Castor Oil

Castor Oil: Uses, Benefits, and Blends

Castor Oil benefits have been featured in the most ancient Medicinal and religious traditions since antiquity. Its Rich, Pungent actions are well documented not only for their excellent effects on the Skin and Hair but also on the Digestive and Lymphatic Systems.

Castor Oil has enjoyed a rich reputation for healing throughout history, but none can be stranger than its connection with the Medical Psychic, Edgar Cayce.

In the 1900s, there was a huge rise in interest in Naturopathic Medicine, perhaps as a kickback to Orthodox Medicine becoming ever more dependent on the new darling of their industry, Antibiotics. 

These Naturopathic Doctors held themselves up in staunch opposition to the establishment, their radicalism meaning they had both loyal disciples and advocates as well as opponents who classed them as quacks and snake oil salesmen. 

One such man was Edgar Cayce, a bedside Psychic who would enter a trance and then return with a prescription for his patient, not borne from any particular knowledge, but instead, he said, from the Akashic records. 

Of the 1800 case histories he documented, the majority leveraged Castor Oil benefits in a compress which is now termed “The Pack”.

We’ll look more closely at this in the section marked Castor Oil uses for the Aromatherapist, but here, it is interesting to note that his repeated referrals to the Oil actually had the reversed effect. Rather than promoting it, people began to disbelieve its properties and no longer use it as much. In fact though, both Galen and Hippocrates cite Castor Oil benefits in their treatises, and it features highly in both Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicines. Further, now, its actions are confirmed by Science. It has the most interesting chemistry, unlike other Carrier Oils, this Oil is a triglyceride, rich in fatty acids. It is composed almost entirely of ricinoleic acid which is used to treat skin rashes and infections. Where this also occurs naturally in Soybean and Cottonseed Oils, there it comprises not more than 0.3% of the total composition. Ricinoleic acid constitutes approximately 90% of the Castor Oil constituency. 

It is a rich, extremely thick Oil, it nourishes and protects and is said to be able to alleviate toxicity and boost the immune system through topical use. 

The Oil is extracted from the beans of a bush, which is ornamental, with enormous bright green glossy leaves. It is expeller pressed using a mechanical, chemical-free extraction process. No external heat is used during expeller pressing, since the beans are relatively soft in comparison to some nuts, they create less heat from friction and thus do not require cold processing. 

Castor Oil Benefits: Skin, Face, Hair, and Eyes

Castor Oil for Skin

Castor Oil is used for skin conditions are many. They are best understood through Ayurvedic medicine which says that the Oil is cooling to Pitta and reduces Kapha. In skin conditions, Pitta is reactive, hot, angry, sharp. 

Castor Oil cools the hair follicles, calming all aspects of the skin. It is useful for Sunburn, Dermatitis, Eczema, Psoriasis, and Skin Allergies. 

Castor Oil for Face

Castor calms itching and soreness and moisturizes the skin. 

Its rich thickness is almost the texture of honey, so when you place it on the skin, it stays put. It leaves a glossy sheen so is best combined into a wax base to fix it in creams, or used at night. 

Castor Oil can penetrate deeply, however as we’ll see in the Castor Oil used for the Aromatherapist, it is improved exponentially by using compresses and heat. Heat and time allow the Oil to penetrate right through the stratum corneum nourishing and affecting the skin tissues at the deepest levels. Thus, used alone, just as a Massage Oil or Serum, Castor Oil benefits are mainly Emollient, and can Soften Scars and Pigmentation, however, when added heat and face clothes and left to penetrate, Castor Oil benefits are increased hugely. 

Used post naturally, this Oil improves stretch marks, however, it is best avoided during pregnancy. Perhaps choose Jojoba or Coconut MCT as an alternative. If you’re not pregnant, what a fantastic mix! 

Castor Oil for Hair Growth

Castor Oil uses for hair growth are well documented in Ayurvedic Medical texts. As stated, it is cooling to the hair follicles which is helpful for itchy, flaky scalps,  dandruff, and folliculitis.

Ricinoleic acid has a powerful antifungal action, so is also extremely helpful for conditions like seborrheic dermatitis or Mallessezzia. With a similar PH to the body’s natural oils, it balances and reduces irritating imbalances. 

Ayurveda says that hair loss can be attributed to excess heat in the follicles (often brought about by stress), and it has long been used as a way to preserve a lovely thick set of tresses, although as yet there is no clinical evidence to either support or disprove this claim. In the same way, Ayurvedic Castor Oil is used to thicken and deepen the hair’s natural color and to guard against greying and loss of pigmentation. 

Again, as yet, this has not been proved or disproved. Nevertheless, anecdotal evidence from users reports as much as three to five times their normal hair growth when they have used Castor Oil, twice a week, for a month. 

Again, we suggest warming the Oil slightly, wrapping it in a towel, and leaving it on for at least an hour. If you are very motivated, perhaps set aside a specific pillow you don’t mind ruining and leaving on each time, overnight. 

Overnight treatments are particularly indicated for Eczema and Aggravated Scalps to soothe and restore balance to both the Skin and the Mind and Emotions too. 

Castor Oil benefits hair treatments and also makes the hair stronger, smoother, and less frizzy, perfect for curly and over-processed hairs. 

Castor Oil for Eyelashes

Again, if you want thicker glossier Eyelashes, consider applying the Oil with a clean Mascara brush before bed. Traditional usage is also to apply under the Eyes at night to reduce bags and puffiness. Ensure you have thoroughly cleansed away in the morning though, as makeup does not adhere to it well, and you will have terrible panda eyes. 

As an aside, legend has it that Cleopatra would apply Castor Oil to make her Eyes whiter. Many people report sleeping better if they have massaged a little with some Rose Essential Oil into their eyelids before bed, which may add weight to the legend.

Castor Oil for Eyebrows

Thicker, fuller, darker, softer. What’s not to love? Again though, apply at night to avoid looking like you are wearing an Oil slick on your face. 

Castor Oil for Beard Oils

Castor Oil is wonderful for beards, however, it is best used in a small concentration to nourish and soften the hair. Perhaps blend with something thinner and softer, Argan Oil perhaps?

Castor Oil for Moles

Traditional knowledge says Castor Oil can reduce mole pigmentation, however, this is neither supported nor disproven by evidence. Since new and changing moles can be a symptom of something more problematic, by all means, experiment to see what Castor Oil benefits have, but please also seek medical advice.

Castor Oil Uses: For Wholesale Purposes

Castor Oil Uses for Aromatherapists

Clinical evidence supports that Castor Oil can affect both the Immune and Digestive Systems when used topically. Where historically the Oil was used orally as a laxative, the best practice is now to use it exactly as Cayce had instructed, in a warm compress. 

That said, the application is messy and complex, however Naturopathic study reveals that without the compress, Castor Oil benefits are little more than Emollient. For the Oil to penetrate through to the Organs, it must be applied with a compress, and that heat further increases penetration. 

How To Apply A Castor Oil Pack:

Key to the success is the four cotton sheets used to soak and hold the Oil. 

Cut four sheets approximately 12 ins x 14 ins.

You will also need a trash bag, cut down the sides to make two long rectangles and a hot water bottle. You might also like to invest in a shower curtain that makes an excellent barrier for the Oil on your massage couch. 

First cover your couch with either one of the bin bag pieces or the shower curtain, to protect it from the Castor Oil. 

Then, for comfort, place a towel or sheet over. You might want to protect them with a further bit of plastic since Oil always drips down.

Then construct the pad by stacking the four cotton pieces, saturating them with Oil, then covering them, on the top with the other plastic sheet. The hot water bottle goes on top. 

Where you place the pad on the body depends on the condition you are treating, however by far the largest numbers of Cayce's treatments were placed over the Liver area. To replicate that, place on the right-hand side of the body under the ribs, running downwards. 

Leave the treatment on for an hour. It is suggested that the pack is used over three consecutive days over a treatment period of 4 to 6 weeks. 

Interestingly, in 2004, a Naturopathic Doctor by the name of William McGarey studied Cayce's case histories and added a number of his own in a book called The Oil that Heals. McGarey found that many of the recipes Cayce had channeled did indeed have successes. 

He added a fascinating detail that he felt that the Oil was able to heal so well because it also had a spiritual dimension to its healing where it raised the patient’s consciousness, allowing them to heal. On a surface level that may seem to be hokum, except that Castor Oil has reportedly been used by the clergy to bring their members closer to god and also as a Coronating Oil for Monarchies. 

Fascinating stuff, so perhaps, if being used as a home treatment and you can find an hour to lie down, rather than binge-watching Netflix, take time to meditate or listen to music or listen to an audiobook since your position makes it difficult to read.  In an Aromatherapy clinic setting, this has excellent potential for sales of a series of treatments, which can be further enhanced by adding an add-on facial treatment for the client to pass the time. 

Castor Oil benefits, when used in a pack, are thought to aid digestion, increase lymphatic flow and increase immunity. 

Indeed a 2011 study was undertaken in an old people’s home to study its effects on constipation. The group who had the Castor Oil packs had significantly improved outcomes than those without. 

The packs are useful for IBS, Inflammatory bowel disease, Colitis, Crohn's, and Constipation. 

It may also help GERD and stress-related digestive issues. 

The Castor Oil pack is also proven to reduce Substance P, a Neurotransmitter indicated in pain signaling. Clearly, this is useful in conditions like IBS, but also has indications for muscular and joint pain conditions such as Rheumatism and Arthritis. 

It is also proven to enhance T11 cell action, improving lymphatic action. As well as increasing immunity, this may also add an interesting dimension to lymphatic drainage massages or cellulite treatments. 

Anecdotal evidence suggests it may also have a hormonally balancing effect. As stated, the pack would be contraindicated in pregnant women and is not recommended during menstruation either. Oddly, the Oil seems to increase menstrual cramping and may also increase blood loss.

In years gone by, compresses and poultices formed a staple part of Aromatherapy training, but more recently they hardly feature, ostensibly because they are messy and a bit of a fiddle. Nevertheless, they are powerful healing tools. If you would like to learn more about the efficacies of the pack, we have included links to two brilliant articles. The first is from the Naturopathic Doctor’s News and Review Site. Marisol Teijeiro ND is known as the “Queen of The Thrones” by her patients, thanks to her tremendous digestive healing knowledge and her article about the pack is exemplary. It is the first link on the list. The second is an excellent handout about protocols and procedures written by the Integrative Naturopathic Medical Centre in Vancouver. 

In addition, we have added a couple of recipes with Essential Oils, below. to further speed progress for constipation, but also reduce inflammation and calm IBS.

Just as an aside, professional Aromatherapists may want to make a call to their insurance provider to ensure you have adequate coverage for the treatment as it is not traditionally covered in standard insurances but can sometimes be added on to individual coverage.

Castor Oil Benefits for Soapmakers 

Top of the list of the many benefits for soapmakers is how much harness it brings to a soap. Castor Oil creates highly stable bubbles, moisturizing and conditioning It lends itself well to shampoo bars. 

Castor Oil Blends: DIY Recipes

Castor Oil Pack for Constipation

This recipe covers the entirety of the treatment for six weeks, hence the large volume of Oil. The best practice would be to weigh your Oils at this volume, however, we have placed an approximate volume in milliliters to enable you to know how much you need to purchase. When you weigh the Castor Oil, you may find that the exact amount is very slightly different. 

• 32 fl oz  (Approx 910 ml) Castor Carrier Oil (Ricinus Communis)
• 1% (Approx 10 ml) Ginger Essential Oil (Zingiber Officinalis)
• 1.5% (Approx 15 ml) Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (Anthemis Nobilis)
• 3% (Approx 30 ml) Cardamom Essential Oil (Elettaria Cardamomum)

Method of Use: See directions as above. Weigh your Oil, then calculate how much in weight the percentages are, more accurately.

Safety: Not suitable for use during pregnancy, or menstruation.

Castor Oil Pack for IBS

• 32 fl oz (Approx 910 ml) Castor Carrier Oil (Ricinus Communis)
• 1% (Approx 10 ml) Jasmine Absolute Oil (Jasminum Grandiflorum)
• 1.5% (Approx 15 ml) Roman Chamomile Essential Oil (Anthemis Nobilis)
• 3% (Approx 30 ml) Yarrow Essential Oil (Achillea Millefolium)

Method of Use: See directions as above. Weigh your Oil, then calculate how much in weight the percentages are, more accurately as described in the Castor Oil for constipation recipe. 

Safety: Not suitable for use during pregnancy, or menstruation.

Castor Oil Eyebrow Oil

• 5 ml Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis)
• 5 ml Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis)
• 10 drops Cedarwood Virginian Essential Oil (Cedrus Deodora)

Safety: Not suitable for use during pregnancy.

Castor Oil Hair Oil for Itchy, Scalps

• 5 ml Castor Carrier Oil (Ricinus Communis)
• 5 ml Coconut MTC Carrier Oil (Cocos Nucifera)
• 10 drops Roman Chamomile Oil (Anthemis Nobilis)
• 3 drops Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia)
• 2 drops Patchouli Essential Oil (Pogostemon Cablin)

Method of Use: Apply slightly warmed (not hot, beware of scalding) onto the scalp. Draw down the hair shafts. Drap in a warm towel and leave on for at least an hour before shampooing out, rising, and repeating the shampoo and rinse. 

Safety: Not suitable for use during pregnancy.

Castor Oil Benefits for Soapmakers

Castor Oil has a saponification value of 0.128. It creates highly stable bubbles and a moisturizing and creamy lather. 

It combines beautifully with honey to create a rich and luxurious lather and further exploits honey’s many healing properties.

When added to a mix, be aware that the Oil will cause your mix to trace quickly, so add it to your batch last, when everything else has combined. 

Castor Oil makes fabulous Shampoo Bars.

Precautions

Despite what your Grandmother tells you, this Oil should not be taken orally, and will not speed labor. Not suitable for use during pregnancy.

Why Choose VINEVIDA?

At VINEVIDA, we love botanicals and the planet they come from. We believe in stocking the best at affordable prices and supplying to the discerning, which is why we are also members of both the Alliance of International Aromatherapists and the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy. In recognition of our excellent standard of product, we are proud to hold a 2021 Certificate of Registration as a Cosmetic Products Establishment with the U.S. Drugs and Food Administration.

Our joy at seeing people make beautiful things means we stock from the smallest amounts to the largest. Our wholesale carrier oil prices begin with our smallest Carrier Oil of 120 ml to our largest of 396 lb, meaning any manufacturing company can afford to stock as many or as few oils as their business can accommodate without running the risk of spoilage of some of nature’s most precious commodities. Why not see if you can save money by buying your Castor Oil in bulk?

Don’t forget too, we like to look after our customers with reasonable prices and excellent customer service and reward the loyal ones with money-off discounts over the year. 

Flash Point

109.44°C

Conclusion

Why not check out if you qualify for our loyalty scheme and start saving today with an environmentally friendly choice of Oil for skin, hair, massage Oils, and soap making.

Add VINEVIDA Castor Oil to your cart today!

References:

1. Castor Oil Myth and Magic Part 4: Marisol Teijeiro ND
2. Castor Oil Pack : Integrative Naturopathic Medical Centre, Vancouver.
3. Dunn, Cari. Carrier Oils: A beginner's guide to using over 40 carrier oils in bath and beauty recipes. . Cari Dunn. Kindle Edition. 
4. Cable, Kelly. The Natural Soap Making Book for Beginners: Do-It-Yourself Soaps Using All-Natural Herbs, Spices, and Essential Oils (p. 36). Althea Press. Kindle Edition. 

Safety Data Sheet
Certificate of Analysis
GCMS Analysis