Why do people take castor oil

However, the heating process that castor oil undergoes deactivates it, allowing the oil to be used safely. In ancient Egypt, castor oil was burned as fuel in lamps, used as a natural remedy to treat ailments like eye irritation and even given to pregnant women to stimulate labor 1. Today, castor oil remains a popular natural treatment for common conditions like constipation and skin ailments and is commonly used in natural beauty products. Perhaps one of the best-known medicinal uses for castor oil is as a natural laxative.

When consumed by mouth, castor oil is broken down in the small intestine, releasing ricinoleic acid, the main fatty acid in castor oil. The ricinoleic acid is then absorbed by the intestine, stimulating a strong laxative effect 2. For example, one study found that when elderly people took castor oil, they experienced decreased symptoms of constipation, including less straining during defecation and lower reported feelings of incomplete bowel movements 3.

While castor oil is considered safe in small doses, larger amounts can cause abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea 4. Although it can be used to relieve occasional constipation, castor oil is not recommended as a treatment for long-term issues. Summary Castor oil can be used as a natural remedy for occasional constipation. However, it can cause side effects like cramping and diarrhea and should not be used to treat chronic constipation. Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid.

Humectants retain moisture by preventing water loss through the outer layer of the skin 5. Castor oil is often used in cosmetics to promote hydration and often added to products like lotions, makeup and cleansers. You can also use this rich oil on its own as a natural alternative to store-bought moisturizers and lotions. Many popular moisturizing products found in stores contain potentially harmful ingredients like preservatives, perfumes and dyes, which could irritate the skin and harm overall health 5.

Though applying castor oil to the skin is considered safe for most, it can cause an allergic reaction in some people 6. Summary Castor oil can help lock moisture in the skin. Though this natural alternative to store-bought products is considered safe for most, it can cause allergic reactions in some. Applying castor oil to wounds creates a moist environment that promotes healing and prevents sores from drying out. Venelex, a popular ointment used in clinical settings to treat wounds, contains a mixture of castor oil and Peru balsam, a balm derived from the Myroxylon tree 7.

Castor oil stimulates tissue growth so that a barrier can be formed between the wound and the environment, decreasing the risk of infection. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile.

Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Castor oil is a natural remedy derived from the castor bean Ricinus communis. The main component of castor oil is ricinoleic acid, a type of fatty acid shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Long used in traditional medicine, castor oil is sometimes taken orally as a laxative, used topically to stimulate hair growth, or applied as a skin lubricant. Some also use castor oil to induce labor in pregnancy or to start the flow of breastmilk. Not all of these health benefits are supported by scientific evidence.

To date, research on the potential benefits of castor oil is limited. Furthermore, study results regarding castor oil's health effects have been inconsistent. Here's what is known about some popular uses. Studies investigating castor oil's effect on labor induction have yielded mixed results. A small preliminary study published in showed that pregnant women at term had an increased rate of labor in the first 24 hours after using the oil. However, study authors recommended further investigation to confirm the benefit.

Later studies involved larger groups of women. Of those women, received castor oil for induction of labor. The study's authors found that the time to birth was not significantly different between those who took the oil and those who did not. A castor oil pack is created by soaking a cloth in castor oil. When placed on the skin, castor oil packs are thought to enhance circulation and promote healing of the tissues and organs underneath the skin.

Some alternative medicine practitioners also use castor oil packs to improve liver function, relieve pain , reduce inflammation, and improve digestion. Castor oil packs may improve some symptoms of constipation, according to a study from Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. In tests on older patients with constipation, researchers found that seven days of treatment with castor oil packs helped reduce several constipation symptoms, such as straining during defecation.

However, castor oil packs failed to have an effect on the number of bowel movements or the amount of feces. To date, there is no evidence that castor oil can stimulate hair growth.

However, preliminary research published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science in indicates that castor oil may improve hair by increasing its luster. Indeed, some people use castor oil as a hair conditioner. Others use it to prevent or treat dandruff. Taking a castor oil supplement may be of some benefit to people with osteoarthritis of the knee , a study from Phytotherapy Research suggests. For four weeks, 50 men and women with knee osteoarthritis age 40 and over took capsules containing either castor oil or diclofenac sodium a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug three times daily for four weeks.

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The four most common weight loss myths. Weight loss story: " I did cardio and weight training 5 days to lose 44 kilos". Weight loss story: "At 28, I weighed more than my mother and this is how I lost weight". Stomach cancer. Whooping cough. Count: We have sent you a verification email. To verify, just follow the link in the message. Updated: Aug 11, , IST. Mostly known for its hair and skin benefits, castor oil has some amazing therapeutic advantages not many of us are aware of.

Although, our elders have always spoken about the goodness of castor oil, most of us are only aware of its hair and skin benefits. In addition to this, castor is known for its anti-bacterial properties and various medicinal and therapeutic benefits. Here's how castor oil is beneficial otherwise To increase immunity For those who follow naturopathy, castor oil strengthens the immune system by increasing white blood cells and thus fights infections. It is also proven that castor oil increases the count of T cells a type of white blood cells and the production of lymphocytes in the blood within hours of application.

Speak to a doctor about correct dosage and the safest castor oil preparations to use. The best way to prevent constipation is to consume a good amount of fiber and water every day, and exercise regularly. There is a selection of castor oils available for purchase online. Foods, lifestyle choices, medications, and disease can all cause constipation.

However, there are many remedies available. Learn about 13 of them here. Constipation develops when stool becomes hard and difficult to pass. Reasons include a blockage and a low fiber diet. Learn more about the causes and…. Laxatives occasionally taken for constipation can help people have bowel movements. They work in several different ways, which we explain here…. We look at some possible natural alternatives to laxatives for people looking to have a bowel movement.

We also look at when to see a doctor. A look at amla oil and its potential use for hair growth. Included is detail on the preparation of the oil at home, and the other potential uses. Does castor oil help constipation? Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. How does castor oil work? Dosage Cautions When to see a doctor Other treatments Takeaway We include products we think are useful for our readers. Share on Pinterest Castor oil is a natural laxative.

Share on Pinterest People with other symptoms, such as stomach pain and nausea, should avoid castor oil and seek treatment instead.