The widespread illness of the cold strikes a lot of individuals during the changing weather. However, you can easily avoid this condition by using castor oil for colds!
Castor oil is made using fresh kernels from castor oil and holds many benefits for the human body as well as the skin. Castor oil is often called the miracle oil due to the therapeutic benefits that it has to offer. Most importantly, castor oil can aid you in your fight against the common cold, a viral illness of the nose and throat. This illness can be irritating and might lead to lethargy in most parts of the day. While medicine is available for the illness, castor oil might help in a quick recovery! You just need to know how to use castor oil for colds to combat the disease.
Cold Symptoms
Common cold symptoms typically occur a few days after you’ve been exposed to a cold-causing virus. The signs include the following:
- Congestion
- Loss of smell or taste
- Sneezing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Congestion
- Slight body ache
- Mild headache
- Low-grade fever
- General tiredness
Common Cold Causes
Though there are many other viruses that can cause the common cold, rhinovirus is a prominent factor. It spreads from one person to another through the air and shared surfaces, clothes, bedsheets, etc. You can easily contract this illness by touching a surface that has been contaminated with the virus or by unintentionally inhaling virus pieces from an infected person’s cough and sneezing. Additionally, there are other risk factors that raise the likelihood of developing a cold.
1. Environmental Factor
Changing weather and exposure to colder temperatures contribute to the development of a cold. It is advisable to keep yourself warm during the harsh winter months.
2. Age
As a person ages, he’s more prone to catch a cold compared to a young and healthy person. This happens due to weak immunity. Elder people should take extra care and stay away from people who are down with a cold and flu.
3. A Weak Immune System
If you get sick easily and have a sensitive immune system, it is likely that you will catch a cold during changing weather and the winter season.
4. Consistent Smoking
If your lungs are weak and have to deal with smoke regularly, it makes you more susceptive to cold-causing viruses.
Castor Oil For Colds
1. Castor Oil Pack For Cold
Castor oil is a “carrier oil”, available at health food stores, and is a non-toxic and natural remedy for colds. Moreover, castor oil can be particularly helpful for people with head and neck pain from a cold.
Materials
- Castor Oil
- Large Bowl
- Cotton or Wool Cloths
- Heating Pad
- Scissor
- Tongs
Directions
- Divide the woolen fabric into two equal rectangular pieces, each measuring about 12 by 10.
- Fill a sizable dish with enough castor oil to completely submerge all the pieces.
- Next, wring out any extra castor oil from the fabric pieces.
How To Apply
- First, lie down and cover your chest, back, and throat with the clothing, one on top of the other.
- Next, wrap them in cotton flannel and place the heating pack on top of them for 40 to 45 minutes. Or, you can use hot fabric if you don’t have a heating pack.
- Next, remove the pack and use a moist warm towel to wipe the excess oil from the area.
- Repeat this procedure once daily for up to a few weeks to see the effects. This will loosen the cough and speed up the healing process.
Tips To Prevent Cold
Although the common cold is not a serious illness, it can nonetheless be uncomfortable and inconvenient in daily life. There’s no straightforward treatment for this, however, you can avoid this condition by following the precautions listed below!
- Use an alcohol-based sanitizer or traditional soap and water to wash your hands regularly.
- Clean the restrooms, kids’ toys, and kitchen counters with a disinfectant to eradicate the cold-causing germs.
- If you or a member of your family has a cold, don’t share anything.
- To avoid infecting your family members with a cold, cover your mouth when you sneeze.
- Keep your distance from someone who has a cold.
- Eat nutrient and vitamin-rich foods to maintain your general health.
- Get enough rest and exercise each day.
Final Takeaway
Whether you consume the oil or use it topically, castor oil can solve a range of issues. Even though castor oil is naturally derived yet it doesn’t mean that it won’t lead to side effects in some people. If you ingest too much castor oil at once, it can lead to castor oil poisoning. If you continue to take castor oil in large amounts to extend consuming it to more than a week, it can lead to potassium and/or fluid loss in the body. The recommended dosage for castor oil for an average adult is 15 to 60 milliliters per day.
Therefore, if you suffer from any chronic illness like diabetes and thyroid, are on medications, or are pregnant, it is crucial to consult your healthcare professional before using castor oil for colds.
Thank you for reading. Castor oil is an excellent remedy for colds if administered carefully and appropriately. Apart from this, castor oil has incredible moisturizing properties and is extremely beneficial for skin and hair. Therefore, apart from using castor oil for colds, you can use it to get soft and supple skin as well.