Castor oil, also known as Organic Ricinus Communis, has a wide-range of applications from cosmetics to the medical field. While the use of castor oil as a laxative is popular, there are many other practical benefits. Supporters of traditional medicine continue to use castor oil for everything from treating constipation to taking advantage of its anti-inflammatory properties to promoting hair growth.
The Castor oil plant is actually a bean plant. It grows best in the tropics. Here it can grow as high as 40 feet, while reaching only up to 15 feet in Mediterranean countries like Greece, Egypt, and Algeria. In places like Northern France, it reaches only up to 5 feet and looks more like shrubby foliage.
Organic castor oil is derived from the castor seed. The castor-oil plant used to be called “palma Christe” because its leaves were said to resemble the hands of Christ. Pressure is applied to the beans to extract the oil. The pressed castor oil, nutrients, minerals, and 18 essential fatty acids are released.
Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO) is processed differently than traditional castor oil. The beans are first roasted before being processed. The difference in processing (introducing heat) makes each oil different in looks and some benefits.
Above all, the castor-oil plant must be handled with caution. Although the oil is believed to be a natural remedy for many ailments, castor seeds can be deadly. Often used in traditional medicine, the castor seed is actually a bean that contains the poison, ricin. Toxicity is dependent upon the dose.
Is Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Safe For Baby
Origins Of Castor Oil
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Color
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Smell
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Texture
Benefits Of Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) For Babies
Castor Oil For Baby Skin
Castor Oil For Baby Hair
Castor Oil For Constipation In Babies
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Origins Of Castor Oil
Castor oil is sourced from the seeds of the Castor oil plant also known as Ricinus Communis (aka castor bean Ricinus Communis). The castor plant is indigenous to India, Eastern Africa, and the Mediterranean but is widely used throughout the world as an ornamental plant.
Pure castor oil was used as a natural health remedy by the ancient Egyptians. In fact, one of the oldest medical textbooks in existence, the Ebers Papyrus refers to castor oil being used topically as early as 1550 B.C. The early Japanese also used castor oil as a healing treatment, possibly because it’s a natural inflammatory.
The oil remains popular within one of the world’s oldest medical systems, Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda aims to bring balance to the body through the use of holistic treatments. Aside from the use of castor oil for hair and acne in Ayurveda, they also give castor oil for pregnant women to induce labor [2]. In India, it is still known by its Sanskrit name, Eranda.
Is Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Safe For Baby
Origins Of Castor Oil
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Color
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Smell
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Texture
Benefits Of Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) For Babies
Castor Oil For Baby Skin
Castor Oil For Baby Hair
Castor Oil For Constipation In Babies
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Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Color
Organic castor oil can vary in color depending on how it’s processed. Traditional Castor oil is cold-pressed and the color of traditional Castor oil varies from clear to pale yellow.
Jamaican black castor oil is dark in color due to its processing method. In this method, the beans are roasted before pressing. While this is not 100% pure castor oil since it has ash, it is still is quite viscous. However, with the ash present, it can be less sticky and a lot thinner.
The roasting changes the oil; so in essence, the lighter the color, the purer the oil.
Is Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Safe For Baby
Origins Of Castor Oil
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Color
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Smell
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Texture
Benefits Of Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) For Babies
Castor Oil For Baby Skin
Castor Oil For Baby Hair
Castor Oil For Constipation In Babies
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Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Smell
Users have described the smell of castor oil as “neutral.” Many add a few drops of essential oil to their cold-pressed castor oil to create a pleasant scent. However, once the oil expires, it smells rancid and unpleasant.
Castor oil lasts about 6 months from the manufacturing date. It should be kept in a cupboard away from moisture and heat.
Jamaican black castor oil has a burnt smell due to the processing method.
Is Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Safe For Baby
Origins Of Castor Oil
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Color
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Smell
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Texture
Benefits Of Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) For Babies
Castor Oil For Baby Skin
Castor Oil For Baby Hair
Castor Oil For Constipation In Babies
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Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Texture
Traditional castor oil is viscous and thick which can make it difficult to apply. Some people even find the texture unpleasant. You can make the castor oil thinner by combining it with jojoba oil [4].
Is Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Safe For Baby
Origins Of Castor Oil
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Color
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Smell
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Texture
Benefits Of Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) For Babies
Castor Oil For Baby Skin
Castor Oil For Baby Hair
Castor Oil For Constipation In Babies
Benefits Of Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) For Babies
While castor oil is generally safe for babies, it should be used with utmost care. Castor oil should not be applied on broken skin. Also, do not use castor oil near the genitals, eyes, lips or anus of your baby [3].
In fact, considering the sensitivity of a baby’s skin, it would be best to get the approval of your doctor before you use it on (or give it to) your baby.
Is Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Safe For Baby
Origins Of Castor Oil
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Color
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Smell
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Texture
Benefits Of Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) For Babies
Castor Oil For Baby Skin
Castor Oil For Baby Hair
Castor Oil For Constipation In Babies
Castor Oil For Baby Skin
Used correctly, castor oil organic is a gentle, natural remedy for a variety of skin problems for babies including diaper rash. It is an effective moisturizer that can keep your baby’s skin from drying out.
Castor oil’s ricinoleic acid content has also been associated with better skin absorption. The ricinoleic acid content of Castor oil works best when combined with omega-3 fatty acids. 100% pure castor oil is also effective in providing relief for minor skin irritations both for babies and adults due to its antimicrobial properties [6]. It has also been found to be an effective treatment also for a variety of skin conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, and minor fungal infections. The ricinoleic acid content of castor oil is considered rare as it is not commonly found in other sources.
You can also apply castor oil to your baby’s nails to encourage healthy nail growth and prevent it from cracking. Because the ash found in JBCO has a higher pH and thus more alkaline, it’s thought this type of oil is better for nails as higher alkaline pH levels can hope open cuticles.
Is Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Safe For Baby
Origins Of Castor Oil
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Color
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Smell
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Texture
Benefits Of Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) For Babies
Castor Oil For Baby Skin
Castor Oil For Baby Hair
Castor Oil For Constipation In Babies
Castor Oil For Baby Hair
Organic castor oil is generally safe for the skin and scalp. For those moms who want to promote hair growth and scalp health, organic castor oil can help. Because of its viscosity, many parents feel it is best to mix it with coconut oil or some other types of oil to thin the oil out. Castor oil is effective in stimulating hair growth because it contains vitamin E, omega fatty acids, and ricinoleic acid. Cold pressed castor oil will not only keep your baby’s skin smooth but is also an excellent moisturizer when applied to the scalp. Massage a small amount of castor oil on your baby’s hair to make it shiny and promote growth.
Is Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Safe For Baby
Origins Of Castor Oil
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Color
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Smell
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Texture
Benefits Of Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) For Babies
Castor Oil For Baby Skin
Castor Oil For Baby Hair
Castor Oil For Constipation In Babies
Castor Oil For Constipation In Babies
For years, people have used castor oil as a natural remedy for constipation. Ricinoleic acid, a main fatty acid compound found in castor oil, helps in the digestion process.
However, castor oil as a laxative should not be used long-term because side effects include diarrhea.
Castor Oil Packs
Castor oil packs are a popular traditional medicinal remedy for a number of problems. Castor oil is placed on a piece of cloth on the skin. A heating pad is then placed on top. The idea is to stimulate the internal systems of the body to promote immunity and stimulate healing. A castor oil pack can help relieve your baby’s colic problems. As this involves the use of a heating pad, make sure you check the temperature first before applying next to the skin. Also, massaging your baby’s belly with castor oil can help release gases from the intestines which cause colic.
When castor oil packs are placed on the right side or whole abdomen to support the liver and digestive system by stimulating blood circulation. Or, placed directly on strained muscles or joints as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Improve Baby’s Immunity
If you want to improve your baby’s immunity, you can use castor oil to boost the immune function. There are many uses of castor oil because of its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Castor oil is also capable of preventing liver damage and promote the function of the thymus gland. When a castor oil pack is placed by Peyer’s patches, it’s believed that the pack helps drain these small masses of lymphatic nodules, helping to boost the immune system.
Castor oil has its advantage and disadvantages. Your baby’s skin is not only sensitive, but it is also very thin (thinner by up to 30%) compared to the skin of an adult. Because of its fragility and easy absorbable, exposure to sunlight, harsh weather conditions, and chemicals can cause problems.
Unfortunately, many baby products contain harmful chemicals such as parabens, phthalate, fragrances, and formaldehyde. While the ill effects of these chemicals are not yet fully established, it is important to be always vigilant about the products being used by your baby. That includes natural products such as castor oil.
Is Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Safe For Baby
Origins Of Castor Oil
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Color
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Smell
Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Texture
Benefits Of Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) For Babies
Castor Oil For Baby Skin
Castor Oil For Baby Hair
Castor Oil For Constipation In Babies
Is Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) Safe For Baby Resources:
[1] Medical News Today; Benefits of castor oil for the face and skin, Aaron Kandola, June 28, 2018.
[2] US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health; Castor Oil: Properties, Uses, and Optimization of Processing Parameters in Commercial Production, Vinay R. Patel, Gerard G. Dumancas, Lakshmi C. Kasi Viswanath, Randall Maples, Bryan John J. Subong, September 07, 2016.
[3] Botanical; Castor Oil Plant, Mrs. M. Grieve.
[4] US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health; Castor Oil: Properties, Uses, and Optimization of Processing Parameters in Commercial Production, Vinay R. Patel, Gerard G. Dumancas, Lakshmi C. Kasi Viswanath, Randall Maples, Bryan John J. Subong, September 07, 2016.
