Castor oil (packs)
Ricinus communis · एरण्ड तैल
Supplements. Folk & home remedies, Caribbean and Ayurveda.
Also called Castor bean oil, Ricinus oil, Palma Christi oil
Pinyin: bì má yóu
Spanish: Aceite de ricino
Sanskrit: एरण्ड तैल (Eranda taila)
Harsh laxative; avoid in pregnancyOil pressed from castor beans, used as a strong laxative and rubbed on the belly or joints as a folk remedy.
Did you know? Castor beans contain ricin, a deadly toxin, but the oil pressed from them does not contain it.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Constipation. Taken by mouth, castor oil works quickly as a strong stimulant laxative, usually within a few hours. Modern trials are few, and it is harsh.Early proof
- Women's health. Some studies suggest it may start labor, but results are weak and mixed. Do not try it at home, since it can cause strong contractions.Early proof
- Pain & headaches. Castor oil packs are used for joint and belly pain. Research is limited to small or older studies.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Ayurveda uses castor oil as a purgative to clear the bowels, and Caribbean and folk medicine have used it for generations.
How it is classified
How people take it
A common laxative dose is 15 to 60 mL (1 to 4 tablespoons) by mouth, taken once. Packs use warm oil on the skin, but they are not standard care for pain.
Oil, topical and capsule.
Where to get it
Pressed from castor beans grown in warm regions, especially India and Brazil. Sold in drugstores as cold-pressed oil, capsules and laxatives.
Be careful
Taken by mouth, it can cause cramps, severe diarrhea and dehydration, which can upset potassium levels and heart rhythm. Do not use it in pregnancy, since it can trigger labor, and avoid it if you have bowel obstruction. Children should not use it without medical advice because dehydration can be dangerous.
Avoid if: pregnancy; bowel obstruction; children under 12.
Mixing with other things
- Use cautionBirth control (the pill and other hormonal birth control)
Diarrhea can lower how well birth control pills are absorbed.
- Use cautionWater pills (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide)
Diarrhea plus diuretics (water pills) can lower potassium too far.
- Use cautionHeart rhythm medicine (digoxin, amiodarone)
Low potassium from diarrhea can make digoxin and other heart drugs more dangerous.
The honest take
Castor oil is a fast, strong laxative, but it is harsh and modern research is thin. The labor claim is weak and risky, and home use can cause dangerous dehydration. Pain packs are a folk practice, not a proven treatment.