On social media, castor oil has become a popular trend for a variety of uses, from hair growth to weight loss.
There have been millions of posts about the vegetable oil on TikTok, with many creators sharing how they've used it to improve their health.
In more controversial cases, makers have applied castor oil directly to their belly buttons — and even started drinking it as a detox and weight-loss method, since the FDA has approved castor oil as a natural laxative.
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Although some people on the Internet have reported positive results, experts warn that consuming castor oil can be dangerous to overall health.
Registered dietitian Ilana Muhlstein told Fox News Digital that she has “never heard of castor oil being used for anything other than its traditional uses.”
Castor oil is a vegetable oil derived from the Ricinus communis plant, which is common in the eastern parts of the world, according to the National Institutes of Health. (iStock)
The Los Angeles-based expert assumed that the primary use is for mild short-term weight loss, because castor oil acts as a laxative.
“Laxatives can dehydrate you and cause dependence,” she said. “There are much safer alternatives.”
She added: “If you're having trouble in the bathroom, try increasing your water intake, adding more fiber to your diet and getting more exercise. Talk to your doctor or dietitian if you have any questions.”
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Katrina Mattingly, MD, chief medical officer at Option Medical Weight Loss in Chicago, said castor oil is a “tried-and-true, old-fashioned laxative.”
She told Fox News Digital in an email, “The first thing that comes to mind is diarrhea.”
Castor oil is a “tried-and-true old-fashioned laxative” with a “distinct taste,” a doctor told Fox News Digital. But doctors warn against its use for weight loss. (iStock)
“I remember my 97-year-old grandmother giving it to us as kids, along with prune juice, when our GI systems needed help getting things moving,” Mattingly said.
Castor oil “accelerates the elimination of solid waste products by our body and also deprives the body of essential water,” the expert noted.
While this can lead to weight loss, Mattingly said that “along with all the solid waste and essential water that goes down the toilet are essential vitamins and minerals like potassium and chloride” – which can lead to deficiencies.
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Although castor oil can be helpful in relieving occasional constipation, overusing it as a laxative can cause the intestines to become dependent on laxatives, Mattingly warned, “making it difficult to move on your own.”
The obesity doctor emphasized that she would not recommend castor oil for weight loss in any capacity.
One doctor recommends drinking castor oil only in small amounts for occasional constipation. (iStock)
“Although castor oil has been used for centuries for a variety of reasons, from body detoxification to vision problems and inducing labor, there is no safety data recommending routine use for any of these conditions other than constipation,” she said.
Current scientific studies and research do not support its use solely for the purpose of weight loss, the doctor noted.
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Mattingly said she would recommend taking castor oil in “small amounts,” only for occasional bouts of constipation, if it has worked in the past.
“Remember to hydrate to replenish fluid loss, and if you have long-term or chronic constipation, that warrants a visit to your doctor.”
'Massive detox' or health hazard?
Women's health expert, Dr. Mindy Pelz, advocated the use of castor oil packs to regulate organ function and transport toxins throughout the body.
The California-based doctor claimed that castor oil can be absorbed through the skin and enter the organs “very easily.”
Applying castor oil can lead to a “huge detox,” a doctor said. (iStock)
“If it gets into our system, it causes dilation,” Pelz told Fox News Digital. “It's so simple and so cheap… You could just rub it on your liver and gallbladder. You need castor oil to sit there for two hours before it… starts to dilate these organs.”
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Pelz recommended applying castor oil at night, up to three times a week, for a “huge detox that opens up the entire system.”
The FDA has approved castor oil as a natural laxative. (iStock)
Mattingly countered, however, that castor oil “shows no promise in having anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, or antioxidant properties.”
And while social media claims are often based on personal experiences, Mattingly noted that certain applications may not have the same effect for everyone.
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“When it comes to medical weight loss, leave it to the experts to ensure you undergo a safe and effective plan that won't leave you miserable or making that dreaded trip to the ER,” she advised.
Other uses of castor oil
There are a few traditional uses for castor oil, including applying it to the scalp or eyelashes to promote hair growth, and using it on the belly button for better sleep, Muhlstein said.
“Some people say it helps relieve muscle tension and promotes deeper sleep,” she said. “Be careful,” she added, “because I've heard that using too much of it can make you lethargic.”
“Maybe future studies will give us a different sounding medicinal use [castor oil] except constipation,” said a doctor. (iStock)
Another possible use of castor oil is as a topical treatment for skin irritations or scars, Muhlstein added.
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“People have reported positive results,” she said. “So if you have any annoying skin problems it might be worth giving it a try, but for bigger problems always consult a dermatologist.”
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Matting recommends rubbing castor oil on your stomach or skin only as a moisturizer, but not for weight loss.
“Castor oil can also have an unforgettable smell,” she warned. “So be prepared for this, especially if you use it on the face or hair.”
