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If you have not added castor oil to your hair care regimen, you may want to reconsider based on the innumerable benefits of this nutritive oil.

Castor oil, which is derived from the castor bean, is well know for its anti-fungicidal and antibacterial properties and it has a variety of nutrients that revitalizes the hair and scalp including Vitamin E, and protein.

The healing ability of castor oil is attributed to its chemical composition – a combination of fatty acids and ricinoleic acid. Fatty acids are the key to locking in moisture.

There are two kinds of castor oil that are popular for use on the hair: the clear castor oil and the black castor oil which is also called Jamaican black castor oil. Many people assume that black castor oil is less processed and therefore more natural, but that is not the case.

Castor oil that has undergone the least processing is pale yellow in color. Pale castor oil is cold-pressed which means that no heat was involved in the process of extracting the oil from the beans, preserving the quality of the oil.

To make castor oil clear, the yellow pigment is filtered out. Filtering natural castor oil lowers its iodine content.

Black castor oil is created by adding the ash from roasted castor beans in the oil. Whether or not adding ash to castor oil is beneficial is not scientifically known; however, some manufacturers do claim that castor bean ash adds to the potency of castor oil and improves hair and skin health.

No matter what kind or color of castor oil you purchase, your hair and skin will surely enjoy a number of benefits.

Castor oil boosts blood circulation to the scalp which promotes healthy hair growth and it is routinely used to stimulate hair growth

Reduces split ends and limits hair breakage

Moisturizes and conditions hair from the inside out

Is rich in fatty acids, (Omega 9)

Has anti-fungal and antiviral properties which makes it a great oil for scalp conditions like dandruff

You can apply the oil directly to the scalp to treat scalp conditions or to stimulate hair growth. To take advantage of its moisturizing benefits, use the oil as a deep conditioner and then rinse out and style your hair as usual.

* Castor Beans image courtesy of Wikepedia

Author: Dianne

“Changing attitudes about natural hair” is what we do at Natural Haircare News. Through informative articles, podcasts and videos, we go beyond just sharing the latest advice and tips on kinky, curly, wavy haircare – We shake things up and focus on the realities of wearing our hair natural.