In recent years, there have been rumours as to its ability to
prevent greying hair, reduce arthritis symptoms and boost immunity - so
it seems there is no ailment this natural ingredient cannot cure.
It
is stable oil, making it great for use in cosmetics as it last for
years without turning rancid. It has excellent moisturising properties
due to its high fat content, which is absorbed into the skin very
slowly, creating long-lasting shine and moisture.
For reasons
widely unknown, the substance has been used for many centuries to induce
labour in pregnant mothers. These days, however, it is not recommended
that the substance be ingested due to its unpleasant side effects such
as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. For this reason, it is often used in
folk medicine as a natural laxative to treat chronic constipation.
In
some cases, it has actually been known to cause foetal complications in
pregnant women, so it's best avoided as an induction technique. If
you're not pregnant, however, the ingredient can be used as an effective
stomach cleanser when mixed with milk. Rumour has it than when combined
with orange juice, castor oil can also be a great hangover cure.
However,
it does have a variety of other uses, all of which are incredibly
beneficial to the body, skin and hair. It is regularly used in massage
blends to treat the whole body due to its slow absorption. It also draws
in dirt, so it is ideal for cleaning or cleansing products.
Its
sticky consistency means that is provides hair, nails and skin with a
beautiful shine. It is ideal when combined with sweet almond extract,
apricot kernels or jojoba. These combinations can help revive tired skin
or hair and even reduce eye bags. It can also be used in rejuvenating
face masks with ingredients such as camelina, avocado or moringa.
It
can also dramatically reduce pigmentation marks or spots on the skin's
surface and improve the overall quality of the skin. You'll need to mix
90ml of it with 8g melted beeswax, 1ml Vitamin E and 25 drops of lemon
essence. These ingredients can be found in most health food stores or
through an online specialist in natural cosmetic ingredients.
To
create your own Castor Cleanser for use at the end of a long day, you'll
need to combine 60ml of organic castor oil with 29ml of apricot kernel,
10ml of jojiba, 1ml of Vitamin E and a small amount (0.5ml) or any
other essence of your choosing. This last step is optional, but can
provide the cream with a nice scent - for example, lavender or
chamomile.
Alternatively, if you intend to use your product for
massage purposes, you can create a moisturising Swedish Massage Blend by
combining 30ml of castor oil with 29ml of jojoba; 20ml of olive oil;
10g of coconut butter; 0.5ml vitamin E and 10ml of thistle.
Castor
oil is incredibly thick, sticky and resistant, so it should only be
used in very small quantities. If in doubt, find a natural ingredient
supplier online and ask them which concentration you should use it in
for your chosen homemade product.
If you're keen to reap the
benefits of this natural ingredient, there are plenty of online recipes
that will also offer instruction and guidance.
Aromantic is a leading UK-based provider of natural cosmetic and beauty product ingredients. The company provides 100% organic, natural ingredients, recipes and courses to customers, allowing them to make their own beauty products. Aromantic provide over 700 high-quality ingredients, ecological packaging and equipment to enable individuals or business owners to create their environmentally responsible and nourishing skin, hair and makeup products. Their natural, active ingredients will produce incredible results in hair, skin and body care and are suitable for all skin types and conditions. The company is also a renowned stockist of high quality essential oils, natural perfume concentrates, natural fats and waxes for the body. They can provide starter packs, educational materials and courses for both professionals and beginners. Visit: http://aromantic.co.uk/
By B Borseth
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