A century ago, castor oil was a go-to remedy for many hair and skin issues and a potent cure for many health ailments. Today, the use of castor oil enema is gaining popularity. Castor oil enema benefits you more than any chemical-laden laxatives. It is also recommended by Edgar Cayce, the mystic. In the past, castor oil was a part of every kitchen, and it was given to children in small doses in the early mornings to combat many health issues and as an immune system boost. But, with time, many felt the benefits of castor oil were overrated, and its usage gradually came down.
In This Article
Castor Oil As Laxative
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Castor oil’s role as a laxative has attracted a lot of attention. You may be able to naturally treat digestive issues like constipation using castor oil . It soothes and eases our bowel movement, forcing the stool to squeeze out easily ( 1 ). Scientists wanted to find out how castor oil works for detoxification,and why it is such an effective laxative. The research has identified that the active element is ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that makes up about 90% of castor oil, binds to the muscle cells on the walls of the intestines and causes contractions ( 2 ). The scientific team also published its results in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .
How Can You Use Castor Oil As A Laxative?
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Castor oil can be taken by mouth or in an enema through the rectum.
1. By Mouth:
- Take 1-2 tablespoons daily or as prescribed by your doctor.
2. In An Enema:
An oil enema can be tad messier than a regular enema, but just follow our advice to reduce the risk of spills and also derive the maximum benefits from your castor oil enema:
- You’ll need an enema kit. We do not recommend enema bags as they don’t generate enough pressure to push the oil up your rectum (the end part of the large intestine), and they are not generally good for taking oil enemas. Syringes work best for oil enemas. We suggest that you buy a standard syringe from an Ayurvedic Panchkarma center near you.
- All oil enemas should be done on a full stomach. You can schedule your castor oil enema after lunch or between 10 am and 2 pm, as your body’s absorption, especially nutrient absorption abilities, is at its peak at this time.
- Make sure you have a warm room, old towels, and some privacy.
- You can use 60-90ml of castor oil safely at one time.
- Warm the oil till it’s lukewarm. This will increase its absorption in the colon.
- Insert the nozzle and inject into the colon. If possible, find someone else to do the honors for you (maybe your partner). The best way is to lie on your left side with the left leg straight, and right knee bent. Make sure that you are able to reach your anus to squirt in the enema. If unable to do so, you may need to call out to someone for assistance.
- Make sure to push in the nozzle about 3 inches. Relax and inject the oil.
- Leave a small amount of oil in the syringe. Why? So that you don’t push in any air into your rectum with the oil…
- Retain the oil for as long as possible (recommended time – 30 mins.).
- Evacuate and chillax .
Key Takeaways
- Castor oil increases bowel movement and is a beneficial treatment for constipation.
- Castor oil has antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties that improve overall gut health.
- It is advisable to use only 60-90 ml of lukewarm castor oil at a time for the enema treatment.
- It should be avoided in case of a cold, diabetes, diarrhea, and obesity.
How Often Should You Take A Castor Oil Enema?
According to anecdotal evidence, you can go for it for three consecutive days without any problems. But we recommend that you ask your doctor and do as he says.
Precautions:
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Do not take a castor oil enema if you are suffering from:
- Cold or flu
- Indigestion or digestive health issues
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or intestinal inflammation
- Diabetes
- Diarrhea
- Obesity
- Consumption of poison
Benefits Of Castor Oil Enema
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There are multiple castor oil benefits , but let’s focus on how it can ease constipation. The ricinoleic acid in it causes contractions in the walls of the intestines that help push the fecal matter out as stools. This helps relieve constipation. Castor oil also has the property to prevent the absorption of water from the intestines and improve intestinal permeability ( 3 ). This ensures easier passage of the waste. Its other castor oil enema benefits include ( 4 ), ( 5 ):
- Softens stools
- Useful to treat arthritis
- Helpful in uterine contraction
- Alleviates back pain
- Reduces menstrual cramps
- Controls ‘Vata’
A medical professional and blogger shared her experience employing a 15-day castor oil enema for her neuropathy issues. She writes, “Today, I did the castor oil orally, castor oil enema 5 hours later and then one more coffee enema in the evening (3 total). Moved my bowels many many times today and yes, the burning anus continues although nothing like unlucky day #13. But, my point is that all the neurology symptoms are 100% gone all day today! And, I need to wait to see if I have my mini-seizure tomorrow morning — cuz it only seems to happen on my non-castor (ie: toxic) day ( i ).”
More research is warranted in this regard as most of these benefits are based on anecdotal evidence.
Learn how to prepare a castor oil enema at home for natural relief and cleansing. Take control of your health and watch the video to discover the step-by-step process. Scroll down to watch the video.
Infographic: How To Use Castor Oil For Enema And Its Benefits
Castor oil is an excellent laxative for regulating bowel movements and cleansing your bowels. Warm castor oil is injected into the colon through an enema to relieve constipation, minimize bloating, reduce internal swellings in the digestive tract, reduce hyperacidity, and alleviate back pain. Check out the top 5 benefits of castor oil enema from the infographic below. Some thing wrong with infographic shortcode. please verify shortcode syntax
Castor oil enema benefits are many, and it is said that castor oil works better than chemical-laden laxatives and is considered safe compared to these laxatives. In addition, castor oil enema softens stools, minimizes bloating due to gas, helps get rid of distention, helps treat arthritis, helps manage sexual disorders, cures hyperacidity, and alleviates back pain effectively. You can use castor oil in the form of an enema, or you can directly take it by mouth. However, avoid taking it if you have a cold, diabetes, diarrhea, and obesity.
How long does it take a castor oil enema to work?
Anecdotal evidence suggests that a castor oil enema takes anywhere between 2 to 6 hours to work. However, in most cases, it helps relieve constipation within 3 hours.
How long do you retain an oil enema?
The duration for which you need to retain or hold an enema within your body depends on the oil being used. In the case of castor oil, you need to hold it for 30 minutes or so.
What are some common misconceptions about castor oil enemas?
There are several common misconceptions about castor oil enemas. They include:
- Castor oil enemas are suitable for everyone
- Castor oil enemas have no adverse reactions
- Castor oil enemas are very easy to use
How can I choose the right type of enema kit for a castor oil enema?
Always select the one that is specially designed for castor oil enema with an easy-to-use nozzle tip and clear instructions on the package.
Can a castor oil enema help with weight loss or other health concerns?
There is currently no scientific evidence that suggests that castor oil enema aids in weight loss.
What are the potential side effects of a castor oil enema?
Anecdotal evidence suggests that castor oil enema may cause rectal damage, cramping, nausea, or vomiting. However, there is limited research available in this regard.
How can I enhance the benefits of a castor oil enema with diet and lifestyle changes?
Castor oil enemas can be beneficial for treating constipation and other digestive problems, but they work best in conjunction with a balanced diet and lifestyle. Drink plenty of water, consume fiber-rich foods, and regularly exercise to enhance its benefits.
Can a castor oil enema be used in conjunction with other therapies?
Castor oil enemas may be used in addition to other treatments. However, it is important to speak to your healthcare provider before using them to avoid any side effects.
Illustration: Castor Oil Enema- What Is it And What Are Its Benefits?
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Personal Experience: Source
StyleCraze’s articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.
References
- Castor Oil https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31869090/
- Castor oil induces laxation and uterus contraction via ricinoleic acid activating prostaglandin EP3 receptors https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3384204/
- Medical Management of Constipation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3348737/
- Castor Oil https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551626/
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