In this article, I’ll explain why castor oil is indicated as an effective hair loss treatment method, and how you can use castor oil for hair growth yourself.
You’re going to learn about ricinoleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid which makes up the majority of castor oil’s composition.
Further, you’ll discover how scientific research has indicated its possible use as an inhibitor of PGD2, a compound found to be present in overabundance within the scalps of men with androgenetic alopecia.
Then, I’ll teach you the exact best way to apply castor oil to your scalp for maximum benefits.
Finally, I would recommend taking my new 6 part questionnaire to calculate your chances of naturally re-growing your hair. The higher your score the more likely that castor oil and other natural methods will successfully work for you.
What is Castor Oil?
A vegetable oil obtained through the pressing of the seeds of the castor oil plant, castor oil is used in a variety of industries and is known for its mold-inhibiting and lubricating abilities.
Now found in tropic regions throughout the world, the castor oil plant is native to the Mediterranean Basin, Eastern Africa, and India.
The flowers of this glossy-leaved plant range in color from yellowish-green to red, and its size can vary tremendously.
Not-so-fun fact: Consumption of castor beans can be fatal (1). This is due to the levels of ricin found within the bean.
Castor oil, however, does not contain ricin, as the process of oil extraction heats up the protein to such an extent as to denature and inactivate it.
What makes this plant so special, however, is the abundance of ricinoleic acid which is present within its oil. Ricinoleic acid makes up 89.5% of castor oil’s fatty acid composition and has various properties that lend themselves to the effective treatment of hair loss.
Can Castor Oil Be Used to Treat Hair Loss?
When it comes to answering this question, I like to look at the cold, hard facts.
While I’ll be delving into the scientific research in the next section, consider these facts about castor oil:
Castor oil contains high amounts of ricinoleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties (3, 4, 5).
These properties alone make ricinoleic acid and, therefore, castor oil, a treatment option to be considered by those with alopecia.
Inflammation of the scalp constricts blood flow to the hair follicle, reducing the levels of necessary nutrients. Additionally, inflammation can be a direct cause of hair loss, especially for those with scarring alopecia (6).
Ricinoleic acid, however, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, similar to capsaicin, but without an increase of blood flow to the applied area, which can irritate (7).
Further, ricinoleic acid’s antimicrobial abilities may provide relief to hair loss sufferers who are struggling with bacterial or fungal infections of the scalp.
The application of castor oil can treat the infection and ensure that your scalp and hair follicles stay clean, healthy, and free from infection.
And, as if inflammation and infection weren’t enough, free radicals are another contributor to hair thinning and loss. Ricinoleic acid’s free radical scavenging abilities, however, can help you to reduce the levels of cell damage within your scalp.
What Does the Research Have to Say?
While human studies on the use of castor oil in the treatment of alopecia are lacking, there are a few studies that compel me to believe that castor oil is a viable option for hair loss treatment.
I previously discussed the role that Prostaglandin D2 plays in hair loss, but here’s a quick recap:
A 2012 study conducted by Garza et al discovered a link between PGD2 elevation and hair loss, first in mice and then in men (8).
Initially, Garza and his team tested their theory on mice.
Two groups of mice were used, both of which received an initial topical application of 15-dPGJ2 to synchronize the hair follicle cycles of all mice.
On day 8, however, only one group received another application of the 15-dPGJ2 while the control group received an acetone vehicle.
The hair lengths of the mice were measured on days 4, 12, 14, and 16, and as is clear in the tables below, the mice that received the additional 15-dPGJ2 treatment had shorter hair lengths than those mice in the control group.
Additionally, researchers looked at the effects of PGD2 and 15-dPGJ2 on human hair follicles. Extracted follicles were maintained in culture for 7 days, where increasing amounts of vehicle, PGD2, or 15-dPGJ2 were applied.
The results of this particular test can be seen in figure 6D above.
Through this study, researchers formed the theory that the GPR44 receptor is to blame for PGD>sub>2 and 15-dPGJ2’s inhibitory activities.
Researchers were also interested in the levels of PGD2 present in men with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and those without.
Through the use of mass spectrometry, the researchers were able to determine the levels of PGD2 within the studied men. In the balding men, the levels were 16.3 ng/g tissue, while in men with hair, the levels were 1.5 ng/g.
Androgens and Prostaglandins: A Cascade Effect
It seems quite obvious through the provided research that high levels of PGD2 are present in the scalps of balding men when compared to their haired counterparts. That, of course, begs us to ask whether this is a chicken-or-egg
scenario. In other words, does an over-production of PGD2 lead to hair loss, or does hair loss, in some way, trigger the overproduction?
PGD2 is an important player in the development of the male reproductive system (9). PGD2 production is fueled by testosterone through a process known as the arachidonic acid cascade.
Unfortunately, this process can sometimes lead to the overproduction of PGD2, known to slow hair growth, while simultaneously under-producing PGE2, a prostaglandin that is linked to hair growth induction (11, 12).
This imbalance leads to the triggering of Gpr44, the receptor mentioned above which is believed to be responsible for PGD2’s ill effects.
This entire process, ultimately, results in one thing: slowed hair growth.
If the overproduction of PGD2 plays a role in hair loss, then what can be done to prevent its unwanted effects?
Ricinoleic Acid: An Inhibitor of PGD2
While clinical trials are underway to test the effectiveness of various pharmaceutical drugs on their abilities to reduce the effect of PGD2 by blocking the GPR44 receptor, a recent study by researchers in China shows that castor oil may provide a natural and readily available alternative (13).
Fong et al selected 12 herbs commonly used in Eastern traditions and tested various aspects of each.
The study aimed to determine whether any of the 12 herbs or their constituents were inhibitors of prostaglandin D2 synthase (PTDGS) and, therefore, could be developed for use in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (male-pattern baldness).
One of the herbs that was tested was, you guessed it, castor. Or, ‘ricinus communis’ as it was identified in the study.
As discovered by researchers, ricinoleic acid, a major component of castor, has a few properties that made it stand out as a potentially effective inhibitor of PDG2.
First and foremost, ricinoleic acid received a high docking score as tested by researchers.
Docking is an indicator of inhibitory prowess, as it shows an ability to interact and bind. The similarity in chemical structures between ricinoleic acid and prostaglandin is a good indicator of its ability to interact and bind with the molecule.
The striking similarities can be seen by comparing the below prostaglandin structures with the above image of ricinoleic acid.
Since ricinoleic acid has a similar structure to PDG2 it will block its action at the GPR44 receptor. Second, ricinoleic acid has excellent skin permeability. This is important for the exertion of its pharmacological effects.
Third, ricinoleic acid has minimal adverse effects when applied topically.
With this information in hand, researchers concluded that ricinoleic acid, along with four other TCM constituents, shows potentially strong inhibitory properties as it relates to PGD2, though further research is required.
How to Include Castor Oil In Your Hair Care Routine
While the consumption of castor oil can have undesirable effects, direct application to the scalp can prove to be an effective way to boost hair growth and improve the overall quality of your scalp and hair. There are several different castor oil brands to choose from but in general, they are all quite similar.
Make Your Own Shampoo
One shampoo that I go back to again and again is my maple syrup and carrot seed recipe. The combination of ingredients is excellent for individuals looking to fight hair loss and reap the benefits of a healthy scalp.
Ingredients:
- Liquid castile soap (1/2 cup)
- Maple syrup (2 tablespoons)
- Carrot seed essential oil (5-10 drops)
- Castor oil (10 drops)
Method:
Mix the ingredients thoroughly. Apply evenly to your wet scalp, working the mixture in with your fingertips for 2-3 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly.
Hair Benefits:
The soothing effects of the maple syrup, combined with the scalp-stimulating and antifungal properties of the carrot seed oil, make this shampoo an essential addition to your hair care rotation.
Apply It Directly to Your Scalp
Beginning with a palm-sized amount, work the castor oil through your hair from root to tip. Continue adding small amounts of castor oil until your hair and scalp are covered, but not saturated.
You can leave the castor oil in overnight, or rinse thoroughly 20-30 minutes after application.
Tip: As castor oil is thicker than other oils you may have applied previously, like olive oil or canola oil, you will want to apply in small, incremental amounts to avoid over-application.
This will make rinsing of the oil easier. Additionally, you can combine castor oil with other oils, such as grapeseed, to reduce the viscosity and make it easier to apply and spread throughout your hair.
Are There Side Effects Associated with Castor Oil Supplementation?
Castor oil, when consumed, is known to have laxative effects (14). An over-consumption of castor oil can lead to intestinal cramping and nutrient malabsorption and should be avoided.
An allergic reaction, while rare, can occur upon application of castor oil to the skin.
Before use on your scalp, it’s recommended that you first test on a small area of skin. If you experience itchy, hives, rash, redness, or hotness, avoid further application.
While castor oil’s effects on labor induction are still debated, the consumption of castor oil by pregnant women has been shown to induce nausea.
Women who are pregnant should consult with their medical professional before use.
Conclusion
The studies have shown that, while the overproduction of PDG2 is linked to slowed hair growth and eventual hair loss, ricinoleic acid, the main component of castor oil, is indicated as a possible inhibitor of the compound (8, 13).
While further testing is required to determine ricinoleic acid’s PDG2-inhibiting abilities in vivo, there is no doubt as to the fatty acid’s anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant abilities (3, 4, 5).
This alone makes castor oil a treatment option for individuals looking to fight hair fall.
If you’re looking to find treatment for aggressive hair loss, however, then castor oil is not it.
Its listed properties may be beneficial in terms of scalp health and cleansing, but there are no indications that castor oil can reverse hair loss.
Instead, castor oil used frequently can help prevent further hair loss and create a hygienic environment in which hair can grow.