Why Oral Castor Oil May Be More Effective Than Packs

• What is Castor Oil?|
• Uses|
• Castor Oil Packs vs Oral Liquid|
• Side Effects & Safety|
• Oral Liquid Over Packs|

As an integrative provider, I’m always on the lookout for natural ways to improve health. Recently, castor oil has been on my radar due to claims that it improves everything from joint pain to constipation. 

Castor oil can be used internally or topically, but which is better? In this article, I’ll dive into what castor oil is, summarize the research, and share how to best use it.

What is Castor Oil?

Castor oil is a thick vegetable oil made from the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis) [1, 2]. While it may be the new kid on the block for many of us, castor oil has been used therapeutically for thousands of years [1, 2].

Many of the benefits of castor oil may be related to its ricinoleic acid content. Ricinoleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid with the following impressive properties [1, 2]:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Antimicrobial

People take advantage of the benefits of castor oil by using it orally. But topical use via heated castor oil packs, formulated eye drops, skin and hair creams, and moisturizers are also popular.

There are very few scientific studies investigating the uses and benefits of castor oil or castor oil packs. Let’s take a look at the evidence we have so far.

Castor Oil Uses

You’ve likely seen castor oil and castor oil packs being recommended for general wellness and a myriad of ailments including:

• Constipation
• Skin rashes
• Endometriosis
• Menstrual cramps
• Ovarian cysts
• Uterine fibroids
• Headaches 

There isn’t strong evidence right now, but there are many anecdotal reports of castor oil health benefits. 

Eases Constipation

Castor oil may be best known for its ability to activate the smooth muscles in the gut to stimulate bowel contractions [1]. This means stool may move more easily through the digestive tract, reducing the likelihood of constipation.

A small clinical trial of 35 elderly people found castor oil packs were associated with:

• Better stool consistency
• Less straining
• Greater sense of complete evacuation

Castor oil packs didn’t improve stool frequency though, which is often the main goal for constipated people [3].

Castor oil has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a stimulant laxative [1]. It’s sometimes used for colonoscopy bowel prep (although there may be better options like polyethylene glycol or senna) [4, 5]. 

Relieves Joint Pain

The most well-known application is probably its impact on the GI tract. However, some evidence suggests castor oil may also be an effective pain reliever.

A 2009 randomized controlled trial found castor oil was almost as effective as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for osteoarthritis pain. This may not sound earth-shattering but NSAIDs have a long list of negative side effects (many in the gut) whereas castor oil doesn’t [6].

Improves Skin, Hair, and Nails

Though limited, existing  evidence suggests castor oil may:

• Reduce dark circles and bags under the eyes [7]
• Improve symptoms of dry eye [8, 9]
• Relieve eyelid inflammation [10]: 

Castor oil has surged in popularity on social media as a beauty aid to help with wrinkles, dry skin, and hair health. We don’t have any human trials but there are many anecdotal reports suggesting castor oil may be good for wrinkles and dry skin. And an animal study (in rabbits) found castor oil improved hair softness, growth, and regeneration [11].

Fights Candida

Castor oil may be an option for targeting the fungus Candida. One in-vitro study found castor oil exhibited anti-Candida effects (in a petri dish). We don’t know if castor oil has the same effect on human tissues [12]. However, there are anecdotal reports suggesting castor oil may help with toenail fungus and yeast infections.

Castor Oil Packs vs Oral Liquid

Some people take castor oil by mouth, but you may also unlock the benefits of ricinoleic acid through topical use—via a castor oil pack.

You can purchase a castor oil pack kit (Queen of the Thrones seems to be a best-seller), but making a DIY castor oil pack is pretty simple. Here’s a brief overview [3]: 

• Soak a piece of cotton flannel in castor oil, and place it directly on the skin of the targeted area (i.e., your abdomen to target constipation) 
• Cover the flannel with a sheet of plastic (like saran wrap or a plastic bag)
• Place a hot water bottle or heating pad on top of the plastic to heat the reusable pack
• Leave the pack in place for an hour per day for three days

Castor oil packs are placed on the abdomen to target digestive woes and menstrual cycle symptoms. They’re also strategically placed to target sore muscles, scar tissue, inflamed joints, headaches, detoxification, and more. But again, we don’t have much research to support this. 

At this point, you may be wondering which is best—castor oil oral liquid or castor oil packs? There’s not much scientific data to draw from here. If you’re hoping to target constipation and joint pain, the oral liquid probably has an edge over the packs—it’s also mess-free. 

When choosing an oral liquid, you may want to opt for less-processed, hexane-free organic castor oil that’s been cold-pressed. Here are some general guidelines for internal use:

• Joint pain: About 0.5–1 teaspoon (more than 1 tsp may cause diarrhea)
• Constipation: About 1–4 Tablespoons (15–60mL/day) [13]
• Eyes: Use only special eye drops (never rub regular castor oil into your eyes)

Always consult your healthcare provider before adding supplements to your routine. 

Castor Oil: Side Effects and Safety

I’m all for using safe, natural solutions. Castor oil is generally safe and inexpensive, but it can come with some risks.  

A 2022 meta-analysis found castor oil increased the odds of going into labor [14]. Pregnant women should only use castor oil with caution and under the guidance of their healthcare provider. 

Additionally, some people who use castor oil may experience side effects like [1]:

• Diarrhea (if taken orally at a higher dose) 
• Abdominal cramping and bloating 
• Vomiting 
• Dizziness 

Oral Castor Oil May Be Better Than Castor Oil Packs

Castor oil has been used as a natural solution for thousands of years. It can be taken internally or applied topically (as part of a cream or as a heated pack) to target constipation, joint pain, menstrual cramps, skincare, detox, and more.

It’s always important to cross-reference the anecdotal claims with what’s been published in scientific research. When it comes to castor oil, we have a lot of anecdotal evidence but not much scientific evidence right now. That doesn’t necessarily mean castor oil and castor oil packs aren’t effective though.

Since castor oil is generally safe, it may be worth a trial, especially if you’re dealing with joint pain or occasional constipation. You may want to opt for the oral form over the castor oil pack, but there’s no harm in trying castor oil packs to see if they work for you. Remember, if you’re pregnant only do this under the advice of a qualified healthcare provider. 

Castor oil isn’t my first choice for dealing with GI symptoms. If you’re struggling with constipation or other digestive woes, my book, Healthy Gut, Healthy You is a comprehensive self-care guide. If you’d like more personalized assistance, contact us for an appointment at the Ruscio Institute for Functional Health.

The Ruscio Institute has developed a range of high-quality formulations to help our clients and audience. If you’re interested in learning more about these products, please click here. Note that there are many other options available, and we encourage you to research which products may be right for you. The information on DrRuscio.com is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Dr. Michael Ruscio is a DC, Naturopathic Practitioner, researcher, and clinician. He serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Bridgeport and has published numerous papers in scientific journals as well as the book Healthy Gut, Healthy You. He also founded the Ruscio Institute of Functional Health, where he helps patients with a wide range of GI conditions and serves as the Head of Research.