Castor seeds contain a toxin which has no antidote. However, castor oil doesn't contain the toxin once it is extracted from the seed. Never eat castor seeds!
Castor oil has some amazing benefits besides scaring children. It has been used for many ages and for many ailments. It can be used as a massage, a pack, put on topically, or taken internally (with some precautions).
Castor oil has been used for easing health conditions, such as arthritis, as a rub for wounds, to help with the appearance of wrinkles and stretch marks, to encourage hair growth, and to relieve constipation, to name a few.
It is said that you can help boost your immune system with castor oil. You don't have to ingest it, just put it on your skin. Your body can absorb what it needs from the oil through the skin. It's rumored to help your thymus gland and increase lymphocyte production- which helps your body clear out waste and promotes healing.
To use as a pack, get a few layers of cotton or flannel. Put castor oil on the pad, and then place the pad on the area of the body that you want it. Next, cover the pad with some sort of plastic wrap- you want the castor oil to touch your skin, but not rub off on the heating pad or heating bottle that you put on top. Keep it warm and pressed on the body for up to an hour.
When taken internally, castor oil is a very effective laxative. Take no more than one teaspoon. It can cause severe cramping, and even bring on labor- but labor with diarrhea and nausea is not fun! Plus, it can mess up your digestion and intestinal flora.
Castor oil can also be rubbed directly onto the skin morning and/or night. It is rather sticky, so if you're using it for massage you may want to mix it with a carrier oil. It can also be rubbed into your hair to help with hair growth or frizz control (easiest to apply and less sticky if mixed with coconut oil).
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