Castor Oil
Castor Oil, also known as “Palm of Christ” for its use in therapy and medicine since ancient times, is native to India. It is considered safe in normal applications. This is a very thick oil and has little scent characteristic of most carrier oils as it has a slight but prominent odor and is slightly sticky texture.
It does not dissolve completely in the skin and leaves a protective barrier on the skin against harsh environmental conditions. It is found in many commercial skin care products such as soap. It produces a light colored soap and a stable lather. In soaps, castor oil is used as an emollient and skin softener. Here are a few recipes for soap making that contain Castor Oil:
Gardner's Soap:
Ingredients:
- 12 oz Clear M&P
- 5 oz Grated Beeswax
- ½ tbsp Castor Oil
- 1 tbsp Grated Dried Lemon Peel
- 1 tbsp Grated Dried Orange Peel
- ¼ cup Lightly Toasted Oatmeal
- ½ tbsp Dried Rosemary
- 2 tsp Orange Essential Oil
- 1 tsp Tea Tree Essential Oil
- few drops Rosemary Essential Oil
Method:
Melt M&P, Beeswax and Castor Oil in a double boiler. Do not let temperature exceed 160F. Grind oatmeal and dried rosemary in a food processor. Then add grated Lemon and Orange peel and set aside. After M&P has melted completely pour into a cup. Let it cool for a while and then add Essential Oils and stir well. Then add oatmeal and herb mixture and keep stirring. Pour into mold and set the mold in a freezer for 15 minutes then remove. And remove from mold and set aside to cure for 5 weeks.
Mango Scented Soap:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Grated Soap
- ½ cup Water
- ¼ cup Olive Oil
- ¼ cup Castor Oil
- 1 tsp Dried Crushed Peppermint Leaves
- 15 drops Mango Fragrance Oil
Method:
Melt soap and mix it with water and stir. Separately melt oils together and then pour into soap-water mixture and stir. Keep stirring then add dried crushed peppermint leaves to the mixture and stir till trace and then add Fragrance oil and pour into mold and set aside to harden then remove from mold and let it cure for 3-4 weeks.
Cucumber Melon Cornmeal:
Ingredients:
- 3 oz Clear M&P
- 1 oz Opaque M&P
- 1 tbsp Cornmeal
- Cucumber melon fragrance oil, green dye
- 1 tsp Castor Oil
Method:
Melt soaps together and as the mixture cools slightly, add oils. After a few minutes add cornmeal. Keep stirring and then pour into a jar.
Castor oil is also used in Massage and Aromatherapy. Given below is a recipe for an aromatherapy blend with Castor oil:
Exotic Aromatherapy Blend:
Ingredients:
- 4 oz Castor Oil
- 10 drops Rose Essential Oil
Method:
Pour in a bottle and shake to mix well. Shake the bottle before use and warm the oil and fingertips before massage.
