The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
General Feedback
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 05/22/2021 523 posts
★★★★★
The author of the book, The Oil That Heals - Dr. William McGarey - writes, "Our six children have had castor oil applied to various parts of their anatomy so often over the years that they have reminded us that they will put on our tombstones when we die, "Here they lie in spite of castor oil! "
Side Effects
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 05/22/2021 523 posts
I find it has just enough grip to give the face muscles a good workout, if you engage them against the direction you're rubbing. I've always massaged and exercised my face, have never been "delicate" with my skin, don't wear makeup and have always appeared younger than my age to others. Aside from when I woke up after sleeping off the Covid. I looked about 80! ROFL! BUT, I've got my strength back - thanks to rebounding - and everything's back to normal now!
Plantar Wart
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 05/22/2021 523 posts
Oooh! I've been trying to grow mine back so I could experiment on them some more and I'm SO trying this!! And I highly recommend linen socks - they're cheap and don't last forever but they're also AWESOME! I just applied CO to my feet and put mine on and it's...well...AWESOME - and you can wear them upside down when they get holes in the bottom. Haven't had much success mending them...
Another recommendation is one of those bath mats that looks like a big, flat, plastic loofah, so you don't slip in the shower if you are using castor oil on your feet. And, definitely Kirk's castile and Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soaps. I use the Bronner's in a foamer at the kitchen sink that I use for just about everything and Kirk's for the shower. Both cut castor oil and do a pretty good job cutting borax, as well.
Castor Oil Application Tips
Posted by Katzie (Calgary ) on 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.
Diabetic Feet
Posted by Philippa P. (Surrey, BC) on 03/29/2021
★★★★★
I am 68, female & have diabetes. My feet had become a problem for me with slight swelling, some loss of sensation & didn't feel like feet at all. They tended to get cold & stay cold for hours. The problems were getting to the point where they made walking & sleeping difficult. I was beyond dismayed. Then I read of some of the castor oil cures & wondered if it would help me. At the very least, they would be moisturized even if nothing else happened.
I bought organic castor oil & started using it daily. I would take a few minutes to massage the oil deep into my skin. I used a generous amount on both feet. After applying the oil, I put on socks to help keep the oil on my feet. The socks stayed on until all the oil had been absorbed.
Two days later, my feet are lovely & soft; my feet feel like feet again; and, the sensation has returned. Castor oil is now a permanent part of my daily routine.
Philippa
Torn Achilles Tendon
Posted by Pinetreelady (Dunedin, FL) on 03/25/2021
★★★★★
Just want to put my 2 cents about the amazing healing benefits of castor oil.
Several years ago, I had a bad UTI which I couldn't get rid of so went to the doc and was put on Cipro, which attacked my Achilles' tendons on both ankles. The pain was excruciating. Docs gave me a muscle relaxant, which did nothing. As a last resort, I had my hubby rub castor oil on my ankles several times a day. Took pain away within one day...haven't had a problem since...
I might add that I since found out there was a class-action suit against the makers of Cipro as it was causing tendon ruptures in many people. Guess I was lucky and the Castor oil healed it on me. I use it for many things, including the packs, and take it orally occasionally, but only organic cold-pressed and hexane-free.
Abscessed Tooth
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 03/11/2021
Abscessed Tooth
Posted by Steve (Toronto) on 03/07/2021
Question for Post from William in Plains, Mt:
Exactly how did you use the castor oil on your gums and teeth? I have a similar problem.
Broad Benefits
Posted by ROSIE (MO) on 01/26/2021
You never said. Did you take it internally? People don't give details and it leaves us guessing...
Syringomas
Posted by badhairday (Bavaria) on 01/22/2021
Did you apply just to the bumps or to the whole under eye area? How long did you leave it on for before washing it off? Thanks.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Liz (AZ) on 01/20/2021
Hi Kem -
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing experiences with castor oil. I have read numerous articles on the wonderful benefits of castor oil and really want to try it but I'm not sure what type or brand is good. Are all castor oils equal? I know there is the type that is take orally that parents used to give kids for certain ailments. Then there's the topical formula. Do you recommend one over the other?
Broad Benefits
Posted by Mama (TN) on 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~
Dry Eyes
Posted by Marytp (Utica, NY) on 01/16/2021
★★★★★
Castor oil helps with dry eye. I have severe Dry eyes. Used everything under the sun on my eyes to bring some sort of relief. I won't go into the history. But the important point is for at night.
I have castor oil in a dropper bottle, and I put the drops around & in my eyes and then I put plastic wrap across my eyes. The castor oil on the skin, keeps the plastic on my face, and seals my eyes fir the night. If you're uncomfortable enough you will try this! If you want to try it for daytime, just touch the tip of the dropper in the corner of your eye, works like a oil slick. Brings relief!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Vianne (Florida) on 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.
Beautiful Skin
Posted by Nic (Wisconsin, USA) on 01/02/2021
I realize you posted many years ago. I'm hoping you subscribe to comments and will see this. What facial exercises do you use? Thanks :)
Side Effects
Posted by Imp (France) on 09/09/2020
I didn't have this problem, maybe your fingers or oil where contaminated by some bacterias. This can happen with any product, make up or cream that gets into your eyes.
Cold Feet
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!
Internal Use of Castor Oil
Posted by Susan (North Carolina) on 03/02/2020
★★★★★
I just read the article and I only saw putting it in the eyes as internal. I don't remember reading about taking it internally. The oil pack, and applying on the skin is what I read. When you put something on the skin it will penetrate and a small percentage will go into the blood stream. In the old days they did give it by the spoonful, and I think they all survived. So, use your judgement, and maybe a little more research?? BTW, I agree the companies are just protecting themselves.
Internal Use of Castor Oil
Posted by Glenn (Toronto, Canada) on 05/19/2020
★★★★★
I purchased the "food grade" castor oil and gave it to my teen aged daughter for a spring clean out. Even though I put it in a bit of orange juice, I was shocked that she drank it without any fuss. I remember when I had to take it as a child that it was very unpleasant to drink and I put up so much fuss. The dosage I gave her, 2 table spoons, should have had purgative effects on her but nothing happened!!! I was quite surprised so I checked the bottle to make sure I got the right stuff. It was fine and not expired but I noticed the oil was thinner and clearer than I remembered. Also the bottle said tasteless and odourless. I feel like whatever process was done to make the food grade / taseless / odourless castor oil somehow made it much less effective. My parents told me that when they bought castor oil in the past that there wasn't a "food grade " tasteless odourless option. I don't know if that's something new. I'm going to try the cold pressed hexane-free organic one, on myself first, and see if it works and is what I remember from my childhood. Has anyone else experienced the same thing with the new food grade tasteless odourless castor oil? Has anyone recently consumed a cold pressed hexane free organic oil and had good results? t.i.a.
Internal Use of Castor Oil
Posted by El (Washington, DC) on 03/02/2020
Please answer. EVERY bottle of castor oil I see, even cold-pressed, hexane-free, organic, says âExternal Use Only.â What brand is safe to use internally? And, it just a CYA for the companies? Itâs really frustrating that they do that.
Eyes
Posted by Pascal (Zagreb Croatia) on 11/12/2018
I use it undeluted and my eyes are better but I'm not sure is it safe.
The article below says: "The instillation of a castor oil solution into the eyes of nine patients resulted in mild and transient discomfort and minor epithelial changes. In another study involving 100 patients, the instillation of castor oil produced corneal epithelial cell death and continuity breaks in the epithelium."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18080873
Vaginal Polyps
Posted by Darla (Canada) on 10/29/2018
Thank you sooooo much for posting this and I am so glad I found this! My recent pap has revealed a vaginal polyp to add to my abundance of lumps and bumps my body is making! I am trying frankincense and myrrh for the breast lumps but wasn't sure what to do for the fibroids in the bottom half. You have given me hope I can do this hopefully before the specialist.
Abscessed Tooth
Posted by Julie (In) on 10/25/2018
★★★★★
I had swollen gums and a slight tooth ache, so I put some castor oil in my mouth, and swished with it for about 15 minutes then spit it out, then brushed my teeth with toothpaste and baking soda (did this 2x a day). I noticed the pain slowly went away, and within 2-3 days, the pain wasn't there anymore! My teeth looked whiter too! The castor oil must've cleared up the infection (?)
Arthritis
Posted by Brent (Spartanburg S.C.) on 08/13/2018
@Sandy from IL: I've read that L Carnosine eye drops will get rid of cataracts. Check Amazon or ebay.
Vaginal Cervix Scar Tissue
Posted by Terri (New Zealand) on 07/16/2018
Research serrapeptase and its use for internal scaring and unblocking Fallopian tubes people report 6 months to fix taking high doses. Hope that helps along with the castor oil, helped with people infertility too.
Arthritis
Posted by Mama To Many (Tn) on 06/04/2018
Dear Sandy,
Some things I might try would be gentle oil pulling with sesame oil - it seems to be especially indicated for teeth problems.
If you have not tried Black Walnut tincture, it is something to try to remineralize teeth. We use 1 dropperful in a Tablespoon of water and swish for 1 minute and then swallow. We do this twice a day. We have healed cavities with this.
Bone broth is supposed to help with healing bones and also the gut, which may improve absorption of nutrients.
Comfrey is an herb I use for its cell regeneration properties. If you would be able to grow a plant you would have an endless supply of this, at least in the summer months. I use it daily. Comfrey's other name is "knit bone" because it heals bones and joints.
Some use cod liver oil, internally to benefit from the vitamin A and D. Perhaps the vitamin A would also benefit the eye issue you have been having.
If you could get some black walnut powder, this can be added to homemade tooth powder. My husband uses this when his teeth feel sensitive and it usually helps right away.
I hope you are able to try some things and that they help you a lot!
~Mama to Many~
Arthritis
Posted by Sandy (Il) on 05/31/2018
Dear Mama to Many,
I have been taking care of just almost every day or at least 3 times a week, for the past 4/5 years. I just stopped last year, because there were lots of guests in the house and there was no time for myself. My tooth became wiggly last summer and I got it fixed by a dentist in India. He pressed it down and put some adhesive kind of thing and now it still firm. But moment he fixed it I noticed that my eyesight in one eye became very weak.i read somewhere that there's a connection between each eye and corresponding body organ to that. And because of my eye problem I'm not able to search on the website what is that connection between teeth and body organs. Until two months ago I was taking vitamin D3 alpha lipoic acid, coq10, magnesium calcium and ashvagandha. Recently I stopped everything and taking only coq10 and ALA. Massaing my gums with G32 tablet. This is my routine now. Sometime I rince my mouth with pinch of Alum and a pinch of salt in warm water. That gives lot of releif to my aching gums and teeth.
Arthritis
Posted by Mama To Many (Tn) on 05/30/2018
Dear Sandy,
Carrot juice taken daily over a a long period of time may be helpful to your eyes. It cured a friend of mine of an "incurable" eye disease!
Regarding castor oil, yes, I love it for dry skin. You have to gently massage it into the skin. I do this sometimes at night and then by morning it is all absorbed.
Regarding the concern about your jaw bone and tooth problems, could you remind me what you are currently doing? Supplements? Diet? Medications?
I don't think castor oil would have that negative effect on the inside of your mouth, but since everyone is different, I wouldn't rule it out entirely.
~Mama to Many~
Arthritis
Posted by Sandy (Il) on 05/28/2018
Dear Mama to Many,
Also please let me know whether the castor oil is good for dry skin. My skin is super dry and face always looked dull and tired. and because of dry skin my face is wrinkled and look very old,
Another problem for my dropping skin on face is my jaw bones have become week and I am some loose tooth. Do you know any home remedy to make my jaw bones stronger? You are my saviour on this site.
Arthritis
Posted by Sandy (Il) on 05/28/2018
Hello Mama to Many, (Good Samaritan)
I have a cataract and tried castor oil but not much of use. Can you please suggest some alternate home remedy for my cataract. I am not able to drive specially in the night time. Also I tried taking castor oil internally, it cleaned my bowels three to four times in one day, but I noticed that my gums in upper jaw near my front teeth are swelling and having irritation. Is that the side effect?
Eyes
Posted by Sue (Red Deer, Alberta, Canada) on 05/22/2018
I read that castor oil has a toxic component released (recin). I was thinking of putting it into my eyes at night and I'm double checking. I don't want to cause my eyes further stress.
Abscessed Tooth
Posted by Marcig (In) on 05/09/2018
Makes me wonder if I could brush my teeth with it?
Broad Benefits
Posted by Jackie (Massachusetts ) on 05/06/2018
I would never have plastic directly over skin & then heat. Your skin will also be absorbing the plastic this way.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Ali (Wales) on 03/04/2018
Try putting a castor oil pack over your liver for several nights. I put mine on and wrap a large bandage or towel around it and fasten with pins or ties then go to bed. The warmth helps it penetrate and draw the lymphocytes to heal wherever the pack is placed. To rid the body of ‘liver' spots place it over the liver, not over the spots. The spots are just a signal that the liver is struggling. Between the castor oil and a good, clean plant-based diet I no longer have liver spots anywhere. Having a clean free-flowing lymph system and well-filtering kidneys is imperative for health & vitality.
Lymphatic Malformation
Posted by Ali (Wales) on 03/04/2018
A plant-based diet with plenty of greens, fresh fruit & veg juices and whole fruit is great for clearing the lymph. Dr. Morse is a great proponent of getting the lymph clear. Blocked lymph can apparently be at the root of most developed disease.
Side Effects
Posted by Ali (Wales) on 03/01/2018
Yes. Castor oil can help the body detox. It helps to pull or move gunk out of the lymph.
Calcified Bursa
Posted by Ali (Wales) on 03/01/2018
Heat can help, but most people are pretty snuggly warm in bed at night so it is not strictly necessary.
Side Effects
Posted by N. Bennett (Michigan) on 02/09/2018
I am also type O and have never had a problem with applying castor oil anywhere on my body.
Dry Eyes
Posted by Marianne (Seattle) on 02/07/2018
I don't think I would use heat with castor oil on the eyes.
Dry Eyes
Posted by Marilyn (Il) on 02/07/2018
Is it safe to use heat with castor oil pack on the eyes?
Beautiful Skin
Posted by Phoenix (Ca) on 02/05/2018
Thank you sooooo much for sharing this! So appreciated. I will use it for sure! :)
Plantar Wart
Posted by Shauna With A 'u' (Clearwater, British Columbia) on 12/03/2017
★★★★★
A year ago I started using Castor Oil (organic and cold-pressed) on my planters warts on my feet. Just rubbed a little right on them once a day. By three months they were all gone and haven't returned.
Calcified Bursa
Posted by Marisa (San Diego) on 11/19/2017
Do you think this post from 2007 used a heating pad with it all night?
Side Effects
Posted by Urusla (New York) on 09/14/2017
I am also allergic to castor oil. I found out that blood type O can be sensitive to castor oil.
Eye Blister
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 09/09/2017
Cold pressed is what I use as well. I put it into my eye for the eye bubble. I used it nightly in my eyes for months previously with no side effects.
~Mama to Many~
Eye Blister
Posted by Tom (Los Angeles) on 09/07/2017
Hi,
I have a similar issue in my eye and keep getting the stye(boil) between eyelash/ eyelid on and off. I want to use the castor oil like you did.
Can you please suggest what type of castor oil did you use and did you put inside the eye or on eyelid. I bought cold pressed castor oil last night but I think I cannot use inside my eye.
I will appreciate your reply .
Thank you!
Eye Blister
Posted by Mama To Many (Tn) on 09/06/2017
★★★★★
Last evening at bedtime I felt like I had an eyelash in my eye. I checked in the mirror and did not see an eyelash. I finally realized I had a tiny blister looking thing on my eyelid, the part between the lashes and the eyeball. It made my eye feel like it had sand in it. I was so tired I didn't want to look up what it was or what to do for it. (It didn't look like a sty - it was not red or irritated.)
Then I remembered castor oil for eyes, cysts, pimples, etc.
I put a drop into my eye and went right to bed.
I woke up this morning and forgot about it; the irritation was gone. I think the little blister thing is, too.
I tried looking up what it was today and was not able to figure it out.
But you don't always have to know exactly what you have to find a solution.
~Mama to Many~
Broad Benefits
Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 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 Bob (Rosedale, Md) on 08/14/2017
Can someone tell / explain to me that "wax on- wax off" exercise?
Arthritis
Posted by Charlotte (Texas) on 08/11/2017
★★★★★
My castor oil pack for knee osteoarthritis consists of a cotton cloth saturated with castor oil, Saran Wrap to cover it, and an Ace Bandage to cover all that. It's not too messy, and works well with a heating pad applied, or just to sleep with alone overnight.
Side Effects
Posted by Margo (Ct) on 08/09/2017
I find castor oil is too thick for sensitive skin underneath the eyes and causes extreme puffiness for days if I put it anywhere near my eyes. But I am extremely sensitive to most eye creams and can't use them. Perhaps cutting the castor oil with avocado oil or another carrier oil would be gentler. Not in the eyes of course, just around the eyes.
Side Effects
Posted by Anna (Austin, Tx) on 08/08/2017 11 posts
Has anyone ever thought that it could be a "Herxheimer Reaction" (healing crisis)? I have been using castor oil for one week around my eye area but not in the eye. The first 4 to 5 days I woke up with a lot of sleep in my eyes, which never really happens. I do not get it any more so I'm assuming my eyes are healing. I am still using the castor oil but will start putting a drop in each eye. Just a thought, as with all natural remedies there is a healing crisis period.
Arthritis
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 07/11/2017
Dear Char,
The only side effects I can think of would be that it is kind of messy! And ladies should not use abdominal castor oil packs during menstruation because they increase blood flow.
Thanks for sharing your success story. I love castor oil for lots of things - knee pain included!
~Mama to Many~
Arthritis
Posted by Char (Texas) on 07/10/2017
★★★★★
Castor oil packs on painful arthritic knee really helps reduce pain when used overnight while sleeping. Are there any adverse side effects from this? Thanks!
Dogs
Posted by Denise (Westboro Ma) on 04/28/2017 25 posts
I wonder if it works on human tumors as well?
Application Tips
Posted by Mama To Many (Tn) on 04/28/2017
Dear Rsw,
Thanks for your details about the castor oil packs! I did not know that the store bought packs had the plastic built in. That is great and I am sure more tidy/handy than what I do. I will be looking in to that further!
Thanks! Always something new to learn...
~Mama to Many~
Dogs
Posted by Denise (Westboro, Ma) on 04/27/2017 25 posts
That is such a good story and the one by Francine. I love the way we share our stories. It seems there are more and more things we are finding that are simple cures. Surgery puts so much stress on the animals, even going to the vet does. Vets don't even know of these cures - they don't teach them that in the colleges.
Application Tips
Posted by Rsw (Oh) on 04/25/2017
★★★★★
I have used the castor oil packs occasionally, and bought my products in a pack. The material for the castor oil pack came with one side as an absorbent, cotton-type material, with an attached waterproof, plastic type backing on the other side. I cut mine with scissors to fit the area to be covered. Add the castor oil to the cotton side fairly liberally, and place that wet side against your bare skin. The attached plastic backing is facing outward. The castor oil does not turn into a paste on mine but remains an oil. Wrap plastic wrap around your body, covering the cotton and plastic pack so that the oil doesn't leak out the sides. Maybe wrap a towel or shirt over this, or an elastic bandage to keep it in place and catch any leaks. Place a heating pad over all this, and let the castor oil warm up on your skin. I would leave the heating pad on for at least a half hour or more (several hours would probably be OK). When you are finished, you can put the used castor oil cotton/plastic pad in a plastic bag and keep it in the refrigerator to use again. You might have to add a little more castor oil when you re-use it. I hope this helps. Best wishes!
Moles
Posted by P. Raghavan (Virudhunagar, Tn, India) on 04/03/2017
Jomi,
It looks like castor oil and baking soda will also work for skin infections and itching very efficiently. Thank you for your info.
P. Raghavan.
Moles
Posted by Jomi (Georgia, Usa) on 04/01/2017
★★★★★
I used castor oil and baking soda with a waterproof band aid on my back, well, with my husband's help. I actually forgot it was there..After about 5 days, after a shower, I felt an itch, then I realized that I had forgot about the band aid...When I asked my husband to remove it, so I could reapply, the mole was gone...I had tried this about 17 years ago, but I changed the application everyday..it worked then, too.. both moles were about the size of a pencil eraser..and not brown..they had been there for years, and haven't changed..I would not use this on moles that have changed or are dark brown...have them checked out first..
Dry Eyes
Posted by Peggy (Tn) on 02/02/2017
★★★★★
I use castor oil for eye dryness. Opthamologists do not recommend it, but it works. Restasis contains castor oil.
Dogs
Posted by Michelle (British Columbia) on 01/25/2017
Do you apply this to the Dogs tumor neat or as a pack?
