Castor Oil Patches: Ancient remedy or modern hype?

Castor oil has been hyped as a cure-all for everything from weight loss and liver detox to clearing up acne, easing menstrual cramps, and even soothing an upset stomach. You’ve probably stumbled across it on TikTok or Instagram (like I did!, I will attach some screenshots on the bottom of the article) . And according to Google Trends, searches for ‘castor oil patches’ have increased, quadrupling between October 2024 and January 2025. But how much of this is fact, and how much is just another wellness trend? Let’s find out.

The role of oils in ancient healing practices

The trend of using oils for “healing” isn’t exactly new. Turns out, TikTok might just be catching up with the ancient Egyptians, who were using castor oil long before health influencers got their hands on it. Castor oil even earned a mention in the Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest medical texts, as a remedy for treating various diseases ¹.

In Ayurvedic medicine, the tradition of using oils takes the form of Pechoti or navel therapy, which involves massaging the belly area with oil. According to Ayurvedic belief:

“The practice of nabhi chikitsa involves using the navel as a point of treatment for detoxification and healing, as it is believed to connect to various internal organs through energy pathways.”

A similar concept exists in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Known as belly button application (CMBBA), it’s used to address issues like diarrhea in children or constipation. However, TCM typically involves applying a paste made from powdered herbs rather than castor oil ².

What is Castor oil and where does it come from?

Castor oil is a natural oil extracted from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant, commonly known as the castor bean plant. It is rich in ricinoleic acid, an unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid (≈90%), and is primarily produced in India ³.

Castor oil has a wide range of uses, from cosmetics like shampoos, conditioners, and moisturizers to industrial applications such as soaps and lubricants. Its skin-conditioning and emulsifying properties make it a popular ingredient in beauty products ⁴ ⁵.The FDA has also classified it as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and approved it as a stimulative laxative. Historically, castor oil has also been used to stimulate labor⁶ ⁷.

Fun fact: The castor plant (Ricinus communis) produces seeds that contain ricin, which is super toxic ⁸. However, castor oil is safe, as the toxic ricin is removed during the extraction process.

Castor oil benefits: What scientific studies really say

1.Anti-inflammatory properties of Castor Oil

The widely cited “anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving” properties of castor oil are based on a single study from 2000. This research analyzed the effects of ricinoleic acid (RA), the key component of castor oil, using guinea pig and mouse models of induced eyelid edema ⁹. Interesting, but you can draw your own conclusions about how reliable this evidence is.

2.Castor Oil and anxiety

The anxiety-reducing potential of castor oil comes from a 2024 study in mice, where 5% castor oil or 5% ricinoleic acid reduced anxiety-like behavior in a maze test. Researchers suggested that castor oil, like other fatty acid-rich oils, may have anxiolytic and antidepressant-like properties¹⁰.

3.Castor Oil and skin health

A small clinical trial involving 22 participants explored the effects of castor oil cream on infraorbital hyperpigmentation. It found that castor oil cream improved skin appearance, including wrinkles and skin laxity, in the infraorbital region¹.

4.Castor Oil for labor induction

Castor oil significantly increases the likelihood of labor induction and vaginal delivery, with a prevalence of 81% compared to 69% in the control group, according to a meta-analysis of 12 studies involving 1,653 pregnant women ¹².

5.Castor Oil and joint health

Lastly, another study compared castor oil capsules with diclofenac sodium for treating knee osteoarthritis over four weeks. Both treatments significantly improved symptoms, but castor oil had the advantage of being better tolerated¹³.

And now you might be wondering: what about weight loss? What about all those other bold claims? Unfortunately science hasn’t exactly proven castor oil to be a magical potion…yet!

Skin and Hair benefits of Castor Oil

Castor oil is rich in fatty acids, including ricinoleic acid, triglycerides (triricinolein), and vitamin E (tocopherols or tocotrienols), which may help with dry skin by locking in moisture. It also contains small amounts of other bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, phytochemicals, and phenolic compounds¹⁴.

It’s also worth noting that many of these compounds are associated with positive health benefits. For example, vitamin E appears to support immune function and has antioxidant properties ¹⁵ ¹⁶.

While many castor oil products are marketed for eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair growth, there are no studies to support these claims. That said, anecdotal evidence suggests it works for some people.

Castor Oil and Digestive Health

Does Castor oil relieve constipation?

As mentioned earlier, the FDA approves castor oil as a laxative when taken orally, as it works by increasing intestinal movement. However, I recommend focusing on a high-fiber diet that includes both soluble and insoluble fibers for a more sustainable approach to digestive health.

Does castor oil relieve bloating?

Massaging castor oil on the stomach might provide temporary relief from bloating and cramps, though it’s likely the massage itself, not the oil, that offers the benefit. Abdominal massage is known to help reduce bloating, ease pain, and decrease abdominal distention¹⁷ ¹⁸.

Castor oil, Detoxification and Liver Health

Some claim that castor oil packs and patches support liver function and detoxification, but there are no studies to back this up. This belief likely stems from traditional Ayurvedic practices, which emphasize its use for overall wellness/health.

Can Castor Oil help with Period Pain?

Using a heated castor oil pack or massaging it onto the stomach may increase blood circulation, which could provide mild pain relief. The warmth and massage might help more than the oil itself, and there may also be a placebo effect at play.

While there are no studies specifically linking castor oil to period pain relief, research on vitamin E (present in trace amounts in castor oil) suggests it can be effective in reducing menstrual cramps and pain (dysmenorrhea), often outperforming placebos. Another study found that supplements combining vitamin E and vitamin C helped alleviate menstrual and pelvic pain in women with endometriosis ¹⁹ ²⁰ ²¹ ²² ²³.

It's important to note that in these studies, vitamin E was administered as oral tablets, not applied topically or massaged into the belly.

Other supplements that have shown some positive effects for menstrual cramps and pelvic pain associated with endometriosis include vitamin D and melatonin ²⁴ ²⁵ ²⁶.

Worth mentioning that Vitamin E is abundant in many foods, and deficiencies are quite rare. Nuts and seeds are among the best natural sources, while certain oils, such as wheat germ oil, sunflower oil, almond oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, and grapeseed oil, are also exceptionally rich in vitamin E ²⁷.

Navel Therapy Oil: What you need to know

There’s a popular claim that the belly button is connected to “over 70,000 veins”, but this has no scientific backing.The belly button is simply a scar resulting from the umbilical cord's separation after birth and oils cannot be directly absorbed through the belly button. While some oil components can penetrate the skin, they primarily remain on the surface, forming a protective barrier.

Although navel therapy is often promoted for its detoxifying effects, there's no scientific evidence to support these claims. But, the ritual of applying oil to the navel may offer relaxation benefits or a placebo effect for some individuals.

Final Thoughts on Castor Oil

Castor oil has legitimate uses, such as moisturizing the skin and acting as a laxative. However, the health benefits of navel oiling (applying oil to your belly button) are very exaggerated. There are no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) supporting claims about detoxification, weight loss, or liver detox. While science may uncover new, evidence-backed uses for castor oil in the future, for now, these claims remain unproven.

Scrolling through Instagram, I noticed that many people promoting castor oil patches and packs as a “miracle” product often have something to sell, like affiliate links or their own products. For example: “Castor oil helped me so much; here’s my affiliate link!” This creates a clear conflict of interest.

14 products linked for castor oil…

Are they recommending it because it truly works, or because they earn a commission?

Lastly, if you research popular wellness products on Reddit or other platforms (like I did with castor oil packs), be cautious of what might be disguised advertising. Many posts sound authentic, such as, "I've been loving [product name] lately; it’s really helped me with [issue]." But when a specific brand is mentioned repeatedly, it can be hard to tell what’s genuine and what’s clever marketing. Always take glowing reviews with a grain of salt, especially if they sound too good to be true.

If you still want to try it, it's not likely to cause harm. Worst case, you’ll just be out a ‘few’ bucks.

TL;DR

Castor oil moisturizes skin and works as a laxative when taken orally, but claims about detox or weight loss aren’t backed by science. Social media often exaggerates its benefits, with many “miracle” claims coming from people selling products or promoting affiliate links.

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P.S. Looking for a sustainable approach to weight management, gut health, and overall wellness? As a registered nutritionist (ANutr) with a BSc in Human Nutrition, I’m here to help!

I look forward to helping you thrive!

M.

Start here ⤵

Want to learn more about nutrition and making informed choices? These articles dive into related topics you’ll find helpful:

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