil is mostly preferred for consumption, as it is considered more healthy. On the other hand, refined caster oil is easy to produce as it does need extra equipment. They are commonly used to create soaps, lubricants, and metal workings. Cold-pressed caste roil tends to retain more nutrients and antioxidants due to lack of heat while processing, which provides additional health benefits. This is why cold-pressed caster oil is considered better than refined caster oil.
Potential health benefits of cold pressed castor oil
Cold-pressed caster oil provides various health benefits, such as;
- Treats constipation:
Cold-pressed caster oil is highly known to relieve temporary constipation. It helps the muscles to contract, which pushes poop through the colon. It also improves gut health by stimulating muscle movement in the intestines.
- Anti-inflammatory effects:
Castor oil is rich in anti-inflammatory properties and helps fight swelling and pain caused by inflammation. It is commonly applied to the skin to get relief from inflammation and pain.
- Heals wounds:
Since caster oil has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, it is used to heal wounds. It speeds up wound healing, especially when used with other ingredients. It also helps prevent infection, by keeping the wound moist and reducing inflammation.
- Induce labor:
Over centuries, cold pressed castor oil has been used to induce labor. It helps during labor and delivery. However, if you are pregnant, do not try it without talking with your doctor.
- Improve skin health:
One of the major benefits of caster oil is that it promotes skin health. It treats acne, scars, and blemishes. It moisturizes the skin, which is why it has been used in plenty of skincare products.
- Promotes hair growth:
Castor oil is also widely used to promote hair growth. It helps treat dry scalp, hair loss, and dandruff. It works to moisturize the scalp and hair and promotes hair growth.
It also provides various other benefits such as slowing down signs of aging, boosting immune function, preventing allergic reactions, treating arthritis, thickening eyebrows and eyelashes, and more.
How to use cold pressed castor oil?
If you are looking to treat hair problems, apply 8 to 10 drops of castor oil to the hair and scalp and massage it for a few minutes. It is better to apply it in the midsection and ends of the hair to protect against breakage and improve texture.
For application on eyelashes and eyebrows, take a cotton swab. Also, apply castor oil at night, and wash it off in the morning. If you want to use it on your skin, gently apply it on the face and massage it in a circular motion.
It is also best to apply at night, keep it till morning, and wash it off. As for nails, apply to the nails and cuticles using your hands and massage them. No matter how you use castor oil, ensure you clean and dry the face, hair, or skin prior to applying castor oil.
Side effects and risks of using cold-pressed castor oil
Even though cold pressed castor oil provides various health benefits, it also causes certain side effects. It causes allergic reactions in those who are allergic to castor plants, so test a small spot before using it.
It may cause pregnancy concerns, as it induces labor. If you are pregnant, avoid using it. Castor oil is toxic to pets. If your pet swallows it unknown, contact the vet immediately. Also, overdosing on castor oil can cause serious health conditions.
Some of the common side effects include;
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Feeling of fullness
- Thirst
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Anal irritation
Some of the severe side effects include;
- Hallucinations
- Shortness of breath
- Skin rash
- Chest pain
- Fainting
- Throat tightness
Conclusion
Castor oil is a vegetable oil pressed from caster beans and is a colorless or pale yellow liquid with a distinct taste and odor. It is widely used in medicine, industry, and pharmaceuticals due to its beneficial properties. It helps promote hair growth, improve skin health, treat constipation, induce labor, heal wounds, and reduce inflammation.
Cold-pressed castor oil is obtained by pressing the castor seeds, making them 100% pure and organic. On the other hand, refined castor oil comes after various chemical processes. You get the maximum health benefits from cold-pressed castor oil, while refined oil loses some of its minerals and vitamins in the process. This is why most people prefer cold-pressed castor oil over refined castor oil.
Due to its health benefits, cold-pressed caster oil is mostly preferred for consumption, whereas, refined caster oil is easy to produce and is commonly used to create soaps, lubricants, and metal workings. Always test a small amount of the oil to ensure you are not allergic to it. Even though it has plenty of health benefits, it might also cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, feeling of fullness, thirst, dizziness, diarrhea, insomnia, or anal irritation. Talk with a doctor first before using it to avoid health complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cold-pressed castor oil is considered better than refined castor oil, as cold pressed castor oil is 100% pure and natural. While cold-pressed castor oil provides various health benefits, the vitamins and minerals of refined castor oil are lost in the process.
Cold-pressed castor oil is commonly used to promote hair growth, improve skin health, treat constipation, induce labor, heal wounds, and reduce inflammation.
Castor oil is safe to consume. However, talk with your doctor first before using it to prevent health complications. Also, overdosing may result in severe side effects.
Cold-pressed castor oil is suitable to use on the face, as it helps improve skin health. It is best to apply it gently to the skin and massage it.
Cold-pressed castor oil helps improve skin health. It helps moisturize the skin, treat acne, scars, and blemishes, and reduce signs of aging.
There is no scientific evidence to prove that cold-pressed castor oil helps with hair growth. But it helps keep the scalp and hair moisturized and prevents breakage.
