Although castor oil may seem like an archaic ingredient that you saw in your mother's medicine cabinet, think about adding it to your own. While you may turn to modern medicine to cure certain ailments, you can use castor oil externally to treat a number of conditions, and according to the book "Herbs For Health And Healing: A Drug-Free Guide to Prevention and Cure," even treat conditions within the body. Try castor oil externally to take care of some common ailments.
Acne Cleanser
You may hear the word "oil" and automatically think that it could only make an acne problem worse. But castor oil has powerful antibacterial properties that can keep your acne at bay. Swiping on castor oil with a cotton ball after cleansing each night can powerfully cleanse your skin and rid it of the bacteria that can cause acne. As an added bonus, you can use it on open skin sores, as it cleans the wounds and helps them to heal faster.
Castor Oil Compress
Castor oil compresses are used to naturally treat a number of ailments, including bad circulation, kidney problems and liver problems. The book "Herbs For Health And Healing: A Drug-Free Guide to Prevention and Cure" details soaking flannel in castor oil and placing it on the abdomen, with a hot water bottle on top. It is said to expel toxins from the body and aid in the healing process. Those who subscribe to natural remedies put much stock in castor oil compresses.
Skin Ulcers and Cuts
With a first-aid kit that is running low on antibiotic ointment, castor oil can be a valuable stand-in. It has antibacterial properties that work well when dressing an open wound. Apply castor oil before the dressing to kill germs that may cause infection to the sore. You can also apply castor oil to mouth ulcers, like cuts and canker sores, to coat them to help them heal faster.
Nail Fungus
Besides being antibacterial, castor oil is also an antifungal, which means it can help kill the fungus on the toenails. Rubbing a small amount into the affected area morning and night can help clear up the fungus problem, as it is a natural fungicide, and can restore your nails back to their original state.
References
- Herbs For Health And Healing: A Drug-Free Guide to Prevention and Cure; Kathi Keville, Peter Korn; 1998
- AcneNet: Acne Treatments
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