Castor oil plant belongs to the family euphorbiaceae. In most cases, it grows in tropical latitudes, where it forms bushes up to 10 m high. It also occurs in Russia and other countries with a temperate climate, however, it is an annual plant and reaches a height of no more than 3 m.
Plant features
This plant was known already in ancient times. This fact is proved by the seeds found during excavations of tombs.
The name castor bean (its benefits and harms will be considered in the article) received thanks to the Romans, who compared it with a tick. Other names that are less popular, but still exist are the palm of Christ and castor beans (everyone knows about the healing properties of castor oil).
Castor oil plant is famous for its beautiful and sprawling bushes. The height of some reaches 3 m. The color of the stems is usually brown, green or red. The leaves are quite large, located on long petioles. Their color is also atypical for plants - dark red with a touch of green. Castor oil has a more attractive appearance with a single landing.
In summer, castor oil begins to bloom, after which you can see the fruits, the shape of which resembles hedgehogs.
Where is castor oil used?
The benefits and harms of castor oil are unequal. It is used as a laxative and to facilitate childbirth (it perfectly stimulates the muscles of the uterus, thus causing contractions), for the treatment of burns, ulcers and other wounds. However, the castor oil plant itself is poisonous.
Castor oil, which is obtained as a result of processing the fruits of this plant, has a truly unique property - it does not freeze at low temperatures, and also does not dry. That is why it is so effective in treating damage to the skin, as well as as a lubricant and impregnating material in production.
The seeds of the plant, which were recently collected, still retain a certain amount of poison, therefore, for the production of castor oil, as a rule, only old seeds are used.
What else is castor oil useful for? What is castor oil commonly used for? In particular, it is a castor oil product that can help with:
- rheumatitis and arthritis (use as a compress);
- deteriorated condition of hair, eyelashes and eyebrows (contributes to the rapid growth and reduction of loss);
- bronchitis and obsessive cough (in combination with turpentine in a ratio of 2: 1 is used for grinding);
- inflammation of the female organs (compresses to the stomach);
- calluses, corns and warts (oiling problem areas).
Castor oil and a good figure
Castor oil is used (reviews confirm this) for weight loss. However, in this case, you need to use castor oil very carefully and do not make it the main tool that will help you lose weight. In particular, use for the so-called body cleansing no more than once a week.
The main principle of this procedure is the laxative effect of castor oil. As a rule, the effect occurs after 1-6 hours. The time depends on the amount of oil that you have taken. That is why it is better to carry out such procedures in those days when you are sure that there will be no exits from the house. To cleanse the body, you need to drink about 1 tsp in the morning or evening on an empty stomach. facilities. Please note, eating after this is strictly prohibited. You can drink, however, not earlier than in an hour. Having learned the possible effect of castor oil on your body specifically, you can use it a little more often.
Another tool that uses the properties of a plant such as castor oil for weight loss is a castor-citrus emulsion. Castor (1 ml per 1 kg of weight) mixed with citrus juice (2 ml per 1 kg of weight, and this may be lemon or orange juice, depending on your preference). Drink this mixture in small sips and continue to relax at home, because it is extremely undesirable to go somewhere because of the laxative effect of the emulsion.
In order not to be harmed by castor oil, how to use its product must be carefully studied. And to check the effect on yourself is better to start with small doses.
Regardless of your weight, the maximum allowed amount of castor oil per day is not more than 100 ml. Abuse of this drug will not only lead to normal diarrhea, but can also cause vomiting and abdominal pain (abdominal pain characterized by resistance and persistence).
Contraindications
They are not equivalent if castor oil is used, the benefits and harms. Reviews of this proof. Despite the fact that castor oil is a natural product, there are some contraindications to its use. Knowing about them, you can avoid many unpleasant situations.
Castor oil must not be consumed with:
- poisoning with alcohol, benzene and other similar fat-soluble substances;
- allergies
- diseases of the stomach and the entire gastrointestinal tract.
Remember that castor seeds contain a substance called ricin, which contains a certain amount of cyanide. That is why you need to be extremely careful with this plant, and when seeds enter the body, first aid is required (induce vomiting and rinse the stomach) and immediately call the doctors.
Features of growing castor oil
On sites performs castor decorative function. The benefits and harms are also clearly unequal. You can not grow this plant in those areas where you spend a lot of time, because it is poisonous.
The main rules for growing castor oil plants should include the following:
- a lot of light;
- a lot of moisture;
- loose soil.
Propagation of the shrub occurs with the help of seeds (they contain poison). For planting in open ground, you first need to prepare seedlings. To start this process is required in early spring. The plant does not tolerate transplantation, therefore, to improve the results, it is better to sow the seeds in glasses. After planting the seeds, cover these cups with a film or bag, and then provide a temperature of about 15 degrees for a week. And only now you can put them in the sun. The first seedlings may appear after 3 weeks, and the seeds need to be helped to get out of the shell.
Castor oil in care is not very whimsical. It is enough to take care of a large amount of sunlight and moisture, while protecting from frost. The soil is recommended to use loose and fertile, ridding it of all weeds.
In conclusion
Despite all the healing and other positive properties of castor oil seeds, one should not forget about the cyanide that is in them and be extremely careful when growing castor oil plants.