In India castor oil has been used for hair problems for many many years. Castor oil is called Arandi in Hindi, Amudam Chettu in Telugu and Vilakennai in Tamil. Castor oil promotes hair growth and treats hair loss very effectively. You can never find a single South Indian home without castor oil. Though the process of making our own castor oil is diminishing due to high labor cost, usage is still the same. The same goes in my home too, I have never been without castor oil in my home and I love to use it in both cooking and for external application. Especially during hot summer months, many will suffer from redness of the eyes and intense body heat. I don’t know whether anyone of you have experienced this, if I go out especially during the hot summer months, my skin will be flushed and hot. When I come home back in the evening, if I apply a homemade oil in the hair, immediately I will feel the body temperature going down and I will feel much better. Applying hair oil is one tradition that we should all follow without fail to keep our body and hair healthy. Especially this castor oil treatment has wonderful hair benefits 1. Castor oil for Hair Growth: Castor oil is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids which makes it an important ingredient for stimulating hair growth. In India using castor oil for stimulating eyelash growth is very very popular and using castor oil for hair also has been done for many years. Try using it along with other oils like coconut oil, else it will be too sticky. 2. Castor oil For Hair loss: Castor oil is great for stopping hair loss and stimulating new hair growth. We make a wonderful hair oil made with castor oil and coconut oil as a base. Castor oil by itself is very good for the hair, but many will find it hard to apply and remove the castor oil from the hair, when used alone. When combined with other oils, it gives great results. Especially this homemade hair made with castor oil, coconut oil, alkanet root and fenugreek seeds is literally divine. Please don’t mistake me when I say divine and think that it will smell great
like a store bought fancy oils. It won’t smell great and it might be
hard to get it out of the hair when you have hair wash but it stops hair fall very effectively, especially when combined with a great diet. 3. Castor Oil for Thinning & Dry hair: Castor oil treats dry hair very very effectively. After using this homemade hair oil, you will find your hair much more manageable and smooth. Here in my place, we use arappu to wash the oil out. If you are using shampoo, most probably you will have to use it twice to get the oil out, else your hair will be very greasy. 4. Castor oil For Split Ends: Castor oil is great for preventing split ends, especially if used as a pre shampoo treatment. To treat split ends, warm the castor oil mixture (recipe below) and massage it gently in the scalp and all over the hair concentrating especially on the split ends. You will surprised how effectively this treatment works! 5. Castor oil for scalp infections: Castor oil has anti fungal and antibacterial properties making it ideal for treating all kinds of scalp infections. Never use this castor oil mixture as a daily application oil, you might feel very uncomfortable as it might be sticky and smelly. I would recommend using this oil each time before having hair wash and this castor oil treatment can be safely used by everyone. Try using pure cold pressed castor oil for best results. In India cold pressed castor oil is not available, but you can buy unprocessed oils easily from small family run businesses. I hope, I have convinced you enough to try castor oil for your hair 🙂
like a store bought fancy oils. It won’t smell great and it might be
hard to get it out of the hair when you have hair wash but it stops hair fall very effectively, especially when combined with a great diet. 3. Castor Oil for Thinning & Dry hair: Castor oil treats dry hair very very effectively. After using this homemade hair oil, you will find your hair much more manageable and smooth. Here in my place, we use arappu to wash the oil out. If you are using shampoo, most probably you will have to use it twice to get the oil out, else your hair will be very greasy. 4. Castor oil For Split Ends: Castor oil is great for preventing split ends, especially if used as a pre shampoo treatment. To treat split ends, warm the castor oil mixture (recipe below) and massage it gently in the scalp and all over the hair concentrating especially on the split ends. You will surprised how effectively this treatment works! 5. Castor oil for scalp infections: Castor oil has anti fungal and antibacterial properties making it ideal for treating all kinds of scalp infections. Never use this castor oil mixture as a daily application oil, you might feel very uncomfortable as it might be sticky and smelly. I would recommend using this oil each time before having hair wash and this castor oil treatment can be safely used by everyone. Try using pure cold pressed castor oil for best results. In India cold pressed castor oil is not available, but you can buy unprocessed oils easily from small family run businesses. I hope, I have convinced you enough to try castor oil for your hair 🙂
METHOD:
1. Take the fenugreek seeds in a plate and sundry till crisp.
2. This is alkanet root and it is called ratanjot in India. You can easily get it in country medical shops.
2. Mix unrefined coconut oil, castor oil (preferably unrefined castor oil) in a cup along with alkanet root and sun dried fenugreek seeds.
4. Sun dry again under hot sun covered with a thin mesh till the color of the oil changes to bright red (due to the alkanet releasing it’s color in the oil).
5. Strain and store it in a glass bottle once the oil comes to room temperature.
NOTES:
- I love hair oils that is heated under sunlight and this oil is no exception 🙂
- To get the best benefits out of the is oil, before having your hair wash massage this oil well in the scalp, wait for 15 to 20 minutes before having your hair wash.
- If you have applied a lot of the oil or if your hair is thick, you will have to shampoo twice else the oil will not go as the castor oil is very sticky.
- You can increase or decrease the amount of castor oil in the recipe.
- Fenugreek in the oil keeps the body cool and the alkanet prevents premature greying and treats scalp infections too.
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I enjoy all your posts and find them very useful. From: Lisa In Southern New England, USA
Lisa, I am very glad that you find the posts useful…..:)
Can I apply this oil for 6 month boy baby.and please provide the washable item for clothes like comfort
No, apply only pure coconut oil for him everyday and before hair wash give a gentle massage with warmed unrefined sesame oil. I have to start making detergents again. Before, I used to have a separate place for making them, now I have to make it in the kitchen. Using lye in the kitchen is putting me off…:)
What a nice and useful post, I like your blog, it's a pity that sometimes I don't know the names you write about, in my country, so thank you so much for giving an easy hair recipe today, especially because I have these ingredients at hand! And I needed this tip for my hair really bad
Can you provide that detergent
Give me a few days, I will post it soon…:)
Hi,Nice homemade hair oil. What is called Alkanet root in Tamil? Is this available in nattumarundhu kadai?
It is called vembalam pattai in Tamil and it is available in nattumarundhu kadai….
What you called Alkanet in Urdu
thanks Ramya for all the wonderful recipes, I am an ardent follower!Can I make the above oil without alkanet?I dont know what it is called in Bangalore
Hi Vidya, You can make it without alkanet too, although I would suggest that you be on the look out for alkanet …..:)
Hi,Can we use this for male pattern baldness.In starting stage day by day on scalp gaps are visible more.Will this oil helps in blocking Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in hair follicles.Or should I use only pumpkin seed oil for blocking DHT.Can u help me for this problem…… :).Vikas
Hi, I think you should continue using pumpkin seed oil as castor oil has not been proven to block DHT and also try drinking green tea regularly as it is also a natural DHT blocker…..
Hi,What's the name of alkanet root in Telugu.
Sorry, I tried searching for the Telugu name but couldn't find it anywhere 🙁
Hi ,You are doing great work. Does this oil cool the body and cause cold. Can we use this during winter months also. My daughters are prone to getting frequent colds. Thanks a lot
Since this oil is used as a hot oil treatment, it will never cause cold. But to be on the safer side, the first time you are using it on their scalp don't let it soak for a long time. Start with 5 minutes and if it agrees with them, then increase the time slowly….
I want to apply egg white and honey to my hair..I have heard some where that honey makes hair white…it is a myth or real…plz clarify.. Thank in advance 🙂 waiting for your reply..
It is a myth, please go ahead and try the egg white and honey mask…:)
Hi….I'm losing more hair from 3 months.my hair volume decreased to one -fourth of original. When I oil my hair…I nearly loose a big bunch of hair. I'm very much worried. Please help me. Suggest me any good diet. And also tell me about the huge hair loss after oiling my hair
Hi, few shedding of hair is normal when oiling the hair like it happens after hair wash but unusual shedding is not. Check for deficiencies and try including protein a rich diet as external applications can only go so far. Stress also leads to hair fall, so not to worry too much about it. Eat a high protein diet, apply homemade hair packs regularly, take oil bath to relax and the hair fall should stop very soon..:)
what should i do .i have very bad dandruff for two years and can i take anantmool.please give tips to regrow my hair and getting rid of dandruff..
I would suggest using fenugreek hair mask regularly, I have been using it for the past 15 years regularly and it has greatly helped me with dandruff & hair fall. For making the fenugreek mask watch this video: https://youtu.be/-Ms4eiAJuZ8. I have not used anantmool for treating dandruff so I don't know how effective it is..
Awesome post👌
Hi,I have been using curry leaves oil and castor oil for my daughters for the past 4 months. There is improvement in hair volume. But suddenly I am seeing my daughters receding hair line. hair volume has reduced on the head and it shows on her face clearly. She is taking thyroid tablets,and she is 17 yrs old. But the reduction in hair volume is just recent. I am worried. What may be the cause.Thank youanxiously waiting for your reply.
In my experience both curry leaves oil and castor oil will not cause hair fall at all. I read that thyroid patients experience sudden hair loss months after the disease has started (due to the long hair growth cycle it is not noticeable immediately). I would suggest talking to her doctor about it. But please don't worry, usually the hair loss is said to stop after the thyroid treatment..
Hi, very informative thanks a lotPlease tell me where can i get cold pressed castor oil in chennai, kindly provide me the shop address. Thanks
Hi, I am sorry I don't know much about shops in Chennai, try asking in oil shops for unrefined castor oil, they might guide you. Else you can try online too..
Mam ,I am 34 years old female.I have many grey hair .which shampoo I use and this oil reduce my grey hair and two boy children 11 and 7 years old the above said oil is suitable for my children
Use this castor oil treatment regularly before having hair wash and use curry leaf oil regularly as a daily application oil and both will greatly help in premature greying. I would suggest using the oil bath method (recipe in the blog) for the kids before hair wash regularly weekly twice….
hi….how are you???so impressed by your work…God Bless you…i have a severe problem,….past one year i have been losing a lot of hair….sudden hairfall every 3 months….my hair have become very thin….i am so worried….i used coconut oil…parachute hairfall therapy…olive oil….nothing helps…now its winters so dandruff too has increased….(using head and shoulders as shampoo for now, bit still not much improvement)recently someone told me to add ratan jot in mustard oil and apply everyday…for hair fall,…so will that be safe?? should i start…what do you suggest????please help me here…i am in dire need of your advice…
Hi, I am fine thank you. You can apply ratanjot oil, it will treat all scalp infections. I would also suggest applying fenugreek hair mask weekly twice or thrice from the blog for dandruff, it is very effective and will also prevent hair loss.Try your best to pinpoint the reason for hair loss, check whether any medications (if taking) or undue stress or scalp infections is causing it. If we find out the reason it will be easier to treat the hair loss very soon. I would also suggest checking for any vitamin deficiencies and take appropriate supplements….
Hi, great info:) Since castor oil is too sticky, while applying and massaging I use to face more no.of hair falls… Could you please guide me on 1.applying to hair procedure.2.how much amount of volume to be used.3.how long should we wait before we wash.4.I am using meera shikakai to wash hair.. Will that be fine or should I change any other products.Please advice.. Your input is highly appreciatable.. Thanks in advance 🙂
Since castor oil is very sticky, I would suggest mixing it with coconut oil in the ration of 1:3 (castor oil : coconut oil. Warm the oil slightly and then using your finger tips gently massage it into the scalp and all over the hair, wait for 30 minutes and then wash your hair. The amount of oil to be used depends on the length and thickness of your hair. If meera shikakai agrees with you then continue using it, you can also try making your own shampoo at home, there is a recipe for it in the blog…
Hi,whether it should be sundried only or just kept at home? since I am not getting enough sunlight at my apartment. Thank u.
I would suggest sun drying the ingredients, since you can't get direct sunlight try keeping the oil in the windowsill for a few days…
Hi Mam… I am experiencing a severe male pattern baldness. I am 27 years young. Can you kindly suggest me some food diets & would like to know about hair oils that could control it.
Hi, For male pattern baldness taking DHT blocker along with external hair treatments like homemade hair masks and gentle oil massage will greatly help. I would suggest taking natural DHT blockers (the hormone that is responsible for male pattern baldness ) like pumpkin seed oil, green tea etc. I would also suggest consulting a dermatologist for all the natural DHT blockers available and the correct dosage for you…
Just came across this post today, it is just simple and awesome. I take care of my hair alot and prevented baldness to an extent. I use traditional (gingelly (nallennai), garlic, fenugreek, pepper mix) oil bath weekly and fenugreek mask. U said above should MEN take caster oil for hair or should they avoid. I recently purchased organic castor oil – after reading one of the comments above am confused should I/Men use it or not. or should i continue my reg thing. Pls suggest – Thank you!!!
Castor oil is very good for the hair but it is very sticky so it is not apt for regular daily application and is best to used as a pre shampoo treatment. It is also best when combined along with other unrefined oils like sesame oil as we can wash it off easily from our hair…
hai mam….. I'm 22yr old I got baldness in ma right side of ma head wich oil as more effective to cure n make hair growth wit so black shining hair….
I would suggest using curry leaf oil regularly and a hair pack from the blog depending on your hair type weekly twice to condition and strengthen the hair….
I am experiencing a severe hair fall for past one month. About 100 hairs fall someday. Don't know this is due to summer or due to unhealthy diet. I started to apply castor oil before bath for past two days. Lots of hair falls when applying oil and massaging. Will hair fall be stopped or should I go for some other treatment.
The shedding usually happens when there is some friction in the hair like oiling, combing, etc. With regular use of the oil it should reduce to normal amounts but if you still feel that the hair fall is not stopping then you can go for other treatments. I would also suggest using a hair mask along with oil application as it helps strengthen the hair roots…
Hi mam, Amazing tips. Very useful. Can u say me whether this treatment is applicable for one year girl baby. Thanks in advance.
For 1 year old baby girl I would suggest using plain homemade coconut oil from the blog (it can be made easily at home)…
Hi Madam,I wanted to use Castor Oil for my hair and came across this post. Was impressed by your dedication to provide so many natural as well as healthy remedies.Think will try it out soon. You have mentioned that castor oil helps in controlling hair fall "when combined with the right diet". Could you please specify what diet should one follow in this regard.Thanks ahead mam.
What I mentioned was our traditional diet that we have grown up with that consists of whole grins and is devoid of processed foods, preservatives and hydrogenated fats. Usually a good diet, less stress and simple home remedies will stop hair fall very soon until it is not a hereditary problem…
hi…i read your post and im suffering with same problem like others have…from one month im losing my hair very badly…on daily basis im losing hundred of hair every day. .plz suggest me how to use caster oil in my hair and how much quantity i need of coconut oil to mix with caster oil…can i apply only these two oils in my hair.Thankyou.
I would suggest using castor oil | vilakennai| arandi oil along with any other unrefined oils like sesame oil or coconut oil as it is very sticky in the ration of 1: 2…
I prepared this oil it really gud can I apply it daily overnight? Ur blog is really great. I m totally impressed by ur work. I have 19 months old. Wat oil is best to use for her. Her hair growth is not gud. But til now I didn't use any chemical product like shampoo soap. I m using besan flour for skin and hair but it making her skin dry. Suggest some gud one to my baby.
Dear Rajee, I am very glad you like the blog. Since she is very young, I would suggest using only plain homemade coconut oil regularly for her. You can find the method of making homemade coconut oil from coconut milk in the blog…
Hai Ma'am,Your post was really helpful. I am having severe Hair fall and Dandruff problem and was trying different things,but nothing was helpful, Then I saw this post and I am looking forward to use the Castor Oil. But I have few doubts;1) How can we identify pure Castor oil, I am living in a city, can only depend on store brought ones,How can we make sure that we got pure castor oil ,with its color,smell or density etc…2)Can we heat or boil Castor Oil and store oil for long time, Just like we heat and boil coconut oil in making Bhringaraj oil or in making Amla oil or other herbal oils,can we boil castor oil alone or with other oils and store oil for long period?3)Can we make herbal oil with castor oil and coconut oil as base ? Can I use Bhringaraj,Aloe Vera,Amla,Hibiscus,Fenugreek and Mehandi Leaves and flowers together in making the Herbal Oil?Looking Forward for your Reply
1. When buying castor oil, try to buy unrefined, you can buy unrefined castor oil from local farmers near your place. You can also order unrefined cold pressed castor oil online (but it is expensive)2.Castor oil can be heated lightly with herbs and stored for a long time but please remember that hair oils made with sun drying method is always the best…3. Yes, you can, but don't use equal amounts. Though I haven't used the blend of ingredients you have mentioned, you can use them. But try to make a small batch and see if it agrees with you then proceed to make a large batch…
Hei is there any substitute of ratanjot. i did not find here
I am sorry there is no substitute for ratanjot. You can try for ratanjot|alkanet root online too, some online shops sell it..
Hi! I am battling hair loss. My blood work is excellent, so I am hoping that natural herbs will help. I have black liquid castor oil. Is that the same thing? If so, how much should I take and how often?
It is black castor oil (Jamaican)where the beans are roasted before extracting the oil, you can use that too…
Hi! Can I add few drops of essential camphor oil to this and use?
I would suggest not altering this recipe. If you would like to use camphor essential oil, I would suggest mixing it with pure unrefined castor oil for using…
Hi Ramya,Can you please create a list of top remedies which you feel are *the* most effective. There are multiple remedies to fix the same problem so it becomes difficult to figure out which one should I start with. If I know your favorite list of remedies then I can easily pick one :)Thanks,Jagpreet
Hi, for how long should I have to sun dry fenugreek & oil combination.
hi, i am suffering from hair fall(alopecia).i am 24 years old.can u please suggest anything to prevent it.please reply me as soon as possible.
hi suffering from hair fall can u please suggest me how to prevent it.
Can this oil be for 7year old boy
Hi Ramya, I am 56 years old and am having sparse hair growth and hair fall as well so can now see scalp. I used to have very thick hair before menopause. I do not want to take any DHT supplements. Wondering if you have any suggestions for home made oils or natural products that may help me. thanks shans
Hi Ramya.. can we consume a spoon of castor oil on daily basis?
I would suggest not to consume castor oil directly as it will cause loose motion….