Castor is used in cosmetics as it promotes hydration, healing and reduces skin inflammation. When added to an ointment it can support wound healing and help reduce pain. When applied to the ends of dry hair, it moisturises and prevents split ends. Traditionally used in Castor packs to detox and decrease inflammation. This Castor Seed oil is extracted using a cold press process. No hexane or other solvents are used at all.

When purchased in the 1L, 2L and 5L plastic bottles it is recommended that they be re-packaged into glass containers and be kept out of the light.

Botanical Name: Ricinus communis

Origin: India

Plant part used: Seed

Extraction: Cold Pressed

Organic Certifier: Bio-Gro

Indian people traditionally used castor seed plants for all sorts of medical problems, Constipation, Dysentery, Inflammatory bowel disease, bladder and vaginal infections and Asthma to name a few. Canary Islanders made poultices from the leaves of the castor plant to treat gynecological problems. Nursing mothers applied these poultices to their breasts to increase milk secretion and relieve inflammation of their mammary glands, and applied the poultice to their abdomens to promote normal menstruation.

In general, the modern reported medicinal uses of Castor oil are Gastro-intestinal remedy, Antimicrobial (antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal), Labor stimulant, Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, Immune system and Lymphatic stimulant.

Benefits can be derived by external application - the topical absorption of castor oil is the basis for more modern "castor oil packs”. Castor oil is useful for a variety of skin conditions like keratosis, dermatitis, wound healing, acne, ringworm, warts and other skin infections, sebaceous cysts, itching, and even hair loss. The ricinoleic acid in Castor oil also enhances the absorption of other agents across your skin.

Skin health:  Castor oil has a low molecular weight, which means it is absorbed readily into skin and hair, providing nourishment and moisturizing effects. When applied to the ends of dry hair, it moisturizes and prevents split ends.  It has been used for years as a face cream to reduce the risk of dark under-eye circles and to aid in the prevention and treatment of wrinkles.  Castor oil is commonly added to natural lip balms and glosses to add shine and moisture to dry lips and it’s also frequently added to natural mascaras to encourage lash growth.

Antimicrobial:  Ricinoleic acid contains antimicrobial properties, which, when applied to open wounds, can act as a disinfectant.  It is effective for treating fungal skin infections, such as ringworm, as well as minor cuts and scratches. An added bonus to using castor oil as a first aid treatment are its anti-itch and pain-relieving properties, which help ease symptoms as minor skin infections heal.

Pain relief and joint health:  Ricinoleic acid, in addition to being an antimicrobial, has powerful pain-relieving properties.  Not only does it aid in relieving the pain of cuts, scrapes, sciatica and back pain, it also makes castor oil ideal for lubricating the painful, cracking joints of arthritis or other musculoskeletal conditions.  When applied to joints that feel sore, or even just stiff and creaky from repetitive use, castor oil penetrates to help lubricate the joint, reduce pain and increase circulation. To further increase circulation, cayenne or turmeric powder can be added to castor oil to create a warming, stimulating ointment.  This can be massaged into stiff or painful areas and left overnight.

Alleviating constipation and encouraging detoxification:  In naturopathic medicine, castor oil is a popular remedy for common constipation and a necessary accompaniment to any detoxification program. Patients are instructed to massage the oil into the skin of their entire abdominal region (from rib cage to below the belly-button), making sure to cover the area over the liver.  For best results, patients are then instructed to cover the oiled area with a towel and a hot water bottle. The heat from the hot water bottle aids the penetration of the abdominal organs, allowing the oil to promote the elimination of waste and to decrease stagnation of the entire digestive system, including the liver and also the lymphatic system. Its ability to stimulate the liver aids the body’s natural detoxification processes.

Decreasing stagnation:  Because of its low molecular weight, when applied to the skin, castor oil has the ability to not only penetrate the skin, but to reach the deeper organs of the body.  According to Ayurveda, the ancient Indian healing art, castor oil has the ability to warm the body, which can decrease the stagnation of excess bodily fluids and lymph. This stagnation can cause blockages in the body's tissues, leading to water retention and weight gain. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is common to apply a mixture of castor oil and powdered turmeric to masses and lumps found under the skin in order to dissolve them.  It is an excellent oil to use in full-body self-massage for people of Kapha constitution, whose bodies typically accumulate fluids.

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The product information provided on this website is intended for educational purposes only. The information provided is not considered to be complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate. The information contained in this website is not intended to be sufficient to provide diagnosis and/or treatment of medical conditions. It is recommended that treatment of serious health conditions be done with the help of a trained qualified medical practitioner.