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Believe it or not, castor oil is a natural remedy for constipation. As a stimulant laxative, which causes your bowel muscles to contract, it can produce a bowel movement in small doses. [1] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source If you aren’t having much luck with traditional laxatives, castor oil may help relieve your symptoms, but keep in mind that it may cause cramping and other unpleasant side effects. [2] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source While you should always consult a doctor if you’ve had long-lasting constipation or are experiencing severe symptoms, castor oil may provide you with some relief if you’re looking for a quick solution.
Steps
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Take one 15 to 60 mL (1.0 to 4.1 US tbsp) dose of castor oil. Visit your local pharmacy or supermarket and pick up a bottle of castor oil. Check the side of the bottle for specific dosage instructions for different age groups. As a general rule of thumb, adults over the age of 12 can take 15 to 60 millilitres (1.0 to 4.1 US tbsp) of castor oil in 1 dose, while kids between ages 2 and 11 should only take between 5 to 15 millilitres (0.18 to 0.53 imp fl oz; 0.17 to 0.51 fl oz). [3] X Research source
- Infants and toddlers under the age of 2 should only take 1 to 5 millilitres (0.068 to 0.338 US tbsp).
- If you’re using castor oil on a doctor’s recommendation, follow their dosing instructions.
Warning: Don’t use castor oil if you’re pregnant, nursing, or on your period. [4] X Research source
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Take castor oil on an empty stomach in the morning or afternoon. Find time before breakfast or lunch to take your recommended dose. Note that castor takes 2 to 6 hours to stimulate a bowel movement, so you don’t want to take any before bed. [5] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- If you want the castor oil to work slowly over time, take it with a meal.
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Drink flavored castor oil or mix it with juice to mask the taste. Fill a glass with your favorite juice, then use a special measuring spoon or cup to pour in the recommended dose of oil. Mix both ingredients together, and drink the entire glass to get the full effects of the oil. If you’re taking flavored castor oil, drink the traditionally recommended dosage. [6] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- You can also improve the taste by refrigerating the castor oil for an hour or so beforehand.
- You can find flavored castor oil online. It can come in fruity flavors, like lemon.
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Expect a bowel movement within 2-6 hours. Castor oil often works in as little as 2-3 hours, but it could take as long as 6 hours. Use the restroom as soon as you feel the urge to go. [7] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Call your doctor if you don't have a bowel movement at this time, as you may have a more serious problem like an intestinal blockage or impaction.
Warning: Only use castor oil when you absolutely need to. If you use stimulant laxatives too much, you may not be able to pass bowel movements on your own. [8] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor.org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
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5Store your leftover castor oil in a cool, dry place. Find a cabinet or other cool spot where you can keep your oil without it overheating. Before using the oil again, check the label to make sure that it hasn’t expired. [9] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor.org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
- Keep your castor oil in a space that’s cooler than 40 °C (104 °F). [10] X Research source
- If your oil smells rancid, throw it out.
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Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking castor oil. Set up an appointment or consultation so you can ask a healthcare professional for a second opinion. While at the appointment, review your history of constipation, discuss your unique needs, and figure out if is the right treatment for you. [11] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor.org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any allergies you may have. Castor oil contains certain ingredients that may trigger an allergic reaction.
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2Ask your doctor if castor oil will interfere with any of your medications. Mention your current prescriptions, especially any blood-thinners, antibiotics, or bone and heart medications. Depending on your medical regimen, you may not want to take castor oil for your constipation. [12] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor.org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
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See your doctor if your constipation lasts longer than a week. If you haven’t had a bowel movement for 7 days, you need to see your doctor even if you’re treating constipation. You may have a more serious condition, or constipation could cause serious complications. [13] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Note that your doctor may recommend a special procedure, depending on your symptoms. [14] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Your doctor may do an X-ray, colonoscopy, or other procedure, depending on what they think is causing your constipation.
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Call your doctor if you have side effects like vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea. You may be able to use castor oil without experiencing side effects, however, it’s possible that you will notice some abdominal pain, cramps, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or fatigue. Fortunately, these symptoms usually fade quickly once the castor oil is out of your system. [15] X Research source
- If you experience any bad abdominal cramps, bloating, vomiting, or dizziness, stop using castor oil immediately and contact a healthcare professional. [16] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan castor oil be used for infants?Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.You should NOT give oral (by mouth) castor oil to infants. Most breast fed babies do not get constipated very often. Constipation is more common in formula-fed infants. Whether your baby is breast-fed or formula fed, call your physician for advice for constipation in infants. One thing you can try is to gently massage your baby's tummy. You can also rub castor oil on your baby's tummy-- but call your physician first.
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QuestionCan laxatives be used for weight loss?Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.Laxatives should NOT be used for weight loss. For one thing, it doesn't work! Think of it this way-- we get calories from the food we eat. By the time the food has reached the bowels, all the calories have been eaten and used--or stored as fat. Its too late! The only way to lose weight is to reduce the calorie intake with healthy foods while increasing the calorie output by exercising more.
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QuestionIs it better to use castor oil while I use albendazole?Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.Albendazole is used to treat intestinal parasites. You should take the abendazole according to the directions given to you. If the abendazole is causing some constipation, talk to your doctor about using castor oil. You don't want to "flush out" the medicine before it kills off the parasites.
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Tips
- If you suffer from constipation on a regular basis, consider adding more fiber to your diet as a long-term way to improve your digestive health. [17] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to sourceThanks
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Warnings
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Thanks
- If you use castor oil too much, you can end up with an electrolyte imbalance. [19] X Research sourceThanks
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Things You'll Need
Taking Castor Oil Orally
- Castor oil
- Measuring spoon or cup
- Glass
- Juice (optional)
References
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/dont-bomb-the-bowel-with-laxatives
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3348737/
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/monograph/castor-oil.html
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/monograph/castor-oil.html
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/laxative-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20070683
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/laxative-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20070683
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/laxative-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20070683
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/laxatives-otc-products-for-constipation/
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/laxatives-otc-products-for-constipation/
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/monograph/castor-oil.html
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/laxatives-otc-products-for-constipation/
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/laxatives-otc-products-for-constipation/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-know-when-constipation-is-an-emergency/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354259
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/monograph/castor-oil.html
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551626/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354259
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/monograph/castor-oil.html
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/monograph/castor-oil.html
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you want to relieve your constipation with castor oil, make sure to take the proper dosage, which is 15 to 60 milliliters for anyone over 12, 5 to 15 milliliters for children between the ages of 2 and 11, and 1 to 5 milliliters for children younger than 2 years old. To feel the effects of castor oil quickly, take it on an empty stomach, which will get it into your system faster. Since castor oil has a notoriously bitter taste, mix it with some cranberry or orange juice to make it more pleasant. 2 to 3 hours after taking castor oil, expect to have a bowel movement, so use the restroom as soon as you feel the urge to go. If you don’t have a bowel movement after 6 hours, talk to your doctor as you might have a more serious issue. For more help from our Medical co-author, like how to use castor oil over a longer period of time, read on.
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Reader Success Stories
- "Every possible detail connected with castor oil has been covered in such simple way, nothing is left for guesswork or imagination. Anyone can understand, practice, and utilize the information. Thanks, it is awesome knowledge, simple and detailed." ..." more
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"Every possible detail connected with castor oil has been covered in such simple way, nothing is left for guesswork or imagination. Anyone can understand, practice, and utilize the information. Thanks, it is awesome knowledge, simple and detailed."
..."
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"Thanks. Very informative and well described. I don't often have constipation, but yesterday I had such a pain in my stomach and hadn't seen a toilet for three days. Searched the subject and saw castor oil. I'm happy, it worked for me."
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"The article is very good, I think castor oil is the best remedy for the stomach. Also keeps weight down if take one teaspoon regulary, but I suppose what's good for one person may not be so good for another."
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"I have learned a lot about castor oil. I didn't know that you can take it for 7 days but not longer than that. I thought you just take it once, depending on how much you want to take."
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"Very good and useful. I took this weekday off, and first thing in the morning I took it; it worked in two hours. "
