In a new TikTok trend, influencers have been promoting drinking castor oil for detox, weight loss, and health.
While castor oil is known to have several uses, a nurse warns that this emerging TikTok trend could yield health risks.
Castor Oil
Castor oil is a plant seed oil that has several purported benefits. It is derived from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant. Since the time of ancient Egypt, it has been used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes.
Incontinence nurse Jane Clarke from ConfidenceClub noted that the oil has several great uses. It has been applied widely in cosmetics since prehistoric times.
The oil is also a great moisturizer. It may also help with treating skin dryness that is mild and improving the shine and strength of hair.
Castor Oil TikTok Trend for Detox
While these castor oil applications are mostly external, TikTok influencers have been encouraging others to drink castor oil for supposed weight loss, detox, and health-boosting benefits.
Clarke explained that the most dangerous myths that can be seen again and again can be found in platforms like TikTok. Some even shared in the comments' section that castor oil could cure everything, including cancer, and that castor oil is a weight loss miracle.
However, there is no scientific evidence that shows that castor oil yields benefits for such serious illnesses. Clarke added that these claims are false and could even be harmful.
When it comes to weight loss, castor oil is actually a strong laxative. Its frequent usage could yield grave health consequences. Clarke explained that it could lead to electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, and malnutrition.
When castor oil is ingested, it ends up activating the prostaglandin receptors. This leads to fast contractions that push contents through a person's small intestine at speeds that do not offer time to digest content fully and form stools that are solid.
Clarke also noted that the oil could inhibit the absorption of fluids in the gut. This could add to exacerbated bowel movements and increase one's risk of electrolyte imbalance and dehydration.
This results in what Clarke says is "explosive diarrhea," as well as nausea and vomiting.
Because of this, it is still advised to altogether avoid castor oil ingestion. Previously, castor oil was medicinally used as a laxative to help with constipation and to help induce labor for mothers who are expectant. However, due to safety concerns, using castor oil for such purposes is no longer recommended.
For its external benefits, castor oil is perfectly safe for external application. Clarke added that it is unlikely to yield any other benefits other than having soft skin.
Regardless of the claims made on TikTok, other experts say that castor oil will not help with magically regrowing hair. It is also unlikely to make under-eye dark circles fade away.
Though some content creators adhere to "castor oil packing," which involves slathering a cloth in stuff or putting it on the abdomen for alleged benefits of digestion aiding, cramp alleviation, body detoxes, and disease cure. However, healthcare professionals think that such claims are nonsense.
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