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Castor oil: Health benefits and side effects

Castor oil is a multipurpose vegetable oil that people have used for thousands of years. It’s made by extracting oil from the seeds of the castor plant that grows all over the world, including Africa in general and Uganda in particular.

Castor oil

These seeds, which are known as castor beans, contain a toxic enzyme called ricin. However, the heating process that castor oil undergoes during production deactivates the ricin, allowing the oil to be used safely.

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Castor oil has a number of medicinal, industrial, and pharmaceutical uses.

It’s commonly used as an additive in foods, medications, and skin care products, as well as an industrial lubricant and biodiesel fuel component.

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Castor has been utilized for many years to treat medical issues like piles, coughs, stomachaches, and eye difficulties.

  1. Castor oil can be used to treat arthritis, to remedy disorders in muscles and joints. Additionally, it works effectively in easing the pain, burning, and swelling associated with arthritis.
  2. Castor oil is very effective in the treatment for constipation. This is because its oil facilitates bowel movement.
  3. Castor oil is helpful if you struggle with hair loss. Its oil nourishes the hair from the roots, giving it strength and thickness.
  4. Castor leaves have specific qualities that aid in the rapid healing of skin lesions.
  5. People living with Jaundice are also thought to benefit significantly from castor leaves. Jaundice symptoms can be greatly diminished if the patient is given fresh, crushed leaves on an empty stomach.

Castor seeds have a lot of benefits, but they also have several side effects. Castor seed consumption is generally regarded as safe but the following are the known side effects:

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  1. Heartburn issue
  2. Nausea or vomiting
  3. having the diarrhoea
  4. Castor oil consumption during pregnancy can result in miscarriage.
  5. Castor oil should not be used by anyone who takes medication or has an allergy problem.
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