From the Guidelines
Castor oil is a stimulant laxative that can have a place in the management of constipation, particularly with its principal effect on small bowel fluid secretion. It is derived from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant and has been used for centuries as both a medicinal remedy and industrial product. Medicinally, it functions as a stimulant laxative, typically taken orally to relieve constipation, working within 2-6 hours by irritating the intestinal lining 1. Some of its key properties and uses include:
- Relieving constipation by increasing intestinal motility
- Having anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties due to its content of ricinoleic acid
- Being used topically to moisturize skin, promote hair growth, reduce inflammation, and treat fungal infections
- Serving as an ingredient in cosmetics, soaps, lubricants, and biodiesel industrially However, it's worth noting that castor oil is rarely used due to potential side effects, and other laxatives such as osmotic laxatives (macrogols, lactulose, or magnesium salts) or stimulant laxatives (anthraquinone laxatives, diphenylmethane derivatives) may be preferred 1. Additionally, castor oil should be used with caution and under medical guidance, especially in certain populations such as pregnant women, as it may induce labor. Overall, while castor oil can be an effective stimulant laxative, its use should be carefully considered and monitored due to potential side effects and interactions 1.
From the Research
Definition and Composition of Castor Oil
- Castor oil is a vegetable product extracted from Ricinus communis L (castor seed) 2, 3.
- It is primarily composed of hydroxylated fatty acids, with ricinoleic acid being the main constituent, making up 89-92% of the oil 3.
- Castor oil is used in various industries, including cosmetic, pharmaceutical, oleochemical, and agricultural industries 3.
Uses and Effects of Castor Oil
- Castor oil has been used as a stimulant laxative and to stimulate labor 2, 4.
- It has also been shown to have bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, and antiherpetic properties due to the presence of ricinoleic acid 3.
- Castor oil packs have been used to control symptoms of constipation in the elderly 5.
- The oil has been used in cosmetics as a skin-conditioning agent, emulsion stabilizer, and surfactant 2.
Safety and Toxicity of Castor Oil
- Castor oil is classified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as generally recognized as safe and effective for use as a stimulant laxative 2.
- The Joint Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee on Food Additives has established an acceptable daily castor oil intake of 0 to 0.7 mg/kg body weight 2.
- Castor oil has been shown to be non-irritating and non-sensitizing in human clinical tests, although some individuals with occupational dermatoses may have a positive reaction to castor oil or ricinoleic acid 2.
Chemical Properties and Derivatives of Castor Oil
- Ricinoleic acid, the primary constituent of castor oil, can be converted into various acid derivative compounds with several applications 3, 6.
- The preparation of ricinoleic acid from castor oil can be achieved through various methods, including hydrolysis, transesterification, and lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis 3.
- Ricinoleic acid derivatives have been shown to have anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties 6.