In Food Industry: Food Grade Castor Oil is widely used in the food processing industry. It is used as food additives, lavorings, candy (i.e., chocolate), as a mold inhibitor, and also in packaging. The food stuff industries also use polyoxyethylated castor oil (eg. Cremophor EL) as a vehicle for oral and intravenous administration of water-insoluble compounds.

Uses in Medicinal Science: From centuries, castor oil has been widely used as home remedy for many disorders. This unsaturated fatty acid contains ricinoleic acid, a unique subtance with great healing capabilities. Ricinoleic acid inhibits the growth of many viruses, bacteria, yeasts and molds. The most common and most frequent of the medical uses for castor oil are the way it is used for treating constipation. Application of the castor oil is also beneficial in cases of ringworm, keratoses, skin inflammation, abrasions, fungal infections, and acne. One study has found that castor oil decreased pain more than ultrasound gel or vaseline during extracorporeal shock wave application.

Other Medicinal Properties of Castor Seed Oil
• It is also used for skin ointments (healing of wounds, pustules, pimples, or haemorrhoids)
• It is helpful in case of arthritis and back pain
• Application of castor oil to the abdominal area relieves pain during the menstruation cycle
• Nursing mothers used to apply castor oil to the breasts to increase milk secretion and relieve milk stagnation in the mammary glands.

Industrial Uses of Castor Oil

Castor oil is widely used in many industrial applications. This bio-degradable and eco-friendly product is used in plastics, textiles, paints, cosmetics, and a number of inks and industrial adhesives. Below is a brief description of its industrial application areas:-

• Adhesives
• Cosmetics
• Hair oils
• Food containers
• Fuel additives
• Insulation
• Lubricants
• Nylon
• Synthetic resins
• Fibers
• Paints
• Varnishes
• Plastics

• Printing Inks
• Textiles
• Textile finishing materials
• Paints
• Varnishes
• Fibers
• Drying oils
• Fungus-growth-inhibiting compounds
• Embalming fluid
• Soaps
• Greases
• Hydraulic fluids
• Dyeing aids

• Consumer Products: Cleaning products, detergents, personal care products, paint strippers, styling gel, adhesive remover, etc.