Castor oil is a thick, yellowish vegetable oil extracted from castor beans native to warm temperate regions. It is often available in grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores.
Despite its long history in providing laxative results, there’s little research to suggest this product can be used as a remedy for other health concerns such as cancer.
Can castor oil be used to cure cancer or reduce my risk of it?
Castor oil has many potential uses and applications, but it is not an effective option to treat cancer. Cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell growth. It is an aggressive disease that requires treatment of a certified physician.
Consult your doctor to determine what treatment plan may be appropriate for you.
What is castor oil and what are its benefits?
Castor oil is made up of triglycerides — the most common type of fat in the body, such as ricinolein, linoleic acid, and oleic acid — that have moisturizing, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Castor oil is best known as a natural remedy for relieving constipation. It may also help with:
- Hydrating, cleansing, and restoring wounded skin
- Promoting hair growth and repair
- Reducing inflammation
The benefits of castor oil remain limited, however. There is little evidence to suggest castor oil is promising beyond its role in temporarily alleviating temporary constipation, a use that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Castor oil can also have side effects, including:
- Bloating
- Abdominal cramping
- Dizziness
- Negative interaction with other medications
- Skin reactions such as itching and swelling of the skin
There are other concerns for those who are pregnant and are prone to acne. Consult a medical professional to determine if this product is right for you.
What if I want more than just a pharmacological approach to treat my cancer?
Dana-Farber is dedicated to evidence-based care for the whole patient— emotionally and physically. At the Leonard P. Zakim Canter for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living at Dana-Farber, patients are offered integrative therapies such as yoga, massages, creative art activities and personalized exercise and nutrition plans that have been proven to reduce pain, stress, and anxiety that may occur during cancer treatment.
Patients are given the opportunity to receive integrative therapies that can help ease cancer-related symptoms and improve quality of life alongside modern, physician-directed cancer treatment.