20. Castor Oil: Liquid Gold or Slimy Snake Oil?

What’s actually in that castor oil you’re swallowing or stroking onto your skin?Here’s an example of how a website gives a correct piece of information that might then lead to a false conclusion – yes, the transdermal (across the skin) absorption of castor oil is high, but that does not tell us anything about if castor oil can then get from there into our blood and spoiler, it can’t!Here’s the science that the above resource neglects to give about the (non) penetration of castor oil. Interested in the umbilical portal to our circulation, check out this or this resource (or both!).Does castor oil really reduce menstrual cramps? That seems highly unlikely based on our current scientific understanding of this compound.Will castor oil help you get into labor? Maybe if you’re ready to pop!What do medical professionals think about the use of castor oil to induce labor (hint: don’t do it).How does castor oil affect our gastrointestinal system?Interested in the effects of castor oil on the fat content of those broiler chickens (really?!)Here’s that fascinating study on the positive actions of castor oil on PCOS in rats.And finally, if you’ve got an umbilical hernia, this is how the medical profession think it should be  treated, and it’s not castor oil!