Have You Tried Using Castor Oil for Weight Loss?
It’s a great natural way to lose weight and improve your digestive system!
As we mention in our previous post regarding Castor Oil Therapy, castor oil has been used for thousands of years as a laxative and as a way to induce labor. Castor Oil is derived from the beans of the castor plant (Ricinus communis) and usually comes as a yellow-colored oil, although Jamaican Black Castor Oil, which uses the same beans but the process roasts them first, is typically found in a black or a dark brown color.
In our previous post about Castor Oil Therapy, we share our Top 7 Castor Oil Benefits. In this post, we’ll tell you the ways you can use castor oil for weight loss and in our next posts we’ll share How to Use Castor Oil for Your Eyes and How to Use Castor Oil for Hair Care.
Top 7 Castor Oil Benefits
- Lose Weight
- Improve Eyes
- Boost Digestion and Fight Constipation
- Detoxify Liver and Improve Lymphatic System
- Treat Arthritis; Relieve Pain and Inflammation
- Fight Colds
- Great for Hair & Skin
Today we’ll talk about #1!
Before we get started, we want to share some of the common questions people also ask about using castor oil for weight loss.
Castor Oil for Losing Weight – People Also Ask
Can castor oil reduce belly fat?
“You can use castor oil topically to burn the stubborn fat in the abdominal region. Be it post pregnancy, binge eating or lack of exercise, belly fat is unflattering.”1
As we’ll discuss, there are many different ways to use castor oil for weight loss and to lose fat! It can be ingested, used topically and even combined with flannel and heating to make a castor oil pack like we discussed in our previous article on Castor Oil Therapy.
What happens when you rub castor oil on your stomach?
“When applied to the surface of the skin, castor oil has been shown to increase circulation and the healing of tissues and organs underneath the skin. … Starting at the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, massage the castor oil in to the belly in a clockwise circular motion using slight pressure.”2
Rubbing castor oil on your stomach is just one of the ways to use its natural, therapeutic properties for weight reduction. You can also use a castor oil pack like we mentioned previously. The way they mention in this article sounds like a great way to do it if you’d like to use your hands and get more of a massage: start at the lower right part of your belly and move in a clockwise direction from there.
How long does it take for castor oil to take effect?
“Castor oil typically causes a bowel movement to occur in 2 to 3 hours. However, it may take up to 6 hours to work for some people. Due to the delayed effects of castor oil, avoid taking it before bedtime.”3
When ingesting castor oil, especially for the first times, it’s always best to place it safe. Start with a drop or two in your water and see how that affects you. Castor oil can be an effective, natural laxative that helps with weight loss. But it’s important to safely figure out what works best for your body.
What happens when you drink castor oil?
“Castor oil works very quickly. You should see results within two to six hours after taking it. … Like any stimulant laxative, castor oil shouldn’t be taken in the long term. Over time, it can reduce the muscle tone in your intestines and lead to chronic constipation.”4
Another good point! While castor oil works wonders as a laxative and can help with fat loss, it’s important to not use it habitually or for too long of a duration. As the article Is It Safe to Use Castor Oil for Constipation Relief? by Healthline.com states, using any stimulant laxative for an extended period of time can lead to gastrointestinal problems.
How often should I do castor oil packs?
“Use the castor oil pack daily or every other day for 30 to 60 days, except during your period or when bleeding. For less severe pain try using it 3 times per week for 30 days, except during your period. Continue less frequently (1-2 times per week) for another 2 or 3 months, eventually reducing use to twice a month.”5
While this answer is more related to using castor oil packs for treating cramps, the timeline it suggests, from 30 to 60 days, is a good rule of thumb when using castor oil packs for any reason.
Can you take castor oil daily?
“While castor oil is considered safe in small doses, larger amounts can cause abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (4). Although it can be used to relieve occasional constipation, castor oil is not recommended as a treatment for long-term issues.”6
As we’ve mentioned in several places before, it’s important to be safe and careful when using any laxative to help with weight reduction or constipation. While castor oil is a safe, natural option, that doesn’t mean it is something that can be used indefinitely without side effects. So be safe!
Using Castor Oil to Lose Weight
Castor oil can be used for weight loss and several other related benefits such as the detoxification of the digestive system. There are several ways to use castor oil to lose unwanted belly fat and we’ll discuss them below.
Castor Oil to Lose Fat
One way to use castor oil for weight reduction is to take the castor oil orally. The recommended dose is up to 2-3 teaspoons before breakfast. This will act as a laxative, suppress your hunger and reduce water retention in the body. This all combines to help you lose a few pounds, however a regimen like this one shouldn’t be done for more than a week.
Another way to use castor oil for weight reduction is topical application. Warming castor oil and applying it to the abdominal region can act like a makeshift castor oil pack and help you lose belly fat in the area.
The last way would be to use a castor oil pack like the ones we discuss in Castor Oil Therapy. They’re simple and easy to make at home and are the preferred way to apply castor oil to the abdomen.
Since Castor Oil isn’t a long term solution for weight reduction and fat loss, we wanted to answer the next question you might have:
What essential oils are good for weight loss?
There are a few essential oils that naturally stimulate weight loss and we’ll happily share them with you!
Our Top 4 Essential Oils for Weight Loss
- Grapefruit Oil
- Peppermint Oil
- Cinnamon Oil
- Ginger Oil
Grapefruit essential oil is a good essential for weight loss because it activates enzymes in your body that help break down fat. It can even work to lower cravings and act as a natural diuretic.
Peppermint essential oil can work great for weight loss in a different way. As we mention in our previous post about Peppermint Oil Aromatherapy, peppermint oil is great to use as an energy booster and studies have shown that it can increase physical performance.
Cinnamon essential oil also helps with weight loss in a unique way. Cinnamon oil helps to balance your blood sugar levels which reduces cravings for sweets. This can be an important part of any weight loss routine!
Ginger essential oil also works to reduce sugar cravings, but its most prominent benefit has to do with one of its main compounds, gingerol. Gingerols reduce inflammation in your gastrointestinal tract, allowing you to better absorb the vitamins and minerals in your food. This will help your digestive system work more efficiently!
Home Health Castor Oil
There are many uses for home health castor oil. As we mention in our previous post about Castor Oil Therapy, castor oil can improve the health of your home in several ways. It is great for the hair & skin, as we’ll discuss in a later post, and it can also help the entire home fight against colds and bacteria.
Essential Oil Health Benefits
Essential oils have a variety of benefits for your health. Depending on which you choose, essential oils can help with anything from weight loss to skin care. In our previous post about Essential Oil Diffuser Benefits, we list some of our top essential oil health benefits.
Our Top 12 Essential Oil Health Benefits
- Improved Sleep
- Stress Relief
- Pain Relief
- Relieve Headaches & Migraines
- Boost the Immune System and Fight off Colds & The Flu
- Create a Healthy Environment by killing Bacteria & Mold
- Improve Lung & Respiratory Health
- Support Digestion & Control Appetite
- Detoxification for the Hair, Skin & Organs
- Improve Cognitive Function, Memory & Concentration
- Increase Energy
- Balance Emotional Health & Hormone Levels
These are just some general essential oil health benefits you can expect from using essential oils. Each oil is derived from a specific plant with its own unique composition, so the effects vary.
Do you have some more castor oil therapy tips for weight loss? Tell us! Like, share or comment on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!
Sources
- https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/castor-oil-help-lose-weight/
- https://www.ngnews.ca/community/castor-oil-its-not-what-you-think-66204/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313523.php
- https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/castor-oil-for-constipation
- yintuitionwellness.com/blog/castor-oil-packs
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/castor-oil