Jamaica’s Best Kept Secret: Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Jamaica’s Best Kept Secret: Jamaican Black Castor Oil

The nutritious Castor bean from Jamaica is very special, preventing hair damage, stimulating hair growth and dry skincare.

Castor oil, Ricinus Communis, is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and can benefit all hair types. 

History of Jamaican Black Castor Oil

 Actually, Castor oil has been a favorite for generations of grandparents with wide acceptance all over the world.

The Jamaican Black Castor Oil or JBCO came to the Caribbean through the African slave trade. They used it for their medicine since they had nothing else available at that time.

The beans from the Castor plant are roasted, crushed, and boiled to extract the dark brown oil, in the traditional Jamaican way.

JBCO is less processed and cold processed than other regular Castor oils; although both kinds of castor oil do have similar benefits.

 

Superior Benefits of Jamaican Castor Oil

 JBCO contains more ash which has a darker color and leaves the pH more alkaline which helps the hair absorb more antioxidants.

The castor oil compound, ricinoleic acid, promotes healthy hair growth and prevents hair loss.

All castor oil is sticky, you might want to dilute with a lighter carrier oil for easier application.

Hair Benefits:

  • Good for naturally curly or kinky hair.
  • A natural conditioner and softener for taming frizzy hair.
  • Great for hair during humid, warm conditions.
  • Strengthens and thickens hair, helps those with tight braids.
  • Prevents hair breakage or split ends, good from roots to tips of your hair.
  • Good for beards for growth, rub into hands and through beard hair.
  • It is beneficial for dandruff, dry itchy scalp, and scalp infections.

 JBCO Health Benefits for Rest of Body 

  1. It helps combat athletes’ foot.
  2. Strengthens and rejuvenates nails and cuticles.
  3. Taking castor oil internally helps the digestive and respiratory system. It acts as a laxative and helps the relief of constipation.
  4. It can thicken eyelashes and eyebrows.
  5. It can be used as a massage or castor oil pack, helping relieve joint pain or abdominal problems. 

How to Use Castor Oil 

  • Massage for hair, on skin or nails; recommend using a carrier oil, like jojoba or argan to give a smoother application.
  • Oral liquid or capsule for internal issues like constipation; recommend 15-60 ml/daily for adults; 5-15 ml/daily for children 2-12 years.
  • Externally, use as a “castor oil pack” on the stomach or for any joint pain. Use a soft cloth-like flannel, saturate the cloth with castor oil place over the area and cover with plastic wrap so no seepage, for 1hour or more. Keep it warm, then wash off thoroughly.

 JBCO Side Effects

There have been reports of nausea, vomiting or diarrhea and possible allergic reactions.

It is not recommended to use during pregnancy.

It is best to consume castor oil only one week at a time. Stop for a few weeks and then, if you feel you need to continue, you can consume for another week.

If using JBCO externally, you can use it as often as needed.

 

References:

https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/benefits-of-black-castor-oil/

https://www.castoroilreview.com/blog/the-amazing-benefits-and-uses-of-jamaican-black-castor-oil/

https://draxe.com/nutrition/castor-oil/

Cindy Burrows, B.S., M.T., Herbalist and Nutritional Health Consultant.  Helps individuals start health programs to improve their life, wellness and happiness. Cindy is a speaker, writer and entrepreneur of several businesses.

 

 

Back to blog