At Napiers, we have watched castor oil and rosemary move from quiet staples of our herbal dispensary into two of the most talked about ingredients in skincare and haircare. Neither is new to us. We have been formulating with both since Duncan Napier opened his herbal dispensary in Edinburgh in 1860, so we thought this was a good moment to explain what these two remedies actually are, where they come from, and what the evidence says about how they work.
Why Are Castor Oil and Rosemary Suddenly Everywhere?
Many people are looking for shorter, more recognisable ingredient lists as an alternative to heavily processed modern products, and are turning back towards the botanical staples that once sat in every household cupboard. As herbalists, this feels less like a passing trend to us and more like a return to remedies that were quietly effective all along. It gives us a good opportunity to share what we know about the history and evidence behind two of the most requested ingredients we stock.
Castor Oil: A Remedy With a Very Long History
Castor oil has one of the longest documented histories of any plant remedy. Researchers have traced its use back tens of thousands of years, and ancient Egyptian physicians dedicated an entire chapter of the Ebers Papyrus, a medical text dating to before 1500 BCE, to the castor bean, recommending it for conditions including baldness and various skin complaints [1].
Its key active component, ricinoleic acid, is a fatty acid found almost exclusively in castor oil. Research summarised in a recent review in the journal Pharmaceuticals notes that ricinoleic acid has antifungal, antimicrobial, anti inflammatory and analgesic properties, and is thought to increase blood flow to the area where it is applied, which may explain its traditional use for scalp itchiness and dry skin [1].
How Castor Oil Has Traditionally Been Used
- Massaged into the scalp to support a comfortable, moisturised scalp environment
- Applied sparingly to brows and lashes as part of an evening routine
- Used on dry elbows, heels and hands where skin tends to lose moisture fastest
- Worked into cuticles to keep nail beds conditioned
We bottle our own Napiers Organic Castor Oil on that same principle, a single, traceable ingredient rather than a long list of synthetic additives. As with any new product, we would always recommend patch testing first, and if you have a persistent or worsening skin condition, it is worth speaking to a GP or pharmacist rather than relying on home remedies alone.
Rosemary: A Herb Long Valued for Scalp Health
Rosemary has a long standing reputation in herbal practice for supporting scalp health, and it is now one of the more actively researched botanicals in this area. A recent double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial found that a rosemary based formulation improved measures of hair regrowth and scalp health over the course of the study [2], and separate research into rosemary combined with neem found encouraging results for both dandruff and hair thinning [3]. We think this growing body of research is genuinely interesting, though it is still developing, and larger trials will help confirm exactly how much benefit to expect. If you notice sudden, patchy or significant hair loss, we would always suggest seeing a GP first, since the NHS notes this can have a number of underlying causes that need proper diagnosis rather than home treatment alone [4].
Our Napiers Herbstrong Shampoo Tonic is based on Duncan Napier's original 1860 recipe for a rosemary hair tonic, and we still make it largely the same way today. To us, it is a good example of why a formula proven over generations does not need constant reinvention to stay relevant.
Why We Have Never Stopped Making These Remedies
It is a familiar pattern. An ingredient that sat quietly in kitchen cupboards and herbalist dispensaries for generations gets rediscovered, renamed and repackaged as the next big thing. Castor oil and rosemary fall firmly into this category. We have simply continued making them the way we always have, rather than reformulating every time a new ingredient claims the spotlight, because we have not needed to.
What This Means for Choosing Traditional Remedies Today
If you are exploring castor oil, rosemary, or any other traditional remedy for the first time, here is what we would suggest keeping in mind.
- Traditional does not mean unregulated. Our products are manufactured to meet UK cosmetic safety standards, whatever their history.
- Always patch test a new product, however natural the ingredients, particularly if you have sensitive skin.
- See a GP or pharmacist for persistent scalp irritation, skin conditions or significant hair loss rather than relying solely on home remedies.
- A shorter ingredient list is a useful starting point, but it is still worth checking what each ingredient is and why it is included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is castor oil good for hair growth?
Castor oil has long been used traditionally to support a well moisturised scalp, and its ricinoleic acid content has documented anti inflammatory and antimicrobial properties [1]. Robust clinical evidence for hair growth specifically remains limited, so we would always suggest speaking to a GP about sudden or significant hair loss so that any underlying cause can be properly checked [4].
What is Herbstrong Shampoo Tonic based on?
It is based on Duncan Napier's original 1860 formula for a rosemary hair tonic, and we still make the modern version largely to the same recipe.
Are traditional remedies like castor oil safe to use every day?
Most people can use castor oil regularly without issue, but anyone with a known skin sensitivity should patch test first and speak to a pharmacist if they are unsure.
Why are people returning to traditional skincare and haircare ingredients?
Many people prefer shorter, more recognisable ingredient lists over heavily processed formulas, and are drawn to remedies with a long, well established history of everyday use, a preference we understand well as herbalists.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have a persistent skin, scalp or hair concern, please consult your GP or pharmacist.
References
- Phytochemical Composition and Multifunctional Applications of Ricinus communis L.: Insights into Therapeutic, Pharmacological, and Industrial Potential
- Rosmagain as a Natural Therapeutic for Hair Regrowth and Scalp Health: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Three-Armed, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
- Rosemary and neem: an insight into their combined anti-dandruff and anti-hair loss efficacy
- NHS, Hair loss
