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

Liver Transplant Preparation

Posted by Esa (Edmonton, Alberta) on 12/29/2016 3 posts
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

When my husband waited for a call for a liver transplant, we used castor oil packs each night, overnight. And would leave off for 3 or so days each 2 weeks or so. It kept his abdomen from becoming distended until he (months later) was able to have the transplant. I myself use it whenever I have gastrointestinal problems. My daughter in law used them across her abdomen during pregnancy, to keep the baby healthy and to keep from stretch marks. Go to the A.R.E. site if you are interested in learning more about the packs and other remedies from Edgar Cayce's readings.

Dry Eyes

Posted by Deb (Florida ) on 03/27/2016

Many people have used castor oil. It will make your eyes blurry for awhile, that's why they say before bed. Dr. Shealy (not sure about spelling) recommends it. I think the back is suppose to say USP.

Remember Drs are taught by pHARMa, that's all they know.

Do some Google searches. There was a good homeopathy eye drop, but the FDA made them take it off the market. Good luck!

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.

Nail Injury

Posted by Gardengirl (Gallatin, Tennessee) on 04/20/2012
★★★★★

While I was gardening I hit my small finger nail and to my surprise the nail was broke in half.... Across the nail. It was really painful and and the upper part of the nail was going to come off. It was blue, sore and the nail was all puffed up. I didn't know what to do and thought what the heck, I'll put castor oil on it. After putting it on , I think I forgot all about it and started cleaning the house. When I took a break my nail wasn't blue or sore. I applied it 2 more times and now the nail sort of connected back. I was amazed!!!! Love this stuff!!!!

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.

Beautiful Skin

Posted by Katzie (Calgary) on 02/07/2016

Castor Oil will not give you blackheads. I regularly use it when I have pimples that have not come to a head yet. I simply rub a dab of the oil into it and then it stops the pimple from forming and it goes away. I never use the oil on a pimple with a head, however, as it causes the pimple to collapse and leaves a small red mark, like the pimple was squeezed or popped. However, on big, red and sore "erupting volcano" zits, Castor Oil stops them dead in their tracks, every time.

Eye Stye

Posted by CHD (PD, USA) on 12/02/2007
★★★★★

STY - CASTER OIL REMEDY -I developed a big sty on my eye, it was in the evening and I did not have any sty medecine, I had read that caster oil would get rid of a sty so I decided to put it to the test, I put the caster oil on with a cue tip, within an hour my stye was half the size, I put some more on before I went to bed, and in the morning the sty had gone all the way down.

Caution: Risks of Spontaneous Combustion with Castor Oil

Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 03/30/2023 533 posts
0 out of 5 stars

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.

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! :)

Side Effects

Posted by Shiloh (Escondido, Ca.) on 12/09/2010
0 out of 5 stars

Hello everyone, I have tried the castor oil four times now and every time I use it my eyelids swell so bad I can't even see my eyelashes. The first time was on my eyelids for the purpose of better sleep. Boy what a mess, I was to go to a funeral the next day and my eyes looked like I had been crying for a week. That perticular brand was only for topical applications.

So I bought the kind you can use internally. Same thing happend, and by then I had read a post here that it was good for wrinkles so I put it on my whole face. I saw a difference the next morning and was pleasantly surprised, but disappointed because of the swelling. Well I must say I must be a glutton for punishment, the last time I used it was just around my mouth. I really didn't think my eyes would swell since it wasn't anywhere near my eyes. Wrong. The bad thing is they stay swollen for two days. Guess I must be allergic to it, unless anyone has any other ideas what's wrong.

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.

Hazy and Foggy Vision

Posted by Terri (Tyler, TX) on 03/08/2024
★★★★★

Castor oil has greatly reduced my hazy/foggy vision due to Sjogren's Syndrome. I had used unfiltered coconut oil for years - which did heal the ocular hypertension & dryness, but did nothing for the h/f vision.

When I switched to Castor oil (hexane-free, organic), a few months ago, I could tell a big difference in that it took care of the dryness as well as the h/f issue!!

I use 1 drop under my upper eyelid & it coats the whole eyeball as it slides down. After a minute, I wipe the access that leaks out. I do this just before bed, and again in the morning - before & after my shower. To remove the heaviness of the oil off my face, I apply a small amount of coconut oil to moisturize. It does take 2-3 min to absorb.

Urinary Incontinence

Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 01/30/2024 533 posts

@Sharon

I love reading the castor oil sections on Earth Clinic! It's nearly all fantastic outcomes and just makes me extra happy! Sort of like an attitude adjustment!! (I also enjoy Sunflower farm baby goat videos, LOL)

Anyway, I don't usually get this far through the castor oil reports but it's evening and there's nothing going on so I saw your comment (2 years later!! ) and was thinking about all of the other times I've used castor oil since and it occurs to me that I used it on something a bit different, several months ago - just for a day, after which I got distracted and forgot all about it - but the issue was resolved! And I didn't even notice!

A few years ago I SUPER "stubbed" a toe. As in I really jammed it back into my foot somehow, not sure what condition it was in BUT, it was shorter and the nail, although it didn't turn black or fall off, stopped growing and the dang thing would just plain hurt sometimes.

ANYWAY, it was particularly painful one day and I was wondering about ways to resolve the matter. Obviously, it was some sort of "dislocation" or something so not something I would usually treat with something like castor oil but I figured, what the heck? Let's see what happens! And I did but didn't. "See", that is...so...

3 or 4 times, that day, I alternately applied castor oil, then a couple hours later I would apply 4 or 5 drops of DMSO and went back and forth like that, all day but, like I said, I totally forgot about it afterward and this was several months ago but I just realized it hasn't hurt since I did that and seems perfectly fine which is sort of weird, isn't it? It MAY have even been broken, I don't know, but it was absolutely super jammed or dislocated or something for several years and now it isn't. And I didn't even notice that it isn't until I saw your query about further castor oil adventures!

It's just such awesome stuff and all of these reports are so awesome and I just received some ozonated olive oil today and am looking forward to a need for something of that sort again so I can compare THAT to castor oil as I've been studying the various ozone treatments - which are used all over the rest of the world - and appear to be equally fantastic.

I still can't believe I believed it when I read, repeatedly, that there are no studies regarding ozone treatments when, in fact, there are THOUSANDS of studies. Just not in the US. And I should have known better!

ANYway, lots of high-fiving and WOOHOOing in this report but there it is. Super simple, super effective. Put simply, castor oil well and truly rocks!

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~

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 Rob (Kentucky) on 03/11/2021

@ steve follow this link on castor oil teeth https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/tooth_abscess3.html#castor-oil

Abscessed Tooth

Posted by Lynda (MA) on 08/05/2022

Did you just put castor oil on the tooth using a cotton ball and did not swish the oil between teeth?

Vaginal Cervix Scar Tissue

Posted by Mama to Many (Tennessee) on 02/16/2015

Dear Viola,

I have had 5 abdominal surgeries and scar tissue from it as well. You have my sympathies!

You can get castor oil in a gel cap. You could then just insert that vaginally each night to get the castor oil to the os. And regarding your concern that once the castor oil is there, it is there--well, it will absorb into the tissue. I use castor oil on my face at night. By morning it is all absorbed. So you could do this 4 nights in a row and take 3 nights off.

~Mama to Many~

Puffy Eyes

Posted by Toourlady89 (Ca, Usa) on 08/26/2013
★★★★★

I discovered on accident that cold pressed Castor Oil will relieve puffy eyes / eye bags. I apply it to both eye lids with my ring finger.

Appendicitis

Posted by Grace (La, Ca) on 04/28/2013
★★★★★

I was ill for a 15 months before they figured out I had chronic appendicitis I was soooo sick that all my glands swelled up my ND told me to start rubbing good quality castor oil on my gland I would do while I was in shower (if you do this be careful it may make the shower slippery) I spray my shower daily to break up the oil. I also used a heating pad to get the oil to penetrate deeply within a few days all my glands returned to normal and my appedix was removed a couple weeks later.

Scars, Age Spots

Posted by andri (Naples. Fla) on 04/02/2023

Nothing like castor oil for many things. Also great to help with Cataracts!

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.

Side Effects

Posted by Carolyn (Canterbury) on 02/11/2023

I had trouble with a reaction to regular castor oil purchased at the pharmacy...my lips swelled up. Switched to "cold pressed organic" and have never had a problem since. The regular pharma kind is processed with chemicals, hence the bad reaction.

Sprains

Posted by D (Minneapolis, Mn) on 03/15/2011
★★★★★

I used castor oil for my sons sprain, he could not put any pressure on the foot without it hurting badly. I put a castor oil wrap on it for the night and he woke up walking. It started hurting later in the day and I did the same thing and he never complained again. That all no tylonol or pain med, just castor oil on flannel with saran wrap to keep it on. I thought of this because I had tried it with my 5 yr old who had a hyperextended knee. She could not use it for a week so I finally tried a castor oil wrap. Left it on for 24hrs. And when I took it off she still wouldn't try use it, I bribed her with a trip to the store and within 20 min. She was walking. So I'm not sure if it was the castor oil or the trip to the store, up until then she would only crawl or scoot.

Sore Feet

Posted by Aurelia (Pittsburgh, Pa) on 12/30/2009
★★★★★

I have found that a good quality castor oil rubbed into the foot for about 5 minutes will relieve foot soreness temporarily. Hope this is helpful.

Dogs

Posted by Suseeq (Sydney, Australia) on 10/10/2016

You are spot on.

Urinary Incontinence

Posted by Rosie (Hampshire, Egland) on 05/26/2024

I have been reading and fascinated by your posts. Thank you so very much they are so informative.

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!

Abscessed Tooth

Posted by Gary (Kitchener On) on 09/09/2023

Hi Alison

Get a small cotton ball and soak it in Caster Oil and wedge it on the tooth, do this as many times as needed. Even at bedtime over night.

keep healthy

Gary

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.

Syringomas

Posted by Alicia (Orlando, Fl) on 05/05/2011
★★★★★

I have been struggling with syringomas (tiny, skin colored bumps/tumors) under my eyes for quite a few years ago. I have had them removed by a dermatologist, but they not only eventually came back, but are multiplying! I decided to try castor oil after reading about the good results some people on EC have achieved on skin tags, warts, etc. I've been using it for one week twice a day, and they are almost gone! I have also started applying it to my entire face before going to bed each night. Castor oil is amazing! I plan to try liver packs next for congestion.

Dry Eyes

Posted by Michy (Vancouver, Bc Canada) on 04/14/2011
★★★★★

Thanks for all the great info about castor oil! I have found great relief to my many months of dry eyes and hopefully will be seeing some wrinkes disappearing too!

Beautiful Skin

Posted by Risa (San Francisco, Ca, Usa) on 01/04/2011

Hi Tricia,
Congratulations, and thank you for letting us know how the castor oil has improved your skin. I have a question regarding the usage of castor oil on the face. I have read that castor oil promotes hair growth. So doesn't castor oil when applied on face promote facial hair growth? What was your experience?

Application Tips

Posted by Miriam (Miami, Fla) on 03/14/2013

Castor oil... I use packs and use it on eyelashes small amounts here and there but one time thought more is better and applied liberally over face torso and ended up with an allergic reaction itchy rash all over. I still use just liver packs and a little on face just not total body lotion.

Pink Eye

Posted by Merk (Seattle, USA) on 01/26/2008
★★★★★

I have used Castor Oil many times for treating Pink Eye, put 1-2 drops in each eye two times a day, eyes will get better with in one day but keep using for 4-5 days. Always treat both eyes. After putting in eyes they will blur some from oil but will not sting at all and will be very soothing, castor oil is antimicrobal and a very healing oil.

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.

arthritis

Posted by Shelley (Sun Valley, Nevada) on 08/08/2024 10 posts
★★★★★

In reply to:

Posted by Kathy (Covington, Virginia) on 11/26/2010: "I have read all the feedback on msm. Now I am confused. I am having pain in my knees and legs. Have for sometime. I mix 2 capsules of msm in lotion and apply as much as needed. This seems to help, but not for long. I would like to start taking msm by mouth, but now if it causes anxiety i can't do that. I already have chronic anxiety and am taking zoloft, have been for ten years. The msm i use is pure. What can i do?"

You can use what I used after being run over in a crosswalk by a van going 45mph, I took some gauze strips which I soaked in a bowl of Castor Oil Cold Expelled, Organic. I also had Sudan I.e. Plastic wrap. I had several Ace Bandages.

I was suffering severe Arthritis, now bone on bone in my left leg, my right leg was missing a shim of bone so it was bending towards my left side, sideways.

I took the sloppy Strips of muslin, wrapped them around the painful portions of my legs, my ribs, all broken. I then took saran plastic wrap and plastic ed the castor oil dripping wraps. After insure non, Castor Oil was leaking, I then wrapped each wrapped area in one of my multiple knee ace bandages. I then settled in my bed for the night. place my rather large heating pad on the Castor Oil Treatment areas. I set it eventually all on medium, and had pillows under my knees so I wouldn't thrash a nd toss all night.

After a sound sleep, no moving all night, I woke up without the throbbing, knife slamming pain in my non injured bones. My knee joints and hostel arthritic stabbing knife pain was gone. I went 2 weeks then started every 3-4 days. My pain subdued and wasn't at scream like I am a girl. I am allergic to Nsaids, Only take Tylenol rarely.

Heart Palpitations

Posted by Dr Howard (Torrance CA) on 07/22/2023

Mag phos 12 X or C potency homeopathic great for the heart and negative symptoms. Helps cramps twitches, etc. Magnesium works on the white motor nerves giving them rhythmic harmony as they prolapse and contract.

Watch alcohol as it diminishes magnesium.Note when drunk people have a hard time even walking that's because the alcohol destroyed or used up most of their magnesium so they lose body or muscular control to some degree.

Helps with sugar issues, including cravings.

Can reduce desire for alcohol too. I have seen all of this treating people.

One client said he was getting free drinks on his bday. I proffered mag.phos 3X. He took a dose every 30 minutes. He was the only one to not get drunk. He was amazed. He was replenishing the magnesium the alcoholic drinks were using up!

Sprains

Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 03/04/2023 533 posts

I wonder how many times people say, "Oh, it must not have been sprained." or "it's just a coincidence" or whatever, when something works. Zero pain this morning. Not a twinge nor even any stiffness. But, to be honest, it IS a little hard to believe. I can't even actually think of an injury of that sort that would be gone overnight...how is that even possible? But it is. Gone, that is. And applying castor oil DOES feel good so, I'll take it! The healing, that is. Not the castor oil. It definitely feels good applied externally but I ain't swallowing it. Because I'm an adult and I don't have to! Yuck! LOL

Urinary Incontinence

Posted by Carolyne (PNW) on 01/09/2023

Cindy, you have a convert-- going to try this to support my bladder. My symptoms sound like yours-- we shall see!! Thank you!

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.

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~

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.

Dry Eyes

Posted by Marianne (Seattle) on 02/07/2018

I don't think I would use heat with castor oil on the eyes.

Castor Oil Pack Use During Pregnancy

Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 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~

Side Effects

Posted by AliB (Wales) on 01/31/2024

Yes. I agree.

Castor oil is a ‘drawer'. It can pull toxins out - or enable the body to push them out by its ability to increase white blood cell status in the area - and many of us have used quite toxic cosmetics & products over the years. Conjunctivitis, like anything coming out of the body anywhere, is a purging symptom. It's likely to only be a temporary issue.

Often, reactions we get to a natural substance comes not from the substance itself, but what it is doing to help cleanse & detox the body. But people assume it's the substance they are reacting to & stop using it - which of course appears to resolve the problem. But the toxins may still be present, secreted away in the tissues.