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A clear, glossy, pale yellow oil sits in a small glass dish, forming a smooth, thick-looking pool.
●Low GI

Castor oil Calories

Vegetable oil, high omega-9, cosmetic and medicinal uses

In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter

CALORIES · 100 G

884kcal

GI

0low

POTASSIUM · 100 G

0mg

FIBER · 100 G

0g

Quick answer

1 tablespoon (medium) of Castor oil (14 g) has 119 calories. That works out to 884 calories per 100 g. It contains 0 g of carbs, 0 g of protein, 13.5 g of fat and 0 g of fiber. Its glycemic index is 0 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

Castor oil Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 tablespoon (medium) · 13.5 g

119

KCAL / 13.5G

Carbs

0g

· 0% DV

Protein

0g

· 0% DV

Fat

13.5g

· 17% DV

Fiber

0g

· 0% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 0% · Protein 0% · Fat 100%

Castor oil nutrition facts table · 1 tablespoon (medium) (13.5 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories119 kcal
Total fat13.5 g17%
Saturated fat0.95 g5%
Trans fat0 g
Sodium0 mg0%
Total carbohydrate0 g0%
Fiber0 g0%
Protein0 g0%

Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.

Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.

Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.

Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.

Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

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How Many Calories in 1 Tablespoon of Castor oil?

ServingAmountCalories
1 tablespoon (medium)13.5 g119 kcal
1 teaspoon (small)4.5 g40 kcal
2 tablespoon (large)27 g239 kcal
1 ounce (medium)28 g248 kcal
100 g100 g884 kcal
1 bottle (medium)100 g884 kcal
1 cup (large)218 g1927 kcal
1 pack (large)250 g2210 kcal

Calculated from 884 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Castor oil

Does castor oil help hair grow?

No, there is no strong evidence that castor oil makes hair grow faster or thicker. It can coat the strands and make them look shinier, but its sticky texture may be hard to wash out and can irritate some scalps.

Is castor oil safe to drink?

Only castor oil specifically sold for oral use should be swallowed; cosmetic castor oil is not meant to be ingested. Oral castor oil acts as a stimulant laxative and can cause abdominal cramps, nausea, and diarrhea.

Can castor oil induce labor?

Castor oil can stimulate bowel activity and may trigger uterine contractions, but it is not a safe do-it-yourself way to start labor. It can also cause diarrhea and dehydration. Ask your maternity care team before using it during pregnancy.

Can castor oil be used on the face?

Yes, castor oil can be applied to facial skin, but its thick texture may clog pores or irritate some people. Test a small patch first, keep it away from your eyes, and stop using it if redness or itching develops.

Does castor oil make eyelashes grow?

No reliable evidence shows that castor oil makes eyelashes grow longer or thicker. It may coat and temporarily gloss the lashes, but getting it into your eyes can cause irritation or blurry vision.

Is castor oil poisonous?

Castor oil is not the same as ricin, the highly toxic substance found in castor beans; properly made oil does not contain ricin. Still, swallowing the wrong product or too much castor oil can cause harmful effects, so use only as directed.

Do castor oil packs work?

There is no good evidence that castor oil packs detoxify the body or treat internal illnesses. A warm pack may feel soothing, but heat can burn skin; avoid applying it to irritated or broken skin.

Can castor oil help an itchy, dry scalp?

Castor oil may temporarily coat dry scalp skin, but evidence that it treats scalp conditions is lacking. Its thick texture can build up and be difficult to rinse out; stop using it if itching or irritation worsens.

What happens if you use too much castor oil?

Using too much oral castor oil can cause severe diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and dehydration. Applying a large amount to skin or scalp may leave heavy residue or trigger irritation; follow the product directions and do not treat it as a daily supplement.

How should castor oil be stored?

Keep castor oil tightly closed in a cool, dark place, away from heat and direct sunlight. Follow the storage directions on its package, and discard it if its smell or appearance changes noticeably.

Castor oil Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

Vitamin E

0.04mg · 0% DV

Vitamin A

0µg · 0% DV

B1

0mg · 0% DV

B2

0mg · 0% DV

Minerals

Iron

0.01mg · 0% DV

Magnesium

0.07mg · 0% DV

Calcium

0.14mg · 0% DV

Phosphorus

0.07mg · 0% DV

Potassium ⭐

0.03mg · 0% DV

Sodium

0mg · 0% DV

Castor oil Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

0
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

0
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Castor oil

To burn the 119 calories in 1 tablespoon (medium) (13.5 g):

🚶

29min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

12min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

16min

Cycling

🏊

14min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Castor oil?

Castor oil is a thick vegetable oil pressed from the seeds of the castor plant. Unlike everyday cooking oils, it is not generally used to fry food or dress salads; it is more commonly found in personal-care products and in some products intended for medicinal use.

Its dense, tacky feel and strong taste mean it is rarely taken on its own as food. Around the world, people are more likely to encounter it in hair and skin care than in the kitchen. Nutritionally, it is almost entirely fat, with no protein or carbohydrates. For topical use, follow the product directions; only take it by mouth if it is specifically made for oral use, and follow its label guidance.

How Nutritious Is Castor oil?

Nutrient density

Low

5/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Low

0/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Is Castor oil Processed?

NOVA 2

Minimally Processed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Castor oil Contain Allergens?

No known major allergens

Gluten free
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Castor oil Good For?

Vegan

✓ Suitable

Vegetarian

✓ Suitable

Gluten-Free

✓ Suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

✓ Suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

✓ Suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Castor oil Fat Profile

SATURATED

0.95g

MONOUNSATURATED

9.72g

POLYUNSATURATED

2.7g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 15.3:1

Above the ideal 4:1 (15.3:1).

Compare Castor oil

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Have another question about Castor oil?

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.