Castor Oil for Hair Growth: How to use, Jamaican Black, Benefits & Reviews

How effective is castor oil for hair Growth and thickness? What benefits does it offer? Does it improve beard, eyelashes, eyebrows and hair loss after chemo? How do prepare(mask) and apply on hair? What do user reviews say on the benefits and side effects/safety? Read on learn more

Castor Oil for Hair Growth/Regrowth & Thickening

Castor oil (Ricinus communis) has many health and beauty benefits and this is why its alias is the ‘miracle oil’ or the Palma Christi (Palm of Christ). The oil is extracted from either the bean or seed of the castor oil plant. The castor oil plant found its way to Jamaica but credence to its origin, Africa.

Ricinus communis has been used in historical medicine as a purgative and interestingly, to induce labor in expectant mothers. The purgative effect has been utilized in history during the World War 2 era being used in super high doses to induce explosive diarrhea and death due to dehydration.

Though with many medicinal uses, one of the leading applications is for the nourishment of the hair. Castor oil is a standalone in classification and therefore has beneficial effects when applied on the hair. It is mostly utilized for its positive effect on hair growth but can also be used in cases of hair loss due to its high potency of;

1. Omega 6 essential fatty acids
2. Vitamin E
3. An antioxidant
4. Minerals and proteins.

The fatty acids which compose up to 90% of the chemical composition of the oils, is triglyceride. Some of the types of the triglyceride fatty acids include ricinoleic acid which is one of the 18 fatty acids in castor oil. This fatty acid is known for its anti-inflammatory action and this is why castor oil is best known for treatment of scalp and hair conditions.

In addition to the anti-inflammatory properties, ricinoleic acid also has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties which is essential for the treatment of fungal and bacterial infections that may cause scalp conditions and hair malnourishment.

How good is Castor Oil for Hair? Benefits

Castor oil may be either yellow or black both of which are heavier oils making it perfect for the winter season. The black oil is known as the Jamaican black castor oil which has been prepared by roasting the castor bean making it have some additional benefits as you will learn shortly.

Therefore benefits may slightly differ with contextual reference to either yellow or Jamaican black castor oils but this is mostly skewed towards difference in physical properties. This will be covered in the later sections of this material.

The ash in Jamaican black castor oil results in a higher pH making it better in clarifying properties and opening up cuticles that disturb. In a gist, castor oil;

• Has Anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial properties
• Soothes itchy scalp
• Improves circulation
• Eliminates split ends
• Moisturizes scalp and hair
• Helps treat dandruff and other scalp infections
• Balances scalp pH
• Antioxidants support keratin making hair stronger and less frizzy
• Restores natural color

How does Castor oil do all these? Here’s some explanation to some of the major beneficial effects of castor oil.

1. Prevent Hair Losses and Promote Hair Growth

The anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties of castor oil are great in fighting dandruff, scalp infections and furunculitis. Ricinoleic acid, in addition to the two benefits, also promotes proper circulation of blood to the hair follicles and basal membrane.

This hastens the rate of growth of hair making your hair longer and thicker in the long-run. The presence of 9-omega fatty acids in the oil promote the growth of hair, checking for hair breakage and controlling increase in split ends, drying of hair and also conditions your hair making it nourished.

Most of those who have applied castor oil twice a week for a month to their hair have seen the benefits of doing so by an appreciable elongation and thickening of hair. While castor oil will treat some hair loss conditions, some may not receive appreciable improvement. Loss of hair due to extreme dryness, Tinea capitis, and folliculitis and due to breakage can be treated with castor oil.

When used with the right counterpart oil to make a mixture such as with lavender oil, it performs really good aromatherapy which has beneficial effects on hair. Fresh, unrefined castor oil will do very well in harnessing the full benefits of castor oil in increasing shine, length and thickness of your hair.

Try rosemary mixture with castor oil too and reap from the double action. In cases of genetic hair loss such as male baldness, some benefit may be observed but new hair growth will not be stimulated in areas with dormant or inactive hair follicles.

Experiments and reviews on comparative analysis of Rogaine and castor oil have reported better results than using Rogaine alone. It has been postulated that the fatty acids present in castor oil, ricinoleic acid increase blood circulation to the hair follicles making absorption of the drug better.

“Target Woman”, an online magazine that advices on beauty tips supports that circulation is important for hair growth and ricinoleic acid, by its promoting circulation…

2. Balance Scalp pH

Balancing the pH of the scalp is important for the neutralization of irritating chemicals on the scalp that lower the pH and cause inflammatory reactions on the scalp. The buffering property of ricinoleic acid also retains the integrity of the scalp’s natural oils. This prevents subsequent drying and scaling of the skin of the scalp. It also prevents breakage of hair due to drying.

The presence of anti-oxidants in this miracle oil prevent the damaging effects of bacteria and further reducing the spread of cell inflammation to adjacent cells. The anti-oxidants have also been shown to increase the level of keratin in hair making the hair smoother and stronger.

3. Treats dandruff and scalp problems

Dandruff occurs due to infections and also due to general drying and scaling of the upper layer of the skin of the scalp. Scalp infections occurs as the main cause of dandruff and further extending as an etiology to bald patches and pruritis (itching) of the scalp.

Again, due to the antifungal and anti-bacterial properties of ricinoleic acid, these pathogens that cause infection are combatted. Sealing properties of castor oil rehydrate the hair shafts.

4.  Retain hair pigment

Your hair might go on to lose its pigment. Choose to apply some castor oil to your hair if you see signs of hair graying to prevent further loss of its normal color. This oil helps in retaining the hair pigment and again prolongs the duration it might take to have your hair graying.

If you are not experiencing any graying, then you could use castor oil for enrichment of the dark color. This makes the hair richer in color and hue. The darkening ability of castor oil on hair is linked to its ability to retain moisture. To get the darker hair color, apply castor oil in amounts the size of a pea and mix it with your regular hair conditioner then apply to your hair.

5.  Condition Hair

You might have known that if your hair is dry, to avoid damaging the hair, get a chemical that acts as a humectant. Well, castor oil has these humectant properties making the hair softer and smoother by trapping the moisture. Remember that it is due to this humectant properties that the hair also retains its dark color. Just as to retain the hair pigment, mix some castor oil 5 mL to your hair conditioner and apply evenly.

6. Keep the shine of your Hair

If you want a glossy hair look, then the omega 6 fatty acid ricinoleic acid, proteins, vitamin E and the minerals in the castor oil will do the trick. Though this might give you an oily scalp if used more frequent than once a week. To pull this trick, warm your castor oil then spread onto your hair. Do this at night when you go to sleep then wash off with shampoo in the morning. Your hair shaft will be revitalized with this practice.

7. Get rid of Split Ends

Trichoptilosis, as medics may call it, is the breaking or splitting of hair shafts at the ends due to mechanical and heat stress. The nutrients contained in castor oil prevent and treat this.  Hold the ends of your hair and apply the oil onto them for 30 minutes two weeks span. You will have provided an alternative to cutting them.

8.  Stop Male Receding Hairline

For men with receding hairline, castor oil is one of the readily available treatment option you’ve probably not tried. It will keep your healthy by getting rind of fungus and bacteria on your scalp

Castor Oil for Hair Growth Before and After Results & Pictures

Though usually based on personal accounts, before and after results can at least help you make a decision to buy or not buy a product. It is a fact that almost no one is willing to spend their money on a product they cannot see possible results…as some wise individuals put it, seeing is believing.
In regard to castor oil, there are a couple of testimonials from buyers indicating that it actually works. Some users have experienced hair growth up to three to five times the normal rate.
Here are before and after results in pictures from Amazon and YouTube

How to choose  the Best Castor Oil for Hair

Confused on how to go about choosing the best castor oil for your hair? Here are some factors to consider before
purchasing.
Understand your hair type.

You should have info on your hair porosity, texture etc. For instance porous hair tend to absorb substances at a higher rate compared to non-porous hair. On the other thick hairs tend to go well with heavy oils while thin will work well with light oils. In this case consider castor oil if you have thick and porous hair.

Goal-What do want to achieve?
The second factor to consider is your initial goal:The reason you are buying the oil. The oil should match your
goal for instance if you want to thicken your hair the oil should possess an ability to achieve thickness.

Natural is Better

The first two points are based on you and your hair. What about the product? Here are some important ideas. Go for natural that is specifically meant for cosmetic use. Natural is free of chemicals and thus safe. The natural types of castor oil are cold pressed from the plant and usually colorless or light yellow in terms of appearance

Still on natural, look for organic castor oil. It does not have toxic additives and pesticides. 100% organic castor oil is safe for your hair and skin.

One more tip: Experiment!
Get a small amount of the oil from the stores and test. Mix with portions of other hair products for instance essential
oils and note the results. This because most of the testimonials are based on personal accounts and therefore you should make a point to practically try it on your hair. If it works, invest in more. If it does not work, ditch it and try something else. Experimenting is definitely important. It will save your time and money.

Best Brands

Basing on the tips and ideas highlighted above, some of the best castor oil brands for hair growth , thickness and eyebrows/eyelash growth include;

• Tropic Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil(most popular- Amazon’s choice)
• Now Solutions Castor Oil
• Home Health Castor Oil, Cold Pressed and Cold Processed
• Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Reparative Leave-In Conditioner
• Foxbrim Organic Castor Oil – Hexane Free
• Pure Castor Oil for Eyelashes, Eyebrows, Hair Growth,Skin and Face

How to use/Apply- Castor Oil Hair Mask, Recipe

Recipe-Preparing Caster Oil for hair Treatment

You could perform various preparation depending on your objective. Fortunately, all the methods of preparation are simple and straight-forward. All you will need is rubber gloves, shower cap, applicator brush and a towel. Check out some of them in this material as follows:

Adding the oil to your hair conditioner – castor oil appears heavier and denser as compared to most oils. It would therefore be uncomfortable to wear it all day in your hair. Mixing 5mL with your conditioner for a one-time use will be wiser than preparing a leave-in mixture.

Adding one method of preparation you should wary about though works pretty well when used in moderation. Shampoo is soap with emulsifiers/emulsifying agents that would engulf the oil droplets for better solubility. While this might be good for solubility reasons, the oil seats in the core of the micelle and your hair will not benefit as well.

Hair Mask

This method would purportedly work well in restorative hair procedures. This happens when your hair has lost its pigment or has split ends as well as loss of hair. To do this, apply a thick amount of castor oil on your hair and leave for a while. You could also leave it overnight too then wash with shampoo.

Make your hair mask with 15 ml or 1 tablespoon of castor and olive oil each. Add some lemon juice half a lemon squeezed. Apply to dry hair with dandruff. If your hair has dandruff and is oily, mix the castor oil in the same quantity as honey, 1 tablespoon and add some aloe vera gel, then some lemon juice.

Warming before application – measure out 5 mL of castor oil and warm then apply to have the glossy look you have been looking for. Heating the oil has more benefits on your hair and scalp. The heat is particularly essential for its astringent effect on the hair shaft and scalp allowing the castor oil and other beneficial oils to properly penetrate and nourish.

Preparing mixtures with revitalizing oils has a number of recipes for this method. Check this out;

Mixing Castor Oil, Shea Butter,Coconut & Almond Oil

To have them well mixed, do this;

• Add 2 – 6 teaspoonfuls or 10mL – 30mL of castor oil to a bowl
• Then add 2 tablespoons or 10 mL of coconut oil followed by an addition of 120 ml of shea butter.
• If you have some essential oils, add some. This may include some lavender or lemon grass.
• Finish off with some rose water.

Castor Oil and Almond Oil

To have them well mixed, do this;

• Add 1 tablespoon of castor oil to a bowl
• Measure out an equal part of almond oil to the castor oil and mix
• Add an equal part of lemon oil.

This mixture has been suggested as a beneficial hair conditioner for deep application and restorative ad reparative therapy (Reddit).

Instructions and steps to apply on Hair

Now that you have prepared your castor oil through some of the methods above, your next  and most important step would be how to apply it. For the best results, you want to do the following general instructions.

• Use an applicator brush and a towel to avoid messy results,
• Before anything else, test a tiny bit on your inner arm to ensure that you do not have any allergic reactions to the mixture.
• Decide whether you want you oil mixture warm so that you heat it beforehand.
• It is advisable to wash your hair before you do the application to remove the dirt and any other chemical.
• Then mix it once again to ensure even mixture.
• Divide your hair in the middle as does the salon, with your hair comb. Divide it further into 3, 4 or more parts depending on the amount of hair you have.
• Apply the oil to your palms and spread it evenly on your scalp and in between the hair parts.
• If you have a dropper, use it to apply it to the scalp and roots.
• You could also use your nails to deliver the oil and your tips to spread
• Now massage the oil mixture on your scalp without discrimination as you finish off each application with a final spread on your hair down to the tips.
• With a comb, or a hair brush applicator, spread it on the shafts.
• Do this for 5 – 30 minutes as you confirm that your whole hair has received the castor oil.

If you intend to have the oil overnight then wear a shower cap. You could however still apply an hour before you wash it off with shampoo at bed time.

For Dandruff, laden hair

For dandruff, laden hair, apply a mask on the roots of your hair for 30 minutes.

Castor Oil for Eyebrow Growth & Eyelashes

Castor oil can be applied on hair around your eyes, that is brows and lashes. This is especially if you want your hair back thicker and longer after shaving or plucking.

Eyebrows

Recipe

What you will need:

• Cotton swab or Clean eyeliner brush
• Glycerin
• Towel
• Castor oil

Procedure

1. Clean the skin by washing properly with warm water. Make sure you wash eyebrows too. Gently dry it using a towel.
2. Now take the cotton swab or eyeliner brush and dip it into the castor oil. Make sure you let go off any excess back into the sink. In case you don’t have a cotton swab, you can use a thick cotton cloth.
3. Apply it directly onto the eyebrows.
4. Make use of the dry end of cotton swab to get rid of any excess oil which may be present around the eyebrows.
5. You may also use a bit of glycerin on each eyebrow to improve the effectiveness of castor oil.
6. Leave it untouched overnight.
7. Next morning, wash off the face with warm water.
8. Repeat this process regularly for best results.

 Castor Oil for Eyelashes

According to WebMd, castor oil can also be used in the eyes to soothe the membranes irritated by dust or other chemicals. However, there have been instances of irritation to the eyes and the skin around it causing puffiness

According to other user complaints , some have had sties due to blockage of the pores.

Therefore, care should be taken not to rub the eyes with the oil to avoid the side effects. Consultation with your doctor will be pertinent before undertaking this procedure.

Beard Growth, Hair Thickening & Growth After Chemo

 Hair Thickening

If you want to thicken your hair follicles, apply as thick layer on the scalp and massage. Hair that is still in the early stages of the hair growth cycle will be the target for better thickness. Thickness results may not be significant basing on user reviews. However, at least the oil will create a notion that your hair has thickened.

Hair Growth After Chemo

From a general point of view, this oil offer a number of benefits for your hair. Hair loss as a result of chemo is common problem among cancer patients. Information based on personal accounts has it that castor oil can help stimulate hair growth after chemotherapy. How this works is based on the benefits that you’ve already seen above. However, further research is required to establish the effectiveness of this oil.

Beard Growth

Will castor oil make your beard grow thick and longer?

The answer is yes! To some extent though. After all beard is hair…just like any other hair on your body.  Your beard will get all the benefits you’ve already learnt.

First, having or not having beards is basically based on the genes of your forefathers. Therefore, if you lack some, it is definitely not your fault and in this case, it is a fact that this oil is not going to create a beard out of nothing.

If you have some hair, count yourself lucky: this oil can offer some benefits. As mentioned earlier the oil increases blood circulation which can help increase the rate of beard growth a little bit.

Apply onto the beard for growth but care should be taken not to lick it as it may cause diarrhea due to its laxative effect.

In terms of beard thickness it doesn’t produce any magic results. However, owing to the fact that it’s a heavier oil, it may give that impression.

A number of users claim that it actually doesn’t make your grow and thicken. They add that the effect of this oil is temporary

“until i take a shower. i never noticed any growth benefits from it – just temporary conditioning /absorption by the hair.”

Other users like it for it acts as good coat for beards. This is because it is heavier thus keeping the hair oiled for a longer period.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil Hair Growth Reviews

What is JBCO and what is unique about it?

JBCO is also made from the beans or seeds of the Ricinus communis plant. Differences arise with the method of processing. JBCO is processed by roasting the seeds after which they are pressed to express the oil. Clear castor oil is expressed from fresh seeds with cold compression. Therefore, yellow castor oil is the pure, organic and raw version of castor oil since with no heat, there is lower risk of degrading the oil.

How does it compare with other castor oils?

Since black castor oil is processed by roasting the bean, the resulting dark color is due to the ash of the roasted bean. Therefore, color comes in as the most straightforward observable difference. The pH level differs too with the ash in JBCO being of a higher pH and therefore alkaline. This is believed to have more clarifying properties.

Basing on user reviews, is it better than the other caster oils?

Both oils have ricinoleic acid which is the principal of the 18 fatty acids in castor oil that is of great benefit to the scalp and hair.

Both of these oils therefore benefit the hair and since yellow castor oil has more nutrients, it may have better effects on the scalp.

The purported benefit of JBCO as a potential thickener of hair when applied to the shaft is not a fact. This is due to the fact that once the follicle is out in the hair growth cycle, nothing can be done to boost its thickness unless another were to grow from the anagen phase. The hair follicle is made of dead cells just like the nails. Owing to the method of expression, JBCO may as well not be better than other castor oils.

How to use Jamaican black castor oil for hair growth

To benefit from JBCO try this;

1. Apply to the scalp and roots of your hair.
2. Put on a plastic cap
3. Wrap your hair in a towel
4. Let the castor oil sit in your hair overnight
5. In the morning, shampoo your hair to remove the treatment making sure to get your scalp clean
6. Proceed with your regular routine
7. You’ll want to repeat this treatment once a week for 6-8 weeks to notice a difference in hair loss or thinning.

JBCO Reviews-Youtube + Before after Pictures

Here a video from Amanda’s Beauty Corner. According to the vlogger, castor oil made her hair grow. It worked!

Jamaican black castor oil in stores-where to buy

Want to buy castor oil? You can find it your local beauty shops. You can also get it from online stores such as;

1. Walmart
2. cvs
3. Amazon
4. Walgreens

When & How often should I use Castor Oil for Hair Growth?

When to Use

Castor oil hair growth treatment works better on damp but not wet hair. As mentioned earlier, some experts consider it perfect for the winter season. For maximum benefit,  leave the treatment on for several hours or overnight. After applying, use a shower cap or towel to avoid getting the oil on furniture or a pillow. Wellnessmama

How Often

Ho many time you should use this oil may depend on your personal preferences. Some individual recommend the oil one to two times in a week. Others choose to use it on a daily basis. As long as you see no bad effects, you can use the way you like…

How remove  Castor Oil from your Hair

To remove the castor oil from your hair, which may be difficult with natural shampoos,

1. Leave it overnight for optimal absorption
2. Get natural shampoo or mud shampoo
3. Or crack an egg and whisk it then apply to your hair and massage into the scalp. The oil will be broken down and again also add some more nutrients.
4. Wash with hot water to remove the oil alternatively.

Castor Oil vs. Olive, Coconut, Argan & Emu Oil for Hair

Olive oil

Olive oil works great at maintaining scalp health and improves hair growth. The oil also hydrates and helps manage your hair, it adds shine and gives you soft hair.

Mixing

1. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil into castor oil of equal part
2. Mix, scoop and apply onto the scalp rubbing for 10 minutes
3. Leave on for I hour then wash off with shampoo and rinse
4. Do this daily for the best results.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has properties which help protect your hair from harsh environmental conditions while keeping it moisturized all day long. It also helps in growing the hair longer and stronger in a convenient manner

How to use/mix Castor and coconut oils

Argan

Argan oil high vitamin E and fatty acid content. It absorbs easily and is non-greasy and non-irritating, which makes it a great natural moisturizer. Vitamin E promotes healthy hair growth as it contains antioxidants, which help boost cells and encourage them to produce healthy hair – it has even been used for hair regrowth.

How to argan and Castor oil

1. Add castor oil to a sufficient amount of argan oil.
2. Separate your hair into 4 – 5 parts and apply from scalp to the shafts then to the tips.
3. Cover with warm shower cap or warm towel, and leave on 2 hours or overnight.
4. Wash with shampoo, rinse and pat dry.

Repeat 3 times a week

Emu Oil

This oil has been likened to that of ‘re-awakening’ the thinning and inactive hair follicles.

While castor oil is from a plant, emu oil is from a bird: emu. The oil is rendered from a fat pad taken from the back of the bird when the bird is butchered.

What is unique about emu oil?

• It comes with anti-inflammatory properties which help promote a healthy scalp.
• It is non-irritating
• It does not clog pore
• It is a good emulsifier-does not feel oily
• It easily absorbed by the skin.

It contains oleic acid which softens the horn of the skin and allows penetration of other oils. It also reactivates thinning hair follicles.

How to mix emu with castor oil

1. To enough castor oil, add 3 – 4 drops of emu oil
2. Mix and scoop to massage into the scalp for 10 minutes
3. Disperse with a comb and leave on for 1 hour
4. Then wash off and rise then pat dry
5. Repeat twice a week and observe

Castor Oil for Hair Side Effects/Safety

Castor oil seems to sit well with many individuals. The oil does not have serious side effects
Here are some the possible side effects of using castor oil. The effects may come as a result of taking too much of the oil or being allergic to the oil though rare etc.

• Stomach/abdominal pain or cramping
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weakness
• Shortness of Breath
• Itching
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Rashes
• Dizziness
• Swelling
• Muscle Cramp

Seek immediate medical attention if any of the above side effects persist or if any the following but unlikely but serious side effects Occur:

• Irregular heartbeat,
• Decreased urination,
• Mental/mood changes (such as confusion)