Sipping Tea with Saba Tesfay

The statements in this editorial are simply for informational purposes, entertainment, and objective research and do not represent the views or policies of the publication, or any other organization with which the author may be affiliated. They are also not to be viewed as personal medical care, but rather for the purpose of general knowledge. The author is not a medical The reader is strongly encouraged to speak to his/her own physician for medical advice.

Because there are so many benefits found in nature, I have been known to promote herbal teas, so with that I invite you to sip some tea as we steep ourselves into this month’s topic: castor oil.  

By now, you may have heard some of the wonders of castor oil, either shared by your grandmother as an age-old tradition, or mentioned by that one health nut friend that is always on some super unique health trips and is currently ‘naval oiling’ (putting oil inside the belly button and massaging for a range of benefits). Either way, castor oil has been a powerful remedy for centuries and it’s worth knowing about.

I have personally experienced the benefits of castor oil, and find it to be something that is very helpful to keep on hand in the house, and I am excited to share some of the many reasons why. (Next month I will share my top go-to accessible remedies for random yet common issues within the household).

Ancient Seed

Castor oil is a pale yellow or sometimes dark brown thick oil that is extracted from the pressing of the seeds of the Ricinus Communis plant. This oil has been documented as a staple in medicine for thousands of years with such a variety of applications and benefits ranging from skin care, digestion, to health remedies, and industrial applications with over 700 uses. This special oil was said to have been found in the tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun of Egypt, cited in the Ebers Papyrus (an Egyptian, also known as Kemetic, medical journal), and used by Cleopatra for eye health. Castor oil has been integrated into the Ayurvedic practices of India as well as in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), while Hippocrates of Greece also prescribed it for its laxative properties.

Composition and Sourcing

Castor oil is made up of oleic and linoleic acids, but the majority of the seed oil is composed of ricinoleic acid which is a fatty acid that has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and analgesic properties. The rich range of amber color that castor oil can produce will be dependent on the extraction and processing. The traditional method entails roasting, grinding, and boiling the beans before heat extraction, then straining. Contrastingly, refined castor oil, which has become all too common in the marketplace, is commonly extracted with hexane that changes its compounds to hold 85% less ricinoleic acid. This is why it is so important to always ensure you are getting hexane-free and organic castor oil, because of numerous viral trends, it might be harder to find a quality source. For this reason, I recommend sourcing an option that comes in a glass bottle, and if you are able to somewhat trace the oils origins and extraction process (via a transparent supply chain) you will get a better quality.

Hair and Skin Care

Over the past few centuries, Jamaican culture has kept the tradition of using castor oil for its ‘drawing’ effects for inflammation, while also popularizing the use of Jamaican Black Castor Oil for deep nourishing hair oil for growth and moisture. The Castor bean originates in eastern Africa, however was brought over to the Caribbean during the slave trade between 1625 and 1810 and the seed has since been processed for a range of uses by the enslaved Africans and the British. In Haiti it was known as Lwil maskriti and used as a universal cure-all.

However in more recent years it has gone viral for a range of hair and skin care remedies as folks on the internet have been sharing their results using castor oil to regrow and strengthen hair (sometimes in combination of rosemary or peppermint essential oils) as well as using on lashes and eyebrows for thicker growth. Castor oil supports scalp health by minimizing dandruff and increasing circulation, however it’s recommended to only oil a couple times per week, and ensure you are properly washing it out after. Tips and tricks are plenty as the widespread sharing of natural solutions for health and beauty abound.

In alignment with hair support, castor oil is also a sensation that has been promoted to reduce wrinkles pretty drastically. Again, it’s thick and with moisturizing effect penetrates deeply into the skin to lock in hydration which supports dry or sensitive skin, which most folks living or even passing through Vegas experience. Because it may be too viscous to work with, you can blend it with some jojoba oil, and a few drops of frankincense oil to increase the benefits for your skin. It is very low on the comedogenic scale making it ideal for topical use, with the added benefit of it’s antimicrobial wound healing abilities. Whenever trying something new on your skin, always do a patch test to check for any allergic reactions.

Going Deeper 

Having worked at a health food store as a teenager, my first experience with castor oil was the recommendation for individuals dealing with inflamed or congested liver issues. It would be recommended that the person use the castor oil topically in what is called a ‘Castor Oil Pack’. This is by getting a non-toxic piece of cloth (preferably flannel or organic cotton), soaking it in castor oil, placing it just above the liver area, and then heating it with a compress a couple times per week. This can obviously be a messy process, but over the years, there are many ready made solutions that make the process a lot more convenient. Proper research is still necessary for this type of treatment. 

Since skin is the largest organ on our body, it is important to know that anything you apply will be absorbed which can affect other parts of your body; this can be of benefit or detriment depending on what you slather on. 

In the fashion of Castor Oil Packs, women have been using this fatty acid rich oil on the womb area to address issues related to PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) and going online to share their personal experience. Alongside this social media posted information, folks across the board are partaking in the Ayurvedic practice of ‘naval oiling’- a process of simply massaging some castor oil inside the belly button and surrounding stomach area nightly to help with cramping, digestion, bloating, and suggested weight loss. However it is important to note that there are no definitive studies on the effectiveness of improving the health of any internal organ health or disease with castor oil, there are only individual testimonies and experiences shared online.

More recently, there was a smaller study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine that inspected the use of topical castor oil for osteoarthritis in the knees. The researchers found that the study’s participants experienced improved knee function and reduced pain with no side effects. There have also been studies for general joint pain relief through the application of warm castor oil. 

FDA Approved

While there are a range of published studies on the application of castor oil for things such as labor induction, joint support, skin hyperpigmentation, and more, the one thing that castor oil is approved by the Food and Drug Administration is for oral use in cases of mild constipation. Castor oil is commonly known for its bowel stimulating effects, however it is important to use it very mindfully in moderation, and in all cases under the care of a healthcare provider. When taking it orally, too much can lead to dehydration. 

Precautions

Even when using castor oil topically on the outer part of your skin, it is possible that you can experience detoxifying effects. Many times when detoxing, flu-like symptoms may arise. If this occurs it is important to not just stop, however do your best to ensure that all your detox pathways are open. Performing your own lymphatic massage to encourage circulation, increase hydration for sweating and elimination, and deep breathing are very effective ways to support the release of toxins when they are ready to exit!  The last thing you want to do when adding any new health regiment is dehydrate which can too commonly occur in our Las Vegas summer heat. 

Hydrate and Smile 

So with that being said, I am going to hydrate in a couple ways as I finish sipping  my herbal tea infused water bottle, while applying castor oil on the corners of my eyes to address the crows feet from so much smiling!