Castor oil is one of the most popular oils for hair growth among naturalistas and it was one of the primary oils I used while recovering from hair loss a few years ago.
This article will cover the specific ways castor oil helps with hair growth, before and after results of using castor oil, and the best brands of castor oil for hair growth.
Castor oil is a unique oil produced from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant and has a unique property, which makes it highly effective as a treatment oil.
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How Does Castor Oil Help with Hair Growth?
1. Ricinoleic Acid Content
Up to 90% of castor oil is composed of ricinoleic acid, a compound that stimulates the production of prostaglandin when applied to the scalp.
Prostaglandin is one of the catalysts for spurring hair growth. Applying castor oil to problem areas on the scalp nourishes hair follicles and encourages regrowth of hair.
2. Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory
Ricinoleic acid has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat scalp infections that may be hindering hair growth like dandruff and eczema.
3. Keeps Hair Hydrated
The significant amounts of omega-9 fatty acid contained in castor oil absorb water and helps keep hair hydrated, which is why castor oil is also excellent as a sealing oil.
Castor oil forms a strong protective barrier around hair making it resistant to external harmful factors. Subsequently, hair is stronger and there’s better retention.
As you can see, castor oil should be one of the natural oils in your arsenal while trying to recover from hair loss.
Below are my before and after pictures after treatment with castor oil as well as other hair growth methods detailed in The Ultimate Hair Growth Guide.
Best Brands of Organic Castor Oil for Hair Growth
There are many brands of organic castor oil on the market but below are the top 6 brands based on personal experience and user feedback:
RAW APOTHECARY CASTOR OIL
BANYAN BOTANICALS CASTOR OIL
MOLIVERA ORGANICS 100% PURE CASTOR OIL
NOW FOODS CASTOR OIL
HOME HEALTH CASTOR OIL
ART NATURALS 100% PURE CASTOR OIL
Castor Oil vs Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO)
If you’re wondering about Jamaican black castor oil (JBCO), read Differences Between Castor Oil & Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO) for more information.
The article breaks down the differences between the two and which one is more effective than the other and if what you use matters.
The Ultimate Hair Growth Guide
If you enjoyed this post, you’ll be interested in The Ultimate Hair Growth Guide, a comprehensive tool for recovering from hair loss, regrowing bald spots, and filling in thin areas of your scalp.
There’s a whole chapter in there dedicated to regrowing hair with natural oils. Learn more and grab your copy HERE.
More Castor Oil Articles
Check out even more castor oil articles from the website. It's a versatile oil with many uses and benefits for hair and skin.
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This post contains affiliate links which means I will make a small commission if you purchase through those links. Read full disclosure HERE.
How to Use Onion Juice and Coconut Oil for Hair Regrowth | Natural Oils for Hair & Health
Wednesday 31st of January 2018
[…] oil in the recipe above. In fact, my favorite natural oil for this recipe would be hemp seed oil, castor oil, black cumin seed oil or emu oil. You can also mix two types of natural oils to test the results. […]