20 Items or Less...Castor Oil

Sorry for the extended absence, but here we go. Continuing in my 20 Beauty Items or Less, this post will feature castor oil. Many naturals use castor oil on their hair. When I hear castor oil, it conjures up tales of generations past forcing it down their children's throat in order to clean them out. Also, I know castor oil is used in the Oil Cleansing Method. I bought my castor oil for the OCM, which I have yet to try. It was at CVS in the laxative section. Castor oil has a big reputation for being used as a laxative, and I have heard that it can be used to induce labor. You might want to call it a miracle plant source, because the uses are endless.

Castor oil comes from the castor bean/seed plant. The USDA recognizes castor oil as safe for over the counter use as a laxative, but that it just one of the many uses. Besides, its effectiveness as a laxative comes at a price. Every person I have heard of who took castor oil orally says it was the most disgusting taste they ever experienced.  In fact, my sister ran from my mother when she tried to give her castor oil as a child. Here is a list of the uses of castor oil:

• To treat styes around the eyes
• To help with arthritis or joint pain
• To help in the treatment of acne or breakout
• Essential ingredient in the Oil Cleansing Method
• To relieve constipation
• To induce labor (consult a doctor before doing so)
• To reduce the appearance of wrinkles

When it comes to hair, the uses of castor oil are just as boundless. Castor oil has long been touted as a natural hair growth aide, also helping in the growth and thickening of thinning hair. It adds moisture to dry and brittle hair, lubricating the strands. Castor oil comes in various grades, from the purest form to the filtered, odorless form. I would imagine that the purest form would be what adds the most benefits to the hair and skin. A hair product that is in my sister Miss Cee C's regimen is Hollywood Beauty Castor Oil. It is petroleum free, mineral oil free, and a great product if you want to have the feeling of a "grease" for the hair and scalp without the damaging effects of bad ingredients.

A source for unrefined castor oil is Jamaican Black Castor Oil. I plan to add this to my regimen. The bottle I bought is not unrefined, so I plan to buy another. The uses are endless. I don't plan on taking it orally (not anytime soon at least), and I would recommend you do extensive research and/or talk to a doctor before doing taking internally. Castor oil is truly the miracle source.

20 Beauty Items or Less (updated list):
1. Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap - liquid form
2. Shea Butter - 100% raw, unrefined, and fair trade
3. Essential Oils and Oil Blends -- organic and/or cold-pressed
4. Witch Hazel
5. Bentonite Clay
6. Castor Oil, unrefined