This product is obtained from castor bean. This is a poisonous plant. Moreover, the poison is contained in all parts of the plant. To destroy toxic substances, the raw materials are first subjected to special treatment with hot steam. The beneficial substances are preserved. Oil is obtained from this raw material by pressing.
Castor oil has a viscous, fatty consistency. The color varies from light transparent to yellow shades. The smell of the oil is reminiscent of wax. The taste of castor oil is unpleasant. 80% of the volume in the composition of the drug is occupied by ricinoleic acid fats. The rest is a mixture of oleic and linoleic acid fats. Due to this composition of the oil, it is resistant to drying out and film formation. During long-term storage, the consistency of the product becomes thicker, but this does not impair its medicinal properties.
In pharmacies, the product is sold packaged in dark glass bottles. Castor oil is also produced in the form of capsules in a light-colored gelatin shell. Capsules are preferable for oral administration. Taking the drug in this form eliminates taste contact with the drug. Reasonable cost, over-the-counter availability, and the ability to help cope with constipation make this drug popular and affordable.
Why castor oil acts as a laxative
There is not much difference in what form you buy castor oil. It is available in liquid form, in capsules, and is also included in some pharmacy laxatives. Their operating principle is the same.
Edible oil is obtained by cold pressing castor bean seeds. At the same time, in order to neutralize the plant’s poison, the seeds undergo complex multi-stage processing. So the output remains only substances that are beneficial to humans. Castor oil contains fatty acids, and most of all ricinoleic acid, which is the main active ingredient.
Once inside, ricinoleic acid irritates the receptors of the gastrointestinal tract, the intestines begin to contract intensely, and water is retained in its lumen. Under the influence of liquid, feces soften and are naturally thrown out. This is the whole secret of castor oil.
We recommend reading: Analysis of the beneficial properties and contraindications of rapeseed oil, its use in oat milk and baby food
Principle of action on the intestines
Castor oil is produced from the seeds of the castor bean, a poisonous plant containing ricin. In the human digestive system, the poison is converted into ricinoleic acid, which has an irritating effect on intestinal motility.
Its walls literally vibrate, thereby throwing off feces, stones, and remnants of undigested food along with waste and toxins that have accumulated in the folds. With this method of cleansing, the body is not stressed, and waste evacuation occurs quickly and naturally.
Admission rules
Liquid oil tastes quite unpleasant, and it has a specific smell. This makes it difficult for many adults to drink. Frequent side effects from taking the drug are nausea and vomiting. Knowing some simple rules on how to drink castor oil will help you avoid them.
- Usually the entire volume of the medicine is drunk in one gulp while holding your breath. You can snack on a piece of lemon, but do not eat it, but chew it in your mouth and spit it out. Orange or grapefruit juice will also work. As a last resort, the product is mixed with milk or tea in equal parts.
- If the disgust from liquid castor oil cannot be overcome, there is no need to torment the body; you can buy the product in capsules. It is easy to swallow without causing nausea.
- The drug should not be taken with meals, as its effect will be noticeably reduced. It is better to do this in the morning on an empty stomach, an hour before meals or 2-3 hours after eating.
- At the same time, you need to drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration and facilitate the softening of fecal stones.
- Before cleansing the intestines with laxatives, you need to spend fasting days with light meals.
- Chronic constipation is best treated with other means, since castor oil cannot be taken for a long time.
- In all cases, consultation with a doctor is necessary. Self-prescription of preparations from castor bean seeds as a laxative is unacceptable.
Dosage and duration of action
The standard dosage of the drug, which is considered safe, is from 15 to 30 g. This is how much castor oil can be taken by adults for constipation in one day. The maximum duration of taking a laxative is three days.
How many tablespoons of castor oil to drink for constipation depends on the person’s weight. The calculation is based on the formula: per 1 kg of body weight – 1 g of laxative per day. There are approximately 17 g of castor oil in a tablespoon. On average, drink 2 tablespoons at a time.
It is better not to use this laxative for children under 12 years of age, as their intestines may react too violently. After this age, if necessary, the adult dose is halved and ranges from 5 to 15 g per day. And it’s better to take laxatives in capsules.
How long does it take for castor oil to work as a laxative?
It depends on the individual characteristics of the organism and the complexity of the case. You should not expect an immediate effect. The oil must still reach its destination. Usually at least 2 hours pass, but sometimes the wait for stool stretches up to 6, and sometimes it takes 12 hours.
And if you give an enema with castor oil, the result is achieved much faster. The urge to go to the toilet appears within 10-30 minutes. But with intestinal spasms, the laxative effect can occur after 24 hours.
How to take orally
Castor oil taken internally is indicated to relieve constipation and cleanse the intestines and liver of toxins, waste and parasites. The ways to use castor oil as a laxative are slightly different. The product can be combined with other products to achieve different goals. So, the combination will enhance the laxative effect:
- With salt solution.
- Glycerin.
- Other oils.
Before use, you must carefully read the instructions for use of the drug for constipation and strictly follow it. Adults are usually prescribed to take the maximum amount at one time. The break between food and taking oil should be at least 2 hours (preferably more). The effect should appear within 3 days. If the desired result is not achieved, then oral administration is stopped.
How to take CASTOR OIL for constipation?
Since constipation often accompanies hemorrhoidal veins, the product can also be used for this disease. There are several ways to use castor oil for hemorrhoids:
- In the form of a compress on the affected area.
- In the form of capsules into the anus.
- Lubricating components with oil.
- Baths with castor bean seed extract.
Treatment of hemorrhoids with castor oil is carried out in courses after consulting a doctor. All contraindications and side effects also remain in effect.
In capsules
The number of castor oil capsules as a laxative per dose can reach 60 for adults. They should be swallowed quickly with warm water. If the gelatin shell melts in the mouth, it will inevitably stick to the mucous membrane, and the oil will leak out and can cause nausea. A large number of capsules are swallowed in half an hour. The course of treatment is also up to three days.
Cleansing enema
A laxative effect must be achieved not only for constipation, but also for poisoning with toxic substances or a routine intestinal examination. In all cases, an enema with castor oil is indicated.
Preparing for a colonoscopy involves the following steps:
- A laxative solution with castor oil is prepared.
- The instruments are thoroughly washed in hot water.
- A solution with a temperature of about 20°C is injected into the rectum and kept inside for 10 minutes.
- After the allotted time, you are allowed to cleanse the intestines.
For castor oil to give a laxative effect, it is enough to take 2 teaspoons or one tablespoon per liter of solution. At one time, up to 500 ml of solution can be administered to children, up to 1 liter to adolescents, and up to 2 liters to adults.
Cleansing before examination
When a doctor prescribes a routine colonoscopy to determine the condition of the intestines, it is first necessary to carry out cleansing with laxatives. A clean gastrointestinal tract will allow you to much better identify all existing pathologies.
The essence of cleansing is as follows:
- A few days before the procedure, a light diet with a predominance of plant foods and plenty of water is prescribed.
- 1 day before the test at 3 pm you need to drink a laxative. You can also use castor oil, but taking into account all existing contraindications. It is drunk in the amount of 2 tablespoons. To soften the unpleasant taste and smell, it is recommended to mix it with ½ liter of kefir. It's better to drink in one gulp.
- After this, you need to wait for bowel movements and do 2 enemas of one and a half liters at once.
- At 8 pm they do an enema again, and an hour later another one.
- The next morning, two enemas are given at intervals of one hour (at 8 and 9 am). Then a colonoscopy is performed.
We recommend reading: How to use lemon oil for face, nails, hair
Features of use in children, the elderly and pregnant women
Castor product should not be used internally as a laxative for children under 12 years of age. And for older children, as prescribed by the doctor, no more than 1 teaspoon. If there is a choice, preference is given to other safe laxatives.
People over 60 years of age should also be careful when taking this laxative. In old age, the intestines do not work so well, so you can limit yourself to 1 teaspoon at night. The course of treatment is no more than 3 days.
During pregnancy, squeezing castor beans provokes contractions of the uterus, which can lead to miscarriage or uterine bleeding. When breastfeeding, you should also not drink this product, as it will end up in the milk. The oil can be used in the form of suppositories starting from the 4th month of pregnancy only as prescribed by a gynecologist.
Contraindications to cleansing the body
Cleaning with castor oil cannot be called an easy procedure, so to carry it out you must be in good health. You cannot resort to a similar method when intoxicated with fat-soluble poisons, since their combination with castor oil is unacceptable, as well as during menstruation.
Colon cleansing with castor oil has a number of contraindications:
- Pregnancy (probability of miscarriage as a result of increased peristalsis).
- Breastfeeding period (the composition of milk changes, which negatively affects the baby’s well-being).
- Chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Acute kidney diseases.
- Diseases of the biliary tract.
- Problems with the cardiovascular system (along with harmful substances, potassium, which is required for the functioning of the heart muscle, will be removed from the body under the influence of castor oil).
Children under 12 years of age are also contraindicated to undergo such procedures.
Uncontrolled use of laxatives and methods, one of which is castor oil, often leads to the development of the following pathology - the appearance of a “lazy” intestine. This is expressed in the fact that gradually the organs of the digestive tract stop responding to natural stimuli for self-cleansing. In order to get rid of digested food, it is necessary to take increasingly larger dosages of laxatives.
It must be borne in mind that castor oil also has specific contraindications:
- Pregnancy and lactation. Since castor oil contains toxic components, it should not be used by pregnant and lactating women.
- Inflammatory diseases in the intestinal tract. Castor oil provokes irritation of receptors and intestinal walls, for this reason it will worsen existing inflammatory processes in the intestines.
- Chronic constipation. First of all, you should find out the root cause of this phenomenon, and not eliminate the symptoms by using castor oil cleansing.
- Women's bleeding (including menstrual periods). Activating the intestinal tract with castor oil will aggravate existing bleeding.
- Acute kidney disease is considered a complete contraindication to castor oil cleansing.
- Diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Together with waste, castor oil removes potassium from the body, which is vital for the full functioning of the heart.
- Intoxication with fat-soluble toxins. Combining such toxins and castor oil will increase the overall poisoning of the body.
In addition, you should not use the oil if you have pain in the abdominal area of unknown cause. It is recommended to conduct a study with a doctor, who will find out the root cause of the unpleasant sensations and provide permission to use the oil. Regular cleansing with castor oil is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
Certain people experience specific secondary results after cleansing, including:
- nausea, pain in the abdominal area;
- blood flow to the organs of the reproductive system.
- If the sensations are strong, you should refrain from taking the oil.
• Pregnancy. When using these methods in the early stages of pregnancy, excessive intestinal activity and active peristalsis can cause reflex contraction of the uterus and its hypertonicity, which entails the threat of premature termination of pregnancy• Chronic inflammatory and ulcerative diseases of the gastrointestinal tract• Nursing mothers.
Due to a certain degree of dehydration during bowel movements, the composition of milk may change and affect the baby's health • Children under 12 years of age • Poisoning with toxins that tend to dissolve in fat. This may worsen the symptoms of poisoning. Other conditions are not contraindications to treating constipation with castor oil. However, in any case, you should consult a doctor.
The following may occur:• Pain in the gastrointestinal tract• Headache• Nausea• Weakness• Increased blood supply to the pelvic organs
Contraindications and side effects
Castor oil as a laxative has a fairly impressive list of contraindications. These are the following states:
- Chronic constipation.
- Allergy to castor bean.
- Intestinal obstruction.
- Kidney diseases.
- Ulcer and erosion of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Abdominal pain.
- Uterine bleeding and menstruation.
Side effects of laxatives, in addition to vomiting, may include:
- Frequent urge to defecate.
- Abdominal cramps.
- Intestinal atony.
- Inability to void spontaneously.
- Increased uterine tone during pregnancy.
- Bloating and gases.
Overdose and misuse of laxatives can lead to loss of consciousness, weakness, nausea, diarrhea, swelling and dehydration, digestive and urinary system disorders, and premature birth.
Application options
The castor product is a fatty composition characterized by thickness and viscosity. Since it has a disgusting smell and taste, its use cannot be called a pleasant procedure. For this reason, castor oil is often mixed with other ingredients.
With lemon
Lemon juice helps dissolve the accumulation of toxic elements in the intestines, and thanks to castor oil they will leave the body naturally. In addition, the acid will help reduce discomfort - nausea and abdominal pain.
The most favorable time for consuming the composition is between 16:00 and 19:00. As a rule, the dosage is calculated on an individual basis. For this purpose, you must first weigh yourself; one drop of the product should correspond to one kilogram of body weight.
The procedure is carried out in several stages:
- In a water bath, the calculated amount of oil is heated to room temperature.
- Castor oil is combined with lemon juice in a 2:1 ratio, mixed, and then drunk in small portions. An alternative would be to use these two components separately: castor oil first, followed by lemon juice.
- To prevent severe nausea, it is recommended to eat a few slices of citrus fruits or some raisins.
During this type of cleansing, you should not consume any food or drink until you feel the need to defecate. This usually happens after two or three hours.
With cognac
Cleansing the intestines with cognac and castor oil is well suited for people who want to rid the body of parasites. This kind of event is best done before bedtime, since helminths become more active at night.
In this case, you must strictly follow the instructions:
- At 19:00 you need to have dinner with a small amount of boiled rice or a handful of raisins.
- At 21:00 you should brew one teaspoon of green tea in 100 ml of boiling water. The drink should be allowed to sit for five minutes, and then four teaspoons of sugar should be added to it.
- Drink the prepared sweet green tea at once.
- After a few minutes, take 50 ml of undiluted cognac.
- After twenty minutes, drink 50 ml of castor oil, previously brought to a temperature of 36-38 degrees.
- Walk for ten minutes and go to bed.
By morning, bowel cleansing begins, which is often accompanied by the urge to vomit and dizziness. Their reason is the rapid destruction of parasites.
The combination of castor oil with a fermented milk product is ideal for people suffering from constipation and dysbacteriosis. To normalize digestion, bran is added to the composition.
The cleansing procedure should follow the following scheme:
- One teaspoon of slightly heated oil is mixed with one tablespoon of low-fat kefir and bran in the same quantity, crushed to a powder.
- The resulting product is consumed on an empty stomach in the morning.
- To prevent nausea, the composition is washed down with water containing a small amount of lemon juice.
A recipe with kefir and bran helps restore normal intestinal microflora and eliminates constipation.
With linseed oil
An excellent result will be achieved by combining castor oil with linseed oil, the latter of which has a number of healing properties. This composition will help restore damaged tissue, has a softening effect and is anti-inflammatory.
The process consists of several stages:
- Both components are mixed thoroughly in the same quantity (one teaspoon each).
- The resulting mixture is combined with 200 ml of water at room temperature.
- Everything is carefully mixed and drunk on an empty stomach in one gulp.
Drinking such a drink in a short time will relieve the accumulation of feces and normalize carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.
Doctors' opinion about castor oil
Modern doctors are trying to prescribe safer laxatives, which are available today in a fairly wide range. Castor oil, although proven for decades, is still largely outdated and has a lot of side effects. Practitioners are of the opinion that castor oil is an unsafe laxative. Doctors consider it inappropriate to eliminate the effect without affecting the cause.
HEALING OINTMENT FOR HEMORRHOIDS. Healing properties of castor oil
Did you like the article? Like ♥, subscribe to our channel and you will be one of the first to know about new publications!
And if you have something to share, leave your comments! Your feedback is very important to us
Castor colon cleanse with lemon juice
We have already mentioned this method. As with other methods of cleansing the intestines with castor oil, we initially prepare our body. We use the oil before going to bed.• Measure out the amount of castor oil at the rate of 1 gram per 1 kilogram of body weight and heat it up• Squeeze lemon juice in its pure, undiluted form, without adding sugar, in an amount 2 times more than the oil• Drink warm castor oil and wash it down with lemon juice
As in previous cases, after cleansing we follow a dietary regime for some time.
When does castor oil take effect?
The effect of cleansing the body with a laxative should not take you by surprise, but it is difficult to predict the moment of bowel movement, it depends on:
- degree of slagging in the body;
- on the method of using the laxative (orally or through an enema);
- quality of the preparatory period (diet, physical activity);
- individual characteristics of the body;
- age indicators.
On average, when taking the oil orally, the effect occurs within 1.5-3 hours, after an enema within 1.5-8 hours. You must be prepared for the fact that the urge to empty the intestines may be repeated several times during one cleansing.
Positive properties of castor oil
It is a medicine not only for constipation, it is also prescribed for:
- Normalization of intestinal function.
- Healing wounds and ulcers on the skin.
- Colon cleansing before diagnosis.
- Healing burns.
- Cosmetic care for eyelashes and eyebrows, hair, as well as the skin of the face and neck.
- Supporting a person after surgery.
Why is it not recommended for children and pregnant women to use castor oil as a cure for constipation?
Quite often, women who are expecting a baby face the problem of difficulty defecating. They are interested in how to drink castor oil and use it in a gentle manner for constipation. Experts give them a categorically negative answer because castor oil provokes the muscles of the uterus for additional contractions.
But for a woman giving birth, this oil is a good helper. Gynecologists even suggest taking a mixture of quinine and oil orally as a medicine to stimulate labor.
Pediatricians prohibit any use of castor oil for children under 12 years of age. Since frequent bowel movements lead to dehydration of the child’s body, and this is a real danger to the child’s life.
For all other patients who have no contraindications, castor oil is only beneficial. According to statistics, this affordable product perfectly improves the process of defecation of the human body without causing any harm.
Undesirable effects
Instructions for using castor oil as a laxative include several main side effects on the body. Among them:
- severe vomiting, nausea,
- general malaise, weakness, sleepiness,
- pain during defecation,
- increased gas formation, bloating, colic,
- weakening of intestinal motility, inability to cleanse yourself.
In women during pregnancy, uterine hypertonicity may occur, which, with increased intensity and duration, has an extremely negative effect on the development of the baby and further labor.
Castor oil or castor oil is an effective and extremely popular remedy used in medicine, folk methods and cosmetology. One of the areas of application of the product is the prevention and treatment of constipation. Castor oil has a pronounced effect on the body; before use, consultation with a doctor is required.
The mention of castor oil, even for a world-wise person, evokes unpleasant memories from childhood. However, it is still considered one of the most effective natural laxatives. Being an extract from the seeds of the castor bean plant, castor oil is good for constipation and cleanses the body.
