In This Corner: Jamaican Black vs. Cold Pressed (Battle of the Castor Oils)

Image found here. 

I liked the idea of the Castor oils doing battle, and I imagined them in a boxing ring getting ready to duke it out. Who reigns supreme? It wasn't even really a fair battle because Jamaican Black Castor Oil was the clear winner.  So why even write the post? I was talking to a friend about Castor oil the other day, and she asked me if there was a difference between Jamaican Black Castor oil versus lighter Castor oil. I knew that people said that Jamaican Black Castor Oil was better, but I didn't really know why, or how the two differed, other than my assumption that the beans were processed differently. After a little research, I've found the following...

Castor oil

All Castor oil is derived from the seeds of the castor oil plant (ricinus communis). These seeds produce a quarter of their weight in oil.  The real difference is in the processing of the two varieties. 

Processing

Cold pressed is the crushing of the fresh, unroasted seeds, and resulting in a pale yellow and transparent liquid. This type would be 100% virgin, unrefined, and able to be used for any purpose. The oil may also be refined (if using this kind please avoid any Castor oil using hexane, a chemical solvent).  Black castor oil is made by first roasting the castor seeds (or “beans”) and then pressing the oil out by manually pulverizing them in a mortar. Water is then added to the crushed beans, then slow boiling the mixture on a wood fire. The finished result is a thicker, darker brown oil, hence the term “Jamaican black castor oil”. Jamaican Black Castor Oil has a higher ash content than the cold pressed version. 

So what does that mean?

Research has shown that a higher ash content in Castor oil indicates increased levels of protein and fiber than Castor oil with less ash.  The increased protein and fiber levels may make the difference in terms of effectiveness. Cold pressed Castor oil does not appear to contain any ash.

Uses

Castor oil is an effective astringent and anti-inflammatory. Castor oil contains an enzyme lipase which has an optimal ph level of 4.7. Skin's ph is is perfect for optimization since it is between 4.5 and 5.5. The ph level also make Castor oil very easy for the skin to absorb. Castor oil is also a natural emoliant that can trap in moisture. The oil serves as a natural preservative, and is often used to improve the length, thickness, and density of hair both on the head and also for eyebrows and eyelashes (although it is very difficult to apply in this manner). 

Image found here.

Castor oil is also often used as a laxative, and to induce labor but it's success is unpredictable (and often painful).  

Recipe 

You must dilute Castor oil with some other oil before using it, since it is of an extremely thick consistency. You may wish to use at least 1/4 quarter coconut, jojoba, or grape seed oil. The following is for thinning or damaged hair.  

1. Apply to the scalp and roots of your hair.
2. Put on a plastic cap
3. Wrap your hair in a towel
4. Let the castor oil sit in your hair overnight
5. In the morning, shampoo your hair to remove the treatment making sure to get your scalp clean
6. Proceed with your regular routine

Repeat once a week for 6-8 weeks to notice a difference in hair loss or thinning.

Also feel free to add Castor oil to any of your current mixes to boost their hair growth potential!

Sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.  

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Write by: Unknown - Thursday, September 6, 2012