Evidence supporting the use of: Castor
For the body system: Reproductive System
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Castor (Ricinus communis), particularly in the form of castor oil, has a long history of traditional use for various aspects of reproductive health. In many traditional medicine systems, especially Ayurveda and folk remedies, castor oil packs are applied externally to the lower abdomen to support menstrual comfort, alleviate cramps, and promote uterine health. Additionally, castor oil has been used as a natural laxative to induce labor or to “cleanse” the reproductive system, though this use is based on anecdotal and historical practices rather than robust clinical trials.
From a scientific perspective, there is limited evidence supporting castor oil’s direct effect on the reproductive system. Some small studies and case reports suggest that castor oil can stimulate labor by inducing intestinal contractions, which may reflexively stimulate uterine contractions, but this is not widely recommended due to potential side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and dehydration. The topical use of castor oil packs is largely unstudied in rigorous clinical settings, and available scientific literature does not confirm their efficacy for reproductive health issues. Thus, while castor oil’s application for reproductive support is rooted in tradition, it lacks substantive scientific validation, and its use should be approached with caution.
Other ingredients that support Reproductive System
acetyl l-carnitineamino acids
ashwagandha
beta-sitosterol
black cohosh
bovine
bovine liver
broccoli
calcium
chaste tree
Chinese salvia root
choline
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
turmeric
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai root
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
fennel
fenugreek
fish protein
flaxseed
folate
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
ginger
ginseng
gokhru
hops
inositol
iodine
iron
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-arginine
l-carnitine
lactobacillus crispatus
lactobacillus jensenii
licorice root
lignans
linoleic acid (LA)
maca
magnesium
marine lipid
melatonin
moringa
motherwort
muira puama
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
pomegranate
protein
pumpkin
quail egg
raspberry
rehmannia glutinosa
saffron
saw palmetto
selenium
selenium
soybean
spearmint leaf
tongkat ali
tribulus
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin D
vitamin E
vitamin E
seaweed
water
wild yam
zinc
sarsaparilla
red clover
suma
squawvine
mugwort
nut grass
anise
punarnava
smilax
chaff flower
lingusticum wallichii
yarrow
cistanche
dioscorea
dodder
eucommia
ganoderma
lotus seed
morinda
royal jelly
Equol (proprietary)
guelder rose
trace minerals
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
barrenwort
shepherd's purse
wood betony
hypothalamus
herbal blend (proprietary)
yohimbe
11-Ketotestosterone
25-d-spirosta-3, 5-diene
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
8-Prenylnaringenin
Antler
Arachidonic Acid
Achyranthes
Anamu
Alchemilla
Aletris
Anserina
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Agnuside
Ashoka
Ant
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Animal protein
Blue Cohosh
Babchi
Baliospermum
Black galingale
Beef
Beef liver
Bugbane
Bulbine natalensis
Black Gram
Banyan
Ba Ji Tian
Barbasco
Bee products
Borassus aethiopum
banana
Boerhavia diffusa
Calochortus
Curculigo orchicides
Cohosh
Clary sage
Chinese Mountain Ant
Cucurbita
Cod Liver Oil
Codonopsis
Cnidium
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cynomorium
Cyathula
Chinese Pond Turtle
Chlorophytum
Chuchuhuasi
Casticin
Campylandra fimbriata
Catuaba
Costus
Carthamus
Canscora
DHEA
Daidzein
Deer Velvet
Dong Quai
Dibenzo-alpha pyrones
D-Pinitol
Diosgenin
Date
Egg
Euryale seed
Elk antler
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Embelia
Estrogen
Folic Acid
False Unicorn Root
Isoflavones
Lotus
Orchid
yohimbine