Castor Oil is safe when used in moderation.
The use of castor oil for a laxative has been done for several years without any issues although if you use too much castor oil or take too much castor oil too often it could be harmful.
Castor oil should not be used more than once a week.
Castor oil is a heavy oil and, if used often, the oil can build up on your hair and make it appear greasy.
Being very astringent in nature, castor oil can cause irritations to the skin.
This could further lead to dryness, sensitivity, and even loss of hair and that's clearly not something you would want.
In fact, there have been a lot of instances where people have developed dermatitis after using castor oil.
Castor oil is not recommended for pregnant women and people with certain health conditions.
Because castor oil can cause the uterus to contract, it's not recommended during pregnancy.
It's also not advised for regular use in children under age 12.
If you'd like to give castor oil to your child, ask their pediatrician first.
Castor oil typically causes a bowel movement to occur in 2 to 3 hours. However, it may take up to 6 hours to work for some people.
Due to the delayed effects of castor oil, avoid taking it before bedtime.
Castor oil was also sometimes used as a punishment.
Belgian military officials prescribed heavy doses of castor oil in Belgian Congo as a punishment for being too sick to work.
The most famous use as punishment came in Fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini.
It was a favorite tool used by the Blackshirts to intimidate and humiliate their opponents.
Castor oil is known as a stimulant laxative.
It works by increasing the movement of the intestines, helping the stool to come out.