Evidence supporting the use of: Castor oil
For the health condition: Injuries

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Synopsis

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

Castor oil has a long history of traditional use for treating injuries, especially in the context of bruises, sprains, joint pain, and minor wounds. It is most often applied topically as a "castor oil pack," which involves soaking a cloth in castor oil, placing it over the affected area, and applying heat. This method is rooted in folk medicine and has been passed down in various cultures, particularly in Ayurvedic and naturopathic traditions.

The rationale behind its traditional use centers on the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties attributed to ricinoleic acid, the primary fatty acid in castor oil. Some laboratory studies have shown that ricinoleic acid has anti-inflammatory effects in animal models, but robust clinical trials in humans, particularly for injury recovery, are lacking. There is anecdotal and case-report-level evidence that castor oil packs may help reduce pain and swelling, but rigorous scientific validation is minimal.

Overall, while castor oil is widely used in traditional medicine for injury support and minor trauma, strong scientific evidence is lacking. Most of the support comes from historical usage and low-level evidence, rather than well-designed clinical trials. The evidence level is thus rated as 2 (weak, mostly traditional and anecdotal).

More about castor oil
More about Injuries

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Products containing castor oil

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