6 Ways To Cure Constipation Using Castor Oil

Constipation is one tiring condition to deal with. Oh yes, that helpless feeling when you know that things need to get out of you, but there is nothing that you can possibly do… except try harder, maybe? Jokes apart, when you have fewer than three bowel movements in a week, it is referred to as constipation. Although there is a range of options that can help in its treatment, castor oil is a natural option if you aren’t pregnant. You must be well aware of the benefits of castor oil for your skin and hair. But ever thought about its potential therapeutic uses? Yes, castor oil has a wide range of health benefits, which includes treating constipation when used in tiny doses. Keep scrolling to find how castor oil helps with constipation and the various ways in which it can be used to treat the condition.

How Does Castor Oil Work For Constipation?

When you have irregular bowel movements, and your stool becomes too hard to pass, it most certainly means that you are constipated. It is now that the role of castor oil comes into play. Castor oil, derived from castor beans (Ricinus communis), contains a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid that exhibits laxative properties.
Let us now take a deeper look at the factors that make castor oil an effective treatment for constipation:

• Being a stimulant laxative, the ricinoleic acid in castor oil binds to the receptors on the muscles of your intestinal walls. This binding leads to contractions of your intestinal walls, enabling the stool to pass out easily.It has some effect on stimulating the uterus muscles as well. While this isn’t of much significance outside of pregnancy, it is if you are pregnant. So much so that a small shot of castor oil was historically used to help bring on labor when it was taking a woman a concerningly long time to mount functional uterine contractions.
• This action of ricinoleic acid also helps in softening your stools and cleansing your intestines.
• Using castor oil can reduce the strain that often accompanies constipation.
• Additionally, castor oil lubricates your bowels without absorbing any of the moisture from your intestinal walls.

If these reasons aren’t enough for you to start using castor oil to treat constipation, here’s more information.
Multiple studies conducted by various researchers have concluded that castor oil can have remarkable benefits on constipation. They also observed that the use of castor oil resulted in a significant decrease in the strain and promoted the feeling of complete evacuation following a bowel movement (1).
Now that you have a legit reason to give castor oil a try, let’s look at the different ways in which it can be used to relieve this condition.

Ways To Use Castor Oil To Treat Constipation Naturally

1. Castor Oil
2. Castor Oil And Orange Juice
3. Castor Oil And Lemon Juice
4. Castor Oil With Coconut Milk
5. Castor Oil And Heating Pad
6. Castor Oil Massage (For Babies)

How To Use Castor Oil For Constipation

1. Castor Oil

You Will Need

1 tablespoon of castor oil

What You Have To Do

Rub some castor oil on your belly, concentrating more around your belly button.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this at least twice daily.

Why This Works

Castor oil can help to soften and break down the fecal matter through the skin and the gut with its laxative properties. Additionally, it enhances muscle contractions that can make your stool pass easily

2. Castor Oil And Orange Juice

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of castor oil
• 1 cup of orange juice

What You Have To Do

1. Add castor oil to a cup of orange juice and mix well.
2. Consume this mixture before the oil settles down.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once daily.

Why This Works

The high fiber content of orange juice helps to bulk up the stool, and the laxative effects of castor oil make it easy to pass out of the body, thus relieving constipation

3. Castor Oil And Lemon Juice

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of castor oil
• 1 cup of lemon juice

What You Have To Do

1. Mix about a tablespoon of castor oil with a cup of lemon juice.
2. Consume this before the oil settles down.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once daily.

Why This Works

The acidic nature of lemons, along with the naturally lubricating properties of water, can help to ease your bowel movements

4. Castor Oil With Coconut Milk

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of castor oil
• 1 glass of warm coconut milk

What You Have To Do

1. Add a teaspoon of castor oil to a glass of coconut milk.
2. Consume this before the oil starts to settle down.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once every night.

Why This Works

The stimulating properties of castor oil and the soothing and relieving effects of coconut milk work in tandem to relieve constipation and its symptoms.

Caution

If you are lactose intolerant, it is recommended that you use any of the other remedies listed in this article to get rid of constipation.

5. Castor Oil And Heating Pad

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of castor oil
• A heating pad

What You Have To Do

1. Massage some castor oil on your stomach, concentrating on the area around the belly button.
2. Place a heating pad on top of your belly.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once daily.

Why This Works

Castor oil, when used in combination with a heating pad, can enhance digestion and promote circulation in the affected area. This can soften the fecal compaction, allowing your stool to pass easily

6. Castor Oil Massage (For Babies)

You Will Need

3 to 4 drops of 100% organic castor oil

What You Have To Do

1. Take a few drops of castor oil and warm it.
2. Rub the warmed castor oil between your palms and massage it in a clockwise motion around your infant’s stomach.
3. Take a little more oil and massage it onto your infant’s knees and thighs.
4. Gently push the legs of your infant towards his abdomen.
5. Continue doing this for 10 to 15 minutes.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this twice a week.

Why This Works

Castor oil, when used in moderate amounts externally, is beneficial for treating constipation in your baby. A simple massage with castor oil can stimulate bowel movements in your child (7).

Caution

Use only 100% organic castor oil for infants and only use it externally in children. Also, make sure that the oil does not come in contact with your child’s anal/genital areas, eyes, and lips.
Now that you know how to use castor oil for constipation, what are you waiting for? These remedies can provide you quick and effective relief from constipation. If none of these treatments are working for you, seek medical help immediately. There are many reasons for constipation. Sometimes, clearing the gut out to avoid toxic build-up is the best step to start, but don’t undervalue the importance of finding the root cause of your constipation. From nutrient deficiencies, anatomical issues, neurological, and more, understanding the cause can lead to a lot more benefits than just getting the relief of being able to have a bowel movement.