Castor oil, a therapeutic oil derived from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant, has been used for thousands of years in many diverse cultures and civilizations for its powerful medicinal and cosmetic qualities. Its rich history spans millennia, with notable mentions in ancient Egyptian scrolls, the Old testament and Ayurvedic texts from India. The most common conventional usage of Castor oil is that of an oral laxative but this is actually the only use I do NOT recommend it for. I primarily recommend Castor oil for topical usage. Castor oil has been studied to: