Castor oil for hair growth?

**ChloeDharma** · January 20th, 2009, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by plainjanegirl

So if someone who to use castor oil for a scalp massage 1. can you massage it in with a brush and 2. should the oils stay on your scalp for a certain amount of time before you wash your hair? i have a partial bottle of castor oil from a pharmacy. Can I mix it with coconut oil so it won't stink? Is it safe to microwave it? Maybe this would help my bare nape hair area.

1) you can massage it in in whichever way you feel is easiest, if that means a brush then go for it as long as the brush isn't damaging or tangling your hair in your judgment.

2) i would say keep them on for at least an hour or two, but IMO overnight is best.

Coconut oil is good one to mix it with if you already know you like it, sesame, sweet almond, avocado, olive, wheatgerm or really any other nourishing oil could be used instead or as part of a blend if you wanted to experiment

I would think that it's safe to microwave it, but my personal choice would be to warm it in a bowl of warm-hot water, or on a radiator. Although i've not found that castor oil needs to be warmed, but the coconut oil would be if you wanted to mix it.

I really hope it does help your nape area, i know this has been an upsetting issue for you and i'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you
HTH

**Isa-belle** · January 21st, 2009, 04:40 AM

Originally Posted by logica_divina

Another proof that everyone's scalp is different and responds differently...

For example, now that I introduced castor oil to my routine again (after a couple of months), I find that I shed a lot less during washing and I already have some new growth at my hairline, especially around temples where I had some thining.
I just love castor oil!

I usually add 2-3 drops of rosemary and chamomile EO to it for every scalp massage.

Also I have no problems what so ever with oiling the scalp and find that a CO removes it easily.

Couldn't have said it better. Ditto to everything you just said!
I'll have to try adding rosemary EO to my mix next time.

Originally Posted by plainjanegirl

So if someone who to use castor oil for a scalp massage 1. can you massage it in with a brush and 2. should the oils stay on your scalp for a certain amount of time before you wash your hair? i have a partial bottle of castor oil from a pharmacy. Can I mix it with coconut oil so it won't stink? Is it safe to microwave it? Maybe this would help my bare nape hair area.

1. As ChloeDharma said, any way you like is fine.
2. I like to leave it at least 3/4 of an hour, up to overnight. Most usually I leave it on for 2 hours. I'm not sure leaving it for more than this makes a difference; keeping it on overnight is just more practical sometimes.
3. yes, you can mix it with coconut oil; but I wouldn't microwave it. Your oil might get too hot and lose some of its properties and vitamins. This is why the bain-marie method is better.

**tina1025** · January 22nd, 2009, 08:41 AM

Please read the following article. I don’t know if it’s a good idea for a pregnant female to use it on their hair.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/co...Castor_Oil.asp

Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should not use castor oil, nor should people with intestinal blockage, acute inflammatory intestinal disease, appendicitis, or abdominal pain. Medicines that are dissolved in or based on castor oil compounds can cause allergic reactions.

**GlassEyes** · January 22nd, 2009, 08:43 AM

I don't think it so much encourages growth as protects the length of the lashes. After all, most people are putting it on the length, not the root of the lash.

**Bene** · January 22nd, 2009, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by tina1025

Please read the following article. I don’t know if it’s a good idea for a pregnant female to use it on their hair.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/co...Castor_Oil.asp

i think they mean taken internally, as in swallowed. that info appears on the bottle itself though.

**venividibxtchy** · January 22nd, 2009, 04:19 PM

Is castor oil very waxy?

I don't use jojoba oil for this reason.

**tina1025** · January 22nd, 2009, 05:09 PM

yes it is very waxy therefore its good to mix in any other oil.

Originally Posted by venividibxtchy

Is castor oil very waxy?

I don't use jojoba oil for this reason.

**Fluffy01** · January 23rd, 2009, 06:46 AM

I've been using it the night before I wash my hair in the morning and just letting it sit overnight. I take one of those bottles from Sally's with the very narrow tip and just drip it onto parts of my scalp. I wash it out in the morning with a SLS free shampoo and haven't noticed any bad buildup. I do scrub pretty good tho with the shampoo, which I think makes a huge difference in the cleanliness of my hair.

So far I think my hair is growing faster. I haven't done any measurements to be sure, but my "short layered ends" aren't giving me as many problems as before in regards to when I pull my hair back. I think it's cause they're finally long enough, which just occurred after using the castor oil.

PBI, I got mine from CVS and yes it is the kind used for digestive purposes.

**LaurelSpring** · January 23rd, 2009, 09:04 AM

I am definately a castor oil convert and love love love it!

It has stopped my major sheds in its tracks so now I am addicted to regular castor oil soaks.

I first started using it due to a thread on using it on your lashes. I started putting it on my lashes and was absolutely amazed at how long and thick and dark they got really quickly. So, of course the thought of putting it on my head came next.

I used regular Walmart castor oil. It is thick so I mixed it with some EVOO and later whatever oil I had around to think it just enough to make it easier to apply. I use a Q-tip and part my hair with that and rub it on the parts and then later massage it in. I do it overnight before a wash.

I have had no trouble whatsever getting it out. Right now I am using a dairy whip, AO GPB, baking soda mix to shampoo.

I have very little shed on this routine.