Evidence supporting the use of: Castor oil
For the health condition: Gas and Bloating

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Castor oil has been traditionally used in various cultures as a natural remedy for digestive complaints, including gas and bloating. Its use in this context stems from its long-standing application as a laxative and abdominal massage oil. In folk medicine, particularly in Ayurvedic and naturopathic practices, castor oil packs applied externally to the abdomen are believed to relieve intestinal discomfort, reduce bloating, and stimulate peristalsis (bowel movement). However, most of this support is anecdotal and based on historical use rather than robust scientific research. Scientifically, castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, which acts as a stimulant laxative when ingested, promoting bowel movements and potentially relieving constipation. Since constipation can sometimes contribute to bloating and gas, relieving it may indirectly help with these symptoms. However, there is limited direct clinical evidence to support castor oil's efficacy specifically for gas and bloating, especially when used topically. The majority of scientific studies focus on its laxative effects rather than its ability to target gas or bloating directly. In summary, while castor oil's use for gas and bloating is primarily rooted in tradition, with limited scientific validation, some individuals may experience relief due to its laxative action or the placebo effect associated with traditional remedies. Caution is advised, especially with oral use, due to potential side effects and contraindications.

More about castor oil
More about Gas and Bloating

Other ingredients used for Gas and Bloating

Acacia
Actinidin
Activated charcoal
Aerva lanata
Agastache
Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
Ajuga
Akebia
Alginic acid
Allspice
alpha-galactosidase
alpinia galangal
American Liverleaf
Amomum
amylase
anamu
Angelica
Angostura
anise
antifoam agent
apple
apple cider vinegar
arrowroot
artichoke
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
atractylodes
bacillus coagulans
bacteria
bael
banana
basil
bayleaf
Belamcanda
belleric myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bentonite
Bergenia
beta-pinene
bicarbonate
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bile salt
birch
bitter grass
bitter principals
black nightshade
black pepper
black salt
blackthorn
blue flag
boldo
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
bottle gourd
bran
Buddha\'s hand
Butea monosperma
buttermilk
butyric acid
bасора
Caesalpinia crista
cajuput
calamus
camphor oil
Campylandra fimbriata
capers
capsicum
caraway
cardamom
Carlina
carob
carqueja
carry me seed
carvone
cascara sagrada
castor oil
cayenne pepper
cellulase
Centaurium erythraea
centaury
Centipeda
cha de bugre
chamomile
chanca piedra
chen pi
Chenopodium
chervil
Chinese silkvine
chirata
Chlorophytum
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
Clerodendrum indicum
coca
coconut milk
coconut oil
cola nut
colocynth
colombo
commiphora
coriander
cosmos
costus
cubeb
cucumber
cumin
Cyathula
Cymbopogon martini
dandelion
Dianthus
Dichrostachys glomerata
dill
dimethylpolysiloxane
dogwood
Dolichos
dragonhead
elecampane
Embelia
English horsemint
enzyme blend
enzymes blend (proprietary)
Erodium cicutarium
Eupatorium
false calumba
fennel
fenugreek
fern
fernbush
ferula assafoetida
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
fleabane
flowering quince
Fomes fomentarius
four-leaved grass
Frangula
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
Fumaria parviflora
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
Galangal
Gardenia jasminoides
garlic
genipap
gentian
gentian root
Gentiana calycosa
Gentianella alborosea
geranium
ginger
Glechoma hederacea
Glucofrangulin
Gnaphalium
goldenrod
grains of paradise
Greek mountain tea
green banana
Guazuma ulmifolia
Heartsease
Hedychium spicatum
Helicteres isora
Hemicellulase
Homalomena
horehound
Horsemint
horseradish
hyssop
Indian bael
inula racemosa
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Jalap
Javanese Long Pepper
Jicama
karaya gum
Kefir
Khella
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus plantarum
Laggera pterodonta
Large-leaf gentian
lemon
lemon balm
licorice root
Lilium polyphyllum
lime
linalool
lipase
Litsea
lodhtree
Lophira lanceolata
lovage
luffa
Lycopodium
Lysimachia
mace
marigold
Mastic gum
Meadowsweet
Mentha haplocalyx
Menthol oil
Mesquite
Microbial enzymes (proprietary)
Mint
Morinda
Morning glory
Mountain mahogany
Mountain Pepper
Mustard
Myrcene
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Neem tree
Neral
okra
Operculina turpethum
oregano
Orris
Oryza sativa
Osha
Ovate Buchu
Palo Azul
pancreatin
parsley
Parsnip
paw paw
pear
Pediococcus pentosaceus
Peppermint
Peucedanum
Phragmites
Pimpinella
pineapple
Piper chaba
Piper retrofractum
polyphenols
Portulaca
potash
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
prepared aconite tuber
prickly ash
Prickly Pear Cactus
probiotics
Prunus
Psacalium peltatum
psyllium
quassia
queen of the meadow
quince
raspberry
Rhamnus nakaharai
rhubarb
rhubarb root
Rhus coriaria
rockweed
rose
rue
sage
Sagebrush
Sassafras
Savory
schizonepeta
Scirpus
Sedanenolide
Semiaquilegia
Servicetree
Sete sangrias
Shen Qu
Sichuan pepper
Sida cordifolia
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Snakeroot
Southern Tsangshu
Southernwood
Spanish Needle
spearmint leaf
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Stone Root
Sweet Annie
Sweet Bay
sweet flag
Sword Bean
Taka amylase
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Tansy
Taraxacin
Taraxol
Tarragon
Teri Pod
Thuja
Tiger Nut
Traveler's Joy
Trichosanthes
Triphala
Tulbaghia
turmeric
Verbena
Viburnum
Vidanga
Violet
Wasabi
Water Pepper
Wax Gourd
Weak Jumby Pepper
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Wintergreen
Wood betony
Wulinshen
Xylanase
Yacon
Yarrow
Yellow Nut Sedge
Yerba buena
zanthoxylum
Zingerone
Zingiberene

Products containing castor oil

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.