What is Castor Oil?
Castor Oil is a very pale yellow liquid that is extracted from castor seeds (Ricinus Communis). 1It is an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant oil which has been used for centuries for its therapeutic and medicinal benefits. It is believed that most of castor oil’s benefits are derived from its high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids. Although it has a strong and rather unpleasant taste, castor oil is used in cosmetics, soaps, textiles, medicines, massage oils and many other everyday products.
What are the Benefits of Castor Oil?
Castor Oil has been used both internally and externally for thousands of years due to its many wonderful health benefits. Since it can strengthen the immune system, castor oil is considered a great remedy to treat the following major illnesses and ailments:
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Cerebral Palsy
- Hair loss
- Pain from Arthritis and Rheumatism
It has also been found to help with many everyday problems such as:
- Yeast Infections
- Constipation
- Gastrointestinal Problems
- Menstrual Disorders
- Migraines
- Acne
- Sunburn
- Athlete’s Foot
- Ringworm
- Skin Abrasions
- Inflammation
Castor Oil is also commonly used to induce labour, so pregnant women should always consult a doctor before using it.
Uses of Castor Oil
Arthritis Natural Remedy
The anti-inflammatory properties of Castor Oil make it an excellent massage oil for relieving arthritic joints, nerve inflammations, and sore muscles. Castor oil pack has shown to be very effective for joint, and muscle pain.
- Make a small pad by folding a small piece of unbleached cotton flannelette into 3 or 4 layers.
- Dip the cotton pad into Castor Oil and place it on to the affected joint or muscle.
- Cover the pad with a plastic wrap.
- Place a hot water bottle or heating pad over the plastic wrapped cotton pad. The plastic wrap will prevent the water bottle or heating pad from getting oily.
- Leave the cotton pad on for 45 minutes to an hour, once per day.
This Castor Oil pack can be reused. Simply place it into a plastic ziplock bag and refrigerate it until it is ready to be used again. It can be refrigerated in a ziplock bag.
Castor Oil for Backache Relief
Research indicates that castor oil is useful in cases of Lumbago (lower back pain) and Sciatica (Marwat et al., 2017). Its primary component, ricinoleic acid, has well-established anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties (Nisbett et al., 2024). Clinical trials have also demonstrated that castor oil can be as effective as pharmaceutical options like Diclofenac Sodium for managing inflammatory joint pain, but with fewer adverse effects (Medhi et al., 2009). In this randomized clinical trial, researchers compared castor oil to Diclofenac Sodium (a common pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory) for managing chronic inflammatory pain. The study found that castor oil was just as effective as the drug at reducing pain and stiffness, but with significantly fewer side effects. This makes it a powerful, natural alternative for those seeking backache relief without the gastrointestinal risks often associated with traditional NSAIDs. Therefore, consistently applying a Castor Oil Pack to the affected area may serve as an effective remedy for managing chronic inflammatory back pain.
Constipation Remedy
Studies have shown that Castor Oil is a very strong laxative, which makes it very effective against constipation (Alookaran et al., 2024). Therefore, simply take half a teaspoon of castor oil in the morning. You can mix the oil with orange juice, cranberry juice, prune juice, or ginger juice. However, do not take it continuously for more than 2 days. If symptoms persist for longer than 2 days, consult your physician immediately.
Ringworm Treatment
Ringworm is known to be a stubborn condition to treat, but one of the active compounds of Castor Oil (Undecylenic Acid) has been found to be very effective at treating this fungal infection.
- Spray Castor leaves with some hot water and coarsely crush the leaves.
- Soak the leaves in pure coconut oil.
- Warm the leaves to a temperature that will not burn the skin, and apply the leaves over the affected area as a poultice.
- Leave on the skin for at least one hour, or optionally overnight.
- You may wrap the leaves with unbleached cotton fabric to prevent the oil from staining your bed sheets.
Repeat the procedure every night before going to bed until cured. However, if you notice any redness or discomfort around the area, discontinue this remedy.
Skin Problems
Successful studies have approved the use of Castor Oil for skin infections and other skin problems such as sunburn, abrasions, acne, dry skin, boils, warts, stretch marks, liver/age spots, athletes foot and chronic itching and inflamed skin.
- Dip a cotton ball into Castor oil and apply it onto the affected skin in the morning and at night.
- Alternatively, for larger skin areas, soak an appropriately large piece of unbleached cotton cloth in Castor Oil and wrap the affected area overnight.
- If the area is very small, soak a Band-Aid in Castor Oil and cover the infected skin overnight.
For stubborn fungal infections that affect the skin or nails, it is recommended to soak the affected skin in Epsom Salt for 10-15 minutes to soften and disinfect the skin before applying Castor Oil. This can help speed up the healing process.
Stye Treatment
Using a clean cotton swab, apply a very small drop of high-quality, hexane-free castor oil directly to the stye 2 or 3 times per day. Be careful to avoid getting the oil directly into the eye itself. If the stye persists for more than a few days or affects your vision, consult an eye care professional.
Wrinkle Treatment
Castor oil is a rich, natural emollient that deeply hydrates the skin. By acting as an occlusive barrier, it helps lock in moisture, which can improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Regular application can help the skin feel smoother, softer, and more resilient.
Nighttime Treatment: Before bed, dip a clean cotton ball into high-quality, cold-pressed castor oil and apply a thin layer to areas prone to wrinkling.
Eye Area Caution: When applying near the eyes, use only a very small amount. Ensure the oil does not enter the eye, as it can cause temporary blurred vision or irritation.
Castor oil works by improving skin hydration and suppleness, therefore, consistent use is necessary to see a visible “plumping” effect.
Pro-Tip: Castor oil is quite thick. Some people prefer to mix it with a lighter “carrier” oil, like jojoba or almond oil, for easier application and faster absorption.
What are the Side Effects of Castor Oil?
Castor oil is normally safe if used in moderation. However, pregnant and lactating women and people with intestinal blockage, acute inflammatory intestinal disease, appendicitis, or abdominal pain should not take Castor Oil without their doctor’s approval.
Note that precautions must be taken when taking the oil internally, so you should always follow the directions on the package and consult your doctor or naturopathic professional before consuming it. A typical recommended dosage for the oil is no more than one-half to one full teaspoon per day. Overdosage of Castor Oil may result in diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or cramping.
Where and How to Buy Castor Oil
Castor Oil is best purchased from a health food store. Look for cold-pressed and organic oil only and confirm it with a naturopathic doctor before taking it. The color of the oil should be a very light or pale yellow.
References
Scientific References
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Marwat, S. K., et al. (2017). “Review – Ricinus communis – Ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological activities.”
Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
View Study on PubMed. -
Medhi, B., et al. (2009). “Comparative clinical trial of castor oil and diclofenac sodium in patients with osteoarthritis.”
Phytotherapy Research.
View Clinical Trial on PubMed. -
Muntz, A., et al. (2021). “Therapeutic potential of castor oil in managing blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye.”
Clinical and Experimental Optometry.
View Review on PubMed.
(Explores how castor oil manages eyelid inflammation and oil gland infections). -
Vieira, C., et al. (2000). “Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammation.”
Mediators of Inflammation.
View Full Text on PMC. -
Alookaran, J., & Tripp, J. (2024). “Castor Oil: Overview and FDA Approved Indications.”
StatPearls [Internet].
Read Review Here.
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