Castor Oil

*This product is not for internal consumption. It is for external use only.

Native to Eastern Africa, India, and the southeastern Mediterranean Basin, Castor Oil is obtained from beans of the Ricinus communis. This perennial flowering plant is now widespread throughout many tropical regions.

Once the seeds have been removed and cleaned, they are cold-pressed. Without the addition of heat, the active ingredients are preserved. The crude oil is then filtered, ensuring the oil is of the highest quality and purity.

Castor Oil is free from solvents like hexane. This carrier oil is lighter in colour and has a low acid and iodine content. These properties make castor oil suitable for use directly on the skin, and in cosmetic formulations.

Castor Oil is a clear, viscous liquid with a pale yellow hue, with a mild distinctive odour. Miscible in alcohol and other plant oils, this carrier oil is insoluble in water.

Benefits of Castor Carrier Oil:

A well-known source of ricinoleic acid — a monounsaturated fatty acid
About 90% of the fatty acid profile is triglyceride — formed from the ricinoleic acid. The remainder is 3-4% oleic acid and 3-4% linoleic acid
Has a low molecular weight — renowned for penetrating deep into the upper layer of the epidermis, replenishing and maintaining moisture in the skin
Has excellent emollient properties — leaving the skin soft and smooth
A good hair conditioner — makes hair appear nourished and shiny
Efficient in dispersing pigments when creating thixotropic products
Provides lustrous shine in comfort in a lipstick
Has a buttery-soft, smooth feel

Pharmaceutical Applications

Castor oil is widely used in cosmetics, food products, and pharmaceutical formulations. In pharmaceutical formulations, castor oil is most commonly used in topical creams and ointments at concentrations of 5–12.5%. However, it is also used in oral tablet and capsule formulations, ophthalmic emulsions, and as a solvent in intramuscular injections.
Therapeutically, castor oil has been administered orally for its laxative action, but such use is now obsolete.

Clinical Use

Castor oil is a bland oil that is hydrolyzed in the gut to yield ricinoleic acid, the active purging agent. This hydrolysis requires bile, a fact that is sometimes overlooked when castor oil is given as a laxative before radiography in biliary obstruction.