While this oil may not smell great, it is an effective classic remedy amongst rainforest cultures in Latin America and even found in Ancient Egyptian texts. Even though the plant is poisonous, Egyptians burnt it in lamps to deter insects from their homes and bodies. You can make a solution using the seeds from this plant to keep bugs and parasites away from your garden using the actual seed of the plant. But it's best to source castor oil, which you can find in most pharmacies or apothecaries.
This plant is very easy to find in the tropics, where people grow it on the land and extract the seeds in alcohol. They then combine it with other natural pesticides, like neem, for garden use. But for the body, castor oil in itself can be used mixed with essential oils of choice along with alcohol or other mediums as a carrier to apply topically.
