What is Castor Oil?
Castor oil is a vegetable oil made from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant native to India. The plant seed is extracted, heated, and processed commercially [1, 2]. The oil is rich in hydroxylated fatty acids, with the main ingredient, ricinoleic acid, comprising 89-92 per cent [3]. This chemical structure makes the oil both water-loving and fat-loving (hydrophilic and lipophilic) [4]. It is an excellent compound for penetration through the skin.
What Does Castor Oil Do?
Castor oil is helpful in various industries because of its various properties. It is used in different products in the cosmetics industry due to its anticaking, cleansing, emulsifying, and moisturising properties [1]. It is also utilized in skin care products and cosmetics such as shampoos, soaps, and lipsticks [2].
Castor oil, used for millennia in medicine for a range of ailments, including to treat gastrointestinal problems such as constipation, treat a variety of infections and skin conditions, relieve pain and inflammation, and stimulate the immune system [2]. And also to ‘formulate’ drugs such as the cancer drugs paclitaxel and docetaxel, by adding it as a mix-in [5].
In addition to medical applications, it is an antifungal, food additive, and flavouring agent. It helps to produce plastics, fibres, paints, and other similar materials [2].
It has great potential for practical vector control of the immature and adult stages of the mosquito vector [6] and has antibacterial uses, being an ingredient in many folk remedies [7].
Benefits of Castor Oil
Castor oil is the oil of ricinuscommunis oil, pressed from the seeds of the ricinus communis plant. Its primary component is ricinoleic acid (a monounsaturated fatty acid that makes up about 90% of the oil’s mass) [1, 8, 3].
Another of its main benefits is for skin health. It contains antioxidants that fight free radicals, which accelerate ageing and the formation of wrinkles [9]. Its antibacterial elements can help reduce acne by reducing the inflammation that causes pores to get blocked, and its anti-inflammatory properties can help lower swelling or puffiness, potentially shrinking inflamed pimples or eye bags. Castor oil reduces swelling or puffiness, potentially shrinking inflamed pimples or eye bags [10, 9].
It is also an excellent non-greasy moisturiser, so it helps to keep the skin looking youthful, shiny, and balanced. Because of its moisturising properties, it may prevent peeling caused by sunburn [9]. Don’t be surprised to read castor oil in lipsticks and gloss formulations because this oil is excellent for dry lips. It can be used directly by gently rubbing the lips [9].
Castor oil also prevents stretch marks from drying out and becoming more pronounced over time [1]. Moreover, because it is a great moisturiser and anti-inflammatory, it can be used in many other skin care products [11].
Castor oil nourishes hair and has been used for eyelash growth, clearing up acne and inflammation, a smoother complexion, and reducing wrinkles and age spots [10]. Cosmetically, it is known for its humectancy (reducing water loss from skin) without clogging pores or irritation [10].
Like the cosmetic examples, castor oil is also recognised for its medicinal benefits. It has a long history of traditional medicine recipes for several abdominal disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, backache, muscle aches, constipation and insomnia [12, 13].
Finally, castor oil has been found to have antibacterial activity, making it a potential functional material in the food and cosmetic industries [7].
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a long-lasting (chronic) immune-mediated skin disease that affects more than 125 million people worldwide. It typically appears as thick, silvery-white, scaly patches or plaques surrounded by normal-looking skin [14, 15]. These patches usually arise on the elbows, knees, scalp (known as scalp psoriasis), or stomach but can develop on any body part [15, 16]. Milder forms of psoriasis can have a reddish or pinkish appearance, while deeper and darker skin tends to display purplish or brownish patches [15]. The plaques can be itchy, irritating, or painful [17].
Causes of Psoriasis
The exact cause of psoriasis is not fully understood, but it is believed to result from genetic and environmental factors [16, 18].
Genetically, some people inherit genes that make them more likely to develop psoriasis. If you have an immediate family member with a skin condition, you are at an increased risk of developing psoriasis [16].
Environmental triggers for psoriasis include numerous infections, including types of streptococci and staphylococci and some viral agents (most frequently human immunodeficiency virus (HIV])); medications, including lithium, gold salts, beta-blockers, and antimalarials; stress; alcohol; smoking; and trauma [19, 20]. Among other factors, certain medications and stress can precipitate psoriasis [21, 22, 23].
In people with psoriasis, the immune system plays a crucial role. White blood cells, known as T cells, mistakenly attack healthy skin cells, triggering a faster turnover of old skin cells and leading to a buildup of these older skin cells [15, 16].
Can Castor Oil Help With Psoriasis?
Although no specific studies link castor oil use to a reduction in psoriasis symptoms, specific properties of castor oil could help manage the symptoms. Castor oil is a natural fatty emollient, which means it can increase your skin's overall moisture level and help soothe it [24].
Castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties that may help manage skin irritation, a symptom of psoriasis and other types such as scalp psoriasis [24], and antiproliferative properties that may inhibit rapid cell proliferation, a hallmark of psoriasis [24].
Moreover, thanks to its antimicrobial and antibacterial activity, it can be used as a protective shield to prevent infection, a possible risk factor for cracked skin, often an accompanying symptom of psoriasis [24].
However, though it might ease some of the symptoms of psoriasis, castor oil does not cure the disease. If you’re considering trying a new treatment for psoriasis, consult a provider first.