Castor Oil for Hair
A tasteless vegetable oil, which is colorless or pale yellow, has a mild odor or no odor at all, is the oil obtained from the castor beans of the castor plant. Castor oil has been well known for its use as a laxative, a purgative, and as a natural skin-care product. A treatment for muscle aches, infection, and inflammations, castor oil is also used as a natural healer with cleansing and purifying properties when taken internally.
Hair Treatment with Castor Oil
1. The reason behind the popularity of the usage of castor oil for treating hair problems lies in the presence of ricin/ricinoleic acid in the oil, which is germicidal, insecticidal, and fungicidal. So, using the oil will keep the hair from microbial and fungal infections, thus, reducing hair loss.
2. Regular treatment of the scalp and roots with the oil helps prevent drying of the hair, and within months, hair growth is an obvious result. This is achieved by the Omega-9 fatty acids in the oil.
3. To keep the hair looking soft and shiny, moisture has to be retained by the hair. This can be taken care of by castor oil, as it is a humectant (any substance that is added to another substance to keep it moist).
4. If there is any damage caused to the hair, the use of this oil will not only manage to hide the damage, but at the same time, will work effectively in making the hair grow thicker than before.
5. Castor oil benefits eyelashes, too. Apply a bit of the oil over the base of the eyelashes before bedtime, and get thicker and fuller lashes in some time.
6. More than hair loss, dandruff is one issue that bugs most people. It is recommended that you mix castor oil with jojoba, and massage the scalp. Regular application would not only take care of the dandruff, but would also help in curbing the itch on the scalp.
How to Use Castor Oil for Hair Care
The oil must be directly applied to the scalp and the roots and not on the hair. Ensure the oil is distributed, uniformly. This is because the oil is too thick to be rinsed easily from the hair. After having covered every part of the scalp with the oil, wrap your head with a light towel, and let the oil sit overnight before washing it the next morning.
It is advisable to use a mix of castor oil and other light oils, such as those of almond or grape seed. This is to lighten the density of the oil, which, as mentioned, is thick and may be too stubborn to be completely removed from the hair. You can also use the oil with any scented oil, such as rosemary oil. Most people recommend using a blend of castor oil and coconut oil given the fact that the latter one, too, is known for its benefits of restoring damaged and brittle hair.
Carry on with this treatment twice a week until you see a remarkable improvement in your hair. Best results can be obtained by incorporating these uses of castor oil with a balanced diet. Include foods rich in vitamin A , B, and E. Whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables help in keeping the hair healthy and prevent thinning and premature graying. And needless to mention, adequate sleep and regular exercise are equally important, not only to have thicker and stronger hair, but for maintaining good health as well.
