TikTok Trend Says Caster Oil Improves Vision Despite Lack of Scientific Basis; FDA-Approved As Laxative

Many TikTok health trends have been pushed without medical or scientific basis over the years. As such, an FDA-approved laxative, caster oil, is claimed to help improve vision.

(Photo: Unsplash / Colin Lloyd)

TikTok Health Trend

Some TikTok users are now pushing caster oil, saying it's good for a person's eyes. However, the oil was not approved by the FDA as an eye remedy but as a laxative.

Despite lacking a medical or scientific basis, the TikTok claims range from the oi helping eye dryness to cataracts and even glaucoma. Despite the lack of supporting claims or studies, TikTokers are still trying to support their claims.

Lauren Kissee, for example, posted a video on TikTok saying caster oil was good for the eyes and how there were studies behind it. The particular TikToker claimed that applying the oil helps increase blood circulation in one's eyes and helps with floaters and even cataracts, among others.

She then claimed there was evidence behind it, although she didn't cite the evidence or scientific studies. TikToker @mellysandford also made claims that caster oil application resulted in thicker eyelashes.

However, getting thicker eyelashes is possible even with other oily substances, including gasoline. These aren't the only influencers promoting using caster oil for eyesight under the hashtag #casteroilforeyesight.

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Caster Oil Explained

Caster oil is a liquid found in numerous household items, including those for cleaning and those for plants. It's also used to treat multiple medical conditions, especially digestive issues.

This works by the caster oil breaking down the small intestine's ricinoleic acid, which helps boost digestion speed. As such, caster oil is also thought to treat various skin conditions, including psoriasis and acne.

Officially, caster oil is used mainly as a laxative but can also help relieve arthritis. Ricinoleic acid, its main component, is a fatty acid known for its inflammatory properties.

However, caster oil also has multiple side effects nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, abdominal pain, and more as such, some evidence points to causing skin rash and how it's unsafe for a person's hair and scalp.

There's such a thing as a caster oil overdose, highlighting how swallowing large amounts of this substance can lead to poisoning. This is because the Ricinus communis, known as the caster oil plant, contains the toxin ricin, which is highly toxic and can be lethal in small doses.

So far, no studies have won entirely the argument of how caster oil benefits the eyes. However, ricinoleic acid has anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing properties, which work in cell culture but aren't approved to have the same effect when used on humans.

However, eye drops with a low concentration of caster oil have shown positive effects. Despite this, ophthalmologists and doctors specializing in the eyes say caster oil from store shelves isn't meant for eye use.