Jul 155 min read

Castor oil comeback

The Revival of Castor Oil: A Golden Elixir for Modern Ailments

Adapted from an article in What Doctors Don't Tell You, May 2024

Overview

Castor oil, once a medical staple, is making a comeback thanks to social media. Derived from the castor plant, this ancient oil has been used for thousands of years in various cultures to treat ailments ranging from constipation to skin conditions. Despite being sidelined by modern pharmaceuticals, castor oil is regaining popularity for its healing properties.

Historical Significance

Ancient Uses: Employed in Ayurvedic medicine, Ancient Greece, Aztec civilization, and Egypt for ailments like constipation, migraines, and skin rashes. Cleopatra reportedly used it for hair gloss and brightening eyes.
Medical Staple: Up until 50 years ago, it was a common remedy for stomach issues and inducing labor.

Modern Revival

Social Media Influence: TikTok and YouTube influencers promote its detox and hormonal benefits, skin hydration, and hair growth properties.
Traditional Medicine: Despite modern medicine's skepticism, castor oil continues to be favored in some cultures and by natural remedy enthusiasts.

Medical Perspectives

Conventional View: Modern doctors, like those at the Cleveland Clinic, dismiss castor oil as unnecessary, advocating for scientifically proven alternatives.
Old vs. New: Castor oil’s side effects are often less severe compared to modern pharmaceuticals, which can have significant adverse reactions.

Uses and Benefits

Constipation: In a 2002 study, 20 patients with obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)—a major cause of dry eye—were randomly split into two groups to receive low-concentration 2 percent castor oil drops or a placebo for two-week periods.

Historically used for over 3,500 years.
Approved by the FDA as a temporary laxative.
Studies show topical application can alleviate constipation symptoms.

Arthritis:

Known for anti-inflammatory properties.
Users report significant pain relief, sometimes avoiding surgery.
Studies show it’s as effective as NSAIDs without the side effects.

Eye Health:

Claims to alleviate dry eyes, lengthen eyelashes, and reduce eye inflammation.
Supported by studies showing improvement in dry eye symptoms and blepharitis.

In a 2023 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, researchers asked 25 patients with dark hyperpigmentation under their eyes to apply a topical cream of 10 percent castor oil in water twice daily under their eyes for two months. Not only did the participants notice the darkness under their eyes decrease significantly, but a dermatology assessment showed a reduction in wrinkles around the eyes and firmer skin after using the castor oil cream.14

Skin Conditions: Dr Rajani says the anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil are also why it helps with swelling and puffiness and why so many people claim it helps with sunspots, skin tags, moles and warts. The star feature of castor oil for skin is its moisturizing ability. “It’s astonishingly effective as an emollient and it plumps like filler and removes wrinkles like Botox, anywhere the skin is thinnest. Sometimes they will disappear as quickly as with Botox.” “I’m kind of shocked that I have gone 55 years without realizing that this is perhaps the greatest stuff on the planet,” says Chalene Johnson, who has a YouTube channel geared to mature women, “especially if you are a woman over 40 and you are dealing with dry skin.” She says she has ditched most of her other skin products except sun cream after castor oil calmed redness, eliminated blotches and smoothed her skin in days. “I just can’t believe how much better my skin looks after using it.”

Anecdotal evidence supports its use for acne, eczema, and wrinkles.
Dermatologists highlight its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties.

Hair Growth: ip: If you put castor oil on your head or in your hair, use a tiny amount rubbed in your hands and leave in like a pomade for shine, or use cool to lukewarm water to rinse, and do it gently.

Used historically for hair luster and growth.
Users recommend careful application to avoid hair matting.

Eyebrows and Eyelashes: Dr Rajani suggests buying small glass mascara bottles with wands and filling these with castor oil. Then use a small liner brush to follow the lash line without getting the oil in the eyes, and use a mascara brush to apply it to the brows.

Stimulates hair growth, similar to prescription products like Latisse.

Application Methods

Castor Oil Packs: Soaked cloth applied to the body to support liver function, reduce inflammation, and boost immune response.

just soak a clean organic cloth (an old baby flannel or cotton cloth diaper works well) in a glass jar or baking dish of castor oil until saturated, then place it on the abdomen (or affected joints, etc.).

Cover with some plastic wrap or just wear an old T-shirt (the oil is sticky and stains), and place a heat source like a hot water bottle on top if you like.

Placing it on the right side of the abdomen is thought to help support the liver and digestive system. One small double-blind study of 36 healthy individuals looked at the impact on white blood cell counts as a measure of immune function before and after applying castor oil packs.

After the packs were left on for at least two hours, they produced a “significant” temporary increase in the number of T-11 cells, which indicates the castor oil application boosted the body’s immune system defense.18

Topical Use: Effective for skin and joint issues; requires high-quality, organic, cold-pressed oil.

Toronto naturopath Dr Janine Bowring (drjaninebowring.com) recommends castor oil packs for uterine fibroids, although only when not menstruating. Some women find them helpful for menstrual pains and endometriosis as well.

Dr Bowring suggests using castor oil with essential oils on the abdomen to help melt belly fat as follows:

Ingredients

10 drops Grapefruit essential oil1 drop Ylang Ylang essential oil¼ cup castor oil

Method

In a glass bowl, mix oils thoroughly.
Rub clockwise around your stomach with the oil (15 circles).
Place castor oil pack on your belly and wrap with plastic or a wide belt to keep in place for 45 minutes minimum. Repeat three or four times per week and leave it on as you sleep if you prefer.

Packs or even a soaked sanitary napkin can be placed on sore joints, and a cotton reusable nursing pad soaked with castor oil is the perfect size for treating a heel affected by plantar fasciitis. Cover it with a sock and leave it on for an hour or so, or wear it to bed.

Recipes: The following recipe from healthyhuemans.com uses castor oil and Epsom salts to help draw out toxins while relaxing and invigorating overworked feet. Ingredients 1 cup Epsom salts½ cup baking soda½ cup castor oil10 drops peppermint essential oil Method Apply this mixture to sunburned skin to tame inflammation, promote healing and minimize peeling. Ingredients ¼ cup aloe vera gel1 Tbsp castor oil1 tsp liquid lecithin10 drops lavender essential oil Method The combination of castor oil and vitamin E oil in this recipe from vedaoils.com helps to minimize the appearance of dark circles. Ingredients 3–4 drops castor oil2–3 drops vitamin E oil Method
Foot Soak: Castor oil and Epsom salts for relaxation.

Conclusion

Castor oil’s resurgence highlights a growing interest in natural remedies. While conventional medicine remains skeptical, anecdotal evidence and historical use support its benefits for a variety of conditions. As with any treatment, quality and proper application are crucial for safety and effectiveness.

References

N S Davis (ed.), JAMA vol. 5 (1885), Google Books, 96
Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2012; 109(23): 9179–84; Pak J Pharm Sci, 2017; 30(5): 1815–27
Cleveland Clinic, “No, Castor Oil Won’t Solve All (or Any) of Your Health Problems,” Dec 7, 2023, health.clevelandclinic.org
Stephen M Borowitz, “Pediatric Constipation,” June 14, 2023, emedicine.medscape.com
J Neurogastroenterol Motil, 2021; 27(4): 495–512
Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol, 2019; 392(10): 1181–1208
“Dulcolax for Constipation User Reviews,” Drugs.com
Complement Ther Clin Pract, 2011; 17(1): 58–62
Phytother Res, 2009; 23(10): 1469–73
BMJ, 2018; 362: k3426
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Int J Trichology, 2017; 9(3): 116–18
Int J Trichology, 2022; 14(6): 210–12
J Naturopath Med, 1997; 7(1): 84–89