healing skin Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Castor Oil Benefits as a Laxative and Skin Moisturizer

The AHA! Team — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 05:06:13 +0000

Jillian Levy, CHHC via Dr. Axe – For centuries, at the first sign of illness, many parents and grandparents would immediately turn to giving their children castor oil, either topically or internally, to naturally boost immune function and speed up healing. What is castor oil used for today? As shown below, it has natural stimulant laxative properties and may be able to boost lymphatic, circulatory and immune health. It also may help remedy constipation, arthritis and more. What is castor oil? Castor oil is a non-volatile fatty oil that is derived from the seeds of the castor bean (Ricinus communis) plant, aka castor seeds. The castor oil plant belongs to the flowering spurge family called Euphorbiaceae and is mainly cultivated in Africa, South America and India (India accounts for over 90% of castor oil exports globally). It’s very thick with a color that ranges from clear to amber or somewhat green. It’s both used topically on the skin and taken by mouth (it has a mild scent and taste). Studies suggest that many of castor oil’s benefits come down to its chemical composition. It’s classified as a type of triglyceride fatty acid, and almost 90 percent of its fatty acid content is a specific and rare compound called ricinoleic acid. Ricinoleic acid is not found in many other plants or substances, making the castor plant unique since it’s a concentrated source. Aside from its primary constituent, ricinoleic acid, castor oil also contains other beneficial salts and esters that mainly act as skin-conditioning agents. Compounds found in castor can help stabilize the texture and consistency of products, which is why castor oil is used in so many cosmetics, hair and skincare treatments. Indeed, research studies have found that castor oil contains therapeutic components including fatty acids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, amino acids, terpenoids and phytosterols. These various compounds give the oil the following properties and potential health benefits: Anti-diabetic Anti-inflammatory Antimicrobial Antioxidant Hepatoprotective (ability to prevent damage to the liver) Free radical scavenging Wound-healing Types Castor oil can be used in several ways: orally (taken by mouth), applied topically on the skin, applied to the hair, or massaged into the skin in the form of a castor oil pack. Remember, any oil you ingest or consume (and even the kinds you apply directly to your skin) should be of the highest quality to ensure safety and effectiveness. Where can you buy castor oil products? Ideally look for a reputable brand of cold-pressed, pure, organic castor oil at your local health food store, or online if you can’t find it in stores. Here are some of the most common types of castor oils you may find in stores: Cold-pressed castor oil — This type is produced by cold-pressing the castor bean seeds to extract their natural oil content. This results in a high quality product that is recommended for internal use. You may also want to check that the oil is pesticide-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free and free of artificial color or fragrances. Yellow castor oil — This type is made from the castor bean, usually through pressing with no heat involved, although some manufacturers use chemicals in their processing. Generally speaking, the lighter color the oil is, the “purer” the product is. Jamaican black castor oil — This oil is developed by first roasting the castor beans, which results in a dark color (and burnt smell). This is the method that is traditionally used in Jamaica. Ash found in this type results in a higher pH (alkaline) product that is believed to have more clarifying properties that may help open pores. Benefits 1. Acts as a laxative and relieve constipation Studies indicate that castor oil works like a natural, mild stimulant laxative when taken orally. It can provide constipation relief, reduce straining during defecation and enhance the feeling of complete evacuation after a bowel movement. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved castor oil for use as a laxative. Its active ingredient, ricinoleic acid, gets released into the intestine, where it helps with the process of digestion, nutrient absorption and cleansing the system. It increases movement of the muscles that push material through the intestines, helping to pass a bowel movement. One study looked at the effects of castor oil packs on elderly people experiencing constipation. The study participants were monitored for a week before, three days during and four days after the oil pack administration. Eighty percent of the individuals studied had been experiencing constipation for 10 years or longer. The researchers found that the oil packs were able to decrease constipation symptoms, most specifically straining during defecation. Consult your healthcare professional before using long-term, as castor oil may lead to complications. Also be aware that side effects of ingesting castor oil may include diarrhea and abdominal cramping. 2. Moisturizes skin Castor oil is completely natural and free of synthetic chemicals (as long as you use pure 100 percent pure oil, of course), yet it’s rich in skin-boosting ingredients like fatty acids. In particular, its main monounsaturated fatty acid is ricinoleic acid, which possesses moisturizing properties. Applying this oil to dry or irritated skin can help to discourage dryness and keep it well moisturized, since it prevents water loss. It can also be combined with select carrier oils to avoid any potential allergic reactions. Regardless, it’s a good idea to do a small skin patch test first. 3. May boost wound healing Studies indicate that castor oil can boost wound and pressure ulcer healing thanks to its moisturizing as well as antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. In particular, its main component ricinoleic acid appears to help lower skin inflammation and support skin healing. It mixes well with other ingredients like almond, olive and coconut oil, all of which have unique benefits for skin. Lab studies have shown that castor oil is effective against many types of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Out of all the staphylococcal bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus is considered the most dangerous and can cause mild to serious skin infections and other concerning staph infection symptoms. 4. May help induce labor While no approved by the FDA and considered an off-label use, castor oil may help induce labor in some women. For centuries, pregnant women at full term have taken it orally to help speed up uterus contractions. According to studies, the reason castor oil can work to induce labor is due to the fact that the ricinoleic acid in the oil can activate EP3 prostanoid receptors in the uterus. A 2018 observational case control study found that castor oil use produced a higher probability of labor within 24 hours after ingesting. It noted, “Castor oil can be considered a safe non-pharmacological method for labor induction.” In addition, the full-term women study subjects (between 40 and 41 weeks) who took castor oil had a lower incidence of Caesarean section. Regardless, the overall consensus is that castor oil needs to be researched further to prove that it is safe for pregnant mothers ready to give birth. In addition, it may cause nausea among these mothers, which is another reason why most hospitals do not approve its use. Of course, consult with your healthcare professional before considering to use castor oil before giving birth. 5. May lower symptoms of arthritis and joint pain Castor oil is often used as a natural treatment for arthritis pain, joint swelling and inflammation. It has natural anti-inflammatory properties that make it an ideal massage oil that can be applied to aching joints, muscles or tissue. Observational studies have shown that topical application of ricinoleic acid (the main component of castor oil), “exerts remarkable analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.” A randomized, double-blind, comparative clinical study looked at the effects of castor oil capsules on symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Subjects were either given a castor oil capsule (0.9 milliliters) three times daily for four weeks or a capsule of diclofenac sodium (50 milligrams) for the same amount of time. Overall, they found that castor oil worked as well as conventional treatment and can be used as “an effective therapy in primary knee osteoarthritis.” Risks and side effects Reports show that this oil can be safely taken internally. When swallowed, it’s hydrolyzed in the small intestine by pancreatic enzymes, leading to the release of glycerol and ricinoleic acid, along with other beneficial metabolites. Castor oil is classified by the Food and Drug Administration as generally recognized as safe for both topical and internal use. However, drinking castor oil may still potentially cause side effects. Side effects can include abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, especially when used in large amounts. Some people experience nausea and signs of mild irritation in their gut lining when taking castor oil. That said, it’s very unlikely to cause severe reactions as long as someone is not allergic and doesn’t overdose. If you’re pregnant, you should not take castor oil to induce labor without speaking to your healthcare professional first. You should also avoid using it to relieve constipation during pregnancy. Allergic reactions to castor oil (used topically or internally) are possible, so seek emergency medical care if you believe you are having a serious allergic reaction. When using castor oil topically, it’s still best to start slowly and perform a skin patch test on a small area of your skin before applying larger amounts, and also keep it away from your eyes, inside of your nose, children and pets. If you’re currently taking medication or have any medical condition, always speak with your healthcare professional before using castor oil. Frequently asked questions How should one use castor oil as a laxative ? The dosage of castor oil taken internally depends on what you’re using it for, along with factors like your age, existing medical conditions and response to laxative-type treatments. If taking castor oil orally, a commonly recommended dose for adults (such as to relieve constipation) is 15–60 mL, taken in one single dose. This is equivalent to about one to four teaspoons once per day. Many people mix it with water or another beverage before drinking. Read package directions carefully before using castor oil or a castor oil pack kit. Be careful not to increase your dose above the recommended amount, start slowly and don’t take it for more than seven days consecutively, unless you’re told to do so by your healthcare professional. Be aware that castor oil can work for constipation relief quite fast so it’s not recommended to take it before bed. For many people, taking it causes a bowel movement to occur within two to three hours, but it can take up to six hours. How can castor oil be used for the skin? Wash your face first in warm water to open up the pores and then massage some of the oil into your face and leave it on overnight, rinsing the next morning. If leaving the oil on your face overnight causes greasiness, reduce the amount of time until you rinse it off. You can also mix one-quarter cup of castor oil and three-quarters cup virgin coconut oil (fractionated is best), then apply to your body and face. For oily skin, you may choose jojoba oil, grapeseed oil or olive oil instead. Castor oil’s anti-inflammatory properties may also soothe a sunburn. Apply castor oil mixed with coconut oil (in a 1:1 proportion) to the affected area, or try the same remedy as a natural lip balm to solve chapped or sunburnt lips. Does castor oil work for hair growth? Castor oil is a popular natural remedy for hair growth and overall hair health. Its moisturizing qualities can help hydrate the hair shaft and simultaneously increase hair flexibility while lowering hair breakage. However, thus far, there is little evidence that castor oil can stimulate hair growth or reduce hair loss. Nonetheless, it can be a moisturizer, as stated above, and may improve hair texture. To use, massage several tablespoons slightly warmed-up oil into your hair and scalp. You can try making a homemade hair mask...

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Acne and Vitamin B12

The AHA! Team — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 06:39:19 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – Acne can be triggered in one in ten people who get vitamin B12 injections. “Acne is a disease unique to humans.” Why do we even get it? Well, think about the distribution of those greasy sebaceous glands. They’re “on the face, chest and back; these are exactly the same structures that pose the greatest obstruction during childbirth…Having extra lubrication at these sites would help make the baby more slippery for birth conferring a selective advantage to successful delivery.” Perhaps, but what triggers them to become inflamed into pimples later in life? “In westernized societies, acne vulgaris is a nearly universal skin disease afflicting 79% to 95%” of teens. Not even a single case could be found in some populations where more “traditional” diets are eaten (i.e., minimally processed, high-carb, low-fat diets). “Nutrition counseling” has been suggested “as a first-line or adjunctive therapy…for individuals with mild to moderate acne.” It looks like high glycemic foods and dairy products are “exacerbating factors,” so we’re talking about sugar, soda, refined junky carbohydrates, white flour, breakfast cereal, and dairy products, like milk, cheese, yogurt, and whey, as well as saturated and trans fats, which are concentrated in meat, dairy, junk, and fast food. You can see a table detailing this below and at 1:21 in my video Do Vitamin B12 Supplements Cause Acne?. “Acne patients should be encouraged to discontinue any whey protein supplements they might be taking,” for example. “The relationship between milk and acne severity may be explained by the presence in dairy of normal reproductive [sex] steroid hormones or the enhanced production of polypeptide [growth] hormones such as IGF-1…” What if you gave up dairy a month ago and there’s still no change? “It should be noted that changes in acne due to any pharmaceutical treatment or dietary changes are likely to take at least 10 to 12 weeks,” so you have to stick with it. “Acne patients,” not surprisingly, “were more than twice as likely to have a non-vegan diet compared with controls,” but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Were the vegans eating a lot of vegan junk? Maybe, but what about the paper entitled, “Vitamin B-12 Induced Acne”? Mammalian herbivores, including nonhuman primates like gorillas, and our fellow great apes, get all the B12 they need by practicing coprophagy, the eating of feces, but my preference would be to take B12 supplements. And you don’t have to worry about getting too much because it’s been reported that “there are no reports of adverse effects associated with excess B12 intake”—but that’s not true. First described back in the 1950s, acne erupts in about one in ten people within days or even hours of getting an injection of vitamin B12, which then disappears rapidly when injection “treatment is discontinued.” At the time, we had no idea what the mechanism might be, and the problem remained unsolved until just a few years ago when we finally figured it out: Vitamin B12 modulates the gene expression of the skin bacteria that cause acne. Researchers swabbed the skin of ten people before and after being injected with vitamin B12. As you can see below and at 3:20 in my video, it turns out that the level of B12 on our skin is proportional to the level in our blood, so, after a B12 injection, the bacteria on our skin have to make less of their own B12. As a result, the acne bacteria could concentrate instead on using their cellular machinery to churn out more compounds to attack our face and “induce inflammation in acne.” Indeed, as you can see here and at 3:53 in my video, without excess B12 on the skin (with B12 shown in green), the bacteria have to make most of it on their own at the expense of porphyrins (shown in red), which can trigger acne inflammation. When there is a lot of B12 floating around, the bacteria don’t have to waste resources and, instead, can focus on trying to pimple you up. So, what do you do? We know that individuals on plant-based diets have to take supplemental B12, but we don’t have to get injections. Vitamin B12-related acne tends to occur only “in dosages in excess of 5 to 10 mg per week.” That’s 5,000 to 10,000 micrograms a week, which is well in excess of the 50 micrograms a day or, alternately, the 2,000-microgram single weekly dose that I recommend. The only time you should be taking 5,000 to 10,000 micrograms a week is if you are treating B12 deficiency. If you remember from my previous video, B12 deficiency is treated with 1,000 micrograms a day for a month or more, as shown below and at 4:35 in my video, and that could potentially trigger acne. For example, a vegan woman who hadn’t been taking B12 developed a deficiency and had to be treated with such high doses of the vitamin that her face erupted in acne, as you can see at 4:49 in my video. All the more reason not to become B12-deficient in the first place. But, even if you do get B12 injections, the likelihood of it triggering acne may only be about one in ten. For background and my updated recommendations, see my extended look at vitamin B12 in the related posts below. All of these videos can be found in one digital download. Check out Latest Vitamin B12 Recommendations. I previously explored vitamin B12’s role in stroke risk, which you can also see in the related posts below. That series is available for digital download, too: Why Do Vegetarians Have Higher Stroke Risk?. Up next is Do Vitamin B12 Supplements Cause Bone Fractures and Lung Cancer?. Key Takeaways Acne may stem from humans having evolved a beneficial trait for childbirth: extra sebaceous glands on our scalp, face, and back to provide lubrication that could help during delivery. In Westernized societies, acne is nearly universal among teens, but in populations with “traditional” diets, acne is rare or non-existent. High glycemic foods and dairy products are significant exacerbating factors. Eliminating acne-triggering foods like dairy and processed carbohydrates may take 10 to 12 weeks to show results, so patience is required when making dietary changes. High doses of vitamin B12, especially through injections, can trigger acne by altering bacterial activity on the skin, although this is relatively uncommon. Regular, lower-dose B12 supplementation is recommended for vegans to avoid deficiency and reduce the risk of B12-induced acne, which occurs mostly with high-dose treatments. To read the original article click here.

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Coming Soon: Human Skin You Can Print at Home

AHA Publisher — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 07:41:02 +0000

Abigail Klein Leichman via Israel21c – Imagine if you could pop a cartridge in your inkjet printer and custom print skin to conceal a scar or blemish instead of covering it with makeup or getting cosmetic surgery. Imagine if surgeons could print skin for burn victims that would put an end to painful skin grafts. This technology is under development in Rehovot, Israel, in the Hebrew University lab of serial entrepreneur and inventor Prof. Oded Shoseyov. As described in his lab’s paper in Polymers, Second Skin is a nano-thin film that mimics natural healthy skin tones, traits, 3D structure and features such as freckles, beauty marks or tattoos. The initial over-the-counter “digital makeup” product for home use would be like a temporary tattoo that wears off in 10 to 14 days as the skin naturally sloughs off its outer layers. “You take a picture of yourself. Then you open Photoshop in your computer and draw your preferred makeup. Once you are completely happy with the result, you push the button,” Shoseyov explains. The file would be transmitted to your existing printer in which the regular ink cartridge is replaced with a cartridge of keratin-melanin ink — the components of the top layer of skin – and the paper is replaced with nanofilm. Keratin is a protein, while melanin is a family of pigments that dictate skin color. Keratin and melanin also have protective properties – after all, Shoseyov reminds us, skin is the largest organ in the body and protects us from sun, infection and, most importantly, dehydration. Shoseyov’s revolutionary ink containing these substances suddenly makes it possible to print skin. “The motivation was that we in Israel have many young people who have scars after experiencing trauma in wars. And I thought that we can do something better for them,” he said. “It’s not a huge number of people. Therefore, we think that the cosmetic industry may be also interested and that will increase the chance for such a technology to be mass marketed.” Skin Grafts When a large area of skin is destroyed by trauma or burn, possible treatments include grafting skin from the patient, from a skin bank or from lab-cultured tissue. However, grafting is a long, painful, expensive process. Furthermore, “the look and functionality of the skin is not the same as pre-trauma,” says Ilya Pittel, VP Business Development at Hebrew University’s Yissum tech-transfer arm. “What Second Skin does so cleverly is replicate the three-dimensional structure of the skin in which the outer layers are embedded in the dermis,” Pittel tells ISRAEL21c. Shoseyov explains that before a skin graft, surgeons “debride the dead cells from the burned or damaged tissue, cover it with a dressing and wait seven to 10 days until new tissue grows underneath. Then they take off the dressing – typically a very painful process — and then do the skin graft. And unfortunately, the end result is not ideal.” Second Skin could provide a graft that exactly matches the size and shape of the wound and the shade of the patient’s skin. It could be printed in the operating room while the wound is being debrided, Shoseyov says. While it’s printing, the surgeon would extract a few fat cells from the patient and take from them regenerative mesenchymal stem cells. These stem cells will be placed on the Second Skin “scaffold” and then the wound will be covered. Shoseyov expects that perfectly normal skin will replace the Second Skin as it is naturally exfoliated within two weeks. I’ve Got You Under My Skin But grafting is a much longer-term goal for Shoseyov and lab members Chen Nowogrodski and Ido Simon. For now, they are perfecting the process of home-printing skin. In addition, they’re working with Hebrew University nanotech expert Prof. Shlomo Magdassi on embedding electronics in Second Skin. Shoseyov points out that health monitoring is one obvious use case for e-skin. Another possibility is replacing the hand stamp that you get at amusement parks and nightclubs with a small second-skin patch that has an RFID tag to track your presence and charge your purchases. Recreational VR is another potential use case. With electronics embedded in an e-skin face patch, for example, you could “feel” cold wind whooshing past while you’re virtual skiing. Company #18? Yissum’s Pittel points out that “Second Skin can be 3D printed, which means that manufacturing it is versatile and can be carried out in a wide array of places — prefabricated in a pharmaceutical facility, onsite in a hospital, or at home for topical cosmetic applications. We are looking at commercializing this technology via a startup or by being licenced to a cosmetics or skin grafting company.” If it becomes a startup, Second Skin would be Shoseyov’s 18th company. Among other startups Shoseyov helped found are: Melodea (sustainable package coatings from cellulose nano-crystals) Paulee CleanTec (eco-friendly solutions for managing animal and human waste) GemmaCert (instant cannabis and hemp potency analysis) BioBetter (a tobacco-based platform to mass produce growth factors for cultivated meat) and SavorEat (robotic technology to dispense custom-printed fast food from plant-based sources). To read the original article click here.

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