This was my first ever purchase of Castor Oil. Sure, like you, I've heard of it as and old school thing. The reason I was interested in in now is because I wanted to try it to aid in reducing a big ovarian cyst naturally. Castor Packs can also be used for TTC efforts, bringing warmth to the area. If you want to create your own Castor Oil pack, google it, there are a ton of directions out there. I definitely suggest using an old shower curtain to protect your couch before you lie down though, as apparently it stains. I found the castor oil pack was soothing and relaxing, but don't know the effect it had on my cyst at this time. I don't feel "off", as I have in the past when they have grown unnaturally large and ruptured (OMG the pain), so maybe it took care of it and let my body reabsorb it? I can't tell you for sure. I really love the fact that you can use it repeatedly over and over, up to 30x, if you store your oil pack appropriately. I used a worn old baby blanket for mine.

There are a ton of other uses for Castor Oil. Traditionally, it's been used as a laxative, and from what I hear, it has pretty good effects. I did not test this, so don't know more. Interestingly, there are people who use it to cleanse their face, and I have to learn more about how this works, especially as a person with maturing skin. It seems like it would be super mild and moisturizing. Last use is to grow eyelashes, but I don't know anything about this yet.

I'm really liking it so far. It's working well for me. It smells kind of like rancid kitchen oil. I've never used castor before, so not sure if that is what it is supposed to smell like or not. I like what it's doing for my skin and it appears to have reduced the wrinkles on the backs of my hands. I think I look a little younger since I started using it, but no one else has commented! So it might be my imagination...but I have this huge jar so I will continue to use it.

Update 3-26-17: Have been using this on my hair once a week also to help with thinning that occurred with thyroid issues. Haven't notice thicker hair yet, but holy cow is this amazing for removing dry scalp and buildup. The first time I put it on and started combing through with a fine tooth comb I couldn't believe the huge flakes of skin coming off of my scalp. (At least I think it was skin - could be product buildup too). It was actually kind of horrifying - but at least it's getting rid of it.

But it gets better....The other day my mother commented on how great my thryoidectomy scar looked. I reached up to touch it and - holy crap - I couldn't feel it! This scar is several years old and very pronounced on one end. Because I have RA and had to stop meds for surgery - I was anxious to restart them. I started back on those drugs 2 weeks earlier than I should have, so the scar never finished healing properly. Now I hadn't been treating it per se, however sometimes when applying to my face I also rub the CO down onto my neck. Well without even realizing it, it has been healing that years old, raised, red scar. It is now flat (used to have a big bump on one side-keloid perhaps?) and much lighter in color and is barely perceptible when running my hand down my neck. I am definitely a happy camper with this unexpected benefit. Luckily I had ID photos taken that show the scar well, so I'm adding those as well as a photo taken today.

I've been fighting scalp folliculitis for three years. The most successful preparation had been colloidal silver spray which usually controlled the condition but couldn't seem to cure it. I suspect the preparation didn't reach the hair follicles very well but did a lot to kill surface bacteria. Then, I read about possible side effects of colloidal silver and sought an alternative. Castor Oil for Natural Skin and Hair arrived three days ago. The first night, I used too much and pretty much saturated my hair. My folliculitis was in an unusual and painful flareup, though, so I just kept the Castor Oil in overnight. Yes, this is an oil, so it does feel heavy, especially in summer heat, and has a little odor (the odor is far less unpleasant than some medicated shampoos), but by the next morning, my scalp was smooth, and the problem areas were either going or gone. On the two subsequent applications, I've used teardrop-sized amounts on my fingertips and massaged the oil thoroughly into my scalp to prevent greasy buildup on my hair. That's working better; a little oil goes a long way. Three applications, and my scalp is completely clear and calm. It even FEELS like a normal, healthy scalp with no bumps or scaling. That weird prickling/itching feeling that signals a new flareup is disappearing, too. I feel a little itching, but there's nothing there! Perhaps the oil is able to penetrate the skin enough to reach the infected follicles and really stop this condition. I don't know yet if Castor Oil will cure the infection or just contain it, but it was so shockingly effective, I wanted to comment right away.

I love it, the results. It is very thick, and sticky, so mixing with some coconut oil makes it easier to use. I put it on my face and neck before going to sleep, recent scars from a bike accident, and on my skin after depilation.

Results: Harder nails, softer skin, softening and fading scars on my knee, stronger nails and instant repair of cracked hands and cuticles. Softens thin lines and repairs around the eye area.
Repairs eyebrows and makes my eyelashes thicker, longer, darker and they stopped falling out. Takes off waterproof mascara and other make up. I still didn't have time to use it on my scalp. It's quite thick and my hair is long, takes procedure at night to do it, so I could wash my hair in the morning. I will update about hair benefits, if any.

P.S. UPDATE of using Castor on the hair overnight:

I used it for all sort of things and 2 days ago I massaged it in my hair and scalp, wrapped, and left overnight. I washed my hair, left it dry on the air and next day just did my usual blow drying procedure. No iron included. My hair is wavy, treated, dyed, damaged and takes a lot of effort to do something with it. But after this, my hair got shiny, straight, longer, and I went out on extremely humid day. My hair should look like Medusas. I was so impressed I had to take pics. All of my broken damaged hair got softer but somehow thicker, stronger, not even sure how to describe. Should not for sure today look like on the pics.

I had been searching for natural hair products, and I finally decided to try this. I was very happy with the results. On u-tube, there was an individual who was cautioning buyers to purchase another brand, as this one was imported. I hesitated, and purchased the other product. It was not as effective as this one. My hair goes through dry spells. I try not to use the hair dryer, but with my busy life, sometimes I have to have a hair dryer for saving time. I am in my seventy-fifth year, and my hair looks good, and I get lots of compliments. I use this product when my hair is appearing stressed, and it delivers each time. I put the product in my hair at night, and cover it with a plastic cap. The next morning I wash, and condition my hair with my sulfate free products, and it looks amazing!! The photo is the third day, and there is less curl, as I haven't rolled it yet. I am about to order another bottle, as it lasts a long time. A good price for a great product.