I learned about black castor oil from my mother. She put the oil directly on my scalp. After just a few short weeks, I could tell the difference it was making in my ‘fro. The oil penetrated my scalp and curl shaft and produced healthy-growing hair. 

By: Olivia Harde

What Is Black Castor Oil?

Castor oil is derived from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plants that grow wild in wastelands across tropical regions. It is often grown as an ornamental garden plant in milder climates, and now cultivated on a large scale for biodiesel manufacture. All castor oil are made from the castor plant, but black castor oil is special.

The seeds of the plant are pressed and roasted before being turned into oil, resulting in its bitter smell. Since black castor oil is less processed, it is more concentrated and has more nutrients. It contains Vitamin E and Omega-6 fatty acids, which thicken hair and control water loss.

How to Use Black Castor Oil

You can apply the oil straight to your scalp and hair, the way my mother did. However, you can also mix it with other essential oils, such as jojoba oil or coconut oil. Once it is applied, massage the oil into your scalp. You can wash it out with shampoo, rinse it with water afterward, or leave it in overnight. Since it absorbs easily into your scalp, the oil will not ruin your pillows.

It is safe enough to use on your hair every day, but it can still work as well if you try it on every other day.

Additionally, you can use castor oil as a pre-wash treatment or add it straight into your conditioner as a part of your hair regimen. My hair gets dry very quickly, and I like to do this when it really needs a pick-me-up. Mixing it into your conditioner also helps to mask the smell.

Black castor oil can also be used as a hot oil treatment once a week. You can do this by placing the oil into a heat-safe container and immersing it into a bowl of hot water. Make sure not to keep it in the water for more than a minute- you do not want to burn yourself with the oil!

After making sure that the oil is safe to apply onto your head, massage it into your scalp. Then, cover your hair in a plastic cap or towel. You can leave the hot oil treatment in for half an hour before washing it out with shampoo.

Use Black Castor Oil To Retain Length

For breakage concerns in your natural hair care regimen, black castor oil has healing properties that reverse hair loss and cure split ends. It improves blood circulation to the scalp, which allows nutrients to reach your hair follicles. You will no longer have to worry about brittle hair and breakage.

Additionally, it can even be used as a supplemental hair growth serum for your eyebrows and eyelashes!

Use It To Keep Your Beautiful Color

If you’re looking for shiny, healthy hair with bright color, black castor oil is perfect for retaining that brightness. It’s a humectant, meaning that it helps to retain moisture within the hair.

Use Black Castor Oil To Your Scalp

Black castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, which is antifungal and anti-inflammatory. It will help prevent dandruff and eczema. It is also an emollient, which means that it helps to soften your hair.

If your hair loss is a result of having a dry scalp, this ingredient will relieve you of that nagging itch to scratch your head!

Black castor oil will boost your overall hair health. It not only eliminates dry hair and helps it to grow, but it also prevents dry hair in the future.

Have you found any other benefits of black castor oil? Let us know in the comments below!