Castor oil has a wide variety of uses.
Castor oil is not as popular now as it was around the 1950s, when its laxative properties were widely known and sometimes used as a punishment to badly behaved children. The vegetable oil is derived from the castor bean, which is the seed of the castor-oil plant, Ricinus communis, a plant that is found mostly in India, East Africa and around the Mediterranean region. Castor oil has a wide variety of uses -- chiefly medical, but also some industrial and as a lubricant.
Laxative or Purgative
Traditionally, the main use of castor oil has been as a laxative. It was used in this respect by Mussolini's fascist troops as an instrument of torture when force-fed to captives. The oil is made up of a number of fatty acids, chiefly ricinoleic acid with small amounts of oleic acid and linoleic acid and trace amounts of others. Taking a teaspoon of castor oil mixed with a juice first thing in the morning can be an effective cure for constipation, but if the problem persists after taking castor oil for three days, consult a doctor in case there is a more serious underlying cause.
Arthritis, Gout and Rheumatism
Castor oil easily penetrates the skin, and this property alongside its anti-inflammatory powers makes it an effective pain reliever for arthritis, gout or rheumatism. Rub it into the skin of the affected area for basic relief. For a stronger remedy, place a cotton pad that has been soaked in the oil on the affected area, cover it with plastic wrap and place a heat source such as a hot pad or hot water bottle on top for 45 minutes. The pad can be kept in a refrigerator in a sealed plastic bag and reused when needed.
Skin Problems
Because it is a strong antioxidant and has anti-fungal properties, castor oil has been successfully used to treat a number of skin problems. These include ringworm, acne, warts, athlete's foot, liver spots, as well as chronic itch and inflamed skin. For small areas, cover the area with an adhesive bandage that has been soaked in the oil and apply to the area, leaving it on overnight, covering with plastic if necessary. For larger areas, use a cotton pad in the same way as for arthritis and gout. These properties can also provide effective relief to sunburn and to skin abrasions.
Other Uses
A derivative of the oil, polyethoxylated castor oil, is added to a number of modern drugs and used therapeutically. It is added to Saperconazole and to Miconazole as an anti-fungal agent, to Paclitaxel in chemotherapy for cancer and to Nelfinavir mesylate as an HIV protease inhibitor. After organ transplants, it is used with a cyclosporine injection to reduce the activity of a patient's immune system. Castor oil induces cramping of the bowel, and this property can be used to induce labor in an overdue pregnancy. This should only be carried out under medical supervision, as there can be side effects such as vomiting and diarrhea.
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