Evidence supporting the use of: Castor oil
For the health condition: Hemorrhoids
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Castor oil has been traditionally used as a home remedy for hemorrhoids, primarily for its purported anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and moisturizing properties. Castor oil is derived from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant and has a long history of use in folk medicine for a variety of skin and digestive ailments. In the context of hemorrhoids, castor oil is typically applied topically in an effort to soothe irritation, reduce swelling, and promote healing of the affected area. Some traditional approaches involve soaking a cotton ball in castor oil and applying it directly to external hemorrhoids, or including castor oil in sitz baths. However, scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of castor oil specifically for hemorrhoids is limited. Most information is anecdotal or based on traditional practices rather than controlled scientific studies. There is some research indicating castor oil’s general anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects, but these findings are not directly linked to hemorrhoid treatment. Mainstream medical guidelines do not list castor oil as a recommended therapy for hemorrhoids. Therefore, while castor oil is used in some traditional and home remedies for hemorrhoids, the scientific validation for its efficacy in this context is weak.
Other ingredients used for Hemorrhoids
AbrusAcacia
Achyranthes
Aconite
Aerva lanata
Aescin
Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
Ajuga
Alchemilla
Allicin
Allium tuberosum
Aloe vera
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
Angelica
anthocyanidins
anthraquinone
Antirrhinum majus
antler
apple
apple cider vinegar
apricot
Ardisia
aster root
avens
bael
Baliospermum
banyan
Barleria
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
Bergenia
betel
bilberry
bioflavonoids
birch
Black Hellebore
black nightshade
black root
blackberry
blackboard tree
Blepharis
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
bran
Brassica
butcher's broom
cabbage
cactus
Caesalpinia crista
capsicum
Carthamus
castor oil
Celosia
chamomile
chard
chestnut
Chinese silkvine
Chondrus
cinquefoil
citrus bioflavonoids
Clerodendrum indicum
coconut oil
colocynth
commiphora
Cucurbita
Cyathula
Cynodon dactylon
dandelion
Dianthus
Diosmin
elephant\'s head
Embelia
escin
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
Ficus simplicissima
geranium
gotu kola
green chiretta
hazelnut
horse chestnut
Indian coraltree
Kokilaksha
labrador tea
lemon
lichen
licorice root
little ironweed
Lycopodium
Methylcellulose
Mezoneuron benthamianum
Morinda
Morning glory
Morus
Mountain Pepper
Mucilage
Myrrh
Nettle
Nimbidin
Nymphaea nouchali
Oak
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
Onosma bracteatum
oregon grape
Oroxylum indicum
pagoda tree
Papayotin
parsley
paw paw
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
peony
Persimmon
phellodendron amurense
Pluchea
plum fruit
Polygonum
Portulaca
proanthocyanidins
prune
Prunus
psyllium
punarnava
rhubarb
Rosa laevigata
Rosabin
Rubia cordifolia
Ruscogenins
Ruscus
rutin
Rutosides
Sanguisorba
Sarivan
sea salt
seaweed
Shark Liver Oil
shepherd's purse
slippery elm bark
Sumac
Sword Bean
Szechuan lovage
Tamarind
Tannins
Taraxacin
Terminalia
Triphala
Troxerutin
turmeric
Varuna
vitamin C
Wax Gourd
Winter Begonia
Witch Hazel
Yellow Dock
Zinc
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by castor oil
Abdominal PainAbscesses
Afterbirth Pain
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Bruises (healing)
Bruises (prevention)
Burns and Scalds
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cuts
Diaper Rash
Digestion (poor)
Eczema
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gas and Bloating
Glands (swollen lymph)
Hemorrhoids
Inflammation
Injuries
Itching
Labor and Delivery
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Mastitis
