CASTOR OIL
Ricinus communis
Castor oil comes from the seed of the castor plant (
Ricinus communis), a broad-leafed flowering
plant native to tropical Africa, which spread through pre-historic sea trade to India and the
Indonesian islands. It has no close botanical relatives, but is distantly related to the poinsettia
and the rubber tree. They are all members of the
Euphorbiaceae botanical family, which they share
with thousands of other species mostly found on the Indonesian islands. The Castor plant has a
long history of medicinal use throughout the Old World, with a large number of uses prescribed
particularly by the Ayuvedic system of traditional plant healing in India. One of the primary
topical uses of Castor oil has been to treat a number of skin conditions and irritations.

The seeds of the Castor plant are almost 50% oil. In recent times there has been some alarm over
the toxin ‘rincin’, also found in the Castor seed, that is poisonous if consumed. However, rincin is
water-soluble (not oil soluble) and so is not present in the oil produced for human use. Castor oil
is used extensively in soaps and body care treatments because of its incredible benefits to skin and
body. It is known for its naturally healing, cleansing, and anti-inflammatory properties. A little
goes a long way, and we’ve added just a touch to our balms and soaps to enhance their natural healing
effects.
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Pure and natural Castor oil is used in these items:
>>Lip & Body Balms
>>Natural Health Balms
>>Balinese Bath Soaps
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