How to Use Castor Oil for Hair Growth
The simplest way to use castor oil for hair growth is to massage it thoroughly into the scalp. The process is straightforward but make sure to target thinning areas. Massaging your scalp increases blood circulation. This allows blood vessels effectively deliver the nutrients essential for hair growth to the hair bulb.

Things You’ll Need
Preparing the stuff you need is the first step to do things right. Here’s a list of things you will need when using castor oil for hair growth:
- Castor oil
- Shallow bowl
- Old towel or T-shirt
- Rubber gloves (optional)
- Spray bottle
- Glass dropper
- Applicator brush
- Comb (wide tooth comb is preferred for curly hair)
- Shower cap
- Shampoo
- Clean towel
How to Prepare
Prior to application, make yourself and everything ready. Here are few preparatory tips to make your castor oil use easier and effective.
- Pour a generous amount of castor oil in a shallow bowl. This makes it easier to take oil during application. The amount of oil you need depends on the length and thickness of your hair.
- To prepare yourself, cover your shoulders with an old towel or use an old T-shirt to protect good clothes from oil stains.
- Castor oil works better with damp hair. Use a spray bottle for a little spritz of water.

How to Apply
- Take some oil using a glass dropper and apply oil to the scalp. Put hair in sections to ensure the entire scalp is covered.
- Scoop some oil and rub between your palms. Spread the oil throughout the hair shaft up to the ends. You may use an applicator brush and a comb to help distribute the oil evenly.
- Massage scalp for 10 to 15 minutes to increase blood circulation.
- Leave for at least 1 hour or overnight. Cover your head with a shower cap to protect furniture and pillows from oil stains.
- Wash hair in the morning using warm water and mild shampoo.
TIP: More is not always better. Avoid applying too much oil as it will be difficult to rinse off later.
How Often Should I Use Castor Oil for Hair Growth
Repeat this method at least twice a week to improve your hair growth. The natural growth of hair takes time so be patient. All you have to do is commit to a regular hair care routine with castor oil. Notice the signs that the oil is working as your hair improves. It becomes more shiny and smooth after a few weeks. Before you know it, you finally got the desired length and thickness of hair.
DIY Castor Oil Hair Growth Recipes
While it is nice to use castor oil for hair on its own, you may also make your own castor oil recipe. All it takes are a few natural ingredients that come with bigger results! Combine castor oil with other essential oils or kitchen finds that boost hair growth.

To give castor oil an extra spunk, here are 7 of the best DIY Castor Oil Hair Growth Recipes you must try:
Castor Oil and Coconut Oil
Many essential oil users call this pairing a “power couple”. That is definitely true because castor oil and coconut oil complement each other quite perfectly. Coconut oil improves the naturally thick nature of castor oil for ease of use. By keeping hair healthy and strong, this recipe is a great way of using castor oil for hair loss too. The hair-enhancing properties and nourishing value of both oils work together for better results.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon castor oil
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Combine castor oil and coconut oil in a bowl.
- Blend well using a spatula or stirrer.
- Massage it into your scalp and hair.
- Leave for 2 hours or leave overnight.
- Shampoo as usual.
Castor Oil and Aromatherapy Essential Oils
Castor oil blends well with any type of oils including aromatherapy essential oils. Mixing aromatic oils with castor oil improves your oil blend with a delightful aroma. Since these oils are light and volatile, it is important to combine them with an effective carrier oil. That’s where castor oil comes into play. It helps deliver the nutrients from the aromatherapy oil to your hair. Rosemary oil, lavender oil, lemon oil, and tea tree oil are few of the most popular essential oils used for aromatherapy.

They all have great benefits for hair care. Rosemary oil helps prevent premature graying of hair. Lavender oil, lemon oil, and tea tree oil have powerful antibacterial properties that help fight scalp problems and reduce dandruff.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon castor oil
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- Any of the following aromatherapy essential oils:
- 4 to 6 drops rosemary oil
- 3 to 5 drops lavender oil
- 3 drops lemon oil
- 1 teaspoon tea tree oil
Instruction
- Mix castor oil and coconut oil in a bowl.
- Add your choice of aromatherapy essential oil.
- Apply the oil blend into scalp and hair and massage for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Leave for at least 1 hour.
- Rinse off with a mild shampoo.
What benefits other than hair growth can you use aromatherapy essential oils for? Learn the different ways you can use essential oil products for better living.
Castor Oil and Vitamin E Capsule
Heat styling and too much use of chemical-based products can ruin your hair. When it’s time for dry dull hair to bounce back to life, a blend of castor oil, olive oil, and vitamin E is all you need. Vitamin E helps repair hair damage as it goes on deeply through each strand. This powerful combination helps restore healthy hair as it grows.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon castor oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 capsules vitamin E
Instructions
- Blend castor oil and olive oil in a bowl.
- Nick a hole through the vitamin E capsules using a needle or scissors and squeeze content into the oil blend.
- Mix everything well with a spatula or stirrer.
- Apply oil blend into scalp and hair and massage for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Allow the oil to sit for at least an hour.
- Wash hair with water and mild shampoo.
Castor Oil, Aloe Vera, and Honey
For effective hydration, aloe vera naturally works well with hair. It contains nutrients and lots of water that revitalize hair and balance pH level of the scalp. It treats itchy scalp and hair loss. You can add honey for extra moisture that relieves dry hair.

Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon castor oil
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Combine castor oil, aloe vera gel, and honey in a bowl.
- Use a hand mixer to blend well and create a hair mask.
- Apply hair mask to scalp and hair.
- Massage for at least 10 minutes and leave for at least 30 minutes.
- Rinse hair with shampoo as usual.
Castor Oil, Egg, and Honey
Adding an egg and honey to castor oil creates a nutrient-rich hair mask that combats hair loss. Honey provides hair with extra moisture while egg contains protein that strengthens hair. Use this delectable hair mask with castor oil for hair growth.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons castor oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 fresh egg
Instructions
- Beat an egg into a bowl.
- Add honey and castor oil and mix well using a hand mixer.
- Apply the mask to scalp and hair, then massage in a circular motion for about 10 minutes.
- Cover with a shower cap and let it sit for at least 1 hour.
- Rinse hair with regular shampoo.
Castor Oil and Curry Leaves
Curry leaves are rich in anti-oxidants that reduce cell damage. It restores hair health and prevents hair fall. This works well with the hair growth properties of castor oil. With fresh curry leaves, this recipe is a great way of using castor oil for hair loss. Here’s how you combine curry leaves and castor oil to create a hair growth treatment.

Ingredients
- ½ cup castor oil
- ½ curry leaves
Instructions
- Pour castor oil into a saucepan and add curry leaves.
- Set up on a stove and boil.
- Switch to medium heat and continue to cook until curry leaves turn black.
- Remove from heat and leave until cool.
- Collect the curry leaf-infused oil in a bottle using a strainer.
- Apply oil to your scalp and hair and massage for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Cover with a shower cap and leave for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Wash hair with a mild shampoo the next morning.
Castor Oil and Onion Juice
Revive dry brittle hair with the combined action of castor oil and onion juice. Onion juice contains sulfur that supports keratin structure, the building block of hair. It maintains hair elasticity while fighting inflammation and bacterial growth in the scalp.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons castor oil
- 2 tablespoons onion juice
Inflammation
- Mix castor oil and onion juice in a clean bowl using a hand or electric mixer.
- Apply the hair growth solution to hair from roots to tip.
- Massage the scalp to increase blood flow.
- Let the solution sit for at least 2 hours.
- Rinse hair with lukewarm water and mild shampoo.
Benefits of Using Castor Oil for Growing Hair
While using castor oil for hair growth helps you grow hair naturally and fight hair loss, it still comes with exciting hair benefits on the side. Here are the other awesome things castor oil does to your hair:

- Moisturizes Hair – Castor oil keeps your hair and scalp hydrated due to its high moisture content. It leaves a thin layer of coat that locks moisture in. This helps keep hair always smooth and soft to touch.
- Strengthens Hair – Protein in castor oil is one of the reasons why using castor oil for hair growth really works. It boosts keratin, a building block of hair, so it stays resilient to breakage.
- Repairs Damaged Strands – Castor oil provides hair with vitamin E, which is essential for keeping hair healthy. It repairs damaged hair follicles to restore a smooth texture.
- Adds Shine – Who doesn’t want to have hair that shines? It’s the most visible sign of healthy hair. Castor oil nourishes hair for a gorgeously glossy finish.
- Keeps Scalp Healthy – Healthy hair growth starts with a healthy scalp. Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid that carries anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. This helps balance the scalp’s pH level while preventing dryness and scalp problems.
Want to get maximum benefits from castor oil? The best way to master the art of castor oil is to understand the general nature of essential oils. Find out how they are produced and various ways of using them.
How Castor Oil Boosts Hair Growth and Prevents Hair Loss
With various benefits and methods of using castor oil for hair growth, you probably wonder if any of these really work. The best way to find out is to understand how hair grows and how castor oil increases your hair’s growth rate.
The hair growth cycle is composed of three phases: Anagen, Catagen, and Telogen. Anagen, also referred to as Growth Phase, last for about 1000 days. During which, the hair bulb receives nourishment from blood vessels to enable growth. It is at this stage of a hair cycle when castor oil does its job.
Pure cold pressed castor oil holds high amounts of ricinoleic acid, responsible for growing hair. It is an omega-9 fatty acid that makes up 90 percent of castor oil. It boosts blood circulation at the scalp to encourage faster hair growth. It’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties also help promote a healthy scalp.
Castor oil provides your hair with essential nutrients that prevent hair fall. Protein fortifies hair while vitamin E repairs damage. Your hair becomes tough on breakage, allowing hair to grow longer and thicker with every use.

Best Type of Castor Oil for Hair Growth
Make all your hair growth experience count by choosing the best product to use. With many types of castor oil such as Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Solvent Extracted Castor Oil, and Cold Pressed Castor Oil – which one should you pick?
Your best option is to use pure cold pressed castor oil for hair growth. This type of castor oil contains the most amounts of essential nutrients. It is produced using a mechanical press without infusing heat or harmful chemical. So you get an all-natural product that is safe and effective.
Now, the next important part is knowing which brand of pure cold pressed castor oil to choose.
Want to know our top picks of essential oil brands? Find which brands offer high-quality castor oil products you can use for hair growth.