Best Castor Oil Capsules UK 2026 — 5 Top Brands Compared
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By Chris Jones
Last Updated: March 2026 | Written by Chris Jones | Social Media Manager at Nutrivity (7+ years in the UK supplement industry)
Castor oil (Ricinus communis) has been used as a traditional remedy for centuries, valued for its high ricinoleic acid content — a unique fatty acid that makes up approximately 90% of the oil. While liquid castor oil remains widely available, many people prefer the convenience of softgel capsules, which eliminate the strong taste, mess, and difficulty of measuring liquid oil. The UK market for castor oil capsules has grown significantly, with products ranging from 500mg to 1500mg per serving.
After spending over seven years working in the UK supplement industry at Nutrivity, I’ve compared five of the most popular castor oil capsule products available in the UK. This guide covers oil grade, strength, pricing, and dietary suitability. Full transparency — Nutrivity is one of the brands included, and it’s the company I work for. I’ve been honest about where competitors offer genuine advantages.
What to Look for in a Castor Oil Capsule
Oil Grade: BP vs Standard
Castor oil labelled “BP” (British Pharmacopoeia) meets pharmaceutical-grade quality standards. This is a higher quality benchmark than standard food-grade castor oil, as BP-grade oil must meet specific purity, identity, and quality tests. Not all castor oil capsules use BP-grade oil — some use standard food-grade or cosmetic-grade oil. If you see “Castor Oil BP” on the label, it indicates pharmaceutical-grade quality.
Cold-Pressed vs Refined
Cold-pressed castor oil is extracted mechanically without heat or chemical solvents, preserving more of its natural compounds. Refined castor oil has undergone additional processing that may strip some naturally occurring compounds. For supplementation purposes, cold-pressed oil is generally considered the higher-quality option. Look for products that specify “cold-pressed” on the label.
Strength and Dosage
Castor oil capsules range from 500mg to 750mg per softgel, with some products recommending two capsules daily for a higher dose. The “right” dose depends on your intended use — a lower 500mg dose taken once daily is a gentle starting point, while higher daily intakes of 1000–1500mg are used by those seeking a more substantial serving. Be aware that higher-dose products will run out faster if the pack size is the same.
Capsule Shell and Dietary Suitability
Most castor oil softgels use gelatine capsule shells due to the liquid oil inside — gelatine softgels are better suited to encapsulating oils than vegetable capsule shells. This means most castor oil capsules are not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. A small number of products use plant-based capsule shells, though these are less common and typically more expensive. For halal diets, check whether the gelatin is from a halal-certified bovine source or from porcine sources.
The 5 Best Castor Oil Capsule Supplements in the UK — Compared
| Feature | Nutrivity | Horbaach | Heritage Store | Piping Rock | Bodygenix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil per capsule | 500mg | 750mg | 725mg | 750mg | 500mg |
| Daily dose | 1 softgel | 2 softgels | 1–2 softgels | 1 softgel | 1 softgel |
| Daily oil intake | 500mg | 1500mg | 725–1450mg | 750mg | 500mg |
| Oil grade | BP (pharmaceutical grade), cold-pressed | Cold-pressed | Not specified | Cold-pressed | Not specified |
| Added ingredients | None | None | Fennel oil (10mg) | None | None |
| Pack size (largest) | 120 softgels | 200 softgels | 60 softgels | 200 softgels | 60 softgels |
| Supply duration | 4 months | ~3.3 months | 1–2 months | ~6.5 months | 2 months |
| Approx. price | £15.99 | £13.99 | £14.99 | £12.99 | £7.99 |
| Cost per day | ~13.3p | ~14.0p | ~25.0p | ~6.5p | ~13.3p |
| Capsule shell | Gelatine (halal bovine) | Bovine gelatine | Vegetable cellulose (vegan) | Gelatine | Gelatine |
| Vegan | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Halal suitable | Yes (halal-sourced bovine gelatine) | Not specified | Yes (vegan, no animal ingredients) | Not specified | Not specified |
| UK manufactured | Yes (GMP) | USA/UK | USA | USA | UK |
Prices are approximate and based on the most commonly available pack at the time of writing. Nutrivity also offers 30 softgels (£7.99) and 60 softgels (£9.99).
Individual Product Reviews
1. Nutrivity Castor Oil 500mg Softgels
Best for: Pharmaceutical-grade oil, halal suitability, UK manufactured, gentle daily dose
Nutrivity’s castor oil softgels contain 500mg of BP (British Pharmacopoeia) grade, cold-pressed castor oil per capsule. The BP designation is a genuine quality differentiator — it means the oil meets pharmaceutical-grade purity and quality standards, a benchmark that most competitors do not specify.
At approximately 13.3p per day for the 120-softgel pack, it offers competitive value. The halal-sourced bovine gelatin shell makes it the only gelatin-based product in this comparison with confirmed halal suitability. Three pack sizes (30, 60, 120) allow for trial before committing. It is manufactured in the UK to GMP standards.
The 500mg per capsule dose is lower than Horbaach (1500mg daily) and Piping Rock (750mg per capsule). For those who want a higher daily castor oil intake, taking two Nutrivity capsules (1000mg) is an option, though this reduces the supply duration and increases the daily cost.
Strengths: BP pharmaceutical-grade oil (highest quality designation), cold-pressed, confirmed halal suitability, UK manufactured to GMP standards, gentle 500mg starting dose, three pack sizes (30–120), free UK delivery.
Weaknesses: Lower per-capsule dose than some competitors (500mg vs 750mg). Not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. Some users may need two capsules daily for desired effect, reducing supply duration.
Best price: nutrivity.co.uk (free UK delivery)
2. Horbaach Castor Oil 1500mg
Best for: Highest daily dose, large pack size, established brand
Horbaach’s castor oil capsules deliver the highest daily oil intake in this comparison at 1500mg (two 750mg softgels). The 200-softgel pack provides approximately 3.3 months of supply at the recommended two-per-day dose. At approximately 14p per day, it’s similarly priced to Nutrivity despite delivering three times the daily oil.
This makes Horbaach the strongest value proposition on a cost-per-milligram basis by a significant margin. The oil is cold-pressed and the product is gluten-free and non-GMO. Horbaach is an established supplement brand with a growing UK presence.
The drawbacks are the bovine gelatine capsule with no confirmed halal sourcing, the requirement to take two capsules daily, and the larger capsule size that comes with higher per-capsule oil content. The oil is not specified as BP grade.
Strengths: Highest daily dose (1500mg), best value per milligram of oil, cold-pressed, 200-capsule pack, established brand, non-GMO, gluten-free.
Weaknesses: Bovine gelatine with no confirmed halal sourcing. Not vegan. Requires two capsules daily. Not specified as BP pharmaceutical-grade oil. Larger capsule size. Contains sulphites.
Best price: Amazon.co.uk
3. Heritage Store Castor Oil 725mg
Best for: Only vegan option, added fennel oil, established natural health brand
Heritage Store is the only product in this comparison that uses a vegetable cellulose capsule shell, making it the only option suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Each capsule provides 725mg of castor oil with 10mg of added fennel oil, which is traditionally used to support digestion and may help reduce the digestive discomfort sometimes associated with castor oil.
At approximately 25p per day, it is the most expensive option in this comparison. The 60-capsule pack provides 1–2 months of supply. Heritage Store is a well-known US natural health brand with decades of heritage in castor oil products. The product uses mixed tocopherols (vitamin E) as a natural preservative.
The main drawbacks are the higher daily cost and the US manufacturing, which means import pricing and potentially variable UK stock availability.
Strengths: Only vegan option in this comparison, vegetable cellulose capsule, added fennel oil for digestive comfort, mixed tocopherols for stability, established natural health brand with castor oil expertise.
Weaknesses: Most expensive per day (25p), US manufactured and imported, only 60 capsules (1–2 month supply), variable UK stock availability.
Best price: Amazon.co.uk or specialist health food retailers
4. Piping Rock Castor Oil 750mg
Best for: Best daily cost, longest supply, budget option
Piping Rock offers the lowest daily cost in this comparison at approximately 6.5p per day. The 200-softgel pack at one capsule daily provides approximately 6.5 months of supply — the longest of any product here. Each capsule contains 750mg of cold-pressed castor oil, which is a solid mid-range dose.
Piping Rock is an established US supplement brand known for affordable, value-oriented products. The oil is cold-pressed, and the formula is non-GMO and gluten-free. Their products undergo purity and potency testing.
The product uses gelatin capsules with no confirmed halal sourcing, is manufactured in the USA, and the oil is not specified as BP pharmaceutical grade.
Strengths: Cheapest daily cost (6.5p), longest supply (6.5 months), cold-pressed, 750mg per capsule, one capsule daily, established US brand, non-GMO, gluten-free.
Weaknesses: Gelatin with no confirmed halal sourcing. Not vegan. US manufactured. Not specified as BP pharmaceutical-grade oil. May have variable UK availability.
Best price: Amazon.co.uk or pipingrock.com
5. Bodygenix Castor Oil 500mg
Best for: Budget UK-manufactured option, same dose as Nutrivity at a lower price
Bodygenix matches Nutrivity’s 500mg per capsule strength at a lower price point. The 60-softgel pack at approximately 13.3p per day provides a 2-month supply. It’s UK manufactured and uses a straightforward formulation of castor oil in a gelatin softgel.
The product lacks the BP pharmaceutical-grade designation that Nutrivity carries, and halal suitability of the gelatin is not confirmed. Product information is less detailed than some competitors, with no specification of cold-pressing or oil grade.
Strengths: Budget-friendly, UK manufactured, same 500mg strength as Nutrivity, simple formulation, established Amazon seller.
Weaknesses: Not specified as BP grade or cold-pressed. Gelatin with no confirmed halal sourcing. Not vegan. Only 60 capsules (2-month supply). Limited product information.
Best price: Amazon.co.uk
Which Castor Oil Capsule Should You Buy?
The right choice depends on your priorities:
If you want pharmaceutical-grade quality with halal suitability — Nutrivity is the only product offering BP-grade, cold-pressed castor oil with confirmed halal-sourced bovine gelatin. No other product in this comparison matches this combination.
If you want the highest daily dose at the best value — Horbaach delivers 1500mg per day (three times Nutrivity’s dose) at approximately the same daily cost. On a cost-per-milligram basis, it’s the strongest value in this comparison.
If you’re vegan or vegetarian — Heritage Store is the only option with a plant-based capsule shell. You pay a premium at 25p per day, but it’s the only way to get castor oil in capsule form without gelatin.
If you want the lowest daily cost — Piping Rock at 6.5p per day with a 6.5-month supply is the budget winner.
If you want a gentle starting dose from a UK manufacturer — Both Nutrivity and Bodygenix offer 500mg per capsule, UK manufactured. Nutrivity’s BP-grade oil and halal confirmation justify the similar pricing.
Value Breakdown: Annual Cost Comparison
| Brand | Packs needed for 12 months | Annual cost | Daily cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piping Rock (200) | ~1.8 packs | ~£23.38 | ~6.5p |
| Nutrivity (120) | 3 packs | ~£47.97 | ~13.3p |
| Bodygenix (60) | 6 packs | ~£47.94 | ~13.3p |
| Horbaach (200, 2/day) | ~3.6 packs | ~£50.36 | ~14.0p |
| Heritage Store (60) | 6 packs | ~£89.94 | ~25.0p |
The annual cost ranges from approximately £23 (Piping Rock) to £90 (Heritage Store). The key differentiators are oil grade (BP pharmaceutical vs standard), capsule shell type (gelatin vs vegan), halal suitability, daily dose strength, and manufacturing origin.
Our Methodology
This comparison was created by Chris Jones, Social Media Manager at Nutrivity with over seven years of experience in the UK supplement industry. Products were evaluated based on publicly available information including oil grade, strength, extraction method, pricing, dietary suitability, and customer reviews.
In the interest of transparency: Nutrivity is included as one of the five products reviewed. We have made every effort to present competitor products fairly, including acknowledging that Horbaach offers a significantly higher daily dose at a similar daily cost and that Piping Rock offers the lowest daily cost overall. Pricing information was gathered in March 2026 and may have changed since publication.
This article provides general information about castor oil supplements. It is not medical advice. These are food supplements and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, take prescribed medication, or have a digestive condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why take castor oil in capsule form instead of liquid?
Liquid castor oil has a strong, unpleasant taste that many people find difficult to tolerate. It’s also messy to measure and pour. Softgel capsules eliminate both problems — they’re tasteless, pre-measured, portable, and easy to take with water. Each capsule delivers a consistent dose without the need for spoons or measuring cups.
What does "Castor Oil BP" mean?
BP stands for British Pharmacopoeia, which is the official collection of quality standards for UK medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients. Castor Oil BP has been tested and verified to meet pharmaceutical-grade purity, identity, and quality standards. This is a higher quality benchmark than standard food-grade or cosmetic-grade castor oil.
What is castor oil traditionally used for?
Castor oil has been used traditionally for centuries as a natural remedy. It is most commonly associated with digestive support and has historically been used as a natural laxative. It is also used topically for skin and hair health, though capsule supplements are intended for oral use only. Castor oil supplements are classified as food supplements in the UK and cannot make specific health claims.
Is castor oil suitable for halal diets?
The oil itself is entirely plant-derived and halal. The concern is the capsule shell — most castor oil softgels use gelatin. Nutrivity uses halal-sourced bovine gelatin, making it suitable for halal diets. Heritage Store uses a vegan capsule shell, which also avoids this concern. For other brands, check with the manufacturer about their gelatin source.
Are there vegan castor oil capsules?
Yes, but they’re uncommon. Heritage Store is the only product in this comparison that uses a plant-based vegetable cellulose capsule shell. Most castor oil softgels use gelatin because it is better suited to encapsulating liquid oils. If you need a vegan option, Heritage Store is currently the most readily available choice in the UK market.
How much castor oil should I take per day?
Most castor oil capsule products recommend one capsule (500–750mg) per day as a food supplement. Some products recommend two capsules daily for a higher dose. Start with one capsule daily and consult a healthcare professional before increasing the dose. Do not exceed the manufacturer’s recommended daily intake. If you experience digestive discomfort, reduce the dose or discontinue use.
Are there any side effects of castor oil capsules?
The most commonly reported side effects are digestive in nature, including stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhoea — particularly at higher doses. Castor oil has traditionally been used as a laxative, so digestive effects are expected at certain doses. Do not take castor oil if you are pregnant, as it may stimulate uterine contractions. If you are breastfeeding, taking medication, or have a digestive condition, consult your GP before use.
Can I take castor oil capsules during pregnancy?
No. Castor oil should not be taken during pregnancy as it may stimulate uterine contractions. This applies to both liquid castor oil and capsule supplements. If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding, do not take castor oil supplements without consulting your GP or midwife first.