Top 5 Reasons to Love Using Organic Castor Oil

The healing properties from Castor Oil have been known around the world for centuries.  And you can find evidence of its usage across cultures that is well documented.  The plant itself is a common, hardy and invasive weed, but the oil that is pressed from its seeds, or “beans,” offer us some truly remarkable benefits.


These incredible healing benefits have been shared around the world for over 4000 years, inspiring herbalists and folk healers throughout the generations to call the plant, “Palma Christi,” or “Hand of Christ.”  It’s list of therapeutic properties is exceptionally long.



What is Organic Castor Oil?


Organic Castor Oil is a very thick gooey and slippery feeling oil that is pressed out of the seeds of the Castor Plant.  Throughout the centuries it has been used both internally and topically for a wide range of therapeutic applications.


Today we don’t recommend using Organic Castor Oil internally – it’s strongly discouraged. But it’s important to know that historical records dating back as far as Egyptian times have shown that Castor Oil was often indicated for health concerns that included things like digestive distress, women’s reproductive support and to dissolve cysts and warts.


The safest and most effective way to use Organic Castor Oil is to improve the health and appearance of our skin and hair. It’s thick and  tacky texture is protective and healing to the skin, and helps the skin attract and absorb moisture from the air –making it a very hydrating oil.  Other properties include benefits for the hair, and our immune system.


Where does the oil come from?


Organic Castor Oil is cold expeller pressed from the seeds of the Organic Castor Plant, which originates from the Mediterranean Basin, India and East Africa.  The plant loves tropical conditions, and today is farmed mostly in India.  


The seeds look like beans, but they aren’t.  They grow inside a prickly looking pod with a hard shell, that is referred to as a “capsule.”  When these capsules are collected, it’s important that the harvesters notice if they feel wet or dry, as the seeds are ripe when the capsule is dry.  In the case that they are collected and feel wet, they are dried in the sun.  


Once they are properly dried, they are hand beaten with sticks to crack it open revealing 3 seeds.  Next the hulls of the seeds are removed and they are sorted, cleaned and ready for pressing.


Some producers still use solvents to extract the oil, as it is less expensive and time consuming.  But we recommend only purchasing Organic Castor Oil that has been cold explorer pressed and naturally deodorized, filtered and refined - this produces the highest quality oil with the widest range of therapeutic benefits.


What makes Organic Castor Oil so special?


Organic Castor Oil has some very unique Essential Fatty Acids that give it really special properties that can improve the health and appearance of our scalp and hair, not to mention it’s powerful capabilities to soothe inflammation, combat fungal infections, ease joint discomfort, protect against infection and support the body to detox.


One of the essential fatty acids that makes up approximately 90% of the oil’s chemical composition is called Ricinoleic Acid  and it’s primarily responsible for Organic Castor Oil’s beneficial effects on our scalp, hair, skin and overall well-being.


Here are a few of the Essential Fatty Acids that we can find in Organic Castor Oil,  and how they benefit the skin:

 

Ricinoleic Acid

  • Releases soreness in muscles and joints
  • Calms itching, swelling, inflammation, cuts, and fungal infections
  • Soothes acne-prone skin
  • Shows antimicrobial activity
  • Encourages circulation
  • Supports healthy hair
  • Soften and hydrate both hair and skin with deep moisture while repairing breakage
  • Eliminate bodily toxins by supporting the lymphatic system

Linoleic Acids (Omega-6) are known to:

  • Moisturize hair and promote its health 
  • Facilitate wound healing
  • Reduce swelling and inflammation
  • Soothe away blemishes and reduce recurrences on acne prone skin.
  • Moisturizing
  • Softening

Oleic Acids (Omega-9) are known to:

  • Keeps the skin soft, supple and glowing
  • Supports healthy hair
  • Promotes a youthful glow
  • Fortifies our wellness
  • Eases stiffness

 Palmitic Acid is known to:

  • Softening
  • Offer a light feel to skin and hair

 

 Stearic Acid is known to:

  • Cleansing and clarifying
  • Self stabilizing
  • Protects and nourishes the skin and hair
  • Softening

Now that you know a little more about what Organic Castor Oil is and what it is made up of, here are the top 5 reasons why you should be using it on your skin.


  • Supports a Healthy Scalp
  • Because of its antifungal properties, Organic Castor Oil can be a great choice when looking to promote scalp health. By keeping the skin of the scalp free from infection and protected against microbes, Organic Castor Oil encourages healthy circulation to the hair follicles which in turn supports the growth of stronger and shinier hair.


  • Hydrates and nourish hair to improve appearance
  • Our hair is constantly bombarded by extreme climate changes, numerous hair products and heated tools like hair dryers, irons and straighteners.  And this damages and weakens our hair causing it to look dull and dry.  By brushing Organic Castor Oil through your hair you can replenish hydration that will leave your hair looking healthier and shinier. 


  • Offers Your Skin a Youthful Glow
  • The array of essential fatty acids present in Organic Castor Oil are known to support the skin’s natural ability to regenerate and heal – especially in the deeper layers of our skin, where we find the components that are responsible for our skin’s elasticity and shape.  Organic Castor Oil can offer a dewy glow and a younger, plumper looking appearance.


  • Promotes skin resiliency and immunity
  • Organic Castor Oil has so many properties that can help us ward off infection, and fortify us against the constant assault of pathogens our skin battles daily. Since ancient times, the protective properties of Organic Castor Oil have been well documented, and we see evidence today of how it helps keep us looking and feeling healthier and more vibrant.


  • Promotes clear and healthy skin
  • Although the thick tacky feel of Organic Castor Oil may suggest it would clog your pores and cause breakouts, the truth is,  it’s one of the best choices for those looking for natural remedies to battle acne prone skin.



    Although Organic Castor Oil has so many powerful healing properties on its own, we always recommend combining it with Organic Jojoba Oil  or Organic Argan Oil before applying it to the skin in order to make it feel less goopy and tacky.  A good ratio would be 1:1, meaning for every 1 TBSP of Organic Jojoba Oil you would mix it with 1 TBSP of Organic Castor Oil.


    But you can also use Organic Castor Oil on its own to give your lips extra shine and protection, as well as bruising it into your eyelashes to make them look thicker and darker.


    Let us know how you are enjoying using Organic Castor OIl!

    1 comment

    Never would have believed it, but applying these tacky, sticky oils to my elderly fly-away (but adorable) hair actually MAKES IT SHINY after shampooing. I’ve always had curly hair, so it was never really shiny, and I must say, I like it. Thanks for your excellent advice!

    loris July 25, 2023

    Leave a comment

    All comments are moderated before being published

    Shop our favourites

    "I recently researched the best treatment for dry skin and scalp...I then came across some helpful info on the benefits of Jojoba oil and decided to look for an organic brand. Your oil is truly wonderful. I now use it exclusively for skin and scalp, only adding frankincense essential oil for its calming effects. This combo is exceptional. I'm very glad I found Cliganic."

    Paula M.