The latest wellness trend on TikTok is drinking castor oil – but experts are warning people against this ‘health’ hack.
Creators claim the oil ‘detoxes’ the body, ‘cleans’ the gut and can aid with wellness and weight loss, following in the footsteps of fads such as the ‘internal shower’.
But while many online are praising the benefits, with some videos being viewed over a million times, there are side effects to drinking castor oil that should make you think twice about trying it.
‘Castor oil is known to be a natural laxative – it has been FDA-approved for this reason,’ says Dr Munir Somji, internet doctor and founder of DrMediSpa. ‘It works to help temporary constipation relief and it does this by stimulating muscle movement in the intestines.’
Its ability to loosen up the bowels may be why people claim castor oil clears and cleanses the gut, but Dr Somji warns it isn’t to be consumed other than in true cases of constipation.
He says: ‘If you use this too much or too often, it can have negative side effects including diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, vomiting, bloating and dizziness. Because of this, it isn’t used as a first remedy for constipation and should only ever be used under medical supervision.
‘It is also not something to be used to “detox” the body or for weight loss, and doing so long-term can lead to dangerous complications so you should also always consult a healthcare professional before trying it.’
Plus, not only is there is no evidence that laxatives aid weight loss, attempting to use them for this reason is considered a warning sign of eating disorders.
While castor oil – which is made by cold pressing the seeds of the castor plant, creating a clear, thick and yellow oil – is trending now, it’s by no means a new remedy, with Dr Somji explaining: ‘It has been used for centuries, for motor fuel, paint, skincare, soaps and more.’
As well as its so-called detoxifying skills (a definition which is in itself problematically vague), it’s also drawn attention for apparent skin and hair benefits when used externally – and this is less of a concern.
‘Castor oil is a natural moisturiser rich in fatty acids, hence why it is often used in skincare and boasts anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties,’ says Dr Somji. ‘It has also been known to promote healing and help in pain reduction.’
Additionally, despite no evidence supporting TikToker’s claims it works for hair growth, it’s commonly used as a safe and effective ingredient in haircare products.
However, just as he warns against ingesting it, Dr Somji says people should use castor oil on skin and hair with caution too.
‘For those wanting to use it, I would only recommend it for dry skin types, as it can exacerbate those with breakout-prone skin,’ he adds.
‘Castor oil can also cause allergic reactions, so it is always advised to do a patch test before using. You can also dilute it by mixing with another carrier oil, such as coconut – but still do a patch test.’
As we’ve highlighted before, it’s best not to believe everything you see on social media – especially when it could see you stuck on the loo and dealing with a nasty acne flare-up.
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