Castor (Ricinus communis) is known as Eranda in Ayurveda. In Ayurveda, the leaf, root, and seed oil of this plant are used for the treatment of various disorders. The castor oil is used both internally and externally. It is an excellent for Vata and Kapha disorders and also used in Panchakarma therapy. The roots, seeds and leaves are extensively used in Ayurvedic treatment, both for internally and externally.
This plant also possesses anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac and free radical scavenging properties.
Medicinal qualities of Castor Oil are:
- Taste: Madhur (sweet), Kashaya (astringent)
- Sub-taste: katu (bitter and pungent)
- Veerya (potency): hot
- Teekshana – piercing into minute body channels
- Guru – heavy to digest
- Picchila – sticky
What are the health benefits of Castor Oil?
- Tvachya – improves skin qualities
- Sroto visodhana – cleanses body channels
- Kantikara – improves skin glow
- Balakara – improves immunity
- Adhobhaga doshahara – expels vitiated doshas from lower part of the body.
- Prushta shoola/guhya shoola – useful in low backache
- Vatodara – helpful in bloating
- Vatashonita – gout
- Vibhanda – constipation
- Bradhna – prolapsed rectum
- Amavata – rheumatoid arthritis
For internal administration:
Since it acts as a tonic, laxative and helps in rejuvenation, it is useful in relieving rheumatoid arthritis, constipation with hard stool, intermittent fever, hemorrhoids etc.
For external administration:
Applying castor oil on the skin helps in improving blood circulation, increasing body warmth, relieving pain and stiffness in joints etc.
Top 7 wondrous benefits of Castor Oil are:
- Natural Laxative: The laxative property of castor oil increases the movement of muscles of the intestines which pushes bowels via the intestines and eliminates the waste.
- Due to its ushna (hot), sookshama (penetrating deep into the tissues) properties, it helps in bringing the direction of Vata dosha in the proper direction and helps in easy evacuation of bowels.
- Skin problems: Castor oil has anti-bacterial property which helps in reducing acne by killing the bacteria.
- Castor oil has sooksham, tikshan properties which are very beneficial in skin problems like acne.
- Regular application of castor oil on the skin makes the skin texture soft and supple.
- Amavata (Rheumatoid Arthritis): In Bhavprakash, the seeds of castor are mentioned as an excellent remedy for Amavata.
- The castor oil due to its sukshama guna (penetrating quality) penetrate into microchannels and removes obstruction.
- Due to its Katu rasa (pungent taste) and Ushna Virya (hot potency), it potentiates the digestive fire and acts as Vata Shamaka (Vata dosha pacifying) due to its Snigdh Guna (unctuous quality).
- The castor oil finally enters at Dhatu level (cellular level) where it acts as Ama Pachaka (digestion of endotoxins) and kapha shamaka (pacifying kapha dosha).
- Vata Vyadhi: The use of castor oil is indicated for Vata Vyadhi Chikitsa in Ayurveda such as: Dhanustambha (stiffness of spine), Apatanaka (spasm of muscles and tetanus like condition), Hanustambha (lock jaw), vertigo, Katishula (backache), Udararoga (diseases of the abdomen) etc.
- Its roots have also been highlighted for its Vrishya (aphrodisiac) property by Acharya Charak.
- Hair Growth: Like skin and body, hair and scalp need antioxidants, fatty acids and minerals for optimal health.
- Castor oil is very beneficial for long and shiny hair.
- The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of castor oil can help in removing dandruff and treating scalp infections.
- Strengthening the immune system: Castor oil strengthens the immune system by increasing the production of White Blood Cells (WBCs).
- It also increases the production of lynphocytes in the blood.
- Castor oil also improves blood flow, thymus gland health and lymphatic drainage.
- The lymphatic system also impacts the circulatory and digestive systems and that’s why castor oil also helps in detoxification and also supports heart health.
Side-effects and Contraindications:
- Because of its purgative nature, castor oil is not indicated in amoebic dysentery and diarrhoea.
- It is also contraindicated during pregnancy, lactation period and in children.
Castor oil must be used according to the nature of the disease under the supervision of an Ayurvedic physician.
Disclaimer:-
This article is not a substitute to the standard Medical Diagnosis or personalized Ayurvedic Treatment! It is intended only for Information!
For experts consultation, please write us at care@blessayurveda.com.
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