Castor oil is a vegetable oil that is derived from castor beans that has a unique fatty acid called ricinoleic acid that provides properties such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and analgesic properties that helps in treating various medical problems. Castor oil is found to be very helpful for treating arthritis, which is a medical condition in which the joints get inflamed.
What Is Arthritis And What Are Its Types?
Arthritis is a common term that is used to describe various joint problems in general. There are about 100 different types of arthritis which mainly involve a common symptom that is joint pains and swelling at the problematic regions. Arthritis results in a decreased quality of life and hampers with daily chores. Some types of arthritis are as follows:
1.Osteoarthritis
This is the most common form of arthritis that occurs because of wear and tear of joints. This type of arthritis occurs with age or due to obesity as excess weight increases stress on the bones and their joints. It mainly occurs at knees, hips, fee, and spine and we experience pain as the body loses its shock absorber. It is found that castor oil for osteoarthritis is very helpful.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis
This type of arthritis occurs due to the attack of the immune system that causes inflammation in joints and can cause problems if not treated. It is common in knuckles, elbows, and heels. In rheumatoid arthritis, it affects multiple joints at once and often occurs symmetrically. Because of the attack of the immune system, you may feel fatigue and experience weight loss. There are many benefits of castor oil for rheumatoid arthritis.
3. Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis leads to skin and joint inflammation. This type of arthritis is often preceded with psoriasis which is skin inflammation followed by joint inflammation. It usually occurs at ages between 30 to 50 years but can even start from childhood and is equally common among both males and females.
Properties Of Castor Oil
Castor oil is found to have various applications ranging from acting as fuel to being useful in pharmaceutical application. Castor oil is also found to be very useful for treating arthritis because of its strong analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. These properties are explained below:
1.Analgesic Property
Analgesic properties in castor oil help in relieving pain in this case arthritis pain effectively. This analgesic property of castor oil helps in relieving arthritis pains which are often caused as the cartilages that act as a shock absorber is damaged and hence leads to experiencing pain in normal day to day chores.
2.Anti-Inflammatory Property
Ricinoleic acid present in castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing inflammations. This property is particularly beneficial for treating joint inflammations that is often the reason behind arthritis. Anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil also help in treating acne and pimples.
3.Antimicrobial Property
Antimicrobial property of castor oil helps in inhibiting or killing disease-causing microbes that may be bacteria, viruses etc. Antimicrobial property helps in improving the immunity of the body that helps in treating arthritis and its various symptoms.
How And Why To Use Castor Oil For Arthritis?
Because of the properties of castor oil described above castor oil is very helpful in treating arthritis and various symptoms associated with it. Various recipes for using castor oil for treating arthritis is giving as follows:
1. Castor Oil And Ginger Tea
Ginger is found to be very helpful in treating joint pains and in reducing inflammation. The combination of castor oil and ginger tea is found to be very helpful for treating arthritis pain. Also, castor oil in ginger tea also helps in sleeping which can become due to arthritis pain.
Ingredients
Ginger, castor oil, tea leaves, water.
Prep Time
5 minutes
Process Time
5 to 10 minutes.
Directions
- Boil a cup of water and add tea leaves to it.
- Also, add grated ginger to the water and let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Filter this solution and add two teaspoons of castor oil to it.
How Often To Do
Drink this tea 2 to 3 times a week for best results. Also, if you have week bowel movements do not drink it all together as castor oil is a good laxative.
Benefits
Castor oil in ginger tea helps in improving immunity and also helps in treating back and stomach pains. Ginger tea also helps in treating sore throat. This is found to be efficient in using castor oil for arthritis in back.
When we drink castor oil ginger tea before bed it helps in inducing sleep and prevents morning stiffness in bones and joints.
2. Castor Oil Pack
It is the process of using warm castor oil and massaging it on the joints and the problem areas t get relief.
Ingredients
Castor Oil, woollen cloth, cotton cloth.
Prep Time
7 to 8 hours.
Process Time
About 1 hour
Directions
- Warm castor oil above body temperature but not warm enough to cause burns.
- Dip a woollen cloth in this castor oil, squeeze excess oil from the cloth and apply it on the problem areas and hold it using a cotton cloth.
- Keep it overnight for the best results.
How Often To Do
Repeat this process once every week to relieve joint pain and inflammations.
Benefits
Castor oil pack helps in relieving pain from the joints and helps in reducing inflammations because of its strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Castor Oil And Orange Juice
Castor oil and orange juice are often found in the diets of people suffering from arthritis as it helps in reducing inflammations.
Ingredients
Fresh Orange Juice, castor oil.
Prep Time
Less than 5 minutes.
Directions
- Warm 2 teaspoons of castor oil in a pan.
- Add this castor oil to a glass of orange juice and mix it well before drinking.
How Often To Do
Drink this juice in breakfast for about 5 weeks daily and then give it a break of 2 to 3 weeks before repeating the cycle.
Benefits
Orange juice is rich in Vitamin C that has antioxidant properties and helps in treating inflammations. Combining orange juice with castor oil helps in the effective treatment of arthritis. Also, orange juice provides energy and nutrients to carry out day to day chores effectively and ensures good health.
4. Castor Oil And Flannel
In this recipe, a flannel cloth is used to absorb castor oil and is placed on the problem areas to get relief from pain.
Ingredients
Castor oil, flannel cloth, clings.
Prep Time
5 minutes
Process Time
40 to 45 minutes.
Directions
- Warm castor oil in a pan and let the flannel cloth absorb it.
- Apply the flannel cloth on the areas of pain and inflammation and use a cling to keep it in place.
- Keep it on for about 40 to 45 minutes.
How Often To Do
Repeat this process for 2 to 3 days regularly in a week to relieve pain and after a gap of a week repeat this cycle.
Benefits
Warming up of castor oil helps in providing relief from pain to the deeper layer of tissues and promotes effective pain relief. It is a useful method for using castor oil for arthritis in knees.
5. Castor Oil Rub
It is the process of rubbing castor oil directly on the problem areas to get relief from pain.
Prep Time
5 minutes
Directions
- Take some castor oil and massage it on your aching joints thoroughly.
- You can even warm it before applying.
How Often To Do
Repeat this process 2 to 3 times a week to get relief from joint pains.
Benefits
Castor oil rub helps in treating arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. This method is easy to execute and it is one of the best methods of using castor oil for arthritis hands.
Cautionary Tips While Using Castor Oil
- Castor oil should be ingested according to the prescribed quantities as an overdose of castor oil causes nausea and vomiting and can lead to serious dehydration.
- Application of castor oil can also cause rashes which should be cleaned with water and mild soap.
- Excess intake of castor oil can cause a deficiency of potassium and should be taken in limited quantity and can even cause weakness.
- Overuse of this oil can also cause serious muscle cramps.
- It can also lead to irregular heartbeats.
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