🌿CASTOR OIL ON THE AFRO: Miracle Growth Oil or Just Sticky Hype?

Old School Hair Treatments EXAMINED — Episode 3 (KEMETRI Afro Rating Series)

Welcome back to the Kemetri breakdown with your founder Farrah, where we lovingly test old-school hair traditions with respect, science, and real results.

Today’s legend needs no introduction…

🥁🥁🥁CASTOR OIL.

And not just one kind—we’re breaking down:

• Jamaican Black Castor Oil

• Haitian Black Castor Oil

• Cold-Pressed Castor Oil

Let’s see who really earns their Afros.

🌱 What Is Castor Oil, Really?

Castor oil comes from the seed of the Ricinus communis. The oil is thick, sticky, and rich in ricinoleic acid, a powerful fatty acid known for:

• Anti-inflammatory properties

• Antimicrobial action

• Supporting circulation

• Sealing moisture

Castor oil does not hydrate.It seals, protects, and supports the environment where hydration already exists.

🌿Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO)

The smoky OG

JBCO is made by:

• Roasting castor beans

• Grinding them into a paste

• Boiling them to extract the oilThis creates the famous dark color and smoky scent.

✅ What It Does Well

• Excellent for edges and thinning areas

• Supports scalp circulation

• Creates a strong moisture-sealing barrier

• Helps calm low-grade scalp inflammation

• Great for braids, locs, and protective styles

⚠️ Watch Outs

• Can be too heavy for fine Afros

• Can clog follicles if overused

• Can cause buildup without proper cleansing

• Not ideal for daily full-head use

🖤 KEMETRI AFRO RATING FOR JBCO:

🖤🖤🖤🖤 (4 out of 5 AFROS)Powerful when used with intention. Not for heavy-handed routines.

🌿Haitian Black Castor Oil (HBCO)

The lighter cousin with deep roots

HBCO is traditionally:

• Sun-dried instead of heavily roasted

• Extracted with less charring

• Often infused with herbs

This results in:

• A lighter texture

• Less smoky scent

• Easier scalp absorption

✅ What It Does Well

• Excellent for daily scalp care

• Supports edge recovery

• Great for sensitive scalps

• Seals moisture without extreme heaviness

• Ideal for children’s Afros and fine textures

⚠️ Watch Outs

• Still thick—less is more

• Requires consistent washing schedules

• Not a stand-alone moisturizer

🖤 KEMETRI AFRO RATING FOR HBCO:

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 (5 out of 5 AFROS)Balanced, powerful, and most Afro-friendly for long-term use.

🌿 Cold-Pressed Castor Oil (Clear Castor Oil)

The quiet worker

This version is:

• Mechanically pressed

• Not roasted

• Lighter in color and scent

• Lower in ash content

✅ What It Does Well

• Excellent for:

  • Lashes

  • Brows

  • Beard

  • Light scalp oiling

• Easier to blend

• Less buildup risk

⚠️ Watch Outs

• Lacks the mineral-rich ash benefits

• Less stimulating than black versions

• Not as protective in harsh environments

🖤 KEMETRI AFRO RATING FOR CLEAR CASTOR OIL:

🖤🖤🖤 (3 out of 5 AFROS)Great as a support oil, not a powerhouse.

✨ What Castor Oil ACTUALLY Does for the Afro

Let’s keep it honest:

Castor oil:

✅ Reduces scalp inflammation

✅ Seals moisture

✅ Adds weight and protection to fragile ends

✅ Supports circulation through massage

✅ Helps reduce friction & breakage

Castor oil does NOT:

❌ Hydrate the hair

❌ Force new growth from dormant follicles

❌ Replace water

❌ Fix breakage without routine change

It is a protector, not a creator.

🚨 Common Castor Oil Mistakes That Hurt Afros

• Using it on bone-dry hair

• Slathering it daily without cleansing

• Using it as a moisturizer replacement

• Applying heavy amounts on an inflamed scalp

• Never washing buildup away

Castor oil amplifies whatever environment it’s placed into—dryness OR health.

🌿 The Kemetri Castor Oil Method (Safe, Effective Use)

Here’s how Farrah recommends using it:

1. Lightly mist hair or scalp with water or aloe

2. Apply 2–5 drops only of castor oil

3. Massage gently

4. Use 2–4 times per week, not daily

5. Cleanse weekly or biweekly

This protects without suffocating the follicles.

💬 Farrah’s Founder Note

“Castor oil became famous because it can support growth—but only when the scalp is clean, hydrated, and free to breathe.”

🥁🥁🥁

FINAL KEMETRI CASTOR OIL SCOREBOARD

Type	Afro Rating
Jamaican Black Castor Oil	🖤🖤🖤🖤
Haitian Black Castor Oil	🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Cold-Pressed Clear Castor Oil	🖤🖤🖤

🌼 Coming Next in the Series…

Next up we examine one of the most controversial scalp foods ever:

🥑 AVOCADO ON THE AFRO: Deep Conditioner or Mold Magnet?

We’ll rate it, smell it, test it, and tell the TRUTH.

💛 Final Kemetri Truth

Castor oil didn’t become famous by accident. But like every powerful tool—it must be used with respect, moderation, and correct pairing with water.

The Afro doesn’t need to be drowned in oil. It needs to be hydrated, then protected.

Love, Farrah KAI