Castor oil, in common people just castor oil, is used for a variety of problems. It also has a beneficial effect on the intestines, so it can be used for constipation. However, before use, it is important to familiarize yourself with the drug, its possible forms of release, the characteristics of the drug, learn how to drink castor oil for constipation and what are the contraindications.
Features of the composition
Castor oil is produced from castor oil - a plant with poisonous leaves and a stem. As a substance that improves intestinal motility, it has long been used in folk medicine. This contributes to this unique composition:
- ricinoleic acid;
- palmitic acid;
- stearic acid;
- linoleic acid;
- oleic acid;
- tocopherol.
As you can see, the composition is completely natural, so many people prefer to use the drug as opposed to other medicines.
The action of components on the body
How to drink castor oil for constipation is indicated in the instructions for use of the product. A complex effect of substances that have a stimulating effect on the intestines, provoking increased peristalsis, has a beneficial effect on the body.
Ricinoleic acid in the small intestine falls under the influence of water-soluble enzymes and breaks down. In this case, the following effect occurs:
- intestinal walls are irritated;
- reflex movements of the intestinal mucosa increase.
The laxative effect is the result of frequent contraction of the small and large intestines. At the same time, castor oil has a softening effect on hardened feces.
Often used together with lemon juice. As a result of this technique, you can get rid of toxins. If you combine oil with pumpkin seeds, then an antiparasitic effect is found.
The speed of the drug
Castor oil is used for constipation. Reviews using this tool show that the result can sometimes be observed after two hours. In any case, the effectiveness of the reception occurs no later than six hours. However, it is worth remembering that the urge to go to the toilet sometimes occurs abruptly, so after taking the oil it is better to be at home.
As practice shows, the effectiveness and strength of the drug mainly depends on the individual condition of the patient’s body, its weight, age, degree of fecal bowel mass and the amount of food in the stomach.
Castor oil for constipation: how to take
Before using the tool to eliminate bowel problems, it is important to study the rules for its administration:
- It is necessary to try to eat light food during treatment with castor oil, three days before and after therapy.
- Before ingestion, oil should be heated in a water bath.
- When used, vomiting may be disturbing, because the product has a pungent odor and a specific taste. It is recommended to drink it in small portions.
- You should not use this medicine to eliminate constipation for more than three days in a row.
- Bowel cleansing is best done on weekends, or when you can stay at home.
- It is recommended to find out the causes of constipation at the doctor before admission and follow his instructions. Castor oil can be used as an additional tool.
If the doctor gave the go-ahead for the use of oil, then it is necessary to strictly adhere to the prescribed dosage and not violate the dosage regimen.
Instruction manual
How to take castor oil for constipation in adults and children depends entirely on the form of the drug, the age of the patient, his weight and the severity of the problem. The tool is available:
- in the form of oil in glass bottles;
- in capsules.
Any of the drugs is not suitable for the treatment of constipation and can be used only as a first aid to eliminate unpleasant phenomena. In chronic bowel diseases, castor oil is strictly contraindicated.
To accelerate the effect on the body of the drug, it is better to use it:
- morning before breakfast;
- before going to bed, three hours after dinner.
In any case, it is important to strictly follow the recommended dosage.
Ways to take the oil inside
It is possible to use castor oil for constipation. How to take it, the doctor will tell you or instructions for the drug. The dosage is calculated based on the age of the patient and his weight.
So, for one kilogram of weight, you need to take one gram of oil. You can drink the drug only once a day. At the same time, the duration of the course cannot exceed three days.
If the constipation is short-term and appears as a result of a power failure, you can drink one tablespoon of castor oil once to fix the problem.
Capsule instructions
The safest way is to use castor oil capsules for constipation. The instruction suggests the dosage also be calculated based on the weight of the patient. If an adult has signs of only a short absence of stool, then up to 30 capsules can be taken orally. Reception should not last more than three days. Pills should be drunk at night.
Use in childhood
It is possible to prescribe castor oil in children with constipation. However, for patients under 12 years of age, such treatment is contraindicated. At an older age, therapy is possible, but only on the recommendation of a doctor. Castor oil to eliminate constipation can be offered to the child in the amount of one teaspoon once.
However, doctors warn that it is permissible to use the drug in pediatric practice only if there are no more suitable drugs at hand.
Elimination of constipation in the elderly
Castor oil is sometimes prescribed for elderly patients with constipation. The fact is that people with age have natural changes in the intestines and natural peristalsis worsens. But castor oil is considered a fairly strong and effective drug, so experts advise using it with great care.
If a softer remedy didn’t appear at hand, then you can use castor oil. The dosage for constipation in the elderly is only one teaspoon per day. Better to take medicine before bedtime. The valid course is only three days. If constipation is often disturbed or if they do not go away for a long time, it is better to consult a doctor to find out the cause and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Strict contraindications
Castor oil for constipation is not always allowed. The instructions for use also contain information on the prohibition of the use of this tool:
- with individual sensitivity to castor oil and its components;
- if an allergic reaction is recorded;
- during pregnancy (there may be a threat of miscarriage or premature birth);
- during lactation;
- with constipation in a chronic form;
- if there are ulcerative inflammation or erosion;
- in the presence of obstruction of the intestinal tract;
- if there have been cases of gastrointestinal bleeding;
- if a history of glomerular nephritis is present;
- age up to 12 years.
If you have any doubts about the validity of castor oil intake, it is better to consult a specialist. In any case, constipation can be eliminated with a well-established diet, and unreasonable intake of any drugs can lead to serious consequences.
What are the possible side effects?
The use of castor oil for constipation seems quite simple and affordable. Reviews on the Internet confirm this fact, but sometimes use can lead to unpleasant phenomena:
- nausea and vomiting when trying to ingest oil;
- pains in the lower abdomen that arise due to increased intestinal motility;
- urge to the toilet, which can be too painful and frequent;
- the appearance of bloating and flatulence;
- possible addiction, when the intestines are no longer able to cleanse themselves;
- in pregnant women there is a risk of increased uterine tone.
Of course, such symptoms may not always bother the patient. In many cases, therapy takes place without negative consequences. However, it is always important to remember that side effects are possible. Do not get involved in such treatment.
Castor Oil Enema
How to use castor oil for constipation? You can not only use it inside. It is permissible to make a cleansing enema. The procedure is recommended in an emergency case, when the feces are too long in the intestines, or before a planned medical manipulation.
To administer the drug, you need to mix only a few drops of oil with water prepared for an enema. The procedure is single. Often, experts do not recommend using this method of purification. If you neglect this rule, you can significantly change the intestinal microflora for the worse.
How to drink castor oil for constipation
There are several recipes for eliminating constipation using castor oil. With its help, you can remove the accumulated feces from the intestines, as well as parasites and toxins. Of course, these recipes should be discussed with a doctor if there is doubt about their appropriateness.
Castor and Lemon
The procedure is carried out once. It is better to use the tool in the evening before bedtime. To cleanse, it is worth preparing only two products:
- castor oil;
- lemon or grapefruit juice.
The dosage of oil is taken at the rate of one gram per kilogram of weight. It should add exactly two times more lemon juice. Before this, the oil should be heated in a water bath.
The way to drink castor oil for constipation with lemon juice, in principle, does not differ from the standard. It is better to use the prepared mixture quickly and in large sips. The taste, judging by the reviews, is rather unpleasant, therefore it is allowed to eat a handful of dried fruits later.
Such cleansing is recommended not more than once a month. Do not get carried away, because castor oil and lemon can provoke digestive problems and disrupt the microflora.
Castor and pumpkin seeds
You can use the following recipe and get rid of not only constipation, but also existing parasites. The whole procedure is carried out within three days. At this time, it is important to eat only light foods. For manipulation it is necessary to prepare:
- castor oil - 1 tbsp. the spoon;
- pumpkin seeds - 100 pieces.
Seeds must be cleaned and divided into several portions. During the day, you should eat them with prepared handfuls, and before going to bed, you need to drink oil.
More than once a month, such a procedure is prohibited. If there are symptoms of parasites, it is important to take tests before and after therapy to make sure they are completely eliminated.
What do the doctor's say
The pharmaceutical industry today offers a host of effective and safe anti-constipation drugs. Castor oil is one of the drugs used in traditional medicine, so doctors are usually not prescribed.
Of course, the effect of the oil is tested by practice, but castor oil can not be considered completely safe. At the same time, experts warn that constipation can be disturbing for various reasons, which are important to find out. It is this circumstance that dictates the appointment of drugs. Only on the basis of an accurately diagnosed diagnosis can it be correctly eliminated, and castor oil is not always suitable for establishing intestinal motility.
Important Caution
Castor oil can be used at home in isolated cases of constipation. However, you must remember that the tool is prohibited to combine:
- with alcohol;
- with other laxatives.
In the presence of poisoning with fat-soluble poisons, the situation will only worsen.
It is also necessary to remember that if you take oil uncontrollably and do not follow the recommended dosage, then complications may arise in the form of:
- prolonged diarrhea (even after drug withdrawal);
- digestive failures;
- violations in water-salt metabolism;
- dehydration;
- disorders in the urinary system.
If you use oil during pregnancy, then there are great risks of miscarriage or premature birth due to an increase in uterine tone.
Conclusion
Castor oil can be used at home to get rid of constipation. However, caution should always be taken and do not forget that side effects and addiction are possible. Therefore, in no case should you exceed the dosage and use the oil for more than three consecutive days. If the constipation is prolonged or does not go away, you must contact a specialist to find out the cause.
Castor oil therapy for children under 12 years of age is prohibited. But it’s better to treat adolescents with more suitable drugs and offer them oil only for lack of safe means at the moment. Castor oil is suitable for eliminating short-term constipation and will not cause harm if used only occasionally and with the permission of a doctor.