Castor oil is obtained from the castor bean native to Africa and Asia. The oil is usually cold pressed from the castor seeds.
Most castor oil is colourless and odourless but some brands appear to be a pale yellow. Castor oil is thick and has a viscous consistency.
My earliest memory of castor oil was being forced to imbibe it to treat constipation as a child.
Fortunately, by the time I reconnected with it as an oil for recovering from hair loss, I had gotten over my aversion to it.
Castor oil contains high amounts of ricinoleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid found only in castor oil.
Castor oil is a common ingredient in cosmetic formulations and has many benefits for the hair and skin.
Benefits of Castor Oil for Hair
1. Anti-inflammatory and Antifungal
The ricinoleic acid content in castor oil has high levels of anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties.
This makes it effective for eliminating dandruff and treating other scalp conditions such as dryness. It can also help calm irritated skin.
2. Moisturizing
Castor oil contains triglycerides, which helps maintain moisture, combat frizz and smoothen the hair cuticles.
3. Regrow Bald Spots and Stop Thinning
Castor oil is known to stop hair loss, regrow thin areas of the scalp and thicken the hair strands in particular.
It was one of the primary tools in my arsenal when I was dealing with hair loss and it went a long way in helping me regrow bald spots my bald spots.
Castor oil can also help with eyelashes and eyebrows. Read Grow Thick and Luscious Eyebrows and Eyelashes with Castor Oil & Vitamin E.
4. Can Enhance Henna & Indigo Treatment
I noticed a hot oil treatment that includes castor oil a week or so after a henna and indigo treatment may have helped retain the colour longer than usual.
It should also help to enhance natural hair colour when used in treatments.
Castor Oil vs Jamaican Black Castor Oil
There are some views that Jamaican Black Castor Oil, which is processed differently from castor oil, works more effectively. Read more
Read also: Sprouts For Hair – Say No To Hair Loss & Gray Hair Forever !