If you’re like me, you are seeing posts about castor oil all over social media. I used it years ago when I lived in Oregon because my integrative practitioner at the time loved the benefits people got from doing the castor oil packs over the liver area. Back then I didn’t have the nice each castor oil packs that are available on Amazon so had to concoct a system at home. Flannel, plastic wrap, lots of messy uncomfortable icky castor oil tries, and I gave up. Yes, it did feel like it helped, but I didn’t dive in, and the mess made it not user friendly. But, today, we have a ton of options, and a lot more information about the benefits.
A little history – it’s short, I promise
Castor oil has a long and rich history dating back thousands of years. Here’s a brief overview:
- Ancient Civilizations: Castor oil has been used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes for millennia. Ancient civilizations valued castor oil for healing properties and used it to treat all sorts of things. They didn’t have a CVS on the corner back then so herbs and things like castor oil were what they used.
- Traditional Medicine: In traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), castor oil is used internally and externally to promote health and well-being because of its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. AND it was these pain relieving properties I discovered randomly! WIN! If I knew my history, though, I would have known.
- Medicine of Yesteryear: Castor oil was used in pharmaceuticals and medical applications as a laxative to relieve constipation and to induce labor in pregnant women. Again, castor oil packs became popular for their detoxifying and pain-relieving effects. Castor oil and castor oil packs are not used in mainstream medicine today like they were in decades past.
- Cosmetic and Beauty Industry: Castor oil remains a popular ingredient in skincare, haircare, and cosmetics due to its moisturizing and conditioning properties. It is often used in formulations for creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos, and lip balms to nourish and hydrate the skin and hair. More about this in a bit including a link that has recipes for soap!
Beauty
One of the first ways I started using castor oil was for making my eyelashes longer. Show me a woman who doesn’t want naturally long eyelashes, seriously. I love that I don’t need as much mascara, and that when I don’t use mascara,I still have nice looking lashes. It works for eyebrows, too.
One warning before I continue: Castor oil is a carrier oil that is rich in fatty acids which is a good thing, and it can enhance the penetration of some substances into the skin. So clean the area where you’re using it so no extra whatever is getting into your skin.
How to do it: Use a clean mascara wand or a cotton swab to apply a small amount of castor oil to your eyelashes and eyebrows before bedtime. Be careful to avoid getting the oil in your eyes. With regular use, castor oil can help moisturize and condition eyelashes and eyebrows, making them appear thicker and fuller over time.
Several months ago I started using castor oil as an overnight treatment to help with moisturization and all of the anti-aging benefits I’ve been hearing about. Castor oil is an excellent natural moisturizer for the skin (especially in the winter) and can help improve its texture and appearance. One way it does this is by reducing the amount of water we lose through our skin (it is an occlusive moisturizer) and that allows deeper penetration of moisture. Another benefit is that castor oil doesn’t have any additives like fragrances or whatever chemical or additive reducing chances of a reaction. But still, do a patch test to make sure your body does okay with castor oil
How to do it: I use a small amount of castor oil on my freshly washed skin and massage it in. It doesn’t absorb well and it does feel a bit heavy at first, but I’m going directly to sleep so it isn’t a big deal. I rub a bit extra on winkles, then any excess on my fingertips I rub into my neck in the thyroid region.
Those fatty acids I mentioned earlier are what help hydrate the skin, reduce inflammation, and promote collagen production which is why it is effective for anti-aging purposes. Additionally, castor oil is also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory – so think a possible reduction in acne and breakouts.
Pain Relief
After a gym sesh, or a fun filled afternoon playing with my toddler grandson, sometimes my back feels that strain of overuse. Sometimes I don’t realize it until the day after when that delayed onset soreness kicks in and then you know you did a bit more than usual. Lately I’ve been massaging castor oil into my tired muscles and putting my pack over it. The pack it to protect my clothing and keep the oil where I put it. This technique has helped a lot. I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it has worked.
Here is the fun fact that got me to try it: My husband has arthritis in his thumb joint. Nothing has helped. Diet, curcumin, that special supplement that “always works for me” didn’t work. He has used red light therapy, copper compression gloves, all kinds of creams, salves, and balms. I even radically changed his diet for a period of time. No change. Then I saw an article about making a salve from baking soda and castor oil. Okay. That is doable. Guess what? His pain reduced. What? Yeah. So that got me to playing around with castor oil on other things.
After doing more research I found out this has been a common use for castor oil. According to MedicineNet “One study found castor oil to be effective in treating knee arthritis. It was as effective as sodium diclofenac, with fewer side effects and drug reactions.” In that study they did not use the baking soda, but did cover the castor oil with heat. I have done that for sore back muscles and it does help. So, just our experience here (and apparently confirmed in the study mentioned) that it can help with relieving joint pain somewhat. My husband’s thumbs still ache but at a lesser level, so it isn’t 100% yet. Maybe it takes more time.
I’ve mentioned castor oil packs a few times now. What they are is a way to hold the castor oil over an area whether for pain, cramps, detox, or whatever the reason. Many use them over the thyroid to support thyroid health, over the liver to help with detox, and over the gallbladder for support and detox.
How to do it: To make a castor oil pack, soak a piece of flannel cloth in castor oil and place it over the affected area. Cover the pack with plastic wrap or a towel. . OR – better yet, but a premade castor oil pack from Amazon. That’s what I did and I linked it below (NOT an affiliate) The permade packs reduce the fuss and mess by a billion percent. Then apply heat using a hot water bottle or heating pad for 30-60 minutes. The heat helps the castor oil penetrate deeper into the tissues, providing pain relief and promoting healing. What I do is get all set up before bed, then sleep with the pack in place. This is so convenient.
I could go on and on and this is already getting long. I wanted to spend time on those topics since these seem to be the areas most people care about, but here are some more quick tips:
- A drop of castor oil in your belly button for hormonal support LINK
- Massage into the bottoms of your feet for overall health LINK
- Massage into armpits for odor control and detox LINK
- Massage into scalp to help with hair growth LINK
- And. . .castor oil can be used in soap making LINK
Warnings
There are a few contraindications like:
- NOT to be used by pregnant women as it can induce labor so heed that warning if you are pregnant.
- NOT to be used by anyone with bowel diseases as it can have a laxative effect.
- Not to be used by children or infants without consulting a doctor!
- Also, do not use it in your eyes without consulting a doctor!
- Dehydration is a real possibility, so be aware of that.
- Allergic reactions to castor oil can happen.
- Always do a patch skin test prior to incorporating it into your routine.
Products
Here are a few links of products I have used (I am not an affiliate so i do not make any money if you click on a link):
As always, I am not a doctor and I don’t play one on TV or on social media. I’m sharing things I have learned, things I do, and other information I come across. I hope it is helpful, entertaining and supportive in all the wonderful ways it is intended. Be sure to consult with your healthcare provider about what is right for you personally.
