Castor oil has various uses in medicine, industry, and pharmaceuticals. It is found in food, medication, and skin care and is also used as an industrial lubricant and biodiesel component.

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Castor oil, made from the Ricinus communis plant’s seeds, has been used for thousands of years. A heating process deactivates its toxic enzyme, ricin, making it safe to use.

In ancient Egypt, castor oil was used as fuel and for medicinal purposes like treating eye irritation and inducing labor in pregnancy.

Here are 4 potential benefits and uses of castor oil. We also cover its use as a hair treatment and precautions to consider.

Castor oil is well-known for its use as a natural laxative and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this purpose.

It works quickly by stimulating muscle movement in the intestines, making it effective for temporary constipation relief or bowel cleansing before medical procedures. However, using too much castor oil can have negative side effects like abdominal cramping and diarrhea.

While it can be useful in treating occasional constipation, it should not be used for long-term health concerns without consulting a healthcare professional first, as misusing it can lead to dangerous complications.

Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid known for its moisturizing properties. It can be used alone or with other oils as a natural alternative to store-bought moisturizers.

Unlike commercial products, it contains no harmful additives and is suitable for the face and body. However, it may cause allergic reactions in some individuals, so always dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut oil before using it, and do a small skin patch test first before using it on larger skin areas.

Castor oil can help promote wound healing by creating a moist environment and preventing drying out.

For example, Venelex, a common ointment used in clinical settings, combines castor oil and Peru balsam, a balm derived from the Myroxylon balsamum tree, to treat wounds.

Additionally, ricinoleic acid, the main fatty acid found in castor oil, may help reduce skin inflammation, support healing, and aid in pain reduction in people with wounds.

Keep in mind that castor oil topical wound treatments contain a combination of ingredients, not just castor oil. You should not apply castor oil to any wound without checking with a healthcare professional first.

A number of bacteria and fungi, including Candida fungi, commonly grow on dentures. This can create oral concerns if dentures aren’t properly cleaned and stored.

Candida species, like C. albicans, are especially problematic for people who wear dentures because they easily adhere to denture surfaces and mouth tissues.

An overgrowth of Candida fungi can lead to a condition called denture stomatitis, an infection that leads to inflammation, redness, and irritation in the mouth.

However, some research suggests that cleaning dentures with castor oil may help reduce the risk of developing denture stomatitis because castor oil can help kill bacteria and fungi.

Many people use castor oil as a natural hair treatment. This is because castor oil has moisturizing properties, which could help lubricate the hair shaft, increasing flexibility and decreasing the chance of breakage.

Even though some people regularly use castor oil as part of their hair care routine, there’s no scientific evidence that castor oil helps promote hair health, stimulates hair growth, or reduces hair loss.

The same goes for using castor oil on your eyelashes or for treating dandruff. Some people use castor oil for eyelash growth, but no scientific research has shown this is actually effective.

In fact, castor oil could lead to a condition called acute hair felting in people with long hair, which causes the hair to become twisted and tangled, resembling a hard bird’s nest. Typically, this can’t be treated, and the hair must be cut off.

Even though this condition is rare, people with long hair should be cautious when using castor oil as a hair treatment.

Castor oil is commonly used to address various concerns, either by ingestion or topical application. While generally safe, it may cause adverse reactions in some individuals.

If you’re interested in using castor oil, it’s important to keep the following potential side effects in mind:

  • Labor: Medical professionals sometimes use castor oil to induce labor in pregnant people. For this reason, people at all stages of pregnancy should avoid consuming castor oil.
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) side effects: While it can be an effective way to alleviate constipation, castor oil may cause GI side effects, like diarrhea, vomiting, cramping, and bloating. It may also cause dizziness. Only use it for constipation under medical supervision.
  • Allergic reactions: It may cause an allergic reaction in some people when applied to the skin. First, try applying a small amount to a tiny patch of skin to see how your body reacts.

People with certain health conditions — including appendicitis, gastrointestinal obstruction, bowel perforation, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — should avoid stimulative laxatives like castor oil, as they could cause serious side effects.

It should not be used to treat any medical condition unless advised by a physician, and misusing it can be dangerous. Consult a healthcare professional before using it for any health condition or symptom.

What is castor oil good for?

Some people use castor oil as a powerful laxative. It may also have moisturizing and wound-healing properties. Some people also use it to kill bacteria on dentures.

Can castor oil reduce belly fat?

Some people believe castor can help with weight loss due to its laxative properties, but there isn’t enough research to support this definitely. Where there is a weight loss effect, it may be more related to the relief from constipation than to the castor oil itself.

Learn more: Should you take castor oil to lose weight?

Does castor oil draw out toxins?

There are anecdotal stories that placing a castor oil pack over the liver can aid in detoxifying it. However, there is no scientific proof to back up this claim.

Learn more: DIY castor oil packs and how to use them.

What are the benefits of castor oil on the face?

Castor oil may be a good moisturizer for the skin, including the face, though no research suggests it can help reduce symptoms of any skin conditions like acne. However, always test a small skin area first to make sure you’re not allergic, and always dilute it in a carrier oil like olive oil.

Learn more: Can you use castor oil on your face?

People have used castor oil for thousands of years as a natural treatment for a variety of health issues.

It can help relieve constipation and may be used as a natural skin moisturizer and denture treatment.

Though many people use castor oil as a treatment for dry or thinning hair, there’s no evidence that castor oil is effective for improving hair health or stimulating hair growth when used on its own.

If you’re interested in using castor oil for constipation or any other health condition, talk with your healthcare professional first to determine whether castor oil is safe and appropriate for your specific health needs.

Just one thing

Try this today: If you experience frequent constipation, there are a few treatments that may help.

Making dietary and lifestyle changes, such as increasing fluid intake, eating more fiber-rich foods, and being more active, can often help improve constipation.

However, it’s important to visit a healthcare professional if you’re experiencing frequent or chronic constipation that doesn’t seem to improve. It can be a sign of an underlying medical condition and can become dangerous if it goes untreated.