Castor oil was once routinely prescribed by many doctors and midwives to induce labor. The theory of labor induction with castor oil is that it acts as a stimulant to the bowels, which irritates the uterus and causes contractions. This recommendation is not as common as it once was because of the lack of evidence for its efficacy. Additionally, taking castor oil often has unpleasant side effects, particularly the possibility of dehydration, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.
Castor oil is a vegetable oil derived from the castor bean, which contains ricinoleic acid. It has been used for generations to help ease constipation or induce vomiting when needed, much like syrup of ipecac. It is odorless but foul-tasting. Some of its other uses include as a topical application to stimulate hair growth and as a skin lubricant.
Castor oil is taken orally, and for some women, this may hasten the onset of labor. While some mothers report feeling the stirring of their intestines within an hour or two of using castor oil to induce labor, others are not affected.
As noted above, using castor oil may promote labor by stimulating contractions in the uterus, much like it does in the intestines and bowels. More research is needed but data from limited medical studies indicate that if castor oil has an effect that labor may be more likely to start in the first 24 hours after ingesting castor oil.
If you take castor oil, know that you're likely to experience some unpleasant side effects, as well as the unpalatable taste of the tonic. The side effects of castor oil may include:
There are practitioners who do not recommend castor oil because of potential side effects like dehydration (from loose stools and/or vomiting), fetal distress, and causing the baby to pass meconium (the first bowel movement) before birth. However, some studies do show that using castor oil for induction is a safe option that does not result in a higher prevalence of these complications.
Still, care must be taken to avoid dehydration, which can be dangerous for laboring mothers. Plus, consider that the side effects of castor oil could deplete energy stores, making labor and delivery more difficult.
The vast majority of studies that have looked at castor oil for labor induction found no significant difference in the type of birth (cesarean or vaginal) or the length of labor. They also did not find evidence of increased problems like infection or meconium staining in the amniotic fluid. The biggest risk was maternal tolerance, which means how well the mothers tolerated the castor oil. One study found that every single mother who took castor oil experienced some nausea, with or without vomiting.
Additionally, as noted above, there is also a risk of dehydration if you have excessive vomiting or diarrhea. If so, be sure you are getting enough fluids either by drinking water or, if, in a hospital, you may get IV fluids, if needed.
Never attempt a castor oil induction without working with your practitioner. It is always wise to talk to your midwife or doctor about any induction method before using it.
Additionally, induction before your due date is not a good idea if there is no medical reason. Plus, remember that even if you are a good candidate for induction, a castor oil induction may not be the best option for you.
There are reports of having the baby within hours of a castor oil induction or the induction taking days if it works at all. Of course, there are many of the same reports (labor happening suddenly and quickly as well as delayed or prolonged labors) from women who do not take castor oil. More research is needed as studies are mixed on efficacy (some show success rates of over 50% and others show no benefit) and there are not many large studies.
However, a five-year 2018 retrospective study found that low-risk pregnant women over 40 weeks gestation who were given castor oil were significantly more likely to go into labor within 24 hours than the control group. Interestingly, another 2018 study of 81 pregnant women found that castor oil was effective at inducing labor in multiparous women (women who have already had at least one baby) but had little to no effect on nulliparous women (first-time moms).
When labor has yet to start and there is no medical reason to induce, the reasonable alternative recommendation to castor oil (or using any interventions) is to do nothing and simply wait for labor to begin on its own. If there is a medical need for induction of labor, there are many options available, including:
- Artificially stripping or rupturing the membranes (breaking the bag of waters)
- Foley catheter induction: a catheter with an attached, deflated balloon is inserted into the cervix via the vagina. The balloon is then inflated to put pressure on the cervix and encourage dilation
- Nipple stimulation via a breast pump or manually
- Prostaglandins (which may be delivered in a variety of ways)
- Using Pitocin: an IV medication commonly used to jumpstart contractions
The decision to use one of these methods or a combination of them should be between you and your practitioner. Some alternatives may be more appealing to you and/or may be more appropriate and safe in your specific case.
In the end, the medical literature on castor oil induction is unclear, and much of the evidence is anecdotal. The known side effect of nausea is something to weigh heavily. If you are interested in trying this induction method, talk to your healthcare provider to ensure that there is no known reason for you to avoid it. That said, chances are they may have a more efficacious induction method to offer if needed.
By Jillian Kubala, MS, RD — Medically reviewed by Adrienne Seitz, MS, RD, LDN, Nutrition — Updated on January 28, 2022
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Castor oil is a multipurpose vegetable oil that people have used for thousands of years. It’s made by extracting oil from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant.
These seeds, which are known as castor beans, contain a toxic enzyme called ricin. However, the heating process that castor oil undergoes during production deactivates the ricin, allowing the oil to be used safely.
Castor oil has a number of medicinal, industrial, and pharmaceutical uses.
It’s commonly used as an additive in foods, medications, and skin care products, as well as an industrial lubricant and biodiesel fuel component.
In ancient Egypt, people burned castor oil as fuel in lamps, used it as a natural remedy to treat ailments like eye irritation, and even took it to stimulate labor in pregnancy (1).
Today castor oil remains a popular natural treatment for common conditions, such as constipation and skin ailments, and you can often find it in natural beauty products.
Here are 4 potential benefits and uses of castor oil. We also cover its use as a hair treatment and precautions to consider.
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Perhaps one of the best-known medicinal uses for castor oil is as a natural laxative.
It’s classified as a stimulative laxative, meaning that it increases the movement of the muscles that push material through the intestines, helping clear the bowels. Castor oil is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a stimulative laxative (2).
Stimulative laxatives act rapidly and are commonly used to relieve temporary constipation or to clean out the bowel before medical procedures.
Here’s generally how it works: When you consume castor oil by mouth, it’s broken down in the small intestine, releasing ricinoleic acid, the main fatty acid in castor oil. The ricinoleic acid is then absorbed by the intestine, stimulating a strong laxative effect (2).
Several studies have shown that castor oil can relieve constipation.
For example, a 2011 study found that when older adults took castor oil, they experienced decreased symptoms of constipation, including less straining during bowel movements and lower reported feelings of incomplete bowel movements (3).
What’s more, another study demonstrated that castor oil was effective at cleansing people’s bowels before they underwent a noninvasive type of colonoscopy called a colon capsule endoscopy (4).
While castor oil is considered safe in small doses, larger amounts can cause abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (2, 5).
Although it can be used to relieve occasional constipation, castor oil is not recommended as a treatment for long-term health concerns.
Also, make sure to speak with a healthcare professional to get their recommendation before using castor oil to treat constipation. Misusing castor oil can lead to dangerous side effects, like electrolyte and acid-base imbalances, which could be life threatening (2).
SummaryPeople use castor oil as a natural remedy for occasional constipation. It’s approved by the FDA as a stimulative laxative. However, it can cause side effects, like cramping and diarrhea, and you should not use it to treat chronic constipation.
Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid. These types of fats can be used to moisturize the skin. They act as humectants, which retain moisture by preventing water loss through the outer layer of the skin (6, 7).
Castor oil is used in cosmetics to promote hydration. Manufacturers often add it to products like lotions, makeup, and cleansers.
You can also use this rich oil on its own as a natural alternative to store-bought moisturizers and lotions.
Many popular moisturizing products found in stores contain potentially harmful ingredients like preservatives, perfumes, and dyes, which may irritate the skin and harm overall health (8).
Swapping out these products for castor oil can help reduce your exposure to these additives. Plus, castor oil is inexpensive and you can use it on both your face and body.
Castor oil is thick, so people often mix it with other skin-friendly oils — like almond, olive, and coconut oil — to make an ultra-hydrating moisturizer. Though applying castor oil to the skin is considered safe for most, it can cause an allergic reaction in some people (9).
Also, using pure castor oil may irritate some people’s skin, so it’s best to dilute it with another oil, like jojoba or coconut oil. Try testing the combination on a small area of skin to see how your skin tolerates castor oil before applying it on larger areas (10).
SummaryCastor oil can help lock moisture in the skin. Though this natural alternative to store-bought products is considered safe for most, it can cause allergic reactions or irritation in some people.
Applying castor oil to wounds creates a moist environment that may help promote healing and prevent sores from drying out.
Venelex, a popular ointment used in clinical settings to treat wounds, contains a mixture of castor oil and Peru balsam, a balm derived from the Myroxylon balsamum tree (10).
Venelex is used as a wound dressing for chronic and acute wounds and skin ulcers, including (11):
- pressure ulcers
- diabetic ulcers
- burns
- surgical wounds
It helps reduce odors, protect wounds, and create a moist environment to promote healing (11).
Additionally, ricinoleic acid, the main fatty acid found in castor oil, has anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing properties. It may help reduce skin inflammation, support healing, and aid in pain reduction in people with wounds (12).
Studies have found that ointments containing castor oil may be effective for treating a number of different wounds.
In a 2013 case study, treatment with a spray containing a combination of balsam of Peru, castor oil, and an enzyme called trypsin helped heal an abdominal surgical wound in an 81-year-old man who was unable to tolerate other forms of topical therapy (13).
Keep in mind that castor oil topical wound treatments contain a combination of ingredients, not just castor oil. You should not apply castor oil to any wound without checking with a healthcare professional first.
SummarySome people apply castor oil to wounds to promote healing. Often it’s mixed with other medicinal ingredients, like Peru balsam, for this purpose.
A number of bacteria and fungi, including Candida fungi, commonly grow on dentures. This can create oral concerns if dentures aren’t properly cleaned and stored (14).
Candida species, like C. albicans, are especially problematic for people who wear dentures because they easily adhere to denture surfaces and mouth tissues.
An overgrowth of Candida fungi can lead to a condition called denture stomatitis, an infection that leads to inflammation, redness, and irritation in the mouth (15).
Interestingly, cleaning dentures with castor oil may help reduce the risk of developing denture stomatitis because castor oil can help kill bacteria and fungi.
One study found that soaking contaminated acrylic teeth in a solution containing 10% castor oil for 20 minutes helped reduce the number of C. albicans as well as other harmful bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus (16).
What’s more, a 2013 study in 30 older people with denture-related stomatitis showed that treatment with a castor oil-containing mouthwash led to improvements in the clinical signs of stomatitis, including inflammation (17, 18).
Additionally, another study found that brushing with and soaking dentures in a solution containing castor oil led to significant reductions in Candida in older people who wore dentures (19).
SummarySeveral studies have shown that castor oil may help reduce harmful bacteria and fungi in dentures and may help improve symptoms related to a condition called denture stomatitis, which can cause inflammation in the mouth.
Many people use castor oil as a natural hair treatment. This is because castor oil has moisturizing properties, which could help lubricate the hair shaft, increasing flexibility and decreasing the chance of breakage (20).
Even though some people regularly use castor oil as part of their hair care routine, there’s currently no scientific evidence that castor oil helps promote hair health, stimulates hair growth, or reduces hair loss (21).
The same goes for using castor oil on your eyelashes. Some people use castor oil for eyelash growth, but no scientific research has shown this is actually effective.
Castor oil is also commonly used as a treatment for dandruff, a common scalp condition characterized by dry, flaky skin on the head. While some effective hair treatments for dandruff do contain castor oil as an ingredient, there’s no evidence that castor oil on its own is effective for treating dandruff (22).
In fact, castor oil could lead to a condition called acute hair felting in people with long hair. This condition causes the hair to become twisted and tangled, resembling a hard bird’s nest (23).
One case study reported that after a 20-year-old woman with long hair used a combination of coconut oil and castor oil on her hair, it became severely matted immediately after washing. The study authors suggested that the thickness of the castor oil combined with the women’s very long hair led to sudden felting (23).
Typically, acute hair felting can’t be treated and the hair must be cut off.
Even though this condition is rare, people with long hair should be cautious when using castor oil as a hair treatment.
SummaryAlthough many people use castor oil to moisturize their hair and scalp, there’s currently no evidence that castor oil has any benefits for hair health.
Many people use castor oil to treat a variety of concerns, either by ingesting the oil or applying it to the skin.
Although castor oil is generally considered safe, it can cause adverse reactions and unwanted side effects in some people.
If you’re interested in using castor oil, it’s important to keep the following potential side effects in mind:
- Labor. Medical professionals sometimes use castor oil to induce labor in pregnant people. For this reason, people at all stages of pregnancy should avoid consuming castor oil (24).
- Gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. While it can be an effective way to alleviate constipation, castor oil may cause GI side effects, like diarrhea, vomiting, cramping, and bloating. It may also cause dizziness. Only use it for constipation under medical supervision (2).
- Allergic reactions. It may cause an allergic reaction in some people when applied to the skin. First try applying a small amount to a tiny patch of skin to see how your body reacts (10).
Additionally, people with certain health conditions — including appendicitis, gastrointestinal obstruction, bowel perforation, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — should avoid stimulative laxatives like castor oil because they could cause serious side effects (2).
In general, you should not consume castor oil to treat any medical condition or symptoms, especially in high doses, unless advised by a physician. Misuse of any laxative, including castor oil, can be dangerous and lead to life threatening electrolyte and acid-base imbalances.
If you’re interested in using castor oil to treat any health condition, including constipation, be sure to get advice from a trusted healthcare professional first (2).
SummaryCastor oil can cause side effects, such as allergic reactions and diarrhea, in some people. It can also induce labor, so pregnant people should avoid it.
People have used castor oil for thousands of years as a natural treatment for a variety of health issues.
It can help relieve constipation and may even be used as a natural skin moisturizer and denture treatment.
Though many people use castor oil as a treatment for dry or thinning hair, there’s no evidence that castor oil is effective for improving hair health or stimulating hair growth when used on its own.
If you’re interested in using castor oil for constipation or any other health condition, talk with your healthcare professional first to determine whether castor oil is safe and appropriate to use for your specific health needs.
Last medically reviewed on January 24, 2022