If you’re not familiar with castor oil, it’s a pale, yellow liquid that is extracted from castor seeds. It contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that have been used for centuries in therapy and medicine. Most of the oil’s benefits are attributed to its high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids. Castor oil is thick, sticky, and it definitely doesn’t taste good, but the good news is that you don’t have to eat it to reap its benefits.

Castor oil is often used in cosmetics, soaps, medicines, massage oils and other everyday products. It can help strengthen the immune system, and it’s been used as a remedy for yeast infections, constipation, sunburns, athlete’s foot, inflammation and more. If you’re looking for a natural solution to your skin or hair problems, castor oil might just be the answer.

If you over-plucked your eyebrows in the 90s, and now they just won’t grow, let hexane-free, organic and cold-pressed castor oil come to your rescue.

After washing your face, apply some to your eyebrows before you go to bed. The oil will help your eyebrows along to become thicker and possibly even darker.

So how does it work? The high content of linoleic acid in castor oil provides strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, which fight any fungi or bacteria that may be affecting hair growth. It also coats the hair to protect against hair loss. The Omega-9 fatty acids in castor oil help to nourish hair, as well as skin. It penetrates all the way to the hair follicles and to the pores of the skin.

If you’re looking for a way to achieve shinier hair, rub a small amount of castor oil on the ends of damp hair, and rub it in just using your fingers. At the risk of greasy hair, start with a small amount to determine how much you need. To help hair grow faster, use castor oil as a scalp treatment. If you plan to leave it on overnight, consider using a shower cap or a towel to avoid getting any oil on your pillow or furniture!

If you like the look of full, thick lashes but don’t love the thought of spending money on mascara or fake eyelashes, use a cotton swab to apply castor oil on your eyelashes. The oil will help them grow thicker and stronger, while preventing any thinning and shedding.

While you’re at it, you might as well make the most of your new-found hair treatment. Castor oil has been approved for skin problems such as sunburn, acne, dry skin, stretch marks and inflamed skin. If you’re experiencing any of these skin issues, dip a cotton ball into castor oil and apply it onto affected skin once in the morning and once at night. Additionally, you can apply a little bit of the oil on your lips to make them softer and give them a natural shine.

Watch the video below for a DIY hair mask using castor oil:

(h/t: Natural Cures and Home Remedies)