Castorbean Oil
蓖麻油 · Bì Má Yóu
Soothes dry skin and eases stubborn constipation
What it does
Castor oil tackles two kinds of dryness: constipation and cracked, rough skin. In TCM, it lubricates your intestines to get things moving when stool is hard and dry. Applied to your skin, it moistens and helps heal sores, burns, and cracking. Few botanicals work in both directions like this, inside and out.
How to take it
Apply a thin layer of cold-pressed castor oil to dry, cracked, or scarred skin. Cover with a warm cloth for 20–30 minutes. Repeat daily.
Try a small patch test on your inner arm before applying to larger areas
Safety
- Castor oil is considered toxic in TCM. Use only processed forms in recommended amounts
- Can cause strong cramping if taken internally in excess
- Not safe during pregnancy. Has traditionally been used to induce labor
- Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication
Where it comes from
Castor oil has been used across cultures for millennia. The Ebers Papyrus from ancient Egypt (1550 BCE) describes it for eye irritation and as a laxative. In TCM, castor oil is valued as a gentler alternative to the whole castor seed, with the toxic ricin removed during oil extraction. Four clinical trials have studied it for wound healing and skin applications, confirming what traditional practitioners have long observed.