Castor Oil Uses

Castor oil is widely used for a variety of health and beauty purposes and here’s a breakdown of the best castor oil uses.

Traditionally, castor oil was used for ailments such as constipation, catarrh, and fever. It was also used as fuel in lamps and an ingredient in ointments.

I’ll be covering all the ways to use castor oil for health and beauty including recipes and best tips, castor oil side effects, and where to buy the best castor oil.

I’ve also included even more articles from around the site about castor oil and other ways to use it on hair and skin.

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Castor Oil

Castor oil is a vegetable oil derived from cold pressing castor beans.

The key ingredient in castor oil is ricinoleic acid, which is an unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid and a hydroxy acid.

Ricinoleic acid has superfluous analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects hence its popularity in hair and skincare.

How to Use Castor Oil

Hair Growth and Hair Loss Treatment with Castor Oil

One of the most popular uses for castor oil is for hair growth and thicker hair. It can also be used to combat hair shedding and breakage.

For more on using castor oil for hair growth, read How to Grow Thicker Hair Strands with Castor Oil.

Jamaican black castor oil is a different version of castor oil, which is used specifically for hair growth.

For more on JBCO, read Regrow Bald Spots with Jamaican Black Castor Oil.

Jamaican black castor oil was one of the key ingredients in regrowing my bald spots a few years ago. See the difference in the pics below:-

To learn the differences between castor oil and Jamaican black castor oil, read What Are the Differences Between Castor Oil & Jamaican Black Castor Oil?

Treating Corns and Calluses with Castor Oil

Castor oil can be used to treat corns and calluses caused by continuous friction and pressure in certain areas of the body such as the feet, knees, and elbows.

Castor oil can help soften the skin in these areas so you can slough it off easily with a sponge or pumice stone where applicable.

Castor oil combined with vitamin E is a particularly effective treatment.

Read Homemade Recipes to Treat Calluses & Corns with Castor Oil & Vitamin E Oil for more on treating corns and calluses with castor oil.

Thicker and Longer Eyebrows and Eyelashes with Castor Oil

The protein and fatty acids in castor oil help nourish the follicles and encourage growth.

Combine castor oil with vitamin E oil and aloe vera gel for a fantastic serum.

Read Grow Thick Luscious Eyebrows & Eyelashes Naturally with this Castor Oil, Vitamin E & Aloe Vera Serum for the complete recipe.

Oil Cleansing Method

Castor oil is a natural astringent and has a non-comedogenic rating of 0. This means it’s unlikely to clog the pores.

Oil cleansing draws impurities out of the skin and helps keep breakouts away. It’s a natural and chemical-free method to cleanse the skin.

The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil also help the skin fight acne.

Combine castor oil with argan oil for an effective oil cleansing session.

Read 30 Non-Comedogenic Oils for Oily Skin for other oils you can use in combination for the oil cleansing method.

Improve the oil cleansing method with castor oil by including a facial brush in your skincare regimen.

Read 9 Deep Cleansing Facial Brushes for the Oil Cleansing Method.

Castor Oil As a Laxative

This is the second most popular way to use castor oil.

I remember my mum giving me the ghastly thing every time I complained of tummy issues when I was a kid.

Castor oil is a natural and safe treatment for constipation with only 1 – 2 tablespoons required for adults.

Consuming castor oil can also induce labor so be careful about ingesting this when you are pregnant.

Relieving Muscle and Joint Pain with Castor Oil

Making a poultice out of castor oil and applying it to sore muscles and joints can help relieve the pain and discomfort.

Combine it with essential oils like geranium essential oil, lavender essential oil, and peppermint essential oil for best results.

You can also combine with other carrier oils like jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and Calendula oil.

For more on this, read 6 Best Oils for a Body Massage At Home and 7 Amazing Homemade Body Massage Oil Recipes.

Treating Stretch Marks with Castor Oil

Castor oil can help soften the appearance of stretch marks caused by pregnancy, weight loss, and aging.

Mix castor oil with cocoa butter and a little bit of coconut oil and rosehip seed oil for the best treatment.

Massage into the affected area morning and evening after a shower.

You should see a significant reduction in the appearance of the stretch marks after a few months of treatment.

Strengthen Nails with Castor Oil

Castor oil has a high amount of vitamin E, which makes it a great treatment for dry and brittle nails that crack easily.

Mix castor oil with 1 – 2 drops of vitamin E oil and sweet almond oil for a nail strengthening treatment. Apply to nails every evening before going to bed.

As you can see, castor oil is a versatile and multifaceted oil that can be used across the board for many things.