The healing composition of castor oil
Castor oil or castor oil, as it is often called popularly, is obtained by hot or cold pressing castor beans, which are rich in oils. Many people probably know that this plant contains a toxic substance - ricin, but this pressing technology allows you to rid the oil of it. Therefore, the finished product consists exclusively of useful components that have healing effects.
Castor (ricin) oil is a thick, viscous liquid, yellow in color, with an unexpressed aroma and specific taste. But given the rather unpleasant taste of this substance, pharmacists created castor oil in gelatin capsules. Also, ricin oil is part of the well-known Vishnevsky ointment.
Castor oil contains glycerin, proteins, alkaloids, pectins, minerals, triglycerides, vitamins B and E. The product is also rich in fatty acids, namely:
- palmitic acid, which facilitates the intake of minerals and vitamins;
- oleic, which activates metabolism in the body and moisturizes the skin;
- ricinoleic acid, which has antibacterial and softening effects;
- linoleic acid, nourishing and moisturizing the skin;
- stearic, which protects the skin from aggressive factors.
Thanks to the listed components, ricin oil has the following medicinal properties:
- healing;
- anti-inflammatory;
- softening;
- antimicrobial;
- passing;
- antipruritic;
- painkillers;
- restorative.
Other "recipes"
Tea tree oil and castor oil
A medicine prepared from a mixture of castor and tea tree essential oil has even greater activity. The latter helps fight inflammation and strengthen the vascular wall. It will be enough to apply a couple of drops to a gauze bandage and apply it to the disturbing area.
For a compress, castor oil can be mixed with other medicines
Blue iodine and castor oil
Using a pipette, measure 20 drops of blue iodine into a small container. This substance is obtained by iodization of starch, when amyliododin is formed. Acts as an antibacterial and antifungal agent. Has an anti-inflammatory and distracting effect. When applied externally, there may be a burning sensation, so castor oil is used as a base to reduce the irritating effect and improve the transport of blue iodine into the tissues.
Measure 30 ml of castor oil into the same container.
The mixture is applied to the hemorrhoids and left overnight.
Baths
A sitz bath is prepared from four liters of warm water and 20 ml of castor oil. The water should cover the problem area. Take a bath for about 10 minutes.
Cold pressed oil
For shallowly located combined hemorrhoids or anal fissures, use purified, high-quality, first-pressed malt. It is applied to a previously washed finger and then try to lubricate the disturbing area.
Ointment
Castor oil is an integral part of Vishnevsky's ointment, which includes, along with birch tar, xeroform, and silicon dioxide. In this recipe, castor oil acts as an emollient and helps transport other active substances into the rectal mucosa.
The ointment can be used without fear for internal hemorrhoids and fissures, introducing it on tampons at night. I also use liniments to make applications for external hemorrhoids. The compress is applied for 2 hours three times a day.
How does castor oil help with hemorrhoids?
A wide range of therapeutic effects allows the use of castor oil in the treatment of hemorrhoids. External use of this product allows you to perform the following therapeutic tasks:
- reduce the severity of inflammation in the tissues of the anus;
- clean the surface of cracks;
- relieve pain and itching in the anal area;
- disinfect the skin of the anus;
- prevent the development of infectious complications of hemorrhoids;
- accelerate the healing of cracks, ulcers and erosions;
- moisturize and soften the skin of the anal area.
Castor oil can also be taken orally for constipation, as it normalizes peristalsis, softens stool and facilitates bowel movements.
In what cases can castor oil be used for hemorrhoids?
For hemorrhoids, ricin oil is advisable to use for inflammation of the nodes, anal itching, anal fissures, anal eczema and constipation. Also, the product can be an excellent preventive measure if you lubricate the skin around the anal ring with it after each bowel movement and washing.
Despite the fact that castor oil is a natural product, it can only be used after consultation with a professional proctologist. In addition, in the treatment of hemorrhoids, you should not limit yourself to only castor oil, because its effectiveness will not be enough to completely cure the disease.
Antihemorrhoidal therapy should be complex, that is, it should consist of drugs that eliminate venous insufficiency and symptomatic local agents, and castor oil should complement this treatment and speed up recovery. It is also important to follow a diet and lead an active lifestyle.
Castor oil as a laxative
Even children know about the laxative properties of castor oil. It was not for nothing that the fabulous Dunno was so afraid of this medicine. However, it is better to limit the use of castor oil for hemorrhoids accompanied by constipation. This remedy should be used only in extreme cases. Why?
The laxative effect of castor oil is pronounced. 4-6 hours after its use, diarrhea develops, which can worsen the course of the hemorrhoidal process. Therefore, it is better to postpone the use of the drug for the period of remission.
If you often use remedies for constipation, then you cannot replace castor oil with a laxative. It acts harshly and is only suitable for emergency measures.
Frequent use of castor oil internally will result in a decrease in the independent regulation of bowel movements. There is an addiction to the laxative drug. Therefore, it is recommended to use it no more than once a week. You need to give your intestines the opportunity to act on their own.
It is strictly forbidden to use castor oil in pregnant women. What could such indiscretion cost? In late stages of pregnancy, the drug can provoke premature birth, and in the early stages it can cause miscarriages. Indeed, by stimulating the activity of the intestines, the uterus also increases its contractile activity.
The use of castor oil is acceptable to stimulate labor. It is carried out only under the supervision of medical personnel and with medication support.
Approximate dosages of castor oil: 15 g of oil per dose, which corresponds to half a bottle. If there is no effect, you can increase the dose to 30 g (use the whole bottle).
The use of castor oil is only possible for children over 12 years of age. The drug is not used in children due to the risk of dehydration.
How to use castor oil for hemorrhoids?
To treat hemorrhoids, castor oil is best used externally in the form of baths, compresses, applications or rectal inserts. This product can also be taken orally, but this option is best used for constipation. Let's talk about these methods in more detail.
Internal use
Castor oil has been used as a laxative for many years. But this product has a fairly powerful carrying effect, so in case of overdose it can cause diarrhea, which is also undesirable for hemorrhoids. Adults can drink no more than two tablespoons of castor oil per day or take no more than 15-30 gelatin capsules orally. For children, the daily dose of castor oil should not exceed 10 ml. It is also not recommended to use this product for more than three days, as it may become addictive.
The effect after taking castor oil occurs after 5-6 hours, so it is better to drink it in the morning and on weekends.
As we have already mentioned, ricin oil has a specific unpleasant taste, so it is better to dilute it with milk, green tea and juice or mix it with liquid honey.
Topical treatment with castor oil
Methods for external use of castor oil are the most effective and appropriate for this delicate disease. Ricin is especially useful for anal fissures, ulcers and erosions. And remember that the measures described below should be carried out only after bowel movements and washing with warm water. Well, of course, after consultation with a proctologist.
Compresses . For this procedure, you need a piece of gauze folded in several layers, which must be soaked in 30 ml of castor oil, applied to the sore spot and secured with a band-aid. The compress is applied before bed and left overnight.
Rectal inserts . This method is probably the simplest, because all you need to do is buy castor oil capsules at the pharmacy and insert them one at a time into the anus 2-3 times a day for 5-7 days. But this treatment option is suitable exclusively for rectal hemorrhoids.
Baths. The procedure is carried out in this way: pour three liters of water at a temperature of 37-38 ° C into a wide bowl, then add 15 ml of castor oil. Next, you need to sit in a bowl so that the liquid covers the anus. The procedure is performed daily before bed for 15 minutes. The course of treatment is one week.
Castor oil is also an excellent moisturizer, so it should be lubricated around the anus in the morning and evening, and after each bowel movement. This procedure will help avoid the appearance of cracks and disinfect the skin of the anal area.
Instructions for use for hemorrhoids
IMPORTANT! Treatment of hemorrhoids with castor oil must be carried out according to the instructions to avoid complications and side effects.
It is best to carry out castor oil therapy in the initial stage of inflammation, when the hemorrhoids have not yet fallen out. During this period, castor oil is most effective as an adjuvant therapy. Its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, regenerating and wound-healing effects help reduce the manifestations of hemorrhoids.
Taking castor oil internally
Castor oil inside for hemorrhoids prevents constipation and reduces the risk of trauma to the nodes from solid feces. It is necessary to take the product orally in an amount of 15-30 ml. This volume is sufficient to obtain a laxative effect. You need to drink the oil with warm milk or tea so that the process of breaking down fatty acids begins.
Oil compresses
You need to take a clean bandage folded 4 times. Moisten it with castor oil and apply it to the inflamed area or anal fissure. Place dry gauze on top and secure with adhesive tape. Take a lying position for 1-2 hours (best done at night).
Castor oil baths
Sitz baths produce a positive healing effect. They are prepared simply: add 15 ml of oil to 1 liter of hot water (38-40 °C). The amount of water is selected individually. It is necessary to take a bath in a container that is comfortable for sitting. As soon as the water has cooled, you can get up.
Using rectal suppositories with castor oil
Many pharmaceutical companies produce rectal suppositories with castor oil. They soothe itching, relieve inflammation, heal internal wounds and cracks. They can be combined with other local procedures (baths, compresses).
The placement of candles is carried out in the evening, preferably before bedtime. Rectal suppositories are placed after bowel movements or a cleansing enema. The suppository is inserted into the rectum, after which it is advisable not to get up for 30 minutes.
Some people use oil in capsules instead of candles. After defecation or a cleansing enema, the capsule is inserted into the rectum. The shell dissolves, and the castor oil is distributed inside the intestine. But experts recommend using suppositories for treatment.
Possible side effects and contraindications
Unfortunately, even medicines given by nature can cause allergies in patients. When castor oil is taken orally, Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock and bronchospasm may develop.
When used externally, individual intolerance to this product is mainly manifested by local symptoms such as itching, burning, redness, urticaria, swelling or contact dermatitis in the anal area, but the risk of systemic reactions cannot be excluded.
Also, when castor oil is taken orally, diarrhea may occur, so you must strictly adhere to the dosage of the drug. In severe cases, an overdose of castor oil is manifested by dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and even hallucinations or fainting.
There are also conditions in which internal administration of ricin is strictly contraindicated, namely:
- pregnancy (miscarriage or premature birth may occur);
- lactation;
- age under 12 years;
- intoxication with benzene and phosphorus compounds;
- severe impairment of kidney and liver function;
- chronic diseases of the digestive tract in the acute phase.
During a consultation with a specialist about the use of castor oil, the doctor will determine and exclude the presence of contraindications, which will reduce the risk of side effects. The proctologist will also give recommendations on how to properly use this oil to treat hemorrhoids.
Castor oil for hemorrhoids: patient reviews
“I have known hemorrhoids for more than five years, and the disease is often accompanied by constipation and anal fissure. Pain, burning and itching during bowel movements turned my trips to the toilet into hell, but even this did not force me to see a proctologist. I was looking on the Internet for some folk method of treating hemorrhoids and came across castor oil, which I used as a compress. I also lubricated the knots in the morning and after bowel movements with this product for one week. During this time, the crack healed completely, and the unpleasant symptoms of hemorrhoids disappeared.”
Alexander, 39 years old.
“Due to sedentary work and poor diet, I often experience constipation. Knowing that I am at high risk for developing hemorrhoids, I constantly struggle with constipation. To do this, I tried various medications, but most of all I liked castor oil capsules: I drank 15 capsules and easily went to the toilet after three hours. I was also advised to follow a diet, do gymnastics and do physical exercises while working in the office, but these are all just plans.”
Natalya, 29 years old.
“After the second birth, I developed a nodule in the anus the size of a cherry, which was very painful, but I was afraid to use any medications, so I breastfed the baby. At the appointment, the doctor explained to me that the safest thing for my child in this case would be to lubricate the nodule with castor oil. I also followed a diet, walked a lot with the stroller and drank at least two liters of water a day. After a week, I stopped being bothered by pain and burning in the anal area, and after another three days the node completely resolved. There were no side effects!”
Larisa, 40 years old.
Features and signs of hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids occur due to constant lifting of weights, sedentary work, during pregnancy, due to digestive disorders (constipation).
Despite the presence of hemorrhoids in people, only inflammation, increase in size, and prolapse are considered the first stage of hemorrhoids. Signals of the onset of the disease are a subtle burning sensation in the anal area, itching.
Symptoms are typical:
- pain in the lower part of the rectum;
- stool disorders;
- discharge of anal blood;
- neoplasms in the anal area.
They lead to serious consequences in the form of constant aching pain and inflammation inside the rectum, on the surface of the skin. It is recommended to use castor oil for hemorrhoids at the first sign of itching or burning in the anal area. If nodes fall out, contact the clinic immediately.
Results
As a result, we can say that castor oil is an excellent addition to the main treatment of hemorrhoids, the effectiveness of which is confirmed by numerous positive reviews from patients. With this product you can reduce inflammation in the anus, relieve pain and itching, heal cracks and prevent infectious complications. The main thing is to first consult with a proctologist and correctly carry out all procedures, following the instructions presented above.
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About the beneficial properties of castor oil
Castor oil helps reduce inflammation and is considered a natural sunscreen. Also, thanks to ricinoleic acid, castor oil provides antimicrobial and antifungal effects, it helps to enhance intestinal motility.
With the help of oleic acid, which is also contained in the oil, castor oil helps restore the protective functions of the epithelium and retains moisture in the upper layers of the epithelium. Therefore, castor oil is widely used in cosmetology, helps in facial skin care, and improves hair condition.
A good effect from castor oil has been noted for dry epithelium, and the substance also prevents aging. Many cosmetic products contain a large percentage of castor oil, because it:
- makes the skin elastic;
- eliminates fine wrinkles;
- softens rough skin on heels and elbows.
Castor oil gets rid of blackheads on the face. Castor oil also improves the condition of hair, restoring its beauty, elasticity and strength.
The oil is widely used for constipation. Entering the intestines, the substance promotes the breakdown of a special enzyme that converts fats into energy and heat. Thanks to this process, the nerve endings of the large intestine are irritated and defecation is stimulated.
