Home Remedies for Hair, Skin and Health with Castor Oil

• The oil is a pale colorless liquid.
• It has a distinct taste and odor.
• The oil contains essential nutrients like Vitamin-E, omega-6 and 9, minerals and fatty acids.
• Castor oil is used in the manufacture of paints, soaps, cosmetics, dyes, inks, polishes and waxes.
• Castor oil has proved to be many people’s best friend due to its skin and hair benefits for years.

1. Reduces hair loss: Our body produces a prostaglandin (PGE2) which acts as a catalyst for hair growth. The deficiency of this can cause hair loss and bald spots. Castor oil on the other hands has acids like ricinoleic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid and A-linoleic acid which help in promoting re-hair growth.

How to use castor oil on hair?

• Part your hair in section and massage the oil into each section properly.
• Apply it gently on the hair root.
• Let the hair absorb the oil. Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave it for 1-2hours.
• Rinse it off with a help of a mild shampoo.

2. Promotes hair growth: Castor oil is rich in Vitamin E, minerals, Omeg-6 and 9 and beneficial fatty acids which help in the blood circulation of scalp promoting hair growth. It also nourishes and strengthens the root of the scalp.

How to use castor oil to promote hair grown?

• Make your castor oil hair mask by mixing castor oil with other oils like jojoba oil or Argan oil.
• Massage this mixture into your scalp.
• Use a shower cap to cover your hair and leave it overnight.
• The next day wash it off with a mild shampoo.
• Repeat this step 3 times a week.

You can also add a drop of rosemary oil. Recipe of Castor Oil with Rosemary Oil is as follows:

• Add 2-3 drops of rosemary oil into the amount of castor oil according to hair density.
• Take a large bowl with hot water and place the mixture bowl into it.
• This is work as a deep conditioner.
• Apply it onto your scalp and leave it overnight.
• Rinse off with shampoo.
• Repeat this method 3-4 days a week to promote faster hair growth.

3. Cures dandruff and scalp itchiness: Castor oil itself is enriched with many essential nutrients and vitamins which are useful for various benefits. Mixing it with Aloe Vera gel and tea tree oil adds a bonus to our hair problems.
Aloe Vera gel is rich in vitamin-c that helps to fight dandruff on the other hand tea tree oil has antiseptic and anti-fungal properties which help in killing the microbes that actually causes dandruff.

How to use castor oil to treat dandruff?

• Mix 2-3 drops of Aloe Vera gel and 2-3 drops tea tree oil with the amount of castor oil according to the density of your hair in a bowl.
• Massage this mixture into your scalp.
• Keep this mask for 30-40 minutes. Wash it off with herbal shampoo. Repeat this step 3 times a week for best results.

4. Prevents hair breakage and split ends: Due to the lack of certain nutrients in our body, we face the problem of hair breakage. Castor oil contains fatty acids and omega-9 that are responsible for promoting the growth of hair and making the hair strong. The combination of Vitamin- E, fatty acids and omega-6 have the power to cure the problem of hair breakage and split ends.

How to use castor oil for curing hair breakage and split ends?

• Make your castor oil hair mask by mixing castor oil with other oils like Jojoba oil or Argan oil.
• Massage this mixture into your scalp.
• Use a shower cap to cover your hair and leave it overnight. The next day wash it off with a mild shampoo. Repeat this step 3 times a week.

5. Conditions hair: Castor oil has high catalytic ability due to the presence of essential vitamins and fatty acids. All these help to preserve the hair moisture.

How to use castor oil as a hair conditioner?

• Add one teaspoon of castor to your regular conditioner. Shake it well. Use this new conditioner right after shampoo. Use this every time you shampoo.
• You can also use glycerine. Mix 4 teaspoon of glycerine with an amount of castor oil. Apply it to your hair. Leave for an hour or so and then gently wash it off with shampoo.

6. Prevents premature graying: The graying of hair is caused by the deficiency of certain nutrients in the body. Often before age, our hair starts losing the pigment that keeps our hair dark.
Castor has those nutrients that prevent the graying of hair. It possesses humectant effects nutrients that help in enhancing the dark color of the hair.

How to use castor oil to prevent premature graying of hair?

• The mask can be made with an amount of castor oil according to the density of the hair along with one teaspoon of almond oil or coconut oil.
• Part the hair into segments and apply it on the portions where the graying of hair is caused.
• Leave it overnight. Wash it off next day with shampoo. Repeat it 3-4times a week.

1. Fights signs of Aging: The nutrients of the oil penetrate deeply into the skin. The oil helps in promoting the production of elastin and collagen to help skin look youthful. It reduces the problem of wrinkles, fine lines and makes the skin smooth and younger.

How to use to prevent signs of aging?

• Wash your face clean and pat it dry. Take few drops of castor oil in your palm and massage your face gently for some time.
• Leave it overnight.
• Wash off the next morning. In the morning itself you will notice the change in your skin.

2. Nourishes dry skin: The oil is an excellent moisturizer for dry skin. It has the power to penetrate deep into the skin and treat dry and flaky skin problem. Due to the high concentration of fatty acids, it helps in promoting healthy and glowing skin like the condition of dermatitis, which is responsible for the dry and rough skin.

How to use castor oil on dry skin?

• Make a mixture by mixing equal amounts of castor and coconut oil.
• Massage it into the areas where the dry skin persists. Keep it for 3omins and then wash it off.
• Repeat this on a daily basis.

3. Reduces Acne: People who have acne prone skin have the trouble of clog pores. Often people who have the problem of acne tend to avoid oily lotions and oils on the skin. Castor oil is one such oil that has proved to be beneficial for curing acne. It has ricinoleic acid that fights off the bacteria that ultimately causes the acne. It penetrates into the skin layers. It is an amazing remedy for curing acne.

How to use castor oil to reduce acne?

• Wash face clean and pat dry. If you do it on a dirty face then the pores will get clogged.
• Take few drops of the oil and massage your face in circular motion.
• Keep it overnight. Wash off with cold water the next morning.

4. Reduces pigmentation: Castor oil is very effective for the skin as well. It is often recommended by dermatologists for skin problems. It is effective and has the power to treat pigmentation, uneven skin tone and dark spots. It works great on the discolored and dry skin. Due to the presence of fatty acids, especially the Omega-3 fatty acids, it helps in hydrating the skin and also stimulates the growth of tissues. This gives the skin a blemish-free look.

How to use castor oil to get an even toned skin?

• Make a face mask with castor oil and a little bit of turmeric. Make a smooth paste and apply it on the face. Leave it to dry for an hour or so. Wash off with cold water. Repeat this 3 times a week.
• You can also blend a mixture with few drops of honey and lemon juice.
• Apply the paste on your face. Keep it for 30 minutes. Rinse with cold water. Repeat this step regularly for best results.
• This will give you a glowing skin as well.

5. Prevents stretch marks: Stretch marks are a problem that arises during the time of pregnancy when the skin stretches. The skin loses the moisture and dries up as it loses the elasticity. The fatty acid in Castor oil helps to retain the moisture and maintain the elasticity. It helps to regenerate the tissues. This helps to improve the strength and texture of the skin.
Stretch marks can also appear on thighs and breasts due to fat. Castor oil can be applied on those areas as well.

How to use castor oil on stretch marks?

• Take few drops of the oil in your hand and massage the areas with stretch marks for at least 10minutes.
• Use a plastic wrap to cover up those areas.
• For 10 to 20 minutes use a heating pad on that area.
• Repeat it on a daily basis at least once.

6. Heals inflamed skin: Castor oil is a natural product and hence it does not have any side effects on the skin like other chemical products. It is synthetic-free. It increases the circulation of blood and blood flow and helps fight infections and cure wounds. It works like a natural antibacterial agent, removes cellular- related toxins. All these lower the level of swelling and treats the root cause of most diseases.

How to use castor oil to treat inflammation?

• All you will need is a teaspoon of castor oil and cotton ball. Pour one teaspoon castor oil in a bowl; with the help of cotton ball apply it on the inflamed skin. Keep it for an hour and then wash off.

7. Softens Calluses: The oil is enriched with such nutrients that make it an excellent moisturizer. This helps to soften calluses. It also treats rough and rough skin. It not only restores the moisture but also adds softness to the skin.
It is useful for curing dry and cracked heels. Due to its anti-inflammatory property, it helps to eliminate pain and swelling if any.

How to use castor oil to soften skin?

• Take a warm water tub and soak your feet for 10 minutes.
• Use a pumice stone to get rid of dry or hardened skin.
• Rinse and pat dry.
• Take an amount of castor oil in a bowl; with the help of a cotton ball apply the oil over the callus.
• Secure the oiled soaked cotton ball in place with the help of a tape for few hours.
• Repeat daily.

1. Thickens eyebrows and lashes: The oil contains essentials nutrients like protein, fatty acids, and vitamins which are all essential for promoting hair growth. This acts like a follicle-stimulating agent that help nourish the hair of the eyebrows and lashes.

How to use castor oil to get thick eyebrows and eyelashes?

• Take an old empty mascara bottle and fill it ¼ with castor oil, ¼ Aloe Vera gel, and ¼ Vitamin-E oil. Shake this mixture and mix it well before applying it.
• With the help of your mascara wand apply it on your lashes every night before going to bed.
• Just after a month, you will notice the difference. Your lashes will be stronger, longer and darker.

2. Castor oil for weight loss: Many people do not know this but castor oil is very useful for losing weight too. It can eliminate the problem of water retention in the body.
However, it should be kept in mind excess of anything can lead to a problem. Hence excessive consumption of castor oil can create digestive problems in the body.

How to use castor oil for weight loss?
The taste of castor oil is not liked by many. Hence it can be mixed with fruit juice to avoid the bad taste of this oil.
Mix 1-2 teaspoon castor oil in a glass of fruit juice. Make sure you take it daily before breakfast.

3. Prevents Eye Infections: For centuries castor oil have been beneficial for hair and skin problems. But have you ever heard about using oil for eyes? It sounds funny, isn’t it? But it’s true. Castor oil is beneficial for treating the bacterial eye infections. It works like a medicine against the bacteria. It can be used as a natural drop for eyes to fight bacteria. Once try eliminating your medicated drops and use this oil for a change.
It is safe and adds another bonus by providing other benefits to your eyes. You are bound to notice the change and get beautiful eyes with the use of this all-purpose oil.
How to use it?

• Use a drop of Castor oil as a substitute for your medicated eye drops.
• Use it daily before going to bed.

4. Treats cracked nails and lips: The oil is known to be an effective moisturizing agent. As mentioned it contains many essential nutrients that have the power to cure many problems.
This can be used on toenails as well. Make this oil your pedicures accompany. Using this oil for few months will result in healthy, long and beautiful nails.

How to use castor oil on nails?

• Take few drops of oil and gently massage into the cuticles and fingernails on a daily basis.
• Continue this for a couple of months.

Castor oil is definitely very useful and has many health, hair and skin benefits. But it is very important to know the side effects of it before using it. Here are the 9 side effects of castor oil:

1. Muscle Cramps: Muscle cramps have been noted as a side effect of Castor oil that could arise on massaging the oil in your body. Cramps and abdominal pains are also an adverse reaction to this oil.

2. Shortness of breath: This is one of the most serious side effects of castor oil. One can experience serious trouble in breathing. The side effect of shortness of breath can be dangerous if accompanied by chest pain as well. Medical help is needed if one is facing such trouble.

3. Nausea/Vomiting: This is another side effect. The feeling nausea or vomiting can be caused due to the ricinoleic acid as it can cause gastrointestinal side effects.

4. Rashes: Apart from the gastrointestinal distress, there is another side effect on skin for using this oil. This reaction occurs if the oil is applied on the skin. There can be redness on the skin and rashes may also appear. Medical help needs to be taken at the earliest.

5. Loss Of Nutrients
The long-term intake of castor oil for a period of over a week may induce the loss of nutrients such as potassium, and it might also trigger a fluid loss. Dehydration may also arise. Hence it is advisable to take castor oil under medical supervision.

6. Irregular Heartbeat: If one's heartbeat occurs at an irregular or unnatural speed while you are consuming castor oil, then medical help should be sought immediately.

7. Itching: Using Castor oil is safe if used in moderate amounts. But if one starts to feel itchy after the application of this oil on skin then it might be a side effect and for some, it can be allergenic too.

8. Dizziness: Some people have this adverse effect to feel dizzy or even faint if they ingest too much of this oil.
Some people also experience weakness as well which is considered to be an allergenic reaction for using this oil. Hence please test taking it in a moderate amount so test for the side effect.

9. Diarrhea: This is one of the digestive disorders due to the intake of castor oil. No doubt castor oil helps in treating constipation but sometimes it might have a side-effect in some people of diarrhea.

How to test Castor oil reaction? There is a simple test one can do in order to safeguard her/himself.

• Dab a little amount of this oil in your forearm.
• Keep it like that and wait for 24hours to check any kind of skin reactions or allergies like rashes, redness, swelling or itchiness. If there is no reaction then you can use it safely. But always use a moderate amount to avoid any side effects. Use of castor oil should not be done continuously as well. Give a break of a few days and then resume. This should help avoid any adverse effects of this oil