You might need castor oil if . . .

• You have swelling
• You have warts
• Parts of your body get cold or lose color
• You are constipated
• Your hair is thinning or slow to grow

Benefits of Castor Oil

• Supports the lymphatic system
• Antimicrobial properties
• It helps reduce fluid retention, improving lymphatic and blood flow
• It works as a laxative, moving contents out of the bowels
• It can help to stimulate hair growth

Common ways to use Castor Oil

Castor oil can be used in many ways. You can take it orally, in a capsule, or topically. One of the most effective ways to use it for lymphatic drainage is to make a castor oil pack and apply it to the appropriate areas. Castor Oil can also be found in cleaning products.

How Castor Oil is made

Castor oil is made by cold pressing the ripe seeds from the castor plant. Castor oil seeds have an oil content of around 30%–50% oil. Castor oil can be extracted from castor beans by either mechanical pressing, solvent extraction, or a combination of pressing and extraction. The hulls are dried out and then split open to get the seeds. The seeds are cleaned, and the jackets are removed from the seeds. After that, a vast press is typically used to crush the seeds, causing the oils to be released. After the oil is out, it is filtered and refined multiple times to get it as clean as possible. Castor oil also goes through degumming, deodorizing, and winterizing steps before the final product is ready.

Safety Concerns

Drug Interaction: If you have any health concerns or are taking any prescription medication, please consult with your healthcare provider before adding new herbs to your diet.

Breastfeeding and Pregnancy: There are no known contraindications for breastfeeding and pregnancy. However, in some communities, castor oil is used to induce labor. We do not recommend using castor oil internally during pregnancy, but it can be used topically. When used topically, do not use it directly over the uterus.

Select Studies About Castor Oil

Therapeutic potential of castor oil in managing blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye

This study found that castor oil was safe for use in these conditions and examined the importance of castor oil's antimicrobial properties.

Ricinus communis L. fruit extract inhibits migration/invasion, induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells and arrests tumor progression in vivo

In this study, it was concluded that the fruit of the castor plant can help slow cancer growth.

Castor Oil: Properties, Uses, and Optimization of Processing Parameters in Commercial Production

This is a comprehensive study about how castor oil is made, what it contains, and much more.