How Castor Oil May Help Support Toenail Fungus

In this podcast you will learn how Castor Oil may help support toenail fungus.

Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis , is a common fungal infection of the nail that commonly affects toenails (90%) and fingernails (75%). The main culprits are dermatophytes (a type of fungi that can infect and thrive on the skin, hair, or nails), like Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum.

Various types of fungi found in the environment can lead to fungal nail infections. When there are small cracks in your nail or the nearby skin, these fungi can enter, triggering an infection.

Factors that may increase the risk include:

• Nail injury or foot deformity
• Trauma
• Weakened immune system 
• Venous insufficiency (poor leg circulation) or peripheral arterial disease (reduced blood flow to arms or legs)
• Fungal skin infections on other body parts

Believe it or not, Castor Oil is thought to exhibit antifungal activity, as it contains a natural antifungal component called undecylenic acid. Studies have shown that this fatty acid may help prevent the growth of fungus. Furthermore, the thick, viscous nature of Castor Oil works well as an emollient and natural skin moisturizer, which may help to ease dry, cracked skin around the nail bed.

It gets better though, because Castor Oil is also believed to be a natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory thanks to the unique fatty acid, ricinoleic acid.

Castor Oil has also been shown to promote nitric oxide, which studies have shown to demonstrate antifungal activity.

As for inflammation, research shows that ricinoleic acid looks like a prostaglandin of the anti-inflammatory type, meaning Castor Oil may be a support for calming inflammation..

Follow us at @queenofthethrones and discover how Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs can help to support your health and beauty routines.