Castor oil is a yellowish liquid often used as a lubricant and laxative. Most of the plants used in producing castor oil are grown in India and Brazil. Castor beans are processed throughout the world to make castor oil, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The American Cancer Society (ACA) states that self-proclaimed psychic and healer Edgar Cayce claimed that castor oil helped to heal the lymphatic tissue and aided in tissue growth and repair. A compound contained in the castor bean is also the subject ongoing research in the fight against cancer.
Laxative
Castor oil is a fast working laxative, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Laxatives work by stimulating movement in your bowel. They are often used to relieve constipation, or prior to rectal or bowel exams, and before surgery.
When taking in recommended doses, castor oil is generally regarded as safe to relieve constipation, according to the ACS. However, side effects can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Wart Removal
Castor oil is sometimes used to remove warts. Warts are non-malignant skin growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). One such removal method consists of rubbing castor oil into the wart with your fingers twice a day, usually in the morning and again at night. Health 911 states that the consistent application of castor oil on a wart for a period of three to four weeks should get rid of it.
Castor Oil Packs
Castor oil packs are sometimes used to relieve discomfort caused by a number of conditions. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), a castor oil pack may relieve menstrual pain when applied to the abdomen.
A castor oil pack is an external application of castor oil, according to Kids Heath Naturally. It is commonly made by saturating a piece of wool flannel in castor oil, placing it over a specific area of the body and covering it with a heating pad.
Castor Oil and Cancer
Ricin is a potent poison produced by the castor bean. It has been used experimentally to kill cancer cells. The ACS states that the effects of ricin on cancer are ongoing at Texas Tech University, Harvard University and the National Cancer Institute.
A Chinese study published in May, 2005 in "Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban" as well as on the Pubmed website, found that while ricin killed tumor cells selectively at low concentration, it did not appear to discriminate between cancer cells and non-malignant cells does at high concentrations.
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