Castor Oil: Benefits for Hair, Skin, and Health

Castor Oil: Benefits for Hair, Skin, and Health. Castor Oil has a variety of health and cosmetic benefits. It is a vegetable oil that comes from the castor bean plant, a flowering plant that is common in eastern parts of the world. Cold-pressing castor bean plant seeds make the oil

Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid—a type of fatty acid with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and pain-relieving properties.

Using castor oil as a natural remedy dates back thousands of years. In ancient Egypt, castor oil was used to soothe dry eyes and relieve constipation. In Ayurvedic medicine—a holistic approach to medicine native to India—castor oil has been used to improve arthritis pain and treat skin conditions.  Today, castor oil is used in the pharmaceutical, medicinal, and manufacturing industries. It is found in many soaps, cosmetics, and hair and skincare products.

What Is Castor Oil?

Castor oil is a thick, odorless oil made from the seeds of the castor plant. Its use dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was likely used as fuel for lamps as well as for medicinal and beauty purposes. Cleopatra reportedly used it to brighten the whites of her eyes.

4 Benefits and Uses of Castor Oil

Castor Oil: Benefits for Hair, Skin, and Health. In ancient Egypt, castor oil was used as fuel and for medicinal purposes like treating eye irritation and inducing labor in pregnancy.

Here are 4 potential benefits and uses of castor oil. We also cover its use as a hair treatment and precautions to consider.

1. A powerful laxative

Castor oil is well-known for its use as a natural laxative and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this purpose.

It works quickly by stimulating muscle movement in the intestines, making it effective for temporary constipation relief or bowel cleansing before medical procedures. However, using too much castor oil can have negative side effects like abdominal cramping and diarrhea.

While it can be useful in treating occasional constipation, it should not be used for long-term health concerns without consulting a healthcare professional first, as misusing it can lead to dangerous complications.

2. A natural moisturizer

Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid known for its moisturizing properties. It can be used alone or with other oils as a natural alternative to store-bought moisturizers.Unlike commercial products, it contains no harmful additives and is suitable for the face and body. However, it may cause allergic reactions in some individuals, so always dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut oil before using it, and do a small skin patch test first before using it on larger skin areas.

3. May promote wound healing

Castor oil can help promote wound healing by creating a moist environment and preventing drying out.

For example, Venelex, a common ointment used in clinical settings, combines castor oil and Peru balsam, a balm derived from the Myroxylon balsamum tree, to treat wounds.

Additionally, ricinoleic acid, the main fatty acid found in castor oil, may help reduce skin inflammation, support healing, and aid in pain reduction in people with wounds.

Keep in mind that castor oil topical wound treatments contain a combination of ingredients, not just castor oil. You should not apply castor oil to any wound without checking with a healthcare professional first.

4. May be helpful for cleaning and storing dentures

A number of bacteria and fungi, including Candida fungi, commonly grow on dentures. This can create oral concerns if dentures aren’t properly cleaned and stored.

Candida species, like C. albicans, are especially problematic for people who wear dentures because they easily adhere to denture surfaces and mouth tissues.

An overgrowth of Candida fungi can lead to a condition called denture stomatitis, an infection that leads to inflammation, redness, and irritation in the mouth.

However, some research suggests that cleaning dentures with castor oil may help reduce the risk of developing denture stomatitis because castor oil can help kill bacteria and fungi.

Castor Oil Nutrition Facts

Castor oil isn’t considered an edible oil, and it has a very unpleasant taste. But some people take small amounts by mouth for medicinal reasons. 

According to MyFitnessPal, a tablespoon contains: 

• Calories: 120
• Protein: 0 grams
• Fat: 14 grams
• Carbohydrates: 0 grams
• Fiber: 0 grams
• Sugar: 0 grams

Castor oil also has some: 

• Vitamin E
• Omega-9 fatty acids
• Omega-6 fatty acids

The active ingredient in castor oil is a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid.

Castor Oil Benefits

There’s been little research into most of the traditional health uses of this oil. But some of its potential health benefits include:

Castor oil for constipation. The only FDA-approved health use for castor oil is as a natural laxative to relieve temporary constipation. 

Its ricinoleic acid attaches to a receptor in your intestines. This causes the muscles to contract, pushing poop through your colon. 

It’s also sometimes used for cleansing your colon before a procedure like a colonoscopy. But your doctor can prescribe other laxatives that could give better results. 

Don’t use it for long-term constipation relief because you could have side effects like cramps and bloating. Tell your doctor if your constipation lasts more than a few days. 

Castor oil to induce labor

It’s been used for centuries to help during labor and delivery. In fact, a survey from 1999 found that 93% of midwives in the U.S. used it to induce labor. But while some studies have shown it might help, others have not found it to be effective. If you’re pregnant, don’t try castor oil without talking to your doctor.

Anti-inflammatory effects

Research in animals shows that ricinoleic acid may help fight swelling and pain caused by inflammation when applied to your skin. One study in people found it was as effective at treating symptoms of knee arthritis as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

But we need much more research into this. 

May help heal wounds Castor oil has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that may help speed wound healing, especially when it’s combined with other ingredients. Venelex, which contains castor oil and balsam Peru, is an ointment used to treat skin and pressure wounds.

The oil may help to prevent infection by keeping the wounds moist, while the ricinoleic acid reduces inflammation. 

Don’t use castor oil on minor cuts or burns at home. It’s recommended for wound care only in doctor’s offices and hospitals.

Benefits of castor oil for the face and skin

Castor oil is a vegetable oil that people use for various cosmetic and medical purposes. It may provide health benefits for the face and skin, including helping manage acne, moisturizing, and reducing inflammation.

Benefits

According to, health experts believe castor oil has the following properties:

• anti-inflammatory
• anti-microbial
• moisturizing, hydrating, and cleansing due to the fatty acids
• analgesic, or pain-relieving

Castor oil may have the following benefits for the skin and face:

• Treating acne: Castor oil may have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, which may help treat and prevent acne.
• Improving skin texture and complexion: The fatty acids in castor oil, such as ricinoleic acid and triglycerides, might help:
  • cleanse, moisturize, and hydrate the skin
  • smooth and soften the skin
  • promote healthy pores
• Heal chapped lips: The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) lists castor seed oil as an ingredient to look for in products to heal chapped lips.
• Heal wounds: A 2018 in vitro study on rats found that ricinoleic acid may help promote wound healing due to its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
• Reduce dark circles under the eyes: A 2023 clinical trial
• Trusted Source
•  involving 22 people found that creams containing castor oil appeared to be an effective treatment alternative for infraorbital hyperpigmentation. However, the authors state that more research is necessary to confirm their findings.

Castor Oil and Hair Health

You might have heard that castor oil can stimulate hair growth or prevent hair loss. However, there is no scientific evidence to confirm this.

You might have also heard that castor oil can treat dandruff and soothe dry, itchy scalps. Although some dandruff products contain castor oil, there is no research to suggest that castor oil alone can effectively treat dandruff.

There are some factors to hair health where castor oil might be effective, though. Some people use castor oil to moisturize their hair. This is because castor oil can help lubricate hair to keep it shiny and prevent split ends and breakage. 

Castor oil also has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties that may protect the scalp and hair from fungal and bacterial infections.

How to Take Castor Oil

Castor oil is a liquid taken by mouth. Some people combine castor oil with another liquid, such as juice to improve the taste.

Dosage

The dosage depends on your age, medical condition, and other factors. Consult with a medical provider on the correct dosage for you to consume. However, generally, people 12 and over take 1 to 4 tablespoons to treat constipation.