There are certain natural ingredients that quietly stay in our homes for generations. And no doubt, Arandi/Castor is one of them.
Even if you haven't used it as a child, you must have definitely seen an old glass bottle tucked somewhere in the cupboard, waiting patiently for the day someone remembers its value.
Interestingly, as people move toward cleaner and simpler routines, Arandi is slowly regaining the love it always deserved.
If we talk about Ayurvedic wellness, with a simple research, you will get to know that arandi stands out because of its simplicity. It doesn't rely on fancy technology or complicated formulations.
Castor is just a thick, earthy oil extracted from castor seeds, yet the magic it brings to hair and skin is something most modern products try to recreate.
In this blog, let's explore what Castor really is, why it has been trusted for centuries, and how we can use it in our day-to-day self-care in a way that feels easy, natural, and enjoyable.
So the first question is:
What Is Arandi?
Arandi refers to the castor plant, and the oil extracted from its seeds is known as Arandi ka Tel. In simple words, it's a thick, golden-yellow oil with a warm, earthy fragrance. Ayurveda has long considered Arandi a deeply nourishing ingredient, especially for external use.
The reason behind its popularity is quite straightforward: the oil is naturally rich, dense, and moisture-locking. This makes it a wonderful choice for dry hair, fragile ends, rough cuticles, and even delicate eyebrow or eyelash areas.
What makes Arandi even more special is its traditional method of extraction. When the oil is cold-pressed, as done by us, that is, Vriksha Veda, it retains its natural potency.
Since we work with small farmer groups in Tamil Nadu and produce fresh batches every month, the oil stays authentic, free from additives, and true to its original character.
Why Arandi Is Loved in Natural Hair Care?
If we pay attention to elders' advice, Arandi always appears in conversations about hair strength, hair thickness, and scalp comfort. And genuinely speaking, there is a reason for it. But what reasons? Well, we will now know that as well.
Naturally Thick and Protective
Arandi has a dense, creamy texture. This allows it to sit gently on the hair strands, preventing moisture loss. And you might already know that hair that stays hydrated tends to break less and look fuller.
Deeply Conditioning
Dry or frizzy hair responds beautifully to Arandi because the oil coats the strands and softens them. That's why many people prefer mixing it with lighter oils, as it creates a perfect balance of spreadability and nourishment.
Strengthening for Roots
When used properly and consistently, Arandi supports hair roots and helps reduce breakage caused by dryness.
Multi-Purpose Beauty Ingredient
One bottle of Arandi can handle so many concerns, such as brows, lashes, cuticles, elbows, hair ends, and scalp dryness. It's one of the most versatile plant-based oils you can keep in your cabinet.
Benefits of Arandi (Castor Oil)
There are actually so many benefits of Arandi, but we will look at the practical and efficient benefits we can enjoy through external use only.
Encourages Fuller Eyebrows and Eyelashes
Many people use Vriksha Veda's Arandi Oil to give their brows and lashes a well-nourished, defined look. Because it's thick, it doesn't run or irritate the eyes when used carefully. Just a tiny amount is usually enough.
Provides Deep Conditioning to Dry or Frizzy Hair
There are days when we notice that our hair feels dull, lifeless, or rough, well, you don't have to worry, as on those days, Arandi acts like a natural spa treatment.
The oil's heavy nature helps lock in moisture, making hair soft and manageable.
Supports a Healthy Scalp Environment
We know that dry scalp or flakiness often appears when the skin loses moisture. Arandi's emollient nature helps soothe and comfort the scalp when applied externally. When diluted properly, it spreads more evenly and gives a calming effect.
Enhances Natural Shine
What many people love about Arandi is the soft sheen it gives to hair. It doesn't look artificial or oily, just naturally healthy and smooth.
Softens Cuticles and Nails
If nails feel brittle or the cuticle area looks dry, a tiny amount of Arandi massaged in the evening helps restore softness.
Works as a Protective Lip Moisturizer
Arandi forms a long-lasting layer that shields dry lips. This makes it ideal for nighttime use.
How to Use Arandi Oil for Hair and Skin?
Now, we will move forward to know how you can use it. See, instead of rigid steps, let's talk through gentle, everyday ways to include Arandi in your routine, in other words, ways that feel natural rather than forced.
Nourishing the Scalp
Because Arandi is naturally thick, applying it directly may feel too heavy. A more comfortable approach is to blend it with a lighter oil.
A common and easy mix looks like this:
This blend glides over the scalp smoothly and feels less sticky. We even suggest diluting farm-sourced castor oil in this way because it respects the ingredient's natural texture.
You can just massage the blend on your scalp in a gentle way, almost the way we do during a relaxing head massage. It doesn't have to be perfect, even a few minutes make a difference.
Softening Hair Lengths and Ends
If your ends often look dry or rough, Arandi fits beautifully into your routine.
Most people simply:
There's no need to drench the hair. A soft touch is enough to reduce frizz and give the hair a smoother look.
Caring for Eyebrows and Lashes
For brows and lashes, less is always more. A clean spoolie or the fingertip works well. You can touch a single drop of Arandi and gently sweep it over the brow or lash line before bedtime. Over time, the area begins to look naturally fuller and well-defined.
Creating a Deep Conditioning Oil Mask
On those weeks when your hair feels dull or tired, Arandi makes a wonderful pre-wash hair mask. People usually blend it with a lighter oil and apply it along the hair shaft. Leaving the blend on for even 30 to 40 minutes helps the hair absorb the richness.
Softening Cuticles, Elbows, or Heels
Dry areas like elbows and heels often need deeper moisturization. Massaging a drop of Arandi at night helps soften these spots beautifully.
Because the oil stays put for a long time, it works gradually through the night.
Choosing Pure Arandi Oil Makes All the Difference
All Arandi oils are not the same. The results depend heavily on how the oil was extracted and how fresh it is. For instance, cold-pressed extraction keeps the oil closer to its original state, while fresh batches preserve its natural aroma and colour.
This is where Vriksha Veda stands out. We work directly with small farmer groups, maintain small-batch production, and keep the oil free from fragrance or fillers.
When choosing Arandi oil, you should look for:
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Cold-pressed extraction
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No fragrance, mineral oil, or dilution
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Seasonal natural variations
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Clear sourcing practices
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Glass or safe packaging
These signs help you pick an oil that stays as authentic as possible.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed that arandi is one of those ingredients that quietly proves its worth generation after generation. It doesn't promise miracles; it simply does what nature designed it to do: nourish, soften, protect, and strengthen. You just have to opt for the natural one, which is, of course, available at Vriksha Veda.
