Castor oil, the yellowish extract from the tropical castor bean plant, is regarded for its important medical uses.


Medical uses for castor oil has been around for centuries – here you will find out why.

From its simple beginnings as a natural home remedy to its expanding roles in mainstream medicine, it is one of the few oils that deliver many medical benefits for everyone.

Castor Oil Is a Common Laxative

Natural castor oil serves as a laxative, which is one of its most recognized medical uses.

During the heyday of your grandparents, it was already used to relieve diarrhea and constipation. In the modern times, this oil from castor oil plant still maintains its medical use as a valuable laxative, especially useful for children and the elderly.

Castor oil is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an over-the-counter laxative that is “generally recognized as safe and effective.” However, it is not recommended in the treatment of chronic constipation as it may only aggravate the condition if taken. Castor oil is indeed very effective in discharging the contents of the digestive tract but its unpleasant, nauseating taste has diminished its demand these days.

Castor Oil Helps in Labor Induction

Another medicinal use of castor oil is that it is a way to induce labor. This is done when pregnant women drink a blend of castor oil and juice in an attempt to prepare for childbirth.

However, there are mixed views regarding this use of castor oil. Some doctors and midwives claim that castor oil induction is effective. But there are also those who say that it causes potential side effects such as dehydration and vomiting for the pregnant mother and fetal distress for the baby inside the womb.

Castor Oil Supports Skin Care and Other Health Concerns

This valuable oil is also used remarkably in the treatment of skin problems. Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, which brings about anti-inflammatory effects. It is used to treat cuts, burns, abrasions, and sunburn. Castor oil also helps you prevent having skin disorders such as acne and eczema. It is used whenever there is a condition caused by excessively oily skin. According to Botanical.com, it is also used to treat various cutaneous problems such as ringworm, itch, and the like.

Further, castor oil helps in skin care and conditioning. One of its components, Isostearate Succinate, allows it to penetrate deep into the skin, causing an antioxidant effect. Because of this, the oil is used as an ingredient in lipstick and lip balm and other commercial skin care products that moisturize condition and hydrate the skin.

Other uses for castor oil include its support for hair growth and its application as a solvent in pure alkaloids and Atropine solutions, which are utilized in ophthalmic surgery.

Castor Oil Is Truly Beneficial for Your Health

With all these medicinal uses of castor oil, no doubt that it plays a crucial role in supporting your health. So what are you waiting for? Make use of castor oil and start reaping all its wonderful health benefits.

Do you want to explore other uses of castor oil? Check out the next article -> Health Benefits of Castor Oil

Thank you for reading Medical Uses for Castor Oil.

4 Responses to “Medical Uses for Castor Oil”

  1. kevin lynch says:

    2 years ago, while I was walking around with the use of a cane, a friend asked me why I was using a cane. I told him that i was having trouble with my left knee. Now, as i made my living in the medical field, i knew that i should have a c/t scan but I said , oh well, at my age, what am I going to do if i find out that I need knee replacement.

    So, a friend asked me if i had ever tried castor oil? I said as a child our parents gave it too us on occasion. No he said, have u tried rubbing on your knee? Hmmm. Well about 2 weeks later i went to the local drug store and bought a bottle of castor oil. I began rubbing it all over my knee, front to back, and for over a year I have been walking without the use of a cane. I asked a physical therapist I know what she thought, and she said your skin is absorbing the castor oil to the knee and acting as a lubricant. I now jog a little and am able to kneel when I go to church.

    I sent an e-mail to The American College of Ortopedic Surgeons a while back and told them this story, but I never heard back. Two final comments;

    1. Sometime ago i read in the W S J, that Boeing aircraft uses castor oil as one of its lubricants on its planes. Hmmm, good enough for a complicated aircraft, good enough for my knee.
    2. In the last several weeks, I have told other friends with knee problems about my experience and they also gave it a try and all of them have put away there canes and are walking again.
    Comment Please!!!!

  2. Dawn says:

    Here is a use for castor oil that works. If you contract Genital Warts, then appyling castor oil will help get rid of them. You can either swab on the oil or soak a cotton pad or ball and place it in the sensitive area. In three days to a few weeks depending on the severity of the warts and area they are, they will fall off and leave normal new skin.

  3. Tanya says:

    Kevin,

    That is an awesome story I am glad you found something that worked. If there were more positive stories like yours I might watch the news from time to time!

  4. Ricini says:

    Upon the “Medical Uses for Castor Oil” there exists a comprehensive survey:
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