Castor Oil has a long history of use around the world! Sourced from the seeds of the plant Ricinus communis- which consist of 40-60% oil – documentation of Castor Oil use reaches back many centuries in Egypt, the Mediterranean, Eastern Africa and India.  

In ancient Rome, the oil was known as Palma Christi (“hand of Christ”) because of its profound healing properties. Castor Oil was also taken internally at times to relieve constipation and was used for particular conditions in midwifery. 

The oil has been revered in many folk remedies and healing traditions where it was applied topically to skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis and to soothe pain and inflammation as well as encourage healthy circulation.  

Castor Oil also has a long tradition of being used for health and beauty and was documented as used by Egyptians in 400 BC for perfume base and moisturizer. It is said to nourish the skin, scalp and hair – and has recently seen a spike in popularity for mainstream beauty treatments!   

How you can incorporate Castor Oil into your personal care routine: 

Facial cleansing. Castor Oil can be used to gently dissolve makeup, sunscreen and daily residue on the skin – making it an effective facial cleanser. It is also unscented and non-irritating!  

Moisturizing – Castor Oil‘s emollient properties that makes it an excellent natural addition to skin care and beauty treatments! Fatty acids allow for deep penetration into the skin and ricinolenic acid also has beneficial soothing effects on irritated, inflamed skin. It can also be applied to the lips for a protective, moisturizing treatment.  

Pro tip – Castor Oil has a very thick viscosity. It can be mixed with other, lighter oils, like sweet almond or coconut oils, for smoother, easier application.  

Lash and brown enhancement. Castor Oil is conditioning, smoothing and moisturizer to hair! It adds volume and length making it ideal to enhancing lashes and brows.  

Hair and scalp conditioning. For a rich, deep conditioning treatment, Castor Oil can be massaged into the hair and wrapped in an old t-shirt for a couple of hours – then gently shampooed out.  

Pro tip – Try adding rosemary oil! Not only is this a pleasantly aromatic herb, rosemary treatments and rinses have traditionally been used for promoting healthy hair! (Note: small amounts of rosemary oil should only be used for hair on the head – not eyebrows or eyelashes!)  

⭐Fun fact: Castor Oil isn’t just used for health and beauty! It is used in many products including brake fluid, paint, nylon, food flavorings, mold inhibitors, packaging materials, food-grade waxes, lubricants, dye, inks and as an ingredient in some pharmaceutical medications!  

St. Francis Herb Farm Castor Oil

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Our premium, certified organic Castor Oil helps to hydrate, soften, and revitalize skin, hair, and nails. Plus – it is available in both 250 mL and a 120 mL that comes with a specialized applicator wand for easy, precise application on brows and lashes! 

Purity and quality are key for the efficacy of Castor Oil on health and beauty! We source oil from the highest quality, certified organic castor beans, that is cold pressed (extracted manually, without harsh solvents like hexane) and packaged in protective dark glass to preserve the potency and longevity of the oil.  

Learn more: How to Make and Use a Castor Oil Pack!