Castor oil is a vegetable oil that is extracted from the castor bean. It has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. Today, castor oil is applied topically for dermatological purposes. It carries many benefits, and you can even use it in the home to replace harmful household products that contain chemicals or toxins. This article will look at some creative ways to use castor oil around the house.
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Cure Sunburns And Other Irritations
If you’ve spent a few too many hours in the sun and suffer from a bad case of sunburn, using castor oil can help. It works as an anti-inflammatory and will reduce redness and swelling while also getting rid of peeling skin. Apply the oil directly to your burn as soon as you get home. Furthermore, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, you can also use castor oil to relieve the pain of hemorrhoids and other ailments that cause inflammation in your lower regions. Apply it directly to the affected area for some fast-acting relief.
Help Hair Growth And Strength
Castor oil works wonders for your hair. First, you can use it as a natural conditioner that detangles and repairs damage from chemical treatments or heat from styling tools. Apply to the ends of damp hair before you blow-dry it. It will add shine and help your hair stay healthy and strong. Furthermore, you can use castor oil to thicken hair naturally. It works by penetrating through the scalp and down the hair shaft, stimulating growth from the inside and strengthening each strand of hair as it grows out.
Moisturize Your Skin And Nails
Castor oil can do more than moisturize your skin; it is a powerful moisturizer itself. It closes the gap between skin cells so that moisture can seep in and hydrate your skin from within. This will leave your skin smooth, supple, and soft to the touch. You can use castor oil on your face or body; it doesn’t matter! It also works wonders on dry, brittle nails. Apply the oil onto bare nails every night before bed. There’s no need to wash it off in the morning. Just let your nails soak up the moisturizing effects all night long.
Fight Dandruff And Itchy Scalp
If you struggle with dandruff, castor oil can help. Its moisturizing effects don’t just make your skin soft; they prevent the skin on your scalp from flaking and itching too. The oil also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that will eliminate any fungus or bacteria that causes dandruff in the first place. Add a few drops into your shampoo or dab some oil onto your scalp directly before washing your hair. You can also apply some extra castor oil to the ends of your hair after styling it for an added boost of moisture and shine.
Help Heal Cracked Heels
Whether you suffer from chronically cracked heels or your feet feel dry and chapped in the winter, castor oil can help. The moisturizing effects will nourish your skin and help it heal much faster than if you tried to do it yourself without any topical products at all. Add a few drops of oil into your hand, and then massage it onto your feet and heels before bed. Wash it off with some warm water and a pumice stone in the morning. Do this every night until your heels are no longer cracked or chapped for best results.
Get Rid Of Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are one of the most annoying pests that can invade your home. Luckily they’re easy to get rid of with just a few simple household items you probably already have at home. Using castor oil will kill the flies and keep them from returning to your house again. All you need to do is mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and castor oil in a container. The mixture should be very runny; much more liquid than solid. Then you need to add a couple of drops of this solution to a cotton ball and place it somewhere in your home where you’ve seen fruit flies. The solution will attract the flies, and when they land on or drink from the cotton, they’ll die. No more pesky insects!
Use It As A Laxative
Castor oil is a natural laxative that stimulates bowel movements. If you’re looking to move things along in the bathroom, take a tablespoon of castor oil once every few days and see what happens. You’ll be surprised how fast things can move when you add this oil into your diet. It’s important that you only take small doses of castor oil an hour before you eat a meal. This gives the laxative effect time to kick in and works best when paired with food. Start with one teaspoon every few days and see how your body reacts. If you don’t notice any side effects or anything that feels off, add another teaspoon into your diet until you reach two tablespoons. Taking more than two tablespoons of castor oil can make you nauseous and cause vomiting. It’s also important to note that taking too much castor oil on a regular basis will damage your liver, so make sure not to overdo it.
Clean Your Home Naturally
Castor oil is an effective way to naturally clean almost anything around the house. If you have old, grimy stains on your tile or fixtures that are hard to get off by yourself, castor oil is the answer. Just add a few drops of oil onto your cleaning rag before mopping or scrubbing surfaces. This will eliminate dirt and grime without harsh chemicals and leave a pleasant scent in your home. To add a little shine to your stainless steel appliances, add a couple of drops onto a cotton ball and scrub the surface with it. The oil will help prevent any water spots from forming and leave behind a protective layer that helps repel dirt and dust. Just be careful not to use castor oil on anything painted or coated in a material that the oil could damage.
Conclusion
For best results, try adding just one new use at a time into your life so you can get used to the effects before trying something else. It’s important to remember that everyone has different reactions to castor oil, and what works for one person might not work for another. Also, keep that in mind when using this wonder oil around the house.