- Castor oil, referred to as "kiki" and used by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks to treat many conditions, is a vegetable oil obtained from the castor seed (Ricinus communis). The name "castor" was given to the plant by English traders who confused its oil with the oil of another shrub called "agno-casto" in Jamaica.
- Castor oil may be taken by mouth or applied to the skin or eyes. Castor oil packs, which are applied to the skin, are traditional holistic treatments for many conditions.
- Castor oil is used as a folk remedy around the world. In India, it is massaged into the breasts after childbirth to encourage milk flow. In Ayurvedic medicine, a plaster-like mixture of castor oil seeds is applied to swollen and tender joints. In China, the crushed seeds are used to treat weaken or paralyzed muscles in the face. Castor seeds have been used in traditional medicine as an oral birth control agent among tribes from Nigeria.
- When taken by mouth, clinical trials have shown that castor oil may act as a laxative or promote bowel movements before a colonoscopy or related procedures. Castor oil typically promotes bowel movement activity within 3-5 hours after ingestion. Castor oil may also induce labor in late pregnancies.
- Castor oil is thought to potentially relieve aches and strains by drawing lactic acid out of the muscles. A rub composed of hot castor oil massaged into an infant's belly has been used to relieve colic and expel intestinal gas.
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ingredients
Castoroil
Contents
- Allaire, A. D., Moos, M. K., and Wells, S. R. Complementary and alternative medicine in pregnancy: a survey of North Carolina certified nurse-midwives. Obstet.Gynecol. 2000;95(1):19-23. View Abstract
- Azhari, S., Pirdadeh, S., Lotfalizadeh, M., and Shakeri, M. T. Evaluation of the effect of castor oil on initiating labor in term pregnancy. Saudi.Med J 2006;27(7):1011-1014. View Abstract
- Chen, C. C., Ng, W. W., Chang, F. Y., and Lee, S. D. Magnesium citrate-bisacodyl regimen proves better than castor oil for colonoscopic preparation. J.Gastroenterol.Hepatol. 1999;14(12):1219-1222. View Abstract
- Di Pascuale, M. A., Goto, E., and Tseng, S. C. Sequential changes of lipid tear film after the instillation of a single drop of a new emulsion eye drop in dry eye patients. Ophthalmology 2004;111(4):783-791. View Abstract
- Final report on the safety assessment of Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Glyceryl Ricinoleate SE, Ricinoleic Acid, Potassium Ricinoleate, Sodium Ricinoleate, Zinc Ricinoleate, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Ethyl Ricinoleate, Glycol Ricinoleate, Isopropyl Ricinoleate, Methyl Ricinoleate, and Octyldodecyl Ricinoleate. Int J Toxicol. 2007;26 Suppl 3:31-77. View Abstract
- Garry, D., Figueroa, R., Guillaume, J., and Cucco, V. Use of castor oil in pregnancies at term. Altern.Ther.Health Med. 2000;6(1):77-79. View Abstract
- Gray, M. and Jones, D. P. The effect of different formulations of equivalent active ingredients on the performance of two topical wound treatment products. Ostomy.Wound.Manage. 2004;50(3):34. View Abstract
- Goto, E., Shimazaki, J., Monden, Y., Takano, Y., Yagi, Y., Shimmura, S., and Tsubota, K. Low-concentration homogenized castor oil eye drops for noninflamed obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction. Ophthalmology 2002;109(11):2030-2035. View Abstract
- Khanal, S., Tomlinson, A., Pearce, E. I., and Simmons, P. A. Effect of an oil-in-water emulsion on the tear physiology of patients with mild to moderate dry eye. Cornea 2007;26(2):175-181. View Abstract
- Kolts, B. E., Lyles, W. E., Achem, S. R., Burton, L., Geller, A. J., and MacMath, T. A comparison of the effectiveness and patient tolerance of oral sodium phosphate, castor oil, and standard electrolyte lavage for colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy preparation. Am.J.Gastroenterol. 1993;88(8):1218-1223. View Abstract
- Mitri, F., Hofmeyr, G. J., and van Gelderen, C. J. Meconium during labour--self-medication and other associations. S.Afr.Med J 4-4-1987;71(7):431-433. View Abstract
- Palese, A., Clementi, R., and Busetti, R. [Variability of intestinal preparation in patients undergoing stomach, intestine, uterus surgery at 4 hospitals]. Assist.Inferm.Ric. 2003;22(1):13-18. View Abstract
- Pearce, E. I., Tomlinson, A., Blades, K. J., Falkenberg, H. K., Lindsay, B., and Wilson, C. G. Effect of an oil and water emulsion on tear evaporation rate. Adv.Exp.Med Biol. 2002;506(Pt A):419-423. View Abstract
- Scarpa, A. and Guerci, A. Various uses of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis L.). A review. J.Ethnopharmacol. 1982;5(2):117-137. View Abstract
- Steingrub, J. S., Lopez, T., Teres, D., and Steingart, R. Amniotic fluid embolism associated with castor oil ingestion. Crit Care Med. 1988;16(6):642-643. View Abstract
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