Castor Oil for Hemorrhoids Reviews - Does Castor Oil Actually Work?

Does Castor Oil Really Work for Hemorrhoids? When you have hemorrhoids, you can find yourself in a search for home remedies that can quickly come to the rescue of this painful and embarrassing anorectal condition.  You are not alone if you suffer from hemorrhoids, and you also aren't alone in using extraordinary remedies, either.

If you have stumbled upon the use of castor oil for hemorrhoids, you are among the thousands of other Americans using ingredients found in the kitchen to solve hemorrhoidal symptoms. 

Castor oil can reduce the swelling of hemorrhoids and work to minimize the painfulness of this disease’s symptoms.  Hemorrhoid itching, burning, and redness can be kept at bay through the application of castor oil.

Castor oil is also available as a laxative, which can reduce constipation issues.  Constipation, as you likely are already aware if you suffer from frequent hemorrhoids, cause the inflammation of the rectum’s muscles, veins, and soft tissues, creating hemorrhoid sacs.

Using castor oil is a natural way to decrease hemorrhoids.  Hemorrhoids will go away by themselves, but in the meantime, a dab of castor oil can make hemorrhoids more manageable, without you having to sacrifice the quality of your life. 

What is Castor Oil?

Castor oil, for those unfamiliar with this substance, is a pale yellow liquid often used in food preservatives, soaps, as a lubricant for manufacturing, pharmaceutical drugs, and can even be found in products like paints an dyes.  Castor oil has many uses, including serving as a solution in relieving hemorrhoid symptoms.

This oil is a vegetable oil, derived by compounding the seeds of the castor oil plant, Ricinus communis.  Castor beans create this oil, and it is known for its incredibly distinct odor and taste.

Castor oil has made a name for itself in numerous different products and purposes:

1. Treating dry eye
2. Inducing labor for pregnant women
3. An ingredient in an immunosuppressive drug
4. A component in medications that aid in immune system support
5. In topical treatments for skin ulcers
6. A mold inhibitor for food processing and packaging
7. A moisturizer for skincare products
8. To act as an anti-dandruff ingredient for hair care
9. For polyurethane coatings
10. Biodiesel
11. As a lubricant for manufacturing purposes

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the categorization of castor oil is considered to be generally safe and effective. 

This GRASE (Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective) rating is a nod to castor oil being most commonly utilized as a laxative targeting the small intestine.

Castor oil has a dehydrating effect on the basis of its properties, but it can also be a broken down to make way for other chemical compounds.  Castor seeds themselves contain ricin, which can be toxic at even small doses, but in its purified form. 

Is Castor Oil Good for Hemorrhoids? 

Castor oil can be immensely helpful for hemorrhoids.  Using this method of treatment is natural and safe, be sure to follow any instructions as indicated by the product or your doctor.

A few daps of castor oil to external hemorrhoids can soothe the collective feeling of discomfort and itchiness, and also help subside any rectal burning you may experience with hemorrhoids.

Ask your doctor if you are interested in using castor oil as a laxative to get rid of your internal hemorrhoids before doing so.  Your doctor may advise against a laxative depending on the state of your hemorrhoids.  

However, as a way to end constipation, castor oil has proven itself to be a successful method.  Relieving constipation can subsequently help with hemorrhoid flare-up management. 

Castor oil is good for hemorrhoids, but what is equally as good is a change of diet and lifestyle, if needed.  If you are overweight, this could be an aggravator to your hemorrhoids because of the pressure placed on the lower rectal veins and muscles.

If you do not get enough fiber, this could also make your hemorrhoids worse and reoccurring, making your stools more stressful to pass and causing constipation.

A diet full of fiber and maintaining a healthy weight with drinking plenty of fluids and exercising are all a part of managing hemorrhoids.  Castor oil is excellent for temporarily treating hemorrhoids and symptoms, but these changes to your lifestyle can keep hemorrhoids at bay more permanently.

How to Use Castor Oil for Hemorrhoids 

There are a few different ways to use castor oil for your hemorrhoids, and mainly, it is a matter of personal preference and the type of hemorrhoids you have. 

There are different ways to apply castor oil to external hemorrhoids in contract to internal hemorrhoids, which are located inside of the rectum and cannot have a direct application of the oil.

For external hemorrhoids, the application is simple— take a few squares of toilet paper and dab a few drops of castor oil on its surface. 

Gently apply this wetted toilet paper to your external hemorrhoids, ensuring that the hemorrhoid is coated with the castor oil.  Let the oil remain on the hemorrhoids for a few hours, preferably overnight. 

For internal hemorrhoids, castor oil is used in its laxative form.  Use caution when taking a laxative for hemorrhoids, because chronic diarrhea could worsen your symptoms.

Castor Oil for External Hemorrhoids 

Castor oil can be used in union with other natural ingredients such as cooling aloe vera and soothing witch hazel.  Together, these ingredients can target swelling and inflammation of painful hemorrhoids, encouraging them to shrink and disappear faster, while also subsiding your symptoms.

Combine a tablespoon of castor oil with an equal amount of aloe vera or your other desired and complimentary natural ingredient.  Mix these ingredients thoroughly, whisking them together for a perfect blend. 

Apply the mixture or paste directly onto your external hemorrhoids.  The longer you let the mixture coat and linger on your external hemorrhoids, the better the effects.  It is best to allow it to remain overnight.

Castor Oil for Internal Hemorrhoids 

Internal hemorrhoids are considerably more challenging to treat than external hemorrhoids because they cannot be seen or felt, so a direct skin application is not an option.

Fortunately, castor oil is available in a safe liquid form at your local drugstores.  So long as you follow the instructions on the product labeling, you can use this as a treatment method for your internal hemorrhoids.

Castor oil relieves constipation, which in turn, is a significant factor in contributing to the swelling of hemorrhoids. 

The pushing during a problematic bowel movement causes the venous tissues, rectal blood vessels, and smooth rectal muscles to become inflamed, and the result is sacs that procure numerous hemorrhoidal symptoms along with it.

By using castor oil for internal hemorrhoids, you can stop constipation from occurring and reduce the amount of straining in your toilet habits.

Castor Oil Packs for Hemorrhoids 

Castor oil packs have proven themselves to be an effective means of relieving hemorrhoids.  Castor oil packs achieve this by targeting issues of constipation, which in turn reduces the amount of pressure placed on the rectal veins. 

In a recent 2011 study, castor oil packs were administered on elderly patients to minimize constipation issues. 

The study concluded that the castor oil packs effectively controlled these constipation problems by dramatically reducing the amount of straining during a bowel movement, promoting the feeling of complete evacuation afterward, as well.

Castor oil packs are available online for purchase and also at local drugstores.  Just the same with any other over the counter drug, read and follow the packaging instructions for proper use.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil for Hemorrhoids 

Jamaican black castor oil is a type of castor oil that also can be used for hemorrhoid relief.  Available online in numerous different brands, Jamaican black castor oil has the same properties and effects as original castor oil. 

Applying Jamaican black castor oil to your hemorrhoids should be done so in the same manner as regular castor oil. 

For external hemorrhoids, dab the Jamaican black castor oil onto the inflamed sac on the outside of the anorectal area.  Leave the oil on the hemorrhoid for as long as possible.

For internal hemorrhoid use, be sure to find Jamaican black castor oil in a laxative form, just as you would for regular castor oil.  If you choose to use a laxative in the form of Jamaican black castor oil, let your doctor know before you take it.