Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Castor oil has been used as a traditional medicine in cultures worldwide. Manuscripts from ancient Egypt detail the potential for castor oil to remedy baldness, while Chinese Traditional Medicine suggested castor seeds had anti-parasitic activity. The Greeks considered castor seeds to have a wide range of medicinal effects, such as soothing burns.
While castor oil has been used as a traditional medicinal over the centuries, its more modern uses include prominent roles in the manufacturing and beauty industries.
There is even a growing interest in the potential health benefits of castor oil, with a growing trend of placing castor oil on the belly button.
Castor oil comes from the plant Ricinus communis, commonly known as the castor bean. Though it is thought to have originated in tropical Africa, the castor bean plant is now cultivated worldwide, especially in Brazil, China, and India.
The castor bean plant is predominantly used to produce castor oil. A powerhouse product widely regarded as a renewable resource, castor oil is used in a variety of manufacturing processes and products, such as soaps and lubricants.
Castor oil is produced by pressing the seeds of the castor bean plant. The seeds of the castor bean plant are inedible and can cause serious illness or death if ingested, due to castor bean seeds (aka castor beans) containing the poison ricin.
Ricin acts on the body by preventing protein synthesis in the cells. Common symptoms of ricin poisoning from castor bean ingestion may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Since ricin is a waste byproduct of castor oil production, there is no chance of ricin poisoning with commercially produced castor oils.
While the manufacturing industry uses castor oil primarily for coatings, lubricants, and polymer materials, studies suggest that it may also have powerful medicinal properties.
Does placing castor oil in the belly button improve health?
With the increasing use of social media and increased health awareness, there has been a heightened curiosity about navel-pulling.
Navel pulling is a popular oil pulling variation that involves swishing oils like coconut oil in the mouth before spitting them out for oral benefits. It involves putting a few drops of castor oil in the belly button, massaging it in, and then removing the excess.
Thought to arise from Ayurvedic medicine, this practice is said to bring about a variety of benefits, ranging from spiritual harmony to reducing stress, decreasing pain, and facilitating weight loss.
However, at this time, no research confirms that castor oil in the belly button provides health benefits that extend beyond or differentiate from placing castor oil over a broader range of skin, like the whole abdomen. While the belly button trend may lack research to support its claims, studies indicate that castor oil has amazing health benefits.
Here are two potential health benefits of castor oil.
Castor oil has long been used to decrease constipation. While many cultures take castor oil orally for a variety of health concerns, one of the most recognized ways to use castor oil for constipation is a castor oil pack.
One clinical trial involved elderly study participants from two rest homes. The majority of participants (80%) reported that they had suffered from constipation for at least 10 years.
Study participants used castor oil packs as an intervention to decrease the symptoms of constipation. The study found that administering castor oil packs didn't significantly change the number of bowel movements or the amount of stool passed, but it did decrease the amount of straining to pass stool.
The study also found that castor oil packs increased the feeling of complete evacuation after the participants had a bowel movement.
Castor oil is even being studied as a potential intervention to help evacuate the bowel in preparation for colonoscopy procedures.
While castor oil is most often known for its potential to relieve constipation, studies suggest that it may also improve skin quality.
Many people struggle with dark under-eye circles that may worsen with age. One single-arm clinical trial looked into the effects of a cream containing castor oil to reduce the appearance of under-eye circles.
The study involved 25 patients who applied a castor oil cream twice a day for 2 months to the area under their eyes. The data from 22 of the 25 patients enrolled in the study suggested that castor oil cream reduced the amount of melanin under the eyes, improved wrinkles, and tightened the skin.
While this research is promising, more randomized placebo-controlled trials are needed to determine if castor oil improves skin discoloration. Furthermore, it remains to be seen if castor oil could reduce skin discoloration in other parts of the body, not just under the eyes.
Research indicates that castor oil is a powerful laxative. This is due to its active constituent, ricinoleic acid. Ricinoleic acid is produced in the intestines when intestinal lipase, an enzyme that breaks down fats, metabolizes castor oil.
The introduction of ricinoleic acid into the intestines causes a surge of calcium, which then acts as a stimulating laxative by causing smooth muscle contractions. Castor oil's intestinal-stimulating properties place it in the same category as other stimulant laxatives like Senna.
Regarding skincare, castor oil may help improve dark spots and hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase. Tyrosinase is the enzyme that converts tyrosine to melanin. This is similar to other compounds that can act as natural skin brighteners, like vitamin C. Melanin is a naturally occurring compound that gives the skin, hair, and eyes their color.
Castor oil packs are one of the most effective ways to apply castor oil to the body. They cover a much larger area of the body than what is allowed in navel pulling.
The traditional remedy usually involves using a cloth like wool flannel or organic cotton. The cloth size is generally about the size of a standard-size washcloth (12 in. by 12 in. or 30 cm by 30 cm).
The cloth is then completely soaked in castor oil. Since this part may be messy, using a bowl to soak the fabric and catch extra oil may be helpful. The soaked cloth is then applied topically to the area that is to be treated. A piece of plastic, like plastic wrap or a plastic bag, is applied over the cloth.
Some studies suggest the pack should be left in place for at least 1 hour for three consecutive days.
For example, a castor oil pack may be applied to the abdomen to treat constipation. Gentle heat may also be applied to facilitate the oil's absorption into the skin.
While putting castor oil in the belly button may help relieve constipation, applying a castor oil pack to the larger abdomen may provide more noticeable benefits.
While castor oil may have some amazing health benefits, it can also cause adverse effects, especially in those who are sensitive to it. The potential for side effects can also increase if it is overused. Studies suggest that castor oil may cause cramping, dizziness, bloating, and vomiting. These side effects are more common when castor oil is taken orally rather than applied topically.
With topical administration, there is a chance of an allergic response, such as itching, redness, or allergic contact dermatitis. Before using castor oil for the first time, it is usually recommended that you apply a small amount of oil to the skin and monitor for any adverse reactions.
Since studies suggest that castor oil works to promote smooth muscle contractions, it is not recommended during pregnancy. Castor oil is also not recommended for those who suffer from bowel obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease, or appendicitis.
While those who engage in navel pulling, or the castor oil belly button trend, may report fantastic health benefits, there is no research to support these claims at this time. That doesn't mean that castor oil may not possess significant health benefits in and of itself. Studies suggest that castor oil may act as a powerful laxative with the potential to better prepare patients for the colonoscopy procedure. Castor oil may also help brighten and improve skin tone and texture. Whether for gastrointestinal health or beauty enhancement, castor oil may be a game-changer for those looking to optimize their health and wellness.
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