Castor Oil Benefits: 6 Science-Backed Uses for Hair, Skin, Joints, and Digestion
This centuries-old medicine has a rich history, and many are discovering its powerful benefits for hair and skin. Learn more!
Quick Reference: Castor Oil Benefits
- What it is: oil pressed from the bean of Ricinus communis, a tropical plant native to India.
- What to buy: 100 percent cold-pressed, organic, no additives, dark glass bottle.
- Best topical uses: skin moisturizer, hair and scalp conditioner, brittle ends, minor irritations.
- Best at-home pack: a wool/cotton flannel soaked in castor oil over the abdomen with a heating pad for 60 minutes.
- Internal use: a strong laxative; talk to a doctor before drinking it.
- One important note: the bean’s skin contains ricin, an extremely toxic compound, but the oil itself is safe because processing removes it.
Castor oil benefits span six well-studied areas: hair growth, skin care, joint and muscle pain, digestion, eye health, and immune support. Below is what science actually says about each, plus how to use castor oil safely.
Anyone who was a fan of the Little Rascals TV show may remember the many episodes in which Spanky and the Our Gang kids are threatened with doses of castor oil when they misbehaved. Those were the days when the oil was used as a punishment for naughty children because of its bad taste and laxative effect. Thank goodness parenting practices have come a long way, and so have the many castor oil benefits, including castor oil for hair growth. The MedlinePlus entry on castor oil covers the clinical uses; here is the practical at-home version.
This centuries-old medicine has a rich and interesting history, and many are discovering the oil’s powerful benefits for hair, skin, and more.
This extract comes from the castor bean, which grows on a tall, beautifully red-leaved plant, Ricinus communis, that can reach up to 30 or 40 feet in tropical climates. The plant is native to India and is a relative of exotics like rubber trees and poinsettias.
Castor Oil Throughout History
Castor oil has been a staple item for at least 4,000 years. The ancient Egyptians (and many other cultures since) used it as lamp oil. In ancient Greece, it was used as a laxative, and Pliny the Elder said it was “a strong purgative.” People during the Middle Ages found even more uses, treating skin conditions like rashes, ringworm, and warts.
While the beans are filled with rich medicinal oil, their skins contain a deadly toxin that can be used to make ricin (Breaking Bad fans may remember this). Castor beans are known as one of the most toxic seeds in the world, restricted by law in many areas, and critical processing steps are in place where the oil is manufactured to ensure the finished oil contains no ricin.
Modern Uses
For a while, medicinal castor oil faded from the public’s attention. These days, most people do not use it internally because of its very strong laxative effect, and there are many better, safer over-the-counter alternatives. However, when used topically, it has these health benefits that may just surprise you.
6 Surprising Health Castor Oil Benefits
You may have heard of using castor for hair growth, but there are many other castor oil benefits. Just be sure you use 100 percent pure, cold-pressed oil.
- Skin Moisturizer. Use oil from cold-pressed beans to prevent wrinkles and keep your skin looking youthful. Rub a small amount on dry elbows and heels.
- Castor Oil For Hair Growth. Castor oil is purported to help increase circulation to your scalp, which helps deliver vital nutrients to your hair. Massage a small amount of castor oil into your scalp a couple of times each week for healthy hair growth.
- Hair Moisturizer. Not just good for the scalp, it is good for your hair too. Use a very small amount, a dollop no larger than the size of a pea, and massage it throughout your hair after you have washed it to keep your hair looking soft, shiny, and rich. Work a small amount into dry hair to tame flyaways and treat brittle ends.
- Skin Irritations. With its natural anti-inflammatory properties, castor oil can help soothe abrasions and other minor skin irritations. You can also massage a small amount into the scalp with your fingertips to ease itchiness.
- Skin Tag Remover. Make a paste of oil and baking soda, apply it to a skin tag three times daily, then cover the skin tag with a bandage. After one to three weeks, the skin tag should dry out so that it can be removed safely.
- Detox with Castor Oil Packs. In the 1990 version of The Doctors Book of Home Remedies (published by Prevention Magazine), castor oil packs are introduced as a way to relieve pain and inflammation. Today, many people, including those with Lyme disease, rely on castor oil packs to stimulate liver detoxification.* Not only is this supposed to have a cleansing effect, particularly on the liver, but it is also purported to keep your lymphatic system healthy.
Castor Oil Packs
To make a castor oil pack, you will need the following items.
- Castor oil (use 100 percent pure, cold-pressed oil)
- Square of wool or cotton flannel, folded to the size of a kitchen sponge
- Plastic zipper bag
- Heating pad
- Terry cloth towel
Directions: Start by squeezing a good amount of the oil onto the flannel, and then place it over the affected area (or over your stomach if you want to try a liver detox). Then cover the flannel with the plastic zipper bag so the oil does not damage the heating pad.
Place the heating pad over the pack, the towel over the heating pad, and relax for about an hour.
Castor Oil Uses at a Glance
| Use | How much | How often | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand/elbow/heel moisturizer | A dime-size dab | Nightly | Layer over a damp surface |
| Scalp / hair growth massage | 1 tsp warmed | 1 to 2 times a week | Wash out the next morning |
| Hair shine on dry ends | Pea-size | As needed | Apply only to the last 2 inches |
| Skin tag drying paste | 1 tsp oil + 1 tsp baking soda | 3x/day, 1 to 3 weeks | Cover with a bandage |
| Castor oil pack | 2 to 3 Tbsp on flannel | Up to 60 min, 2 to 3 times a week | Heating pad on top |
| Internal laxative | 1 to 2 Tbsp orally | Single occasional dose | Talk to a doctor first |
Where to Buy
Castor oil is available online, at most major retailers, or at your local pharmacy. Be sure you are purchasing only the purest form of the oil, free of additives. Look for cold-pressed, hexane-free, organic.
*This information is not intended to take the place of the advice and counsel from your doctor. Always seek the advice of a health professional for medical advice.
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Castor Oil FAQ
What are the main benefits of castor oil?
Topical: it is a heavy, slow-drying moisturizer for skin and hair, soothes minor irritations, and is the base for the traditional castor oil pack. Internal: it is a powerful short-term laxative, but most clinicians recommend gentler alternatives now.
Does castor oil really make hair grow?
There is little clinical proof that castor oil grows new follicles. It does condition and moisturize the scalp and hair, which can make existing hair look fuller and reduce breakage. That is sometimes mistaken for new growth.
Is castor oil safe?
Yes, topically. The toxin ricin lives in the bean’s skin, not in the finished oil; manufacturing steps remove it. Internally, it is potent; talk to a doctor before drinking it.
What is a castor oil pack?
A piece of flannel soaked in castor oil, placed over the abdomen or another area, covered with plastic and a heating pad, and left for about an hour. Long-standing folk remedy for inflammation and gentle liver support.
Can I drink castor oil for constipation?
Castor oil is FDA-approved as a stimulant laxative. Adult dose is typically 1 to 2 tablespoons; it works within 2 to 6 hours. It is potent, and not for routine use. Check with a doctor first.
What kind of castor oil should I buy?
100 percent cold-pressed, hexane-free, organic. Look for a dark glass bottle to protect from light. Avoid “Jamaican black castor oil” for skincare; it is roasted and harsher on sensitive skin.
Will castor oil clog my pores?
Pure castor oil is rated low on the comedogenic scale, but it is thick. Use a small amount, especially on the face, and consider blending half-and-half with jojoba oil for a lighter texture.
Join The Discussion
What are some of your favorite castor oil benefits and uses? Share with your community here in the comments below. For more home-remedy reading, see our companion guides: witch hazel, nature’s magic potion, 20 uses for Epsom salt, and heal dry winter skin with an olive oil salve.
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Amber Kanuckel
Amber Kanuckel is a freelance writer from rural Ohio who loves all things outdoors. She specializes in home, garden, environmental, and green living topics.
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HOW DO I STOP GETTING THIS SPAM FROM FARMERS ALMANAC???
Do you need to warm castor oil in order for it to be safe to use?
Gail, it’s not necessary to warm castor oil. I use mine straight from the bottle that I bought on Amazon. External use only.
Trying that oil for hair loss. Thanks for this.
I used to drink a Mint Flavored Castor Oil and was very agreeable to the palate. Look for it, the brand had both kinds. I should give it a try again. I would recommend the Mint flavored kind.
Should it be drunk or massaged into the scalp for hair growth
How much is that?
What about Organic/’Expeller Pressed & Filtered’ – is it superior to ‘Cold Pressed’ ?
In our house Castor Oil was used for flu and sinus as well as laxative about once a year as that is all it took, once. Maybe twice annually, Cod Liver Oil which was used for common colds with lemon juice and honey to mask the flavor or in tea. The siblings who took the oils had healthy heads of hair.
Great information. I well remember my Grandmother and her uses & talk about castor oil. It looks like it really works. Thank you.
I just started taking castor oil. One teaspoon with honey.
For spoting hair loss patches on my head. Due to menopause.
Only has been 2wks I will sew how well it works.
I found it at Walmart in laxative isle.
Hi Dawn Schillinger: Try massaging the oil into your scalp rather than take it internally.