When used orally for a laxative effect, Schleiger recommends a dosage of 15 to 60 milliliters of castor oil per day. “Start with the lowest recommended dose and increase gradually, if necessary, to avoid abdominal cramping and other gastrointestinal discomfort,” she adds. Today, most is produced in India. It 's still used as a laxative and in skin and hair products. It's also an ingredient in motor oil, among other things. The FDA says it's safe for treating constipation, but researchers are still investigating its other potential health benefits. Studies have found that castor oil can speed up wound healing. 'Castor oil can help support the wound healing process,' says Dr Ana. Additionally, people with certain health conditions — including appendicitis, gastrointestinal obstruction, bowel perforation, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — should avoid stimulative laxatives like castor oil because they could cause serious side effects ( 2).

Don't use castor oil on minor cuts or burns at home. It's recommended for wound care only in doctor's offices and hospitals. Although castor oil is generally considered safe, it can cause adverse reactions and unwanted side effects in some people. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classify castor oil as a type of medication that might harm a fetus or cause congenital abnormalities if a woman takes castor oil during pregnancy. Children between 2–12 years should take 5–15 mL orally once daily, while babies under 2 years old should take no more than 5 mL once daily.In fact, using castor oil in your hair could cause a rare condition called felting, which is when your hair becomes so tangled it has to be cut off.

Wound healing: When applied topically, castor oil can create a moist environment conducive to wound healing, says Schleiger. It’s also believed to stimulate the growth of new tissue, reducing dryness and promoting healing. About half a century ago, unbeknownst to many, castor oil was being inappropriately used as a medical treatment for many children. It was extensively used as a laxative, and most peculiarly, as a medicine against almost all ailments in children and the elderly. These possible illnesses ranged from a cough, cold, and fever, to constipation, and indigestion.Women and Birth: “Castor oil as a natural alternative to labor induction: A retrospective descriptive study.” Supports the liver: “It’s easy to give yourself glowing skin with castor oil by using it to help support your liver,” claims Pande. “Apply the oil to a flannel, and then place it on your skin over the liver region under your right breast. Try to leave it there for a minimum of an hour. Wrapping it in cling film can help. Overnight, it can work wonders.” Castor oil is classified by the Food and Drug Administration as generally recognized as safe for both topical and internal use. However, drinking castor oil may still potentially cause side effects.

Castor oil is comprised mainly of the fatty acid ricinoleic acid," says Beauty Lab chemist Danusia Wnek. "It works as an emollient, smoothing flaky skin and making it feel softer. It can also provide a barrier on the skin and protect against moisture loss. For hair, it acts as a lubricant, coating and conditioning strands to improve smoothness and shine." 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 ( 20).Clean your face with your regular facial cleanser and cold water. Using a towel, pat your skin dry. Remove any traces of the cleaner with a cotton ball soaked in toner. If you don’t have toner, you can use rose water or witch hazel. If you take too much castor oil, it can cause abdominal cramps, chest pain, diarrhea, dizziness, rash, and shortness of breath. Call poison control or your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. The same goes for using castor oil on your eyelashes. Some people use castor oil for eyelash growth, but no scientific research has shown this is actually effective.

Antibacterial agent: Castor oil may have antibacterial properties. Some research finds it to be effective against certain bacteria, as well as skin, throat and wound infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria that can lead to serious, life-threatening staph infections [1] Fitranda MI, Sutrisno, Marfu’ah S. Physicochemical Properties and Antibacterial Activity of Castor Oil and Its Derivatives. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. 2020;833(1):012009. . Even though this condition is rare, people with long hair should be cautious when using castor oil as a hair treatment. Summary

6 ways to use castor oil

Castor oil can be consumed in small quantities as a laxative and to coat your stomach in case of nausea or chronic vomiting. Soothe a sunburn: Castors oil’s anti-inflammatory properties reduce pain and redness. Apply castor oil mixed with coconut oil (in a 1:1 proportion) to the affected area, or try the same remedy as a natural lip balm to solve chapped or sunburnt lips. Castor oil supplements contain ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid works as a stimulant laxative. It