How Castor Oil Benefits You And How Much You Need?

Introduction

Castor oil has been used since ancient times as a traditional medicine for a range of health problems. Today, castor oil is used in dietary supplementation, industrial applications, and the production of medicines. Made from the castor bean, also called Ricinus communis, castor oil is commonly used as a home remedy. It is important to know that the outer covering of castor beans contains Ricin – a substance with poisonous qualities, hence the beans should never be eaten raw or whole¹. Castor oil can be used for its multiple benefits. 

But what are the true castor oil benefits and limitations? How much castor oil do you need? And can it really help with your medical issues? All these questions and more are answered below. 

Castor Oil Uses Today

Castor oil is used in industrial processes for the production of lubricants, hydraulic fluid, soaps, paints, dyes, wax, nylon, and more. Today, however, we’ll focus on the medicinal uses of castor oil. It is used: 

• As an additive in food and as a preservative (such as for whole grains). 
• Traditionally for arthritis and constipation^2,3. 
• As a traditional ingredient in skin and hair cosmetic products. 

Let’s take a look at whether castor oil benefits you and what is considered a safe dosage for castor oil.  

From what I have observed, castor bean seeds come in various types and they contain a significant amount of oil, ranging from 45% to 55%. This oil is extracted from the seeds of the plant and is known as castor oil. Castor oil has various uses, including in medicine, cosmetics, and industrial applications⁹.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Castor Oil Benefits

1. Castor Oil for Hair

Castor oil is said to have a nourishing effect on hair. It may also benefit itchy, dry scalp since it helps to lock in moisture and may help protect the scalp and hair from microbial and fungal infections. The ricinoleic acid it contains, along with vitamin E and fatty acids, means that it can aid in keeping your scalp clean, healthy, and moisturised⁴.  

Castor oil also has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, it may be able to improve the overall health of your scalp and hair⁵. Healthier hair may result in better hair volume, but this may not be clearly visible in the short term. In general, castor oil application to the hair and scalp should be seen as part of healthy hair maintenance rather than a magical growth serum. Castor oil is sometimes linked to hair growth, but evidence does not support a direct effect. 
Apart from providing sheen and moisture, castor oil is also thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. It may help to curb scalp itchiness in some people. Its anti-inflammatory properties may also be the reason castor oil is used traditionally for skin issues.  

2. Castor Oil Benefits for Skin

Since castor oil contains primarily fatty acids (it is 90% ricinoleic acid), it acts as a humectant (a substance that helps lock in moisture and avoid water loss on the skin)⁵. This makes castor oil a good moisturiser, although people with allergies or hypersensitive skin may experience a reaction.  

Additionally, a recent clinical study suggested that the topical use of castor oil cream may help manage under-eye dark circles, melanin levels, wrinkles, and skin laxity, showing potential as a safe and effective natural management option⁶. However, larger randomised trials are needed to confirm these benefits. Castor oil benefits for skin may also extend to an improved healing process for wounds and cuts since it has antimicrobial properties and also improves local blood flow⁷.  

Castor oil (in small amounts) is generally considered safe, however, you should use it with caution, especially if you have sensitive skin.  

3. Castor Oil for Constipation

Castor oil is known for its laxative properties and uses in constipation but its long-term use is not recommended⁸. Always speak with your doctor before taking castor oil for constipation. Since this involves ingesting it, we should quickly take a look at some potential castor oil side effects. When taken in large amounts or if consumed too often, it can result in: 

• Vomiting 
• Nausea 
• Weakness 
• Dizziness 
• Dehydration 
• Chest pain 
• Cramps 
• Electrolyte imbalance 

Of all castor oil benefits, its laxative uses are commonly recognised, but overdosing or allergic reaction can be a real risk.  

Based on my understanding, ricinoleic acid, the major fatty acid in castor oil, can have various effects on the gastrointestinal tract. It may inhibit the absorption of water and electrolytes, stimulate the secretion of water into the intestines, and reduce the contractile activity of the small bowel. These mechanisms may be beneficial in patients with gastrointestinal conditions⁹.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Castor Oil Dosage

Castor oil is not regulated as a medicine; therefore, there are no standardised medical guidelines on dosage. It is best to check with your doctor on the right dose for you, since even the manufacturer’s recommendations may be too much for some people. Particular caution is needed when considering its use in children, the dosage will be different based on their age.  

Conclusion

While the science behind castor oil is still being studied, castor oil has been shown to have some positive effects. Castor oil benefits for hair and skin issues could potentially work for many people. It may be tried cautiously, with a patch test recommended first. If you have existing medical conditions, you may want to avoid using anything new without first speaking to your primary doctor.  

References

1. Patel VR, Dumancas GG, Kasi Viswanath LC, Maples R, Subong BJ. Castor Oil: Properties, Uses, and Optimization of Processing Parameters in Commercial Production. Lipid Insights. 2016 Sep 7;9:1-12. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5015816/ 
2. Medhi B, Kishore K, Singh U, Seth SD. Comparative clinical trial of castor oil and diclofenac sodium in patients with osteoarthritis. Phytother Res. 2009 Oct;23(10):1469-73. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19288533/ 
3. Arslan GG, Eşer I. An examination of the effect of castor oil packs on constipation in the elderly. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011 Feb;17(1):58-62. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21168117/ 
4. Mysore V, Arghya A. Hair Oils: Indigenous Knowledge Revisited. Int J Trichology. 2022 May-Jun;14(3):84-90. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9231528/ 
5. Goyal A, Sharma A, Kaur J, Kumari S, Garg M, Sindhu RK, et al. Bioactive-Based Cosmeceuticals: An Update on Emerging Trends. Molecules. 2022 Jan 27;27(3):828. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8837976/ 
6. Parvizi MM, Saki N, Samimi S, Radanfer R, Shahrizi MM, Zarshenas MM. Efficacy of castor oil cream in treating infraorbital hyperpigmentation: An exploratory single-arm clinical trial. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024 Mar;23(3):911-917. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37927123/ 
7. Nada AA, Arul MR, Ramos DM, Kroneková Z, Mosnáček J, Rudraiah S, Kumbar SG. Bioactive polymeric formulations for wound healing. Polym Adv Technol. 2018 Jun;29(6):1815-1825. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6435308/ 
8. Alookaran J, Tripp J. Castor Oil. 2024 May 24. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. PMID: 31869090. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31869090/ 
9. Azadmard‑Damirchi S, Fathi‑Achachlouei B, Alirezalu K, Alirezalu A, Hesari J, Mami S. Physiological and Medicinal Properties of Castor Oil. In: Recent Progress in Medicinal Plants. Chapter 11. Studium Press; 2011. p. 323‑337. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327345451_Physiological_and_Medicinal_Properties_of_Castor_Oil

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