thenutritionwatchdog.com What's in your food? Discover which "healthy" foods are harming your health and which foods protect your body 
Today’s blog is republished from my friends at TheAlternativeDaily, a leading publisher of daily alternative health tips that I personally read every day.
By Krista Hillis, TheAlternativeDaily.com
Although conventional hair products offer scents that are “fresh” and floral, don’t let flashy packaging fool you. There are most certainly some great all-natural skin and hair products on the market, so do not discount all brands. However, when purchasing all-natural products, they can be rather costly.
On the other end of the spectrum, there’s the conventional products which fill our drugstores and department store shelves. They are often packed with ingredients that may be doing more harm than good. The sad truth is, a large variety of beauty products contain a long list of toxic additives, including known human carcinogens and endocrine disrupters. There has to be a better way, right?
Why you should make the switch to natural ingredients
Before we jump into the benefits of castor oil — a substance obtained from castor beans — it’s important to stress the fact that natural ingredients truly are superior. As stated by David Suzuki, researchers have reported that one in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are “industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins and hormone disrupters. These products also include plasticizers, greasers and surfactants.”
As you can imagine, these not only harm the environment but your own personal health as well. Instead of exposing yourself to these synthetic ingredients, look to nature instead. There are so many oils and butters that are beneficial for both your skin and hair, especially when applied in their raw or natural state.
Oils, including olive, castor and coconut, are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. This means that they not only moisturize, hydrate and replenish, but in terms of your skin, they will also offer anti-aging properties. From avocado to sweet almond, each oil offers their own unique benefits — but today, let’s focus on castor oil.
11 ways to use castor oil for better skin and hair
Although fairly common, castor oil is not generally as well known as say olive oil. High in vitamin E, minerals, proteins and even beneficial fatty acids, castor oil is great for both your skin and hair. If you have a bottle lying around your home, it’s time to put it to good use — here’s how.
Related: 9 Ways To Use Castor Oil (Some Are Strange)
1. Enhance the natural look of your hair
Castor oil can enhance the look and feel of your hair, making it look both thicker and richer. Locking in moisture, this oil is what’s known as a humectant, making each strand of hair look that much healthier. After you shower and towel dry your hair, apply a small amount of slightly warmed castor oil, working it into the strands of your hair.
2. Cleanse your skin
Whether you’d like to wash off makeup or benefit from a deep clean, castor oil can help cleanse your pores. In order to benefit from an effective deep cleanse, mix a small amount of castor oil with jojoba oil (1:1 ratio). Massage these oils into your face gently, covering the entire surface of your face. After 10 minutes, wash your face with a warm cloth. This steaming process will help remove excess oil, dirt and other pore-clogging material.
3. Target fungal skin conditions
Whether you’re suffering from athlete’s foot or ringworm, castor oil is rich in a biochemical known as undecylenic acid — which helps target fungal growth. It’s recommended that you mix castor or with coconut oil, applying it too problematic areas repeatedly until cured.
4. Reduce the appearance of stretch marks
There are a number of reasons why one may suffer from stretch marks, including the effects of puberty and pregnancy. Castor oil is high in what’s known as ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that helps target the appearance of stretch marks. Massage castor oil into the desired area and wrap with a cotton cloth, allowing the oil to penetrate the skin for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat on a regular basis for three to four weeks.
5. Fade scars
If you have scars from when you had chickenpox or acne,, castor oil can help you reduce their appearance. Due to its high fatty acid content, castor oil will penetrate through the epidermal layer, helping to heal the scar tissue by promoting new skin cell growth. Apply before bed, massaging the oil deep into the skin. Leave the oil on overnight and wash it off the next morning.
6. Treat acne
Speaking of scars from acne, why not treat acne before it has a chance to scar your skin? Once again, the fatty acid known as ricinoleic acid helps fight acne-causing bacteria. This is especially effective for cystic acne, which is generally more severe. Wash your face, then apply a few drops of castor oil, rubbing it into the affected area. Wash an hour later, or leave on overnight before rinsing.
7. Use as all-natural massage oil
Although you can treat many surface conditions with castor oil, the benefits are more than skin deep. When using as a massage oil, you can help enhance circulation and target sore, achy muscles and joints. Your scalp is also a great area to massage, helping target problematic dandruff. Just remember, this oil can stain your clothes. Wear old clothing after applying it to your body.
8. Balance scalp pH
Ricinoleic acid has been found to potentially help balance scalp pH, replenishing natural oils and promoting positive hair health. In turn, this can help undo some of the damage that has been caused by harsh hair products. When the pH of your scalp is either too alkaline or too acidic, this can lead to bacterial or fungal issues, an itching scalp and dandruff.
9. Supports hair growth
There have been many cases where individuals swear by castor oil for hair growth, helping to enhance the growth rate. When applied to the scalp, this oil penetrates deep into the pores of your hair follicles, providing nourishment. Work around three tablespoons of castor oil into your scalp. Leave it on for 20 minutes before washing it out with an all-natural shampoo.
10. Soothe bug bites and stings
When you want to soothe an insect bite or sting, castor oil can help reduce itching and encourage more rapid healing. Offering both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, castor oil will help soothe and heal when applied to itchy bites. Simply apply a small amount to the affected area and repeat throughout the day.
11. Combat lines and wrinkles
The fatty acids found in castor oil will penetrate deep into the skin, stimulating the production of elastin and collagen. It will also target dark bags and the appearance of crow’s feet. Since the skin around your eyes is so delicate, it’s more prone to damage. To apply, make sure you cleanse your skin, applying a small amount of castor oil around the edges of your eyes and forehead.
Castor oil is not only effective, it’s cost-effective. It helps you benefit from a wide range of uses with just one bottle. Whether you want to brighten the look of your hair or combat eczema, every home should have a bottle of castor oil in the medicine cabinet. It’s time to re-think not only what you put in your body, but what you put on your body as well.
If you found this article interesting, and want to learn more on how to remove wrinkles naturally, this Beverly Hills doctor explains a unique process with simple steps to follow to erase your wrinkles…from home. Its painless and can get rid of those deepest wrinkles, and the best thing, it only takes 20 seconds, click here to watch this amazing video…
Original article is found here.
I would like to try it
I am. Looking for a shampoo that will heal my scalp. I have the sores on my head which hurt and are very itchy.
Try Sea Breeze for itchy sores on scalp. Just wet a cotton ball 3 or 4 times per day. Apply at the scalp so your hair doesn’t look dirty. Worked well for me, I used to pick at my scalp when I was little
coconut oil, works too
I strongly suggest, you see a skin specialist, to properly evaluate your condition. They can prescribe you a medicated shampoo and scalp lotion for that, plus you will also know what your condition is and not a hit or miss solution. It’s really not that expensive.
Try lemon water. squish a full lemon in your water, and keep adding water when needed. no need to add more lemon.
I am a volunteer firefighter in the harsh Australian current fire environment.
We do 12 hour shifts that can run into a 16 hour day which includes travel time.
The fire truck is stocked with sugar type snacks including coke.
We don’t feel energised and feel extra fatigued throughout the shift. It is dangerous, extremely hot and arduous work.
Can you please suggest snacks that provide enough nutrition to keep us on top of our game in these extreme conditions.
We need to be alert with astute situational awareness of the actual and potential dangers that we face.
We do receive a chemical induced meal from the RFS. There is adequate water for hydration.
Eat almonds n raisins
Not sure about Australia, but in the US raisins have the most harmful pesticides and contaminants. I would def say stick to nuts and seeds. And organic veg/fruits.
Nuts are better and slot of water..
Only buy organic raisins. It’s true about the contamination,I only eat organic grapes …!!!
xs energy drinks are loaded with B12, 6 and 3. 16 Flavorful drinks zero carbs and zero sugar. A true healthy alternative to sodas. there are caffeinated as well as decaffeinated and also juices made from natural products.
Energy drinks are loaded with B vitamins and such because other ingredients in them strip those vitamins from you. They are very unhealthy for you.
Salute to you. Stay safe.
Try DripDrop it’s like as an iv
Hi,
My name is Genevieve Fisher, I am a former Hotshot, and I understand your concerns personally. The cool thing is there is actually so much you can do now. I always bring my own food. I do not eat their MRE’s. On the line I recommend vitamin C, Magnesium, Garlic, and Ginseng in powdered or liquid form. For food canned dehydrated or smoked salmons and other fish. St Dalfour sells a canned veggie salmon mix that would pack nicely. Powdered Bone broth and powdered coconut milk. Eat fruits and veggies fresh at camp and when in travel status. Food bars are a firefighters best friend. Epic salmon, bison, chicken and turkey are a great supplement. Seaweed and sea veggies will help your body stay mineralized. Good luck and be safe!
If you have a Costco membership go get yourself a bag of the natural dates they’re very good energy and they don’t make you feel like you’re dropped on your but after you eat them usually if you eat sugar you’ll feel about an hour later you’ll feel like the energy is drained from you. There’s also a bag of shredded coconut it’s excellent they’re just pieces of coconut that have been shaved and they’re an excellent source of energy. Nut butters they’re a good snack celery with nut butters. If I think of anything else I’ll tell you hope this helps
Carnitine supplements
Walnuts, hemp seeds, raisins , and dates…aim for alkaline foods and look into sea moss or seaweeds
Try lemon water, squish the whole lemon in a water jug, add water when needed, and keep yourself hydrated. keeping the lemon in till it becomes soggy, then take it out blend with garlic 1 tbsp in morning n night helps with keeping the bugs away
Not sure about Australia, but in the US raisins have the most harmful pesticides and contaminants. I would def say stick to nuts and seeds. And organic veg/fruits.
HONEY, apple Cider vinegar and water
Where do I buy castor oil?
You can buy it at any general retail store in the section with antacids, laxatives, etc.
http://www.edgarcayceproducts.com Makes an increible suntan lotion. Edgar Cayce had numerous uses for Castor Oil..He was known as the Sleeping Profit. The books he wrote were bout his readings and cures. Association for research and Enlightenmemnt iin Virginia Beach, Va There may still be the Hospital he built. This is nothing new and may have been takken from his books.
Sleeping Prophet not profit!!! ?
Hello and thanks for thoses excellents informations have a peaceful day
the best Castor oil you get from Amazon, buy the organic one.
Hexane-free, organic Castor oil is the safest.
Great thx
Make sure it is Hexane-Free Castor Oil
Castor oil can be bought from the chemist/ pharmacist/ drugstore.
I bought it by vitamins in the grocery store. Whole Foods is one store and Amazon Fresh. I really like using it on my skin and hair.
how much salt in lemon drink
Mohammadreza
I would like to try it
Castor oil is very thick and messy when applied to hair or skin, do we warm it up in the microwave before using? I am from Canada and even during the summer Castor oil is still very thick.
yes !!!!
You only need to use a little at a time. Increase as needed. More does not always mean better.
wash skin first, put small amount, then add light cream over it, message it in and in a few minutes the oily look will be gone
Mine is not to thick to use right out of bottle. Brand 365 which is popular brand at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh.
How do I get rid dark brown liver spots on my face?
does the castor oil remove hair color at the roots?
Any natural suggestions for skin rashes and itching?
Skin rashes and itching. : I was plagued with eczema on the whites of both arms all my childhood for 9 months a year.
I would rip the skin off, it was so itchy. Only went away for 3 months in the summer.
When I was 18 someone gave me Penatin crème. It’s a Germain diaper rash crème. It cured it in days. None of the fancy skin doctors gave me any relief.
But Penatin crème did. And for the first time I could wear a ring. I would get exzema.
I worked in a group home for guvinile boys. Teens in trouble. They would be covered with skin rashes.
I dabbed Penatin crème on. 9 out of 10 would be healed.
It’s not exactly ‘natural’ but I don’t leave home without it.
It works on the cracks on the corners of my mouth.
Btw. Try zinc. A nutrient. It’s in Penatin. I started taking it orally and my skin problems are gone.
I’m dealing with ringworm for the last 6 months. I’ve tried so many different treatments but didn’t get success with any of those. I’ll give it a try.
Put the Juice of the Milk Thistle plant on the ringworm. Just pinch off a stem and apply the juice from it to the spot.
This really works. I’m in My seventies and when we were kids we were constantly infected with framework there were a lot of kids in the neighborhood that it’s problem but that thistle juice would clear it up in no time.
I had the same problem trying to get rid of what I thought was ringworm. It was not ringworm, it ended up being Lymes disease. Please go to a chiropractor that does nutritional testing via muscle testing. Make sure they have the testing kit for autoimmune testing for lymes. Dr Orr in Granville Ohio has one. He may be able to help you find someone closer to you that also has this particular kind of test kits. The M D way, 40 % are only properly diagnosed. Its better to go naturopathic with this. Experience… Bee sting therapy irradicates it in 1 year in its entirely. To give back to the bees, start a bee hive as we lve our bees. Find the support groupys, they are very helpful. If you find yourself still symptomatic after being treated the MD way, the biofilm part is what the MD way of medical treatment don’t acknowledge well. It takes both medical and naturalpathic ways combined to figure stuff out, some the MD way to go is better, some the natural path ic way is better. This one does better the naturalpathic way…
Can you explain more about Bee Sting Therapy for Lymes disease?
Try thieves essential oil.
Do you have a formula for a good all natural SHAMPOO ???
It works to get rid of and prevent infections in eyes… and slowly reduces and removes cataracts! Have used it for years and this works.
Are you saying that Milk Thistle reduces and removes cataracts?
I read your remarks on cataracts? Please explain what to use to slowly reduce and remove cataracts??
(are you stating to use Milk Thistle)? If so, where do I purchase it and how do I use it for the cataracts??
Nothing removes Caracas except surgery. Your natural lens is removed and replaced by a artificial one
Please explain the cataract remedy. Thanks
Plz let us know more about the cataract remedy!
How do you use it in your eyes?
These comments were very informative. I will continue to follow your leads?. Thanks so much.
Jewel
colloidal silver gel relieves itching on skin.
Great stuff.
What are some natural proven remedies for erectile dysfunction in men over 70 years old and physically active, Diabetic with A1C of 6.5 165lbs 5’9″ not over weight.
Would like more info on treating cataracts. Thanks
Yes i would love info on eyes.
As for Lyme disease, Had it twice and once STARI from Tick bites. Each time I was treated with very strong antibiotics and the disease did not progress further