Are The Viral TikTok Castor Oil Benefits True? Pros Explain
If you’ve been using TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen videos of people talking about the many benefits of castor oil. A quick scroll of the app led me to find multiple videos claiming that by dropping the oil into your belly button, you can “detoxify your intestines and liver, promote bathroom regularity, and reduce menstrual pain and ovarian cysts.”
We’re sure you’ll agree that these are pretty big claims; especially If it is not supported by scientific research or qualified experts. And while we’re all for natural health alternatives – we mentioned biohacking, potable nutrition, and antibiotics as some Wellness trends To watch next year, Ally Head, senior health editor, has written a full review of Calm Cocoa mushroom She drinks before bed – We too are journalists keen to cut through the noise and debunk Diet fads This is just – Fads.
It’s important to remember that the vast majority of health advice on TikTok comes from individuals with no formal or relevant qualifications, so you can understand why these viral trends often do more harm than good, spreading misinformation and encouraging people at home to try. Potentially harmful hacks.
Step right into the stage, the latest feed trend to go viral on TikTok. Topically applied castor oil has been attracting the attention of holistic health enthusiasts everywhere, but here in… MC UKWe’re a bit skeptical about some of the claims made on the app. So, we delved into the latest research and spoke to top experts to get to the bottom of the viral health hack once and for all. Is it really a supplement you should consider adding to your cycle, and can it really boost well-being as much as its viral videos claim? Keep scrolling for the experts’ take.
For expert support, scientifically approved Nutrition tipsDon’t miss our guides to… Benefits of mindful eatingOur favorite Im recipes of a nutritionistIn addition MC UK’s Senior Health editor Ally Head takes it viral Diet for inflammationwhile you’re at it.
Castor oil has become a way to enhance your health, has it become a fad?
What is castor oil?
In short, castor oil is a vegetable oil pressed from the beans of the castor plant which, once pressed, turns into an almost colorless, pale yellow liquid. It has been around for a long time – it has been cultivated for over 3,000 years – and is widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and even the mechanical industry. You’ve probably used it in small quantities in natural soaps and perfumes, as well as in paints, candles and polishes.
As a natural health remedy, it has been used historically as a laxative and as a tool for midwives in the 1800s to relieve pain.
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Why is putting castor oil in your belly button so popular on TikTok right now?
It’s hard to know, but interest has moved quickly, as with any health-improving advice. However, it’s important to know when you encounter a fad diet that you should avoid.
“This latest trend, often called navel pulling, has been making waves recently, with claims that applying castor oil to the belly button can aid digestion,” he explains. Holly Robertregistered nutritionist and director of health and science communications at Holland & Barrett. “Although this practice may seem like it came to the surface out of nowhere, it actually has roots in traditional medicine Ayurveda, which dates back more than 3,000 years.”
However, Roper cautions you to treat this trend with caution. “There is currently no scientific evidence to support the idea that applying castor oil to the navel has any benefits for digestion – or for any other health concerns. While traditional treatments may sometimes provide valuable insights, they should be viewed with caution and supplemented by evidence.” “Medical advice based.” More on this later.
What does TikTok claim that castor oil can do?
Through application, people place drops of castor oil in their belly buttons or in a body wrap to place over the liver before leaving it on overnight. They then claim that this offers a whole host of benefits.
Some TikTok users claim they’ve been using it for years to help with detoxification, fat loss, and even symptoms of women’s health conditions, like PCOS and endometriosis. Here are some of what I’ve read about castor oil videos on TikTok:
- It has anti-inflammatory properties
- It has detoxifying properties
- Promotes fat loss
- Relieves the symptoms of endometriosis
- Dilutes Polycystic ovary syndrome Symptoms (polycystic ovary syndrome).
- Relieves symptoms of pre-menopause
But let’s be very clear here: there is simply no relevant scientific support at the moment to validate these claims, and certainly not enough to suggest that you shouldn’t see a qualified medical professional for help with any of the above.
Papers like This study is 2019 from Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialized Medicine The researchers say the castor plant may have originated from Africa and Asia, and also highlight its medicinal use in ancient Egypt (before 1500 BC), often used as a laxative and treatment for baldness. Moving on to 400 BC, the Greek philosopher and physician Hippocrates is said to have prescribed it again for its laxative effects and detoxifying properties.
A few years later, fellow Greek herbalist and physician, Pedanius Dioscorides, claimed that it had anti-inflammatory properties as well as the ability to treat burns, varicose veins, etc. but Dr. Shehzadi HarperA qualified doctor who specializes in women’s health warns that despite the history, you should be vigilant. “Although castor oil has gained popularity, especially for hair growth, it is necessary to approach these claims with a critical eye. Anecdotal evidence may suggest some benefits, especially in reducing inflammation, however, there is not enough clinical support to support these assertions.”
there We are Studies and reports on Ricinus communis, It is also known as the plant castor oil comes from. One 2014 paper on medicinal plants for women’s healthcare in Southeast Asia highlights that “the plant has also been reported to be used to treat breast tumors, menstrual disorders, and abnormal vaginal discharge.” Castor oil, However, it was mostly associated with induction of labor, and as Dr. Harper explained, it was historically used as a laxative.
Although castor oil was thought in the past to induce labor, research has been really mixed. one University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center A study found that castor oil itself can cause uterine contractions and irritation, which are not actually contractions during labor, but rather symptoms of digestive distress that women mistake for contractions (their study concluded that castor oil has no effect on inducing labor).
Especially regarding the more extreme claims, the results people may experience are most likely not due to the use of castor oil. One TikTok user claimed they dissolved their kidney stones using the oil, and as someone who has had kidney stones herself, Dr. Harper “attests that no amount of castor oil can dissolve them.” She believes the person may have just accidentally massaged or passed it naturally, which can happen with small kidney stones. “In fact, the primary action of castor oil is its laxative effect, which affects the intestines and not the intestines Genitourinary Tract.”
Bottom line? There is limited research on the health benefits of castor oil, and study results are inconsistent. Every expert we spoke to warned that you should exercise caution and consult a healthcare professional before taking castor oil for any purpose.
So, does castor oil work for belly buttons?
While there’s no doubt that castor oil certainly has a long history (one that TikTok fans love to highlight), there’s clearly a distinct lack of real-world results about its effectiveness. especially In your belly button.
For menstrual pain and those going through menopause specifically, massaging your stomach with castor oil may soothe and provide some relief, Dr. Harper adds, “but it is unlikely to treat more serious conditions like endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome.” “.
There is also no scientific research to support claims that castor oil promotes fat loss, other than it being a laxative that has the potential to make you seriously ill. The term “detox” is also problematic and, again, not scientifically supported. “The only way it can help with fat loss is as a result of its laxative effect – it is more likely to clean out the intestines. But you need to be careful, as this can cause severe diarrhoea, pain and loss of electrolytes and nutrients,” says Dr. Harper.
This trend seriously oversimplifies health, ignores the importance of nourishing our bodies with vitamins and nutrients, and instead focuses on quick fixes to fat loss. Needless to say, this is definitely not a trend that is getting attention MC UK Seal of approval. This may be trending right now, but all our experts advise you to approach this with caution. If you have any of the above medical conditions, speak with your healthcare professional.
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