Castor Oil for Lice | Kill Hair Lice Naturally

Getting rid of lice can be tricky unless you use medicated shampoos and harsh chemicals. Find out how you can get rid of them by using Castor Oil for Lice!

Is there anything worse than the tickling and nagging sensation that accompanies a head lice infection? These pesky parasites are common among children, but they don’t tend to discriminate once an infection breaks out.

You can find many over-the-counter remedies for a lice infestation at your local drugstore, but natural remedies can also be effective for ridding yourself (and your home) of these parasites. In particular, castor oil for lice tends to be rather effective.

Could you use castor oil for lice infestations in your home? See if it could work for you in the sections ahead.


In this article:

  • What are lice?
  • Why does castor oil for lice work?
  • How to use castor oil for lice

What are Lice?

Before you start to panic about a lice infestation, you should know exactly what these little creatures are. The easiest explanation is that they are tiny parasites or insects that make their home on your scalp, neck, and ears.

They may first begin by breeding among your personal belongings, such as clothes, beds, or hair brushes. However, they will quickly spread through contact.

One of the most common ways lice are spread is through sharing hair brushes.

Castor Oil for Lice | Castor Oil Guide

Common symptoms of lice are relatively simple to identify. Victims of these parasites often feel as though something is crawling through their hair or on their skin. It tickles, and they may begin to develop sores from where they scratched the skin open. Other symptoms include:

  • Red bumps on the head, neck, shoulders, or pubic area
  • White objects in your hair
  • The appearance of lice eggs

According to experts, some people have no response at all to a lice infestation. You simply have to be aware of how the hair looks and if you spot any live lice or nits in the hair.

Why Does Castor Oil for Lice Work?

Many people who suffer from a lice infestation want to find a natural alternative to harsher chemicals found in over-the-counter treatments.

Castor oil for lice is an excellent home remedy that allows you to restore the beauty of the hair and kill lice at the same time.

How does castor oil for lice really work?

Castor Oil for Lice | Castor Oil Guide

The primary goal is to suffocate the lice with the thick oil on the hair. These parasites are able to hold their breath for a short period of time while showering, which is why a regular shampoo isn’t effective. A castor oil soak is ideal for taking care of these parasites.

The other major benefit to using castor oil for lice is its antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It has a high content of ricinoleic acid, a beneficial fatty acid that makes it ideal for these purposes. It’s a great way to ensure that you get all the benefits your hair and scalp will need following a lice outbreak.

How to Use Castor Oil for Lice

Mixing up a homemade remedy using castor oil for lice is relatively simple. If you can, you can apply castor oil directly to the hair and scalp. Many people find it too difficult to spread this way, so they may use olive oil, coconut oil, or almond oil to help thin it out just a bit.

It’s very important that you apply the castor oil meticulously to the hair and scalp if you intend to use castor oil for lice. It should be combed through all the way from the roots to the ends of the hair.

Place a shower cap over the hair and let it sit for at least two hours. You may choose to let it soak in the hair overnight, just to be safe. Wash it out thoroughly in the morning. It’s perfectly normal for it to take you two shampoos to work through all of the castor oil.

Final Thoughts: Castor Oil for Lice

Using castor oil for lice can be a great alternative to the other products designed specifically to kill these parasites. However, you will have to be extremely thorough in your application to ensure that it can properly kill all of the lice.

Dr Helen Smith
Dr. Helen Smith provides food and nutrition consultation and treatment for obese as well as health-conscious patients. She holds B.S in psychology and completed her M.S in nutrition sciences from California State University. She has over five years of experience in advising and helping patients with the right nutrition and diet. Her mission is to make nutrition information accessible to everyone and help people follow a healthy lifestyle.

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Comments

  1. Good advice. I discovered the effectiveness of smothering lice on my own many years ago after fighting the battle of lice on my 3 little ones for the third time. I had done the shampoo, cleaned everything for the millionth time and put gel in my kid’s hair. Voila – lice gone! So shocked that no one suggested this.

    • You mean smothering castor oil right?? Lol, I hope it doesn’t take smothering lice to get rid of.. lice 😉 Hehe! But yes!! The oil is so thick and viscous that it kills the lice and their larvae, unlike just rinsing with water! Thanks for sharing 🙂

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