Has anyone tried castor oil for constipation?

yes, it works a treat, so to speak. it is an old remedy that has been forgotten perhaps but it sure as hell works

magnesium works pretty well too by the way.

just leave all the cereal fibre alone!

Quoted from marjorie

Has anyone tried castor oil for constipation?

Some people don't even have to take it by mouth. They just rub it around on the entire stomach - but don't wear anything that oil will ruin! Castor oil is very soothing for a lot of problems.

Spring,
I thought of doing the pack, are you saying you can just rub it on and put an old shirt on?

rubbing the oil is good but the hot pack is better.

but it scares me!!! .. Don't want to detox too fast!

Quoted from policychecker

rubbing the oil is good but the hot pack is better.

I hate to think what a hot pack would do to some people!! They don't need a hot pack. Castor oil works all by itself, it is easy to use except for the oil factor. PC, I think you have CLEANSE on the brain!!

Quoted from Mother

but it scares me!!! .. Don't want to detox too fast!

I don't believe in doing more than is necessary. If I need a cleanse, well, so be it. But we're talking about constipation here - at least I thought we were!!

I have seen the benefits, is all.

one caster oil pack is hardly a heavy cleanse lol

Spring,
I don't want to cleanse, just go.... so what's the exact procedure? Just rub it everywhere on your abdomen? Do you see the benefits the next day? I have read the side effects to the hot pack and not really interested in that, just want a gentle laxative

Quoted from Mother

Spring,
I don't want to cleanse, just go.... so what's the exact procedure? Just rub it everywhere on your abdomen? Do you see the benefits the next day? I have read the side effects to the hot pack and not really interested in that, just want a gentle laxative

Can you have chia seeds?  For me, it's the best fiber ever!  The right amount of bulk.... facilitates an easy movement. I often find flax seeds are binding....but chia seeds....makes stool lighter and easier to evacuate.  Another thing that helps me is wheat grass.....or any green powder that contains plant fiber.  Another thing that works for me is figs.  i soak them in hot water.
I do the same with prunes.

Castor oil can be very strong when taken internally. It will get you going, but it can cause painful intestinal cramps too. Start with a very small dose, and only take more if it's not helping.

The thing is, constipation is a sign that the GI system is out of balance. Castor oil, or other harsh laxatives, will "get you moving" this once (preventing toxic  buildup) but it won't resolve the underlying problems. Using  a laxative once in a while is OK, but you shouldn't make a habit of it. You still want to identify and resolve the underlying problem.

Low magnesium can cause constipation, as can too little fat in the diet and/or imbalanced gut flora.

Castor Oil Packs are an Edgar Caycee remedy.  I've used them many times for a variety of ailments.  It's gentle healing, imho.

For constipation, I would go with magnesium oil that's sprayed on the skin.

Sharing with the best of intentions.

Ruthie, applying the stuff externally eliminates any problems with pain. In fact, it might even cure the problem of constipation and lessen pain from gas or other problems. Sometimes constipation is brought on more by strained nerves than anything else. Castor oil is not anything to be worried about if it is applied on the skin unless a person is allergic to it which I have never heard of myself. Constipation can be very temporary. Just eat way too much dry stuff and see what happens! Castor oil is way under rated. No one can prove otherwise to me.

Just to be clear, I did not say anything about a cleanse, Chloe, except in my reply to PC.

Quoted from policychecker

I have seen the benefits, is all.

one caster oil pack is hardly a heavy cleanse lol

Well, Mother seemed to get shook up about it! And to be clear here, I never said there were NOT benefits to it. A simple rub of castor oil can soothe the entire stomach, and many other areas of the body where it is applied. We don't really have to throw the whole house, health food store and/or everything else at an ailment if it is just something temporary.

Quoted from Spring

Just to be clear, I did not say anything about a cleanse, Chloe, except in my reply to PC.

I know ...I was just answering Mother ......she wanted to know how to relieve constipation...

And as for magnesium, some people have written articles about how it constipated them. They were checked and their magnesium was way over what they needed. This isn't common but should be taken into consideration.

Quoted from Mother

Spring,
I don't want to cleanse, just go.... so what's the exact procedure? Just rub it everywhere on your abdomen? Do you see the benefits the next day? I have read the side effects to the hot pack and not really interested in that, just want a gentle laxative

Yes, Mother, you will see results the very next morning unless you are really in a "bind!"

take a teaspoon of castor oil and see how it works, it works very well.

OK everyone,
I do transdermal magnesium but have only been doing it about a month. For years I have taken magnesium, mostly oxide, for constipation and has worked well. I am sick of ingesting supplements so thought topical might be a nice change. I have been constipated or irregular all my life and adding fiber always makes it worse. Flax seeds, just the thought is bloating me. Tried chia in small amounts and got scared, probably didn't give it enough time. I NEVER planned on ingesting castor oil. Too little fat in my diet is not an issue. I have changed my macronutrients many times and the only thing consistant is fiber and I don't get along. I'm OK with that as I love my diet but have always needed 'help' from mag. My worst days were the SAD diet but I didn't know about mag then. I'm sure I have underlying GI problems, don't we all? IF I stick to my diet and take mag my system is happy. I know very few people who have great digestion and can eat whatever they want. Diseases are related to digestion as well even though they think they are digesting, they are inflamming elsewhere. My health is good and I am at a great weight and I feel good. Just thought I'd try something external instead of internal. Didn't mean to cause trouble. And I'm not shook up at all, I have just read that they can have a powerful cleansing effect and I'm not looking for that.

Spring,
do you know how often you can use it?

Oh yes, TOPICAL use of castor oil is rather gentle. But using it orally can have very harsh effects on some people. I've never used it internally myself.

Thanks Ruthie, I may try it for a change

Well, since I posted the original question, perhaps I should chime in Thanks for all the thoughts. I am gonig to try it and see what happens.

I know I could use a good cleanse for heavens sake

Quoted from Mother

Spring,do you know how often you can use it?

I would use it until things got normal. My guess is that you are going to be amazed at what castor oil will do for you! A very long time ago we got into a discussion about castor oil, and Dr. D. posted a link to a clinic in Canada that used castor oil extensively in their practice. I like simple things that are more or less easy that work.

How much should I take? One teaspoon?

Quoted from marjorie

How much should I take? One teaspoon?

I have never taken it in my life by mouth, so I can't say, but PC said one teaspoon, I believe.

Well Spring,
I'm trying the abdomen rub tonight, wish me luck!

Castor Oil has a wonderful reputation when used as a transdermal application!  Good luck, Mother!  
  

Thanks Victoria !

You're welcome, Mother.    My daughter, who is an intern in Chinese Medicine, is regularly encouraging me to use castor oil packs or herbal linaments in a castor oil base, or just simply to massage castor oil into the skin!  She is such a strong supporter!     

She says one of her supervisors works a lot with homeless people who have no access to regular medical care.  One of his most "go-to" treatments is castor oil massage, for any number of things- ranging from upper respiratory infections to digestive problems, to muscular pain, even cold exposure.  

I injested the castor oil this evening. Just one teaspoon and tonight I am going to rub on my belly as well.

GL Mother and thanks Spring and Victoria;)

Ok, seriously, I had 3 teaspoons of castor oil and still have had a bowel movement?

yup, rubbed on my abdomen and very little output, less than normal. What's up with that?

take it slowly Marjorie. and take on an empty stomach. has your tum made any nioses since taking the oil?

Nada.Zilch. Negative.

I also rubbed some on my tummy before bed, Mother. Nothing.

Hmmm....

perhaps you sat on a cork?

the fail safe is a table spoon of Epsom salts in a glass of water. if you cannot take Epsom salts magnesium citrate will do at the same dose.

eat on a very empty stomach don't eat anything before hand or after except water. better still do your own research and make up your own mind.

after a while an enema may be an option.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070608174826AApyfXq

Did you go Marjorie?

I see you girls are still living and breathing.... SOMETHING must have worked!! I certainly HOPE so!!  

Nope, not for me! just a bunch of rumbling, then nothing. Then...back to normal!! I think it took Marjorie 3 days and she ingested it, I just rubbed it on my abdomen. Thanks for thinking of us!

Some things that keep me regular:

freshly ground chia and golden flax (especially the chia) with plenty of liquid first thing in the morning.

beets - steamed, baked or juiced

magnesium - taken regularly as a supplement

for constipation, plenty of raw vegetable juices (add an apple if desired); fresh raw salad.  eat at regular times every day (if possible), do a fast of some sort one day every week, ensure body/mind has down time / relaxation.  Castor oil or anything else may help temporarily but for healthy internal system, best to eat a lot of raw as the fibres sweep toxic waste out of body easily and keep intestines strong into old age.  cooked foods don't do this - refer to well known authors such as Mr Shelton, Paul Bragg, Norman Walker.  good fats like avocado, olives, nuts/seeds help too.

I eat huge bowls of salads every day. Chia (ground), flax (ground) and hemp seeds every single day. I also take magnesium. I never have to take anything for elimination. I meant what I said about a warm castor oil pack! The only time I've ever even had the slightest problem was when I was taking those blood pressure pills that were causing more problems that they fixed. Hooray for Hawthorn!!

If I had been fool enough to tell my doctor that the BP pills were causing constipation, all of you know exactly what would have happened. He would have had me taking ANOTHER pill to fix that, which would have brought on more problems than a barrel of monkeys, which would have needed umpteen more pills!   Is that stupid, or what?

I eat three raw salads a day topped with some protein, usually fish, but I also include turkey, cornish hen and about twice a week lamb or game meat, rarely beef as it doesn't sit as well. I use olive oil liberally and grass fed better occasionally. I eat nuts/ seeds here and there but my staples are always salads and veggies.I just love them and can't get enough. I can't eat a single 1/2 tsp flax without bloating bad. Haven't tried hemp but have tried chia and caused a bunch of wind. I made the sludge thing with water and took a tsp. Does chia take awhile for your body to adjust? I also take magnesium and have for years. It's oxide for regularity but I also use transdermal for absorption. The oxide works, I guess I would just like to "go" on my own for once in my life! . Thanks for the tips

Quoted from Mother

The oxide works, I guess I would just like to "go" on my own for once in my life! . Thanks for the tips

When I send the right foods/sups down to keep me regular, I consider that "going" on my own!   I'm in charge, and I consider it my job to work with what I have. I've been doing this for the last fifty plus years. In my twenties when I was pregnant with our first child, my doctor asked me what I did for constipation. I told him I ate a big bowl of cooked turnip greens if I ever had a minor problem! The word "cooked" was a magic word to him. He thought his patients who actually cooked were queens! His wife hated to cook and didn't. (I didn't know that until several years later.) So, Mother, try a double serving, at least, of COOKED greens and see what happens!

Quoted from Spring

...try a double serving, at least, of COOKED greens and see what happens!

Certainly if I eat a big plate of cooked cabbage with whatever meat I eat, I don't seem to have as much trouble...but why cooked, when a lot of people seem to be advocating that raw foods are best?

We're all different. Some people have trouble digesting the raw veggies, and the undigested matter clogs up the GI tract. For those individuals, eating cooked veggies means better digestion and thus better elimination. Others digest the raw foods better.

The point here isn't "eat raw!" or "eat cooked!" The point is to try something different if what you've tried already isn't working. Some people even do better on LESS fiber rather than more, although many people do need more fiber to stay regular.

There's lot of advice out there on how to handle constipation. If you're doing "all the right things" and still getting constipated, then clearly something isn't working well for your physiology- so try something else.

Quoted from Possum

Certainly if I eat a big plate of cooked cabbage with whatever meat I eat, I don't seem to have as much trouble...but why cooked, when a lot of people seem to be advocating that raw foods are best?

Possum, read her post! She is already eating raw, raw, raw to the nth! Why not eat cooked, anyway. You say yourself that it helps you. I miss the point of your post.  

Quoted from Possum

Certainly if I eat a big plate of cooked cabbage with whatever meat I eat, I don't seem to have as much trouble...but why cooked, when a lot of people seem to be advocating that raw foods are best?

I think your gut doesn't have the capacity, at the moment at least, to handle the raw.  As Ruth stated, cooking does start breaking down the food, so it must be what you need to be able to digest it properly.  Otherwise, it causes you problems...

Hope this helps...

Cheers ABJoe - it does & thanks!!
Spring I have read her post! I was more curious as to whether you were advocating cooked - for particular reasons you knew of, that I don't )  
I prefer not eating everything raw, yet I know a lot of people, even on this thread, who say raw raw raw...

Quoted from Possum

Cheers ABJoe - it does & thanks!!
Spring I have read her post! I was more curious as to whether you were advocating cooked - for particular reasons you knew of, that I don't )  
I prefer not eating everything raw, yet I know a lot of people, even on this thread, who say raw raw raw...

I thought it was perfectly clear that Mother had tried the raw, raw, raw, and it wasn't working as she would have liked. I KNOW for MYSELF that cooked greens work for constipation. THEREFORE, I suggested this as another option. Do I need a lawyer?

I like raw in the warmer months and cooked in the cooler months. What keeps me regular is the daily bowl of pressure-cooked beans with onions, spices, and plain yogurt. But I'm an A Warrior, so my constitution is different. I will say that prior to being on my personalized version of Swami that daily bowel movements were not a normal activity.

Here's me experience with castor oil - I took it for the 1st time 3 nights ago - took 2 nights to work - bottle said to take 1-3 or 4 tablespoons - I took 1 giant tablespoon.

Very gentle and made me think that maybe one of the reasons why I might get constipated is because I don't eat enough healthy oils in my diet?

Quoted from Drea

I like raw in the warmer months and cooked in the cooler months.

Same here.  Cold, raw foods do not help my body during the months when the weather is cold and damp.  Whereas warm, sunny days are a perfect time for salads.

Quoted from Life Dancer

Here's me experience with castor oil - I took it for the 1st time 3 nights ago - took 2 nights to work - bottle said to take 1-3 or 4 tablespoons - I took 1 giant tablespoon.

Very gentle and made me think that maybe one of the reasons why I might get constipated is because I don't eat enough healthy oils in my diet?

That's definitely possible. Try increasing the quantities of your "beneficial" and "diamond" oils with food and see what happens.

Quoted from Life Dancer

Here's me experience with castor oil - I took it for the 1st time 3 nights ago - took 2 nights to work - bottle said to take 1-3 or 4 tablespoons - I took 1 giant tablespoon.

Very gentle and made me think that maybe one of the reasons why I might get constipated is because I don't eat enough healthy oils in my diet?

What does it taste like, dancer?

Quoted from Possum

What does it (castor oil) taste like, dancer?

Not dancer, but the castor oil I have doesn't really have a taste...  It feels like oil, slightly thicker than any cooking oil I've seen.  EVOO has more flavor...

Cheers ABJoe... I have used mine externally & it works really well but has a funny feel - yeah kinda thicker...not quite like any other oil I have ever got on my fingers?!
When my Mother was *overdue* with my older sister, apparently she was given it as it's supposed to bring on labour... but Mum said it tasted nasty, hence my hesitation re taste?!

Quoted from Possum

I have used mine externally & it works really well but has a funny feel - yeah kinda thicker...not quite like any other oil I have ever got on my fingers?!

Lick one of your fingers and you'll know how it tastes...

Quoted from Possum

When my Mother was *overdue* with my older sister, apparently she was given it as it's supposed to bring on labour... but Mum said it tasted nasty, hence my hesitation re taste?!

Same here!  My labor with my first baby was proceeding slowly and the midwife gave me castor oil to take.  It was very hard for me to swallow - it just didn't feel and taste like 'food' to me.  It made me a little nauseous.  

Oooh, ewww thanks Victoria
Hmmm the thought of licking my fingers?!

Bear in mind that pregnant women often have very sensitive palates- so just because it "tasted bad and was mildly nauseating" to a pregnant women doesn't necessarily mean that a non-pregnant person will have the same experience with it.