Advantages of cultivating castor oil plants in your garden

The castor oil plant brings an exotic structure to the garden with its dramatic leaves. The bold, glossy leaves, reddish-purple in colour, are one of the main attractions. The other attractive thing about growing the castor oil plant is the benefits the plant provides.

The thick, nutrient-rich oils the plant provides are some of the most beneficial in the plant kingdom. Whether you’re looking to boost hair growth, soothe dry skin, or explore natural wellness solutions, the castor oil plant is the way to go.

How to grow the castor oil plant

Plant the castor oil plant in well-draining soil with full sunlight. To promote continuous growth, water the plant regularly and feed it with an organic liquid fertiliser. As the plants grow, they may need staking. Castor beans must be sown early and ideally soaked for a few hours beforehand. Castor plants grown on poorer soils tend to produce more flowers, and the foliage is less abundant. So it is important to match the growing conditions of the plants in order to reap the benefits.

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The benefits of castor oil plants

Castor oil plants are quite versatile. It is found in food, medication, and skin care and is also used as an industrial lubricant and component. These are some of the few benefits of the plant:

Promotes hair growth

If you want stronger, fuller hair, castor oil provides essential nutrients. It is rich in ricinoleic fatty acids, which help increase blood circulation to the scalp, nourishing hair follicles and stimulating growth. The anti-inflammatory properties also make the plant ideal for soothing dandruff and itchy scalps.

Works as a natural laxative

It is an effective laxative that quickly stimulates intestinal muscle movement, making it useful in alleviating constipation. Use it to help clear your bowels and improve gut function. However, like most things, using too much castor oil can have negative side effects. While it is useful for occasional constipation, long-term use is not recommended.

Moisturises and softens skin

The oil acts as a powerful natural emollient for sealing in moisture and leaving your skin soft and hydrated. The fatty acids help their anti-inflammatory compounds calm irritated and dry skin.