Castor (Arandi) oil - Health and Beauty Benefits

My grandfather always use to have one spoon of castor oil with milk before sleep once / twice a week. At that time I did not know about health benefits it has, Only thing I knew was he drink it for good joints health and to keep his gut clear (due to constipation). He lived a very healthy life of about 90 years. So today looking at these modern days diseases, I recalled that castor oil bottle my grandfather use to keep with him and explored all the health benefits it can be used for :

It is a vegetable oil, and the plant is largely native to Africa and India. Other Names known are:

1. Aamudamu
2. Erandela
3. Amanakku Enney
4. Avanakkenna
5. Rerira Tela

It has Anti-Inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, antifungal and antibacterial properties. It contains omega-6 and 9 essential fatty acids, vitamin E in it.

Benefits:

1. laxative effect for people with constipation due to ricinoleic acid in it. Take it only for maximum 3 days otherwise you can suffer with diarrhea. It can also be taken with orange juice, but not more than 2 ounces and drink warm water after 20 minutes followed by yogurt after an hour.
2. For gastrointestinal disorders like Inflammatory bowel disease, Appendicitis, Colitis and Liver ailments.
3. Labor Stimulation for pregnant women who have reached full-term.
4. Reduction of pain, inflammation and joint swelling associated with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. 
5. Back pain relief. Apply externally by soaking it in cloth and place heating pad on it. you can also drink one spoon with milk once a week.
6. Menstrual cramps relief
7. Boost Immune System by increasing white blood and T-11 cells.
8. External application boost blood circulation.
9. Regenerate hairs, promotes hair growth and thickens them. Hair grow darker, smoother, shinier and healthier due to omega-6 essential fatty acid in it. You can apply castor oil overnight and wash and rinse with mild shampoo in morning. You can also apply it on hairs before shampoo in morning. It treats any type of scalp infections.
10. It can cure warts, moles, and cysts.
11. Cleanse the skin and tighten pores. So it can be used as facial cleanser, especially for people who have acne.
12. Heals scars, blemishes, wrinkles, fine lines and even stretch marks and keep skin soft and elastic.
13. Soothes dry lips. It can be used as lip balm.
14. Help heal fungal infections, such as ringworms, minor cuts and scratches. Apply by mixing it with coconut oil.

Side Effects:

Castor oil is deemed safe for consumption in controlled allowed amounts. castor seeds also contains a substance known as ricin, which is a potent protein toxin. If ingested orally ricin can get into the cell’s ribosomes and prevent protein synthesis, which can kill the cells. Even one milligram of ricin (6-10 castor seeds) can be fatal if ingested in body and there is no antidote for it.. But this ricin does not partition in to castor oil. So it is safe to have castor oil.

some people experience castor oil side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach discomfort and faintness. This can happen if you take consume it more than safe amount.

Some people can be allergic to it. So they can experience mild allergic side effects include itching, rashes, redness and a stinging sensation. Severe castor oil side effects include swelling of the face and throat, dizziness and difficulty of breathing.

Taking it regularly can deplete body's potassium and fluid leaving you dehydrated. So consume only once or twice a week or fort nightly.