Castor Oil
Health Benefits

Unlock Castor Oil Benefits: Guide to Hair Growth, Pain Relief, & More!

Broad Benefits

19 User Reviews
5 star (19) 
  100%

Posted by Mel (Katy, Tx) on 01/16/2010
★★★★★

Castor Oil cured my insomnia and a Pterygium on my left eye. A pterygium is fatty deposit from wind/dust that affects one or both eyes. There is no pain, but it looks gross. I first got this while living in West Texas and was diagnosed by an Ophthalmologist. My doctor told me that it is not serious unless it starts growing towards the pupil and therefore, should be removed because it will affect my eye sight. My pterygium over the years was getting closer and closer to my pupil as the years have gone by. I knew that very soon I would have to have surgery to have it removed. I started the castor oil therapy about 2 weeks ago for my insomnia and just about 2 days ago I was looking in the mirror and look at my eyes and had to do a double take. The pterygium is almost gone! It is very thin and is not noticeable at all. I am so happy! I started using castor oil for insomnia and that was successful and at the same time cured my pterygium. Thank you so much. :D


Broad Benefits
Posted by Marge (Phoenix, Az, USA) on 11/28/2009
★★★★★

I've been using castor oil packs as a healing treatment off and on for years since first learning of their efficacy from a 'holistic' doctor here in Phoenix. Once years ago I accidentally slammed a car door on my ankle which caused tremendous swelling and bruising and I simply could not bear any weight on my foot. Elevated the leg and wrapped the ankle in a rag soaked with castor oil and applied heating pad over ankle. Remained that way for most of the night and upon waking, nearly all swelling and bruising was gone and I was able to walk and bear weight on injured ankle again! Amazing.

Several years ago tripped and fell down a flight of concrete stairs landing on both knees. Both knees swelled and were in excruciating pain. Proceeded to lie down with both legs elevated on top of several pillows and applied a well-soaked castor oil pack to each knee. Placed heating pad on top. Next morning - pain, stiffness and swelling was 95% gone and was able to go about my normal activities.

Am currently working on severe tendonitis in right shoulder affecting rotator cup and extending down right arm, using castor oil treatments at night. Will let you know results.

Replied by Katzie
(Calgary)
02/07/2016
★★★★★

I, too, used C.O.P. successfully to alleviate the pain and swelling after falling with all of my weight onto my left funny bone, but it didnt feel "funny" at all. It was very painful of course, and since I couldn't get to a clinic till the next day, I used them to get me thru without pain pills. It worked like an absolute charm. Castor Oil has never let down when I've needed it; I love the stuff so much.


Broad Benefits
Posted by Mike (Detroit, MI) on 02/13/2009
★★★★★

Castor oil for genital warts: For the last 3 years I have tired everything possible (including everything on this site) to get rid of these things and they would either come right back, or leave scars. I was about to just bite the bullet and get them laser removed until I came across CASTOR OIL. I didn't think it would work because it's actually used as a laxative, but I decided it couldn't hurt to try.

Some people just use plain castor oil, and say it works great, but I found a mix of things that seemed to speed up the process. Mix: 1 oz castor oil, 1 tbsp of tea tree oil, 80 drops of vitamin E oil (or break open 30 vitamin E gel tabs). You can also add a tbsp of thunga if you can find it. All of the others can be found at any pharmacy store, Cvs, Walgreens, etc.

Apply this mix 3 to 4 times a day; basically try to keep the oil on as much as you can throughout the day. Some people wrap up the area to keep the oil from rubbing off, but I didn't do that and it still worked. Just allow a few min. for the oil to soak in. The oil started working within a week for me, with no pain what so ever, and I am almost back to normal after 2 1/2 weeks. I had close to 50 sm. and large warts, so the process may go quicker for you.

Also be sure to stay healthy. Get a lot of sleep, drink a lot of water, work out, take a multivitamin, and other immune system building vitamins (Echinacea, Zinc, vitamin B and C). Good luck!


Broad Benefits
Posted by Daniela (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) on 01/07/2009
★★★★★

Castor oils use is as a drawing poultice. It has a drawing power of 10 cm deep. Whether in the case of stepping on a rusty nail and fearing tetanus, or abscesses, irritation of tick bites (as well as the head) it will draw out infection from any part of the body the poultice is placed on. Personally, I have been using it in the liver/gallstone area to relieve gallstone pain and it is without comparison for relief of pain (I have heard that the gallstone will slowly disperse.....).

Adversely there are people using it to induce birth by taking it INTERNALLY. This should be DISCOURAGED as it is NOT a part of natural birth as these people are led to believe but a very serious misuse of Castor Oil, which could see it taken off the market as 'dangerous' as other wonderful natural healers have, because of dangerous misuse.

Replied by Mary
(Usa)
05/05/2016

I must disagree, Castor oil has been used internally for hundreds if not thousands of years (Egyptians used it frequently) . My family has used it for generations. My grandmother had 11 healthy children and used castor oil to help with birthing - AT TIME OF OR CLOSE TO BIRTHING. Her whole family used it for generations and she was an herb and flower healer. I have helped some friends who were close or passed their birthing date with it. My mom and her 10 brothers and sisters grew up in the mountains exposed to parasites and the like yet they never suffered any of these - thanks to regular ingestion of a teaspoon of Castor oil.

The readings of Edgar Cayce (whose remedies I have used successfully - saving my life) even shows how to use it for the healing of spine problems in embryos/fetuses while pregnant and to retain the fetus if having problems where early contractions or trouble retaining is the issue (of course EXTERNALLY).

Also on the breasts to unclog and produce more milk flow. (using bicarbonate of soda/water to cleanse the breasts afterward).

Of course, there are some people who have a reaction to the oil. But that's with everything else and it seems to happen only to a few.

I used it to dissolve a tumor the size of a golf ball in 5 days behind my navel, that grew after a tubal ligation.

USE ORGANIC CASTOR OIL ONLY, as now castor oil is a GMO because it is also used in the industrial world for other mechanical uses.

Look up "The Oil That Heals" by Dr. William McGarey, MD, he and his wife Dr. Gladys McGarey, who both personally knew Cayce, MD opened up a clinic in Arizona and used his remedies extensively. William passed a few years ago, but she is alive and still works and her daughter continues the practice.

Hope this helps anyone : )

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee)
05/05/2016

Dear Mary,

Thanks for sharing your experiences regarding castor oil. Hearing what our grandparents used to do is always interesting! My dad (born in 1928) remembers his mother giving him castor oil for tummy aches. In orange juice. To this day he hates the taste of orange juice - he says he can still taste the castor oil! :)

I love castor oil as well and am always amazed at how well it works. I had an ovarian cyst the size of an egg, at least. Castor oil dissolved it in a week or so.

~Mama to Many~

Vianne
(Florida)
01/15/2021

Hi Mama,

Could you please explain your method for getting rid of your ovarian cyst as I have been diagnosed with UTERINE FIBROIDS and I'd like to use Castor Oil packs to dissolve them. I hope all is well. Thank you.

Mama
(TN)
01/17/2021

Dear Vianne,

I am so sorry to hear about the fibroids!

To make a castor oil poultice, I used large pieces of clean flannel or while t-shirt. I try to fold it up so that there are 4 layers of cloth. You will want the end result to be about 4x4 or 6x6. Pour a tablespoon or so of hexane free castor oil onto your cloth. You may need a bit more. You want it thoroughly damp but not soaked or dripping. Place over lower abdomen. Cover with plastic wrap. A pair of leggings should help keep it in place. I wear a castor oil pack over night. You can apply a heating pad for the first 30-60 minutes, but don't leave it on overnight.

You can re-use the castor oil pack. Just add a little more oil each night.

In the morning, you can remove any excess oil with a cloth or in the shower. Or you can massage it in. You can also apply a couple of drops of frankincense essential oil to the abdomen in the morning and massage it in. I have found that to help all sorts of different growths.

Please check out the Earth Clinic pages about fibroids. See if any other remedies or stories strike a chord with you.

Keep us posted!

~Mama to Many~


Broad Benefits
Posted by Ed (Dayton, OH) on 12/17/2008
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Near Miracle Cure: I tore my right rotator cuff a few years ago, and the surgeon recommended three surgeries for the damage, and told me I would be lucky to have 20% mobility of my shoulder (range of motion), and that I'd never be able to use it for any strenuous activity. A second opinion was needed in my mind, and a coworker recommended Deb, a massage therapist that specialized in sports injury who was helping her with her Fibro-mialgia. I decided to give Deb a chance, and she talked to me while working on my shoulder with some almond massage oil, and in 15 minutes she asked me to stand up and show her my range of motion. Amazingly, I was able to hold my arm all the way vertical, albiet with much pain, which meant that I really did have 180 degrees of mobility, though it would not be permanent without some maintenance and healing. She told me at that point that if I wanted to heal the shoulder, come see her once a week for two months, and rub a table spoon of castor oil on my shoulder morning and night with heat whenever possible, and to do the 'wax on / wax off' exercise against a door each day.

4 months later, I started lifting weights again with my shoulder, and it's as if it was never damaged now. The castor oil got rid of the inflammation, the massage kept the muscles and tendons in the right places, and the exercises brought blood and healing to the joint. I have to say, the castor oil was the hero here, as Deb said it would not have been possible otherwise. The body's self healing was able to take place (the true miracle) thanks to the lack of inflammation!

Since that time, I've used Castor Oil to heal back injuries, nasty scrapes (my 240 lbs supported by my shin as it raked across a 2x4 board in the attic!), inflammed eyes, skin softening, hemorrhoids!, and much more, and in all the times I've used it in a heat pack, the results are dramatic and instant, as in next-day you can't tell you were injured! For doubters, just try it, you will no longer doubt it.

Replied by Bob
(Rosedale, Md)
08/14/2017

Can someone tell / explain to me that "wax on- wax off" exercise?

Replied by Michael
(New Zealand)
08/15/2017

Well I did not see that post you mention but your question reminded me of that iconic, classic 1984 film "The Karate Kid", where Mr Miyagi trains up Daniel (Ralph Macchio) to become proficient in Karate moves, so that he could better defend himself against the local hoodlums.

His first instruction is to polish Mr Miyagi's vintage/classic, yellow car and he rebels at that, not understanding that this is his introductory exercise on the long road towards becoming proficient in the required movements.

He swirls the polish on in one direction and polishes it off in the opposite direction- hence "Wax on/ Wax off" over and over again.

It is one of the most memorable scenes in the film and causes a chuckle amongst our generation even to this day.

You should probably check out the film.

Cheers, Michael


Broad Benefits
Posted by Cassandra (Dundas, Ontario, Canada) on 09/19/2008
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I have been on a castor oil patch on my back where I had surgery (4 years ago this past August 18th) for my ruptured disc for over 1 1/2 years now. I have found it very benefitial for my back and most excellent for keeping the toxins out of my body. I tend to wake up in the morning with loose or liquid stools if I eat processed or "bad for me" foods the day before.

At the beginning of this year I decided to increase the times I put the patch on to every night. The damp and cold weather plays havoc with my back. The pain, decreased mobility, increased sciatic problems, etc. are enhanced by the cold, damp weather (basically the end of August to May). Thus why I hate 8 months of the year here.

Using the castor oil patch (cotton flannel swatch with a piece of plastic between the cotton and a hot water bottle, with a quarter size drop of castor oil on the flannel - flannel soaked with castor oil is the best - laying the castor oil against my scar area) has helped reduce the pain, increase my flexibility and mobility (when I first wake up and throughout the day), which is a BIG YAY for me!

But this summer I have found it has helped in other areas, too!

1) I have been working in my parents garden quite a bit (for me) seeing as this would be year 3 that my mother hasn't been out there working in it due to her Alzheimers. The mosquitos have been horrendous and I have been bitten like crazy. Normally I end up with tons of mosquito bites from head to toe and I scratch them like a raving lunitic. This year I think I have had less than 10 bites stay, with only a couple getting even the least bit itchy. I've even rubbed a bit of the castor oil on the ones that do itch and they stop itching!

2) I have had etopic eczema since I was a youngster. Doing dishes has had to been done with rubber gloves on. Leaking rubber gloves causes a burning feeling on my hands, then itchiness, followed with my hands either going raw, cracking, loosing their finger prints, or a combination of all. Sometimes I get lazy, forgetful or I don't have any to put on but I need to do the dishes and end up with this within minutes of my hands being submersed into the dish water or touching the soapy cleaning cloth or sponge. Well, I was at the Community Centre where I work and no gloves were to be found, so I went ahead and washed, anxiously anticipating the outcome but nothing happend! Hours later I still didn't have any repercussions!!! I now sometimes wash dishes without gloves, but I try to make sure I still use them because I am so concerned that the spell will break! lol!

3) For the last while... long while... I have had yeast infection after ever period cycle I get. Monostat, etc., etc. doesn't do a thing for me. I've tried putting yogurt up there. I've tried changing my diet. I've tried adding cottage cheese to my diet. Nothing helps. So one day I decided to use some castor oil up there. Within 2 to 4 days later it's gone!

A couple of weeks ago I told one of my friends I see at our Senior Centre about castor oil patches as he as M.S. and it causes him a great deal of back pain. He used it for 4 days (without the hot water bottle because being hot is something M.S. patients find hard to handle), but couldn't use it any longer because with M.S. he tends to get loose bowels, and the castor oil was cleansing the toxins out of him so much (he smokes) he couldn't handle it! He said the pain was easing, though, before he stopped using it.

Tonight I am going to use it on my throat as my throat is raw and I have laryngitis. I am praying it works well!

This stuff is AMAZING!


Broad Benefits
Posted by Sue (Oregon) on 09/20/2006
★★★★★

I have been using a Castor oil pack for years. I just apply the oil to my stomach area and cover with plastic, then put a heating pad, set on low, over the area for 1/2 hour a day. I have gotten relief this way for hiatel hernia, indigestion, and constipation. I have also used this method for for healing joint injuries and to gain relief and healing in arthritic joints.

Replied by Jackie
(Massachusetts)
05/06/2018

I would never have plastic directly over skin & then heat. Your skin will also be absorbing the plastic this way.


Burns, Serious

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Sharon (Redding, California) on 08/26/2008
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

My daughter sunburned the shins on both legs. They had 3rd-degree burns. Big yellow blisters. She could walk for about 3 days. I was told by an elderly man to soak gauze in Castor Oil and wrap her legs with the gauze and leave it for 3 days. The next day my daughter was able to walk. The 3rd day I removed the gauze and she was healed. Blisters gone. Her legs we just a shade pink. It left no scars. Awesome stuff.


Calcified Bursa

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by K.C. (Portland, Oregon) on 06/25/2007
★★★★★

I had a calcified bursa on my right shoulder that had become so painful that, after six months of physical therapy, it was no better and I was scheduled for cortisone shots. I did not want them because of the immuno-suppressant tendency of cortisone. One night I had the impression to try a castor oil pack on it, just out of the blue. So I did. I wrapped my shoulder and underarm (after washing it) and left the pack on all night. In the morning the problem was 95% better. I did it four more nights and have not had the problem since. About five years now.

Replied by Marisa
(San Diego)
11/19/2017

Do you think this post from 2007 used a heating pad with it all night?

Replied by Ali
(Wales)
03/01/2018

Heat can help, but most people are pretty snuggly warm in bed at night so it is not strictly necessary.


Candida

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Mandandi (Gaborone, Botswana) on 05/08/2015
★★★★★

I have been fighting candida overgrowth since Jan 2014. Tough battle, but I believe I am now winning it.

I have blended two bundles (not cloves, whole thing) with various green vegetables, used apple cider vinegar mixed with aloe vera juice(1 cup of each) on my skin, taken 1/4 of each of these twice a day: borax, bicarbonate of soda and Epsom salts.

I also did the herbal enemas adding a tablespoon to half a cup of these: apple cider vinegar and aloe vera juice; 10 drops of hydrogen peroxide as well as a cup of whey liquid to repopulate bacteria in my gut.

All these have worked, albeit with severe die-off effects. That's not discouraging tho. I noticed that the soda gives me high blood pressure, so I drank ginger tea or other herbs that lower blood pressure available locally, once or twice a day to lower the blood pressure.

Lately, I have added castor oil to the regime, applying it on the skin and taking it orally ( 3 tablespoons castor oil plus one teaspoon of either coconut or olive oil once a week). Candida is definitely going away now. I feel so much better. My tongue has finally been pink for the whole afternoon since I was in my teens! I have more energy, less pain in my body though the die-off is still there mildly. Castor oil is very strong against candida. Even applying it on the skin diluted with coconut and lavender oils produced die-off symptoms(Mixed 50ml of each into a separate bottle). I used the latter two for a year with no die-off symptoms at all. I apply the mixed oils on the skin in the morning, and apply castor oil on its own each evening.

I use all these at the moment. I know there is candida protocol suggested by Ted, but I could not find some of the suggested ingredients so I used what I could find locally since cash flow is not so good. These ingredients are relatively cheap locally. I used tap water due to cash flow problems, but also collected rain water now and then for use.

Replied by Nicole
(Chantilly, Va)
06/29/2016

Hi ...great post and I will try what worked for you for candida. I was just wondering what you meant by "I have blended two bundles (not cloves, whole thing).., ". Are you saying you blended 2 bundles of whole cloves ...?


Castor Oil Application Tips

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
  100%

Posted by Medbear (Martinez, Ca/USA) on 05/24/2012
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I use absorbant pads which have an absorbant side & a non-absorbant plastic other side. Apply oil directly to area or to absorbant pad, then place pad on area & heat pad to plastic non-absorb side. I treated a leg problem & wrapped the pad & taped edges. Then applied pad & secured it with rubber band or string. I buy the pads from the dog store or dog supply area of a store as I assume the pads for humans are more expensive. They are usually called indoor training pads & come in various sizes. Price for 50 is about $10US. I don't like wasting the oil, so I keep it refrigerated which thickens it up, then apply directly to skin area. They make perfect wraps for those areas needing a wrap versus a flat application for which they are also good.

Replied by Katzie
(Calgary)
05/21/2021
★★★★★

I just wanted to chime in and say this idea was brilliant! I was on vacation and used this emergency remedy - and it works! Thanks so much for sharing that tip.


Castor Oil Pack Use During Pregnancy

Posted by Robyn (Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada) on 09/24/2013

I'm wondering if it's safe to use a castor oil pack on my face to relieve Bell's Palsy symptoms, also, I'm 18 weeks pregnant. I read on this site not to use castor oil during pregnancy, or did they mean not to ingest it during pregnancy?

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee, Usa)
09/24/2013

Dear Robyn,

Correct, you wouldn't want to ingest castor oil in pregnancy. Some ladies who are overdue use it to induce labor, which is why it isn't recommended in pregnancy. It gets the bowels going and I guess everything else! Also, later in pregnancy, you wouldn't want to use a castor oil pack anywhere near the baby (like over your liver or gall bladder) because apparently, the castor oil soaks in and could even soak in to the baby, causing it to release meconium, which is not safe for baby. It is also not recommended to use it to detox the liver (using packs on the liver) because no detox is considered wise during pregnancy or breastfeeding, because you are releasing toxins, which could get to the baby.

But, you are talking about using a castor oil pack on your face. This is external and not near the baby. I am assuming it would be for pain relief and inflammation reduction. Personally, I would be okay with that for myself, but not sure I would recommend it to someone else. Castor oil used to be in make-up, might still be, and is in some hair treatments. To my knowledge, these things are not contraindicated during pregnancy.

Hope that gives you some information to make a wise decision.

Another thing you could try for your Bell's Palsy is Peppermint/St. John's Wort, externally. You could make a strong tea of equal parts of both and soak a cloth in it and put on your face for 15 minute intervals. Both are good herbs for healing the nerves and peppermint has been helpful to others with Bell's Palsy.

Hydrotherapy is another safe option for you. You would alternate warm and cool packs on your face. The warm brings circulation to the spot and the cool reduces inflammation. It is a surprisingly helpful therapy. You would alternate a cool cloth and a warm cloth (not to the point of uncomfortable, though) Warm for a few minutes, cold for 1. Alternate several times, ending with cool.

I hope you find relief soon! Congratulations on your baby!

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Maria
(Germany)
10/25/2016

Hello Dear Mama to Many,

One of my friends is 8 week pregnant. Her left breast was very sore and painful before getting pregnant but now is more painful and hurting. She is also feeling pain underarm and neck.I thought she has clogged lymph system advised her to massage castor oil on neck, underarm and on breast. She has gotten big relief and all her pain has gone away but now I read castor oil is not safe during pregnancy. So far I have stopped her further use of castor oil on her breast but she is afraid if pain starts again what she will do. Please tell us what she should do in this condition.

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee)
10/25/2016

Dear Maria,

My understanding is that castor oil is not to be used internally during pregnancy, because of its laxative effect (which can also cause contractions) or as a pack over the abdomen in pregnancy because it can cause the baby to have a bowel movement (though that would only be late in pregnancy) and because detoxing the liver in pregnancy is not a good idea.

All that said, at 8 weeks pregnant and on the breast, I don't know of a reason it would be contraindicated. For me, I would consider castor oil to be one of the safest treatments for the swollen lymph nodes in that area, even in pregnancy.

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Maria Khan
(Germany)
10/26/2016

Dear Mama to many,

Thank you so much for your early reply. Now I am in peace. I told my friend that she can use castor oil only topically during pregnancy she is also very happy because she got such a tremendous relief by applying castor oil she did not want to stop its application. God bless you and your family.I am a regular reader of Earth clinic and a great fan of you and your home remedies.Thank you once again for all your contributions and precious time.

Replied by Cathy
(Tennessee)
11/15/2016

I paint iodine on breasts when they are sore or cystic..by the next morning pain is gone. I would think this is safe. Most pregnant women are deficient in iodine and it helps baby also. Always good to check with doctor though. Ask if its safe to use iodine externally on skin. I buy it for $3 at any pharmacy ..or Walmart etc. Do not buy decolorized iodine, it doesnt work as well. Wear an old tshirt, in case it stains clothing. I pain wherever it hurts, or even all over. This is great for fibrocystic breasts also.


Cataracts

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Brooke (Montgomery, TX) on 01/03/2009
★★★★★

A couple of drops of Castor Oil (cold pressed only) put into the eyes right before you go to sleep will also get rid of cataracts.


Caution: Risks of Spontaneous Combustion with Castor Oil

1 User Review
(1) 
  100%

Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 03/30/2023 523 posts

WARNING!

Double bag and seal up your castor oil pack when not in use. It CAN ignite/spontaneously combust - no spark or heat source required - if left out and folded to oxidize in the air and light. You will smell it before it actually ignites but only IF you're at home, awake and in the same part of the house. And, no, I didn't set my house on fire. It just occurred to me as I was pricing "oily waste" cans

Anyone who does woodworking or refinishes furniture using linseed oil probably already knows this. The furniture doesn't catch fire, but the rags used to apply oil can.

Also, if you ever feel a sense of warmth in some spot in your kitchen that you can't identify or figure out, check for oil. A rag or paper towel with oil on it, spilt oil and whatnot.

You may also want to double-check and clean the electrical outlets and light switches around your kitchen as they can be a heat and/or spark source. Being careful not to shock or electrocute yourself, obviously.

Chances are, you don't leave stuff like that laying around but just be aware.


Cold Feet

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Sara (southern USA) on 11/13/2019
★★★★★

Castor oil is great for SO many things - including my most recent discovery - a cure for cold feet! As a child my mother forced castor oil down me for every illness so I shunned it for years. But thanks to the Earth Clinic community, I've returned to castor oil using it on my face with great results. And on nasal polyps which seems to be helping.

But the biggy for me was this: I finally decided to try a castor oil pack. Made a small pack (4”x6”) using cotton cloth I had available, soaked the cloth with castor oil (wet but not dripping), placed it just below my right rib cage (liver area), plastic wrap over the top, covered with a heating pad on low. After an hour, I felt better - can't quite describe the feeling - surely a combination of being still, quieting my mind and the castor oil. BUT THEN I got ready for bed. I ALWAYS always wear socks to bed because my feet are cold. To my amazement - my feet were warm!!!! Thought it was a fluke. Tried it again the next night. Yes, warm feet!!! Thank you, Earth Clinic community!



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