Many of you are probably familiar with castor oil as the go-to concoction that old-time healers recommend for a wide range of ailments ? from constipation to colds and fever, and even as treatment against parasitical worms.Castor oil is claimed to be one of the best remedies there is.
It?s one of the most well-known natural remedies with a long enough history to at least warrant greater scientific exploration ? nevertheless, a little careful at-home experimentation before using it wouldn?t hurt. It is also a great source for treating many hair care issues.
Castor oil can treat alopecia in women
By the age of 50, approximately?50 percent?of women will experience?female pattern hair loss, according to American Hair Research Society. In addition,?alopecia is a hair loss condition most commonly seen in women. Common reasons for alopecia range from nutritional deficiencies to acute distress syndrome. Many women also experience alopecia as a side effect of certain medications.?There are various types of alopecia such as alopecia areata, scarring alopecia and anagen effluvium.
Castor oil is fawned over because its plentiful amounts of ricinoleic acid, as mentioned above. Ricinoleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid, has been shown to have?anti-inflammatory?effects. Around 89.5 percent of castor oil is made up of a fatty acid composition of ricinoleic acid, which can effectively reverse hair loss. Castor oil is also antimicrobial and can help prevent hair loss that is caused due to inflammation, fungal infections or bacterial infections.
Castor oil can reduce dandruff
Dandruff can be embarrassing and stubborn to get rid of. The cause of dandruff is debatable, but malassezia fungi has been the suspected cause of dandruff for more than a century. And if you have dandruff, it may also cause thinning hair. In fact, during a study by the?The American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, hair shedding was prominent in the study participants who had higher levels of?dandruff.
So what?s the solution? Well, castor oil is packed with nutrients such as minerals, omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E, all of which help moisturize dry dandruff flakes and fight a pesky, itchy scalp. In addition, the rich fatty acid content of castor oil makes it perfect for massaging into your scalp to keep it healthy and moisturized.
Castor oil can mend split ends
No one likes split ends; they make hair look dull and lifeless. Castor oil can mend split ends because the fatty acid content nourishes hair while giving it a glowing shine. It has great moisturizing properties that hydrate and nourish the scalp to prevent dry, itchy and frizzy hair. The conditioning agents within the oil can repair split ends and breakage.
Check out the 9 Reasons to Use Coconut Oil?
How to use castor oil on your hair
Try adding castor oil to your hair one to two times per week. Be sure to massage the oil deeply into the scalp for maximum benefits, especially on damp hair to increase moisture absorption. If your hair is already thin, mix castor oil with lighter oils such as olive oil, to prevent your hair from being too weighed down. Here are some other tips:
- Olive oil and?castor oil?can also be used together to soothe inflammation and moisturize the scalp.
- Slightly warming the oil before applying it to your scalp can improve blood circulation even more, just make sure it?s not hot!
- Castor oil can be left on overnight or applied to hair about 20 minutes before shampooing as a moisturizing pre-poo.
If you have ever used?used castor oil for hair growth? let us know so we can share your results!
