Surprising Benefits of Castor Oil

Castor oil is a thick, colourless oil that comes from seeds of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis). The plant grows in hot climatic regions but is thought to be native to East Africa. It contains Vitamin E, oleic acid (2-6%), linoleic acid (c.4%) and ricinoleic acid (85-95%). However, it is the ricinoleic acid that makes this oil unique. Ricinoleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid that has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. For that reason, the oil has been used for medicinal purposes for the skin and hair. Ricinoleic acid is also a humectant and helps increase blood circulation to the scalp.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil processes castor seeds via roasting, which gives it a darker colour and ashy aroma. This is different to cold pressing the seeds, which produces the more familiar pale colourless oil.