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Health & HealingWWW.MSINGIAFRIKAMAGAZINE.COM | we tell the true afrikan story 20followed up this question asking her whether men could use castor oil and again she made it very clear that my generation was very ignorant and I should not tire her with further stupid questions. I later learnt I was treading on extremely slippery ground as castor oil was central in the management of menstrual issues like pains and flow volume.After a long silence in which I pictured her as a young woman pounding on a mortar with a pestle, I began to see many things that were hidden to a speaking questioner. I sat still. I saw the old grinding stone, now decommissioned, resting under the eaves of her house just near the castor oil plant and suddenly the whole thing became clear and I almost shouted for joy. I remembered Professor Wangari Maathai and her concern for the environment and especially trees. I recalled the legendary, Wang%u2019ombe wa Ihura from Mathira and his reputed wealth in cattle and I remembered Mzee Jomo Kenyatta%u2019s fly whisk and Colobus monkey ceremonial garment, Githii. Yes! According to Gikuyu interpretation of life, men are the guardians of the animal kingdom and women are the guardians of the plant kingdom. That is why men use animal fat and love animals, mahiu. That is why women love and revere the plant kingdom, mimera. Woman, Mumbi was first as a settled sedentary being at the original home, Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga. She was the personification of the Creator, Mumbi, and also the personification of the earth itself, the original potter, Mumbi or Gaia. The Man, Gikuyu, joined her later from his wanderings. He was the domesticator of animals and all domestic animals, mahiu belong to him. Wild animals according to Gikuyu mythology belong to the woman. It is likely that the Gikuyu myth of origin is a coded history of their shift from hunter gatherers and pastoralists into a settled sedentary lifestyle. We are told that the Greek God of the Harvest, the fertility of the earth and agriculture, is Demeter, a woman. This is the Gikuyu Mumbi.*****The Benefits of Castor Oil for Human Health and Well-being (By Msingi Team)Castor oil, derived from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant, has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its diverse health benefits. This thick, paleyellow oil is packed with ricinoleic acid, a unique fatty acid that gives it powerful medicinal properties. Below are some of the key benefits of castor oil for human health and wellness.1. Promotes Healthy SkinCastor oil is widely used in skincare due to its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. It helps to:Hydrate dry skin by locking in moisture.Soothe skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.Reduce acne by fighting bacteria and