The Outstandingly Beneficial Croton Oil

1. Croton oil is extracted using the cold pressed method from the seeds of the plant of Croton tiglium Linn. This plant is a small tree that is native to the Malay Archipelago and India. But, its usage as a drug was initially done in China. It was in the 16th century when the Dutchmen introduced this oil to the western parts of the world in the form of a counter irritant and a purgative. It is a strong toxic oil which has numerous uses even after being toxic. This oil came to prominence when its effectiveness in treating pancreatic cancer in mice was discovered. Since then it has grabbed many eyes and is a topic of discussion amongst many. In the ancient times, the most basic use of this oil was in treating the problem of constipation. The powerful purgative properties of this oil have been remarkable and they are effective in causing violent bowel movements. The color of Croton oil can lie anywhere between yellow to light brown. Its fragrance can be described as pungent and unpleasant. Its chemical composition consists of esters like myristic, palmitic, the

2. glycerides of stearic, croton resins and oleic acids & lauric. As this oil is highly intense in nature, it can cause irritation and skin lesions on the sensitive skin. The usage of this oil by children and women is strictly advised to be avoided. The administered usage of this oil is recommended to be not more than two to three drops. If this oil falls on your skin even in very little quantity then also it can cause lesions on it. Croton oil is used in many dermatological treatments and as an ingredient in many facial products. If this oil is used with phenol solutions then it can cause skin sloughing and regeneration too apart from rejuvenating the peel. Some of its other uses are mentioned below: Counter-irritant: This is a very remarkable feature of this oil. Croton oil can be used as a counter irritant because it causes inflammation when it is applied to a region. What actually happens is that when you have irritation in a certain part then you can apply this oil to another region. Because of the inflammation in the other part, the feeling of irritation from the main part is decreased. Schistosomiasis: This disease can be effectively treated by using Croton oil and also other ailments like intestinal parasites can also be treated by it. Constipation: The problem of constipation can be effectively treated by using this oil. The purgative attributes of this oil are helpful in this treatment. When this oil is used, it causes strong bowel movements which leads to watery stools within one to two hours. This is very useful oil if it is used with caution. But if this oil is used with a bit of ignorance, it can be dangerous.