Have you heard about doTERRA's new CPTG Castor Oil? I am very excited about this new carrier oil, because along with its own health benefits, it offers us some fantastic new and powerful ways to use our essential oils. I have 12 recipes for you this week, to help you get to know and love doTERRA's new Castor Oil.
What's the deal about carrier oils, anyways? Why not just apply essential oils directly onto the skin? Well, research has shown that when we apply an essential oil to the skin "neat" (undiluted), only 4% of that essential oil goes into the tissue. When we add a carrier oil, that percentage increases to 10%. When we add a cover on top of the application, absorption goes up to 70 - 75%. This is a huge reason to use carrier oils and packs or compresses!
In the beginning, the only carrier oil that dōTERRA sold was Fractionated Coconut Oil. It has many beneficial attributes, but in particular it is light and fast absorbing. If you have mainly been using FCO through the years, one of the first things you will notice is that FCO and Castor Oil are practically polar opposites. FCO is light and glides onto the skin. It is odourless and leaves no residue. Castor Oil, on the other hand, is thick, almost like honey. It takes its time absorbing into the skin. Here's a closer comparison of these two valuable carrier oils.
Fractionated Coconut Oil | Castor Oil |
| Light | Thick |
| Fast-absorbing | Slow absorbing |
| Prevents sensitivity | Hydrates and nourishes the skin |
| Helps keep oils localized | Holds essential oils longer |
| Useful for massage | Useful for targeted areas |
Castor Oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid which is not found in any other plant. As a carrier oil, it is very rich and nourishing, and helps lock moisture into the skin. Because it is such a "heavy" carrier oil, it penetrates deeply into the skin -- and it "carries" other compounds with it. This is exactly why pairing essential oils with Castor Oil is a very good move. When we do, the Castor Oil enhances the properties of the essential oils and we create a long, deep treatment.
Being so thick and even sticky, the preferred way to use Castor Oil is with what we call a "pack." A Castor Oil pack is simply a cover that we put over the application. Typically, the lining of the pack is cotton (for example, you could cut up an old flannel sheet for this purpose). Over the cotton lining is a waterproof cover that prevents the Castor Oil from leaking onto clothing or bedding. Here's a video to help you visualize it:
Some "rules of thumb" will be helpful I'm sure:
Ways to Use Castor Oil | Dilution Ratios |
Oil Pack / Body Wrap | Single Application: 2-5 drops / Tbsp |
Oil Patch | Multi-Use Container: 10-30 drops / 30 mL |
Spot Application
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Roller Bottle
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Brushing / Dry Brushing |
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Now, A Note About Laundry!
Because Castor Oil is so thick and sticky, it can leave oil stains on fabric. This is why we usually take advantage of castor oil packs when we use it. If you ever do get Castor Oil on clothing or bedding, put some drops of Lemon essential oil on the stain before washing the item. Wash the item alone and by hand first to ensure that the oil stain does not inadvertently transfer to other clothing (go ahead, ask me how I know this! 😜).
Finally, here is the information you have been waiting for. What can Castor Oil be used for? I'm glad you asked! Check out these 12 recipes!
| Reason to Use | Top Oils | A Recipe to Try |
| Manage constipation & bloating | ZenGest (DigestZen), Spearmint, Ginger, Fennel | Combine 15 mL Castor Oil + 3 drops ZenGest. Rub onto abdomen. Cover with cotton wrap and apply a warm compress. Leave pack in place for 30 - 60 minutes or overnight.
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| Reduce Joint Discomfort | Deep Blue, AromaTouch, PastTense, Copaiba | Apply 5 mL of Castor Oil to joint of concern. Apply 5 drops of Deep Blue oil and another 5 mL of Castor Oil. Wrap with cotton and apply a warm compress for 30-60 minutes. Leave on for 30-60 minutes or overnight. |
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| Support a Healthy Metabolism | MetaPWR, Grapefruit | Combine 15 mL Castor Oil with 3 drops MetaPWR blend. Cover with cotton wrap and apply a warm compress for 30 - 60 minutes. Leave pack on overnight if desired. |
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| Promote Rest & Calm | Balance, Adaptiv, Lavender, Serenity, PastTense | Place 2 drops of Balance and 5 mL Castor Oil in the belly button. Cover with a patch overnight. |
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| Support Healthy Detox | RevitaZen, Geranium, Cilantro, Lemon, Tangerine | Combine 15 mL of Castor Oil and 3 drops RevitaZen. Rub onto the right side of the upper abdomen (liver area). Cover with cotton wrap and add a warm compress for 30 - 60 minutes. Leave pack in place overnight if desired. |
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| Reduce Signs of Aging | Rose, Blue Tansy, Immortelle, Yarrow|Pom, Frankincense | Pour a roller bottle of Immortelle into a 30 mL roller bottle. Fill with Castor Oil. Apply morning and evening to the face. Massage with a GuaSha stone or ring fingers. |
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| Support the Immune System | On Guard, Tea Tree, Copaiba, Rosemary, Lavender, Peppermint | Apply On Guard Touch to abdomen, then layer with 15 mL Castor Oil. Apply cotton pack overtop and leave on overnight. |
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| Thicker & Fuller Hair | Rosemary, Lavender, Peppermint | Combine 10 drops each Rosemary, Lavender and Peppermint in an empty 15 mL bottle. Fill with Castor Oil and massage 5 drops into scalp 5-60 minutes before washing hair. |
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Thicker & Fuller
Lashes and Brows | Rosemary, Lavender, Hinoki | Combine 5 drops each Rosemary, Lavender and Hinoki in an empty 15 mL bottle. Fill with Castor Oil. Apply to lashes and brows nightly with a clean mascara wand or eyelash brush.
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| Hydrate Thirsty Skin | Rose, Immortelle | Combine 2-3 drops of Rose with 15 mL Castor Oil. Gently apply to eyelids at night before bed. |
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| Relieve Women's Monthly Discomfort | Clary Sage, Ylang Ylang, Clary Calm, Frankincense, Pink Pepper, Grapefruit | Roll Clary Calm on lower abdomen, and layer with 15 mL Castor Oil. Apply cotton pack over top and then a warm compress. Leave on overnight if desired. |
Want your skin to really GLOW? Make this beautiful serum for your skincare regimen, and use it morning and night after cleansing and toning your skin.
The first recipe I'm going to try from the ones here is a knee compress! My knee has been bothering me most of the summer, so I will see what a Castor Oil and Deep Blue pack can do for it. I hope you enjoy experimenting with all the ways that Castor Oil can help you achieve your wellness goals. Let me know which ones your try and how you like them -- or if you have some other favourites of your own!
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