Castor Oil for Constipation

Castor oil has a laxative effect and is better than other vegetable oils for the temporary treatment of constipation. In addition to treating constipation, castor oil has other benefits. When using castor oil for treatment, you can add some fruit juice to take together, and pay attention to the dosage of castor oil. Patients with long-term constipation are not recommended to use castor oil frequently to regulate their bodies, as this can easily lead to dependence and make constipation worse.

Can castor oil treat constipation?

Castor oil is mostly used to moisten the intestines and promote bowel movements, similar to a "laxative", and is not consumed as a regular cooking oil.

Patients with severe constipation often use enema, enemas, and drink sesame oil in the morning and evening. Patients with mild constipation can increase the intake of vegetables and fruits, drink more water, massage the abdomen, and engage in appropriate activities. I recently went to the surgery department for a consultation and saw many patients taking castor oil to relieve constipation, so I consulted the medical staff of the department. They told me that castor oil is better than sesame oil in relieving constipation and lubricating the intestines. It is mostly used for patients who pass gas but not defecate after surgery, or who do not pass gas or defecate for a long time after passing gas or defecation. The patients have tried it and the effect is good.

How to use castor oil to treat constipation

After checking some literature, I found that castor oil can indeed be used to lubricate the intestines and promote bowel movements. Generally, people who have not had a bowel movement for 3 days can have a bowel movement within a few hours after taking 5-10 ml of castor oil orally. If it has been more than 7 days, the dosage needs to be increased. For some examinations or surgeries that require clearing the intestines, such as colonoscopy or gastrointestinal surgery, castor oil can be used in advance for drainage. It has little irritation to the gastrointestinal mucosa and a good excretion effect.

Is castor oil good for constipation?

Castor oil is better than general vegetable oils (sesame oil, peanut oil, etc.) in moisturizing the intestines and promoting bowel movements. In addition to the fact that it can adhere to the gastrointestinal mucosa like other oils, reduce intestinal digestion and absorption, and promote gastrointestinal motility, it may also be related to its higher viscosity than general oils, less friction, and greater fluidity.

Other benefits of castor oil

Castor oil is also used to stop bleeding and relieve pain from trauma, expel small stones from the urinary system, reduce irritation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs on the gastric mucosa, and induce labor.

Precautions for using castor oil to treat constipation

Although castor oil can moisturize the intestines and promote bowel movements, it needs to be used under the guidance of a doctor and has certain indications. Castor beans cannot be eaten directly before they are processed into castor oil, as this may cause poisoning. Patients with constipation need to actively find the primary cause and not abuse drugs, otherwise they will become dependent on drugs and their constipation reactions will be aggravated.

Castor oil should only be used as a temporary solution to relieve constipation; continuous use of castor oil for a long period of time may cause adverse health effects.