Can castor oil be used during pregnancy? The benefits and harms of castor oil during early and late pregnancy

Properties of castor oil

Thick and healthy castor oil is obtained by pressing castor bean seeds.
The scientific name of the plant is Ricinus communis. Places of origin: Mediterranean and East Africa. For centuries, castor beans have been a popular remedy for treating many different problems. Castor oil effectively relieves joint pain, activates hair growth, cares for the skin and normalizes blood pressure. It is also an excellent remedy for constipation and increased stomach acidity. Unremarkable at first glance, the oil stimulates the work of the most important organs of our body. Namely, it makes the liver, vascular and lymphatic systems healthy. Thanks to this amazing remedy, cytosis in the lymphatic system rises to the required level, thereby protecting against the penetration of foreign cells. In addition, castor oil

relieves inflammation;
fights fungi;
destroys bacteria and viruses;
is a good detoxifier.

Can castor oil be used during pregnancy?

Castor oil is extracted from the seeds of the castor bean plant and consists of 80% ricinoleic acid, which has a proven bactericidal, antiviral, antiparasitic, and immunostimulating effect. This substance inhibits the development of cancer tumors and is used in medicine as an emulsifier, dissolving drugs and delivering them to the body. The oil also contains palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids, vitamins A and E.

The oil helps with hemorrhoids and constipation, and its ability to easily penetrate the skin makes it popular in cosmetology for the prevention of stretch marks and maintaining the beauty of the skin, hair, nails, and getting rid of dandruff. In addition, castor oil causes contractions of the uterine muscles, so it is sometimes used in obstetric practice to artificially induce labor.

In some pharmacies you can buy castor oil in capsules. Cosmetic castor oil is excellent for hair, skin and nails. Castor oil is taken orally for constipation. Castor oil,
especially drunk on an empty stomach, has a strong laxative effect, increasing the contractile activity of the intestines, which, in turn, can cause uterine tone. This means that the risk of miscarriage or premature birth increases significantly. Therefore, it is not recommended to take castor oil orally during the first and third trimesters.

Even 20 years ago, castor oil in combination with other drugs was widely used to induce labor in late pregnancy. In modern medicine, doctors treat it with some disdain, giving preference to medications that are considered more effective.

Still, the use of castor oil must be approached with caution. It also has contraindications for use in:

poisoning with fat-soluble substances: phosphorus, benzene and others;
hypersensitivity to components.

In case of overdose, castor oil can lead to dizziness, headaches, palpitations, fever and even convulsions.

Beneficial properties of castor oil

All vegetable oils have an impressive list of beneficial properties. Castor oil is no exception. It contains saturated fatty acids:

Ricinoleic. It has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial effect and promotes smooth muscle contraction.
Palmitic. Activates the process of collagen and elastin synthesis in dermal cells.
Stearic. Restores the protective properties of the skin. Contained in the secretion of the sebaceous glands.
Oleic. Participates in the construction of human biological membranes and supports immunity.
Linoleic. Strengthens the immune system, accelerates muscle growth, increases metabolic rate.

In addition, castor oil contains:

tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E);
retinol (vitamin A);
phytosterols;
bioflavonoids.

Beneficial properties of castor oil:

It reduces inflammation and is therefore widely used to treat arthritis and muscle pain.
Helps get rid of foot fungus.
Solves the problem of constipation. But during pregnancy it cannot be used as a laxative, as it activates the contractile activity of the uterus.
Soothes irritated skin, relieving redness and itching.
Accelerates hair growth and reduces hair loss.
Strengthens nails.
Softens and smoothes the skin. Using castor oil you can get rid of fine wrinkles and stretch marks.
Eliminates calluses and corns.
Treats hemorrhoids.

How to drink castor oil for constipation

Drinking castor oil on an empty stomach is often recommended as a laxative to cleanse the intestines. Indeed, in the duodenum, under the influence of the digestive enzyme lipase, which is responsible for the breakdown of fats, ricinoleic acid is released from the oil. It irritates the receptors of the mucous membrane, which leads to reflex contractions of the small and then large intestine.

However, contraction of the intestinal muscles leads to irritation of the uterine receptors and can provoke miscarriage in the early stages or premature birth in the later stages. Therefore, castor oil as a laxative is not used to treat constipation in pregnant women, especially if there is uterine tone. Problems with bowel movements can be solved by the attending physician using other safe methods, for example, by prescribing glycerin suppositories or laxatives approved during pregnancy (Duphalac, Lactulose, Forlax and others).

Glycerin suppositories have a local effect on the rectum and soften the stool. They are approved for use during pregnancy. Also effective are syrups based on lactulose - Duphalac, Normaze and others. They help normalize natural intestinal motility and affect the consistency of its contents, gently relieving constipation. Forlax contains macrogol, which artificially increases the amount of contents in the intestines.

Glycerin suppositories - an effective and fast-acting remedy for constipation Lactulose syrup is allowed to be used during pregnancy Duphalac - a lactulose-based laxative Forlax is available in powder form, which must be diluted with water

Contraindications and possible negative consequences

Castor oil is not allowed to be used during pregnancy, even for external use, if the woman has experienced an allergic reaction at least once in her life. Castor oil quite often becomes an allergen and causes itching, irritation and hives.

Taking castor oil orally in the early stages can cause spontaneous abortion, and in the later stages it can provoke premature birth.

If you drink castor oil to stimulate labor, you may encounter unpleasant consequences such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, digestive disorders, and abdominal cramps. Therefore, taking castor oil to induce labor on your own initiative is strictly contraindicated.

Negative consequences can be caused by castor oil with a suspicious composition, which contains various harmful chemical compounds. To use, you should choose castor oil obtained by cold pressing and without any impurities.

Castor oil is a natural and very versatile remedy. It performs both cosmetic and health-improving functions, but during pregnancy the permissibility of taking the product orally is extremely limited. It is allowed to use the oil for external use for problems with skin, hair, and hemorrhoids, but you can drink it only in the last weeks of pregnancy as prescribed by a doctor.

Especially for beremennost.net – Elena Kichak

Is castor oil safe?

Taking castor oil is a great danger to the health of the unborn child, especially if you are deliberately trying to induce labor.

Since ancient times, this oil has been used to induce labor. However, who said that ancient practices always had a favorable outcome? Midwives have used castor oil for a long time at their own discretion, without any research or consultation. In those days, infant mortality was quite high. No one is claiming that the use of castor oil was always the cause, but its involvement cannot be ruled out.

Many gynecologists are against the use of this drug in early labor due to unknown and unwanted side effects that can have unpleasant consequences for both mother and baby.

Reviews

According to reviews, castor oil during pregnancy can only be used externally.
It has numerous cosmetic effects. There are many favorable reviews about the effect on eyelashes, facial skin, and hair. To achieve a positive effect, the product must be used regularly. What do users say about using castor oil to induce labor at 40 weeks? Reviews on this matter are the most contradictory. Many people talk about deterioration in health and the onset of pathological labor. There are reviews of unexpected allergic reactions, redness, itching. Some opinions are neutral, some did not feel the effect, while for others castor oil helped speed up the birth process. However, doctors do not recommend using it; this remedy can complicate the birth process. There are many other, safer methods to stimulate labor.

Help with hemorrhoids

Many women, while expecting a baby and after childbirth, face problems such as hemorrhoids. However, the use of many antihemorrhoidal drugs during pregnancy is prohibited. Castor oil is a popular, safe and natural remedy for hemorrhoids. When used externally, castor oil relieves inflammation, improves blood circulation, reduces the size of hemorrhoids, promotes the healing of cracks in the anus and eliminates pain.

The method of using castor oil for hemorrhoids is simple: it needs to be applied to the problem area. In the evening, a cotton wool or soft cloth is moistened with oil and applied to the anus overnight.

It is important to follow preventive measures that will help avoid the appearance of hemorrhoids: include more vegetables and fruits in your diet, reduce the consumption of legumes and other foods that cause gas formation and stool problems, lead a moderately active lifestyle, and if necessary, consult a doctor to select a set of physical exercises , aimed at improving the functioning of the digestive system and strengthening the muscles of the abdominal wall and anus.

Treatment of hemorrhoids

During pregnancy, most medications are prohibited or should be taken with extreme caution. To solve a problem such as hemorrhoids, it is quite possible to use castor oil. However, the natural composition of this product does not mean that it can be used without the consent of a doctor.

Castor oil heals wounds, softens and has an anti-inflammatory effect. To carry out the procedure, you need to dip your finger in the oil and lubricate the area around the anus and anus.

A good effect can be achieved by applying compresses. To do this, fold gauze or bandage in several layers and soak it in castor oil. Apply the area around the anus and leave the compress on overnight. The course duration is usually 7 days.

Hemorrhoids are a serious disease. Do not self-medicate. Your doctor should determine whether it is advisable to use castor oil in your case.

Should it be avoided completely?

Before taking castor oil, it is better to first become familiar with its benefits and harms during pregnancy. Castor oil has been known since ancient times as a laxative. However, this is not its only useful property.

Castor oil is widely used in medicine and cosmetology. This useful product is especially relevant during pregnancy.

Indeed, at this stage of a woman’s life, it is undesirable for her to use even cosmetics produced in industrial conditions, because they can be absorbed into the blood through the skin and have an adverse effect on the child.

Using folk remedies to improve your well-being and appearance often helps to achieve noticeable results and positive changes. Separately, it is worth highlighting vegetable oils.

Their healing components have a beneficial effect on the condition of hair, nails and skin, as well as on overall well-being. At the same time, even such natural remedies have a number of restrictions on their use during pregnancy.

Does this statement apply to castor oil or can the product be safely used while expecting a baby?

To obtain castor oil, the castor bean plant of the euphorbia family is used. It is worth noting that the plant itself is poisonous, although it is rich in acids, as well as vitamins (A, E).

The lion's share of toxic elements remains in the cake, but the remaining substances cause severe irritation of the gastric mucosa, often causing nausea and diarrhea. The list of acids included in the product is impressive.

These include ricinic acid and palmitic acid; stearic, oleic and linoleic acids are also present. The rich chemical composition of castor beans also determines the beneficial properties of castor oil. The product provides:

Anti-inflammatory effect.
Cleansing and laxative effects.
Nourishing and softening effect.

The beneficial properties of castor oil allow it to be used:

For cosmetic purposes to improve the condition of the dermis. Treating the skin with this product will help in the fight against freckles, hyperpigmentation, and various rashes.
Applying oil to dry skin of the feet, elbows, and knee bends softens the dermis and prevents the appearance of cracks on it. The product stimulates skin regeneration.
The oil will also help improve the condition of hair, reduce hair loss, providing additional nutrition to the hair follicles.
The laxative property of castor oil allows it to be used as a remedy for constipation. Unfortunately, expectant mothers will have to forget about this property of the product for a while, because... oral administration is possible only at the stage of readiness for childbirth.
Some inflammatory pathologies of the pelvic organs can also be treated with castor oil.

The most common use of castor oil during pregnancy is to induce labor.

The nutritional properties of the oil will improve the condition of not only the skin and hair, but also the eyelashes. If a pregnant woman notices fragility, loss and generally not very good condition of the cilia, you can seek the help of traditional medicine.

Remove all makeup before the procedure.
To process eyelashes, it is best to use a cotton swab rather than your fingers. This little trick will protect your eyes from accidental infection or contamination, and the manipulation will be more accurate.
Apply the oil from the base of the eyelashes (the edge of the eyelid) to their middle. Be careful not to get the product on the inner surface of the eyelid. Oil can cause mucosal irritation, inflammatory reactions and even conjunctivitis.
The product is applied regularly. The duration of the course is no more than a month. Next you need to take a two-week break. Further, if necessary, the course can be repeated.

A more intensive treatment course involves the use of healing masks.

Mix castor oil (5 g), petroleum jelly (8 g) and Balsam of Peru (5 g). If you cannot determine the weight of the ingredients, measure the product (castor oil) in drops. Take other components based on the volume of oil received. Apply the product to the problem area (outer edge of the eyelid) twice a day.
Combine castor oil and nourishing oils (almond, lavender, wheat germ) in a ratio of 2:1:1:1. Apply the finished composition to the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes.
Take 1 part aloe juice and place it in 3 parts castor oil. An effective alternative to aloe can be fresh peach juice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovWzKR8zEAU

If the problem of hair loss affects not only the eyelashes, but also the curls on the head, it is necessary to rub castor oil into the scalp. Next, cover your head with polyethylene and wait 1 hour. Afterwards, wash your hair.

The nourishing, softening and regenerating effect of castor oil has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin.

For this reason, the product is often used as an effective means of not only preventing, but also reducing existing stretch marks.

Apply a few drops of castor oil to your fingers and rub the product into the skin with soft, massaging movements. If desired, a pregnant woman can add castor oil to the massage cream.

If stretch marks have already begun to appear, castor oil can be supplemented with other components, for example:

coconut oil - the ingredients are combined in equal parts;
potato juice - this way you will get not only a nutritious, but also a moisturizing effect;
a couple of crushed clove flowers.

Congestion in the pelvis, constant pressure on the vessels caused by a growing baby, constipation, as well as chronic vascular diseases often lead to discomfort in the anus - hemorrhoids.

Castor oil is a mild and at the same time effective remedy that can eliminate a delicate problem, as well as significantly improve the condition of a pregnant woman.

The sooner therapy is started, the faster the desired result will be achieved.

Fold a piece of gauze in several layers. Soak it in castor oil. Apply a compress to the inflamed area and secure it. Leave the gauze overnight. The oil disinfects the source of inflammation, preventing the development and spread of infection.

Therapy can be supplemented by external rubbing of inflamed tissues with a napkin soaked in castor oil. The castor oil should be slightly warmed up. The procedure can be carried out up to two times a day.

The issue of safe use of castor oil during pregnancy worries many pregnant women. The admissibility of taking this drug orally raises especially strong doubts.

Important! Taking castor oil orally throughout pregnancy is strictly prohibited. An exception is the stimulation of labor provided that the woman’s body is ready for childbirth.

The ban on the use of castor oil is associated with the stimulating effect of the product on the muscles of the uterus. For this reason, it is better not to use the product before the baby can be born (there is a high risk of miscarriage or premature birth). But external use of oil is quite acceptable. The only limitation may be a woman’s allergic reaction to the product.

The first weeks of expecting a baby are especially exciting and responsible. The little one has just settled in the womb of a woman, so it is still very vulnerable to all external factors.

The contractile activity of the uterus, which is provoked by castor oil when consumed orally, is almost guaranteed to lead to pregnancy failure.

The product can be used exclusively for external application.

As the date of birth approaches, a woman’s body begins to prepare for this event. Some pregnant women want to meet their baby so quickly that they try in every possible way to induce labor. Not the least in the list of “stimulants” is castor oil. Can this medicine effectively and safely induce labor?

A pregnancy of 38 weeks is considered full-term according to medical parameters. Therefore, if the baby decided to be born at this particular time, the birth will no longer be considered premature.

However, it is not worth stimulating them at this stage - there is a high probability that the body will not accept the stimulation, and the woman will “earn” nausea, vomiting and indigestion.

It’s better to check again whether everything is ready for the trip to the maternity hospital and the arrival of a new member of your family.

Normally, the labor process begins not at the behest of a woman, a medical professional, or some other force, but when a certain ratio of hormones is reached.

And although 39 weeks of gestation is almost PPD, only nature knows when the baby and mother are ready for childbirth.

Intimacy is recommended as stimulation at this stage - male sperm is rich in prostaglandins, and they are the ones that influence the maturation and opening of the uterine cervix. You should not use castor oil.

If the PDR has already passed, and labor still does not begin, not only the woman, but also the doctor may think about stimulating this process. The question of the need for such intervention is decided in each case individually - the woman’s health condition is assessed (including the maturity of the placenta, the condition of the cervix), as well as the condition of the baby.

If a woman decides to resort to castor oil, she is strongly recommended to consult a gynecologist on this issue. Only a doctor who monitors a woman throughout pregnancy can assess her health and the safety of such stimulation. The following compositions can be used as a “stimulating cocktail”:

Mix 50 ml of oil with 0.5 cups of orange juice. Drink the ingredients in one gulp. Even if labor does not begin, the woman is guaranteed to cleanse her intestines.
Grind a handful of almonds in a blender. Combine nuts, 2 tbsp. l. castor oil and half a glass of peach juice.

Do not forget that such stimulation of labor can cause disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract, a general deterioration in well-being, as well as an allergic reaction in the form of itching, swelling and urticaria. Oil can also cause meconium to pass into the amniotic fluid.

Anna. I used castor oil to induce labor at 41 weeks of pregnancy. The birth was quick (contractions lasted 3 hours) and easy.
Svetlana. I used the oil externally to treat the scalp. Hair loss has decreased significantly, and my curls have become stronger.
Catherine.
I took castor oil as a laxative because I was unable to empty my bowels in anticipation of childbirth.
Lyudmila. I lubricated my stomach with oil, the stretch marks appeared less, and the previous scars became less pronounced.

Castor oil as a labor stimulant in the last week

Castor oil is a time-tested remedy for stimulating labor during post-term pregnancy. For this purpose, it was used in Ancient Egypt. But now they have moved away from this practice, since modern pharmaceuticals offer other, safer and more effective drugs.

The effectiveness of castor oil as a labor stimulant is about 50%.

The most common advice for taking oil, often found on the Internet, is to drink castor oil on an empty stomach, wash it down and wait for the result. Typically, castor oil causes persistent disgust in pregnant women. To “smooth out” the unpleasant taste, it is proposed to dilute the oil with orange juice, this will supposedly dull the gag reflex, or eat it with bread. Despite the naturalness of the drug and centuries of experience in its use, modern doctors categorically prohibit the use of castor oil to induce labor in later stages without prior medical consultation. In such situations, it is the doctor who calculates the likely risks and prescribes medications.

In addition, any overdose of laxatives leads to diarrhea and excessive loss of fluid from the body. Such “amateur activity” will not bring any benefit to the child and mother, and in severe cases it can provoke pathological childbirth with an increased risk of congenital diseases.

Castor oil to induce labor

According to studies conducted in the United States among women 40-42 weeks pregnant at Winter University Hospital in Mineola, the likelihood of giving birth after consuming castor oil within the next 24 hours increases by more than 50%. By comparison, those who did not drink the oil during the studies had only a 4% chance of giving birth within 24 hours.

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Castor oil during pregnancy

Many married couples have children and strive for this. However, before the baby is born, nine months must pass, which require a lot of patience, care and are associated with a strict list of permitted and prohibited things.

Some substances are safe for expectant mothers, while others are questionable. That is why, before using any ingredient, you must carefully study all its advantages and contraindications. One such product is castor oil.

If you want to learn more about castor oil and how it can affect pregnancy, childbirth, and the health of your unborn child, read this article!

Sometimes it happens that the preliminary date of birth prescribed by the obstetrician-gynecologist has arrived, but the woman does not feel any symptoms of impending labor. As you know, in the last weeks of pregnancy it is very difficult for her to sleep, walk, and do housework. Of course, five minutes before giving birth, the mother wants the baby to be born as soon as possible.

Let us immediately note that this non-standard medical method of inducing contractions is not approved by gynecologists in most cases. Castor oil is known as a powerful laxative. In ancient times in Rus' it was used to quickly stimulate uterine contractions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hK0dHys1wo

Surely not everyone knows that this method of stimulating labor is not at all harmless. Because we are not talking about a few drops of this product, but about consuming 50 grams of the product to stimulate uterine contractions.

Such a dose of castor oil in a woman in labor can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting. After all, in fact, castor oil is an enema that is administered orally. Intestinal function is stimulated in an enhanced mode. This in a way awakens the uterus and causes weak contractions.

The fetus may descend into the birth canal during bowel cleansing.

It is worth emphasizing that the danger of such a folk method lies in the dehydration of the mother’s body and its exhaustion. A woman loses strength constantly running to the toilet. This causes weakness, loss of nutrients and fluids. Therefore, a woman should be extremely careful when using this method. This can cause complicated childbirth.

This valuable product of traditional medicine tastes very unpleasant. For most women, it causes disgust and mild stress. Castor oil taken orally often provokes a strong gag reflex.

In this case, there can be no question of stimulating labor, because what was consumed, in fact, comes back with vomit. That is why it is highly not recommended to take castor oil in its pure form on the eve of childbirth.

Once upon a time this remedy was taken in its pure form, but now every woman chooses the most suitable method for her internal use of oil. Some mix the product with juice and drink it in one gulp, others alternate both liquids, others drink alcohol and then castor oil.

By the way, if a woman has a healthy digestive system, she may need to take this cocktail several times. Some doctors advise women to take castor oil after contractions begin to enhance labor.

In this case, a single dose should not exceed two tablespoons.

So, here are the options for using the product to stimulate labor:

Mix 50 ml of castor oil, 50 ml of champagne and one glass of orange juice. Drink in one gulp or in two or three doses.
Eat a piece of black bread. Grind a handful of almonds, two or three tablespoons of castor oil, 200 grams of peach juice in a blender. It is advisable to drink it all at once.

Each of the components of such a mixture has its own effect. Castor oil causes spasms of the smooth muscles of the intestines and causes the uterus to contract. Almonds increase its tone. Champagne also affects the tone of the uterus and ensures blood flow to the organ.

The juice neutralizes and softens the unpleasant taste of castor oil.

Of course, many women in labor are concerned about alcohol in cocktails. After all, its use during the period of bearing a baby is prohibited. Also of concern is the possibility of allergies in the expectant mother, especially if she has never taken castor oil before. It’s another matter if a woman reacts normally to it, and no adverse reactions occur.

Also, the risk of using this method of inducing labor is that contractions can be very strong, and the baby will experience oxygen starvation.

A pregnancy of 41 weeks or more is considered post-term.

This condition is dangerous primarily for the child: blood flow in the placenta is disrupted, the volume of amniotic fluid decreases, which causes oxygen starvation of the fetal brain.

If there are no signs of labor, doctors stimulate contractions artificially. There are medicinal and traditional methods of stimulation. The latter includes castor oil.

Why do women choose it during pregnancy instead of inducing labor with medications? There is a widespread belief that cocktails with castor oil are healthier than medicines because they contain only natural ingredients, but this is a mistake. Castor oil can both help and harm.

Castor oil is a vegetable oil obtained from the castor bean plant. It is widely used in the chemical, food industries and in everyday life.

In medicine, “castor oil,” as the oil is colloquially called, is known for its laxative properties. The drug is sold in pharmacies without a prescription. It can be either consumed orally or applied topically for a cosmetic effect.

When ingested, castor oil is broken down by the enzyme lipase in the small intestine. As a result of this biochemical process, ricinoleic acid is formed, which irritates intestinal receptors and enhances its peristalsis. Simultaneously with the intestines, the uterine myometrium begins to contract, which stimulates labor.

The effect occurs in approximately 2-3 hours. A pregnant woman may begin labor, and the laxative effect of castor oil will help cleanse the intestines instead of an enema. Many women suffer from constipation in later stages, and this remedy will help solve the problem.

Castor oil was widely used in obstetric activities during the USSR period. It was believed that this herbal preparation does not have a toxic effect on the body of the mother and fetus.

However, modern doctors are skeptical about stimulating labor with castor oil and prefer to use other methods to induce contractions. In modern medicine, they often resort to the use of oxytocin and prostaglandins, which are natural hormones of the body.

How can this product be dangerous? Myometrial contraction is a side effect; the main effect is aimed at enhancing intestinal motility. If the dose is incorrectly calculated, the woman will experience severe diarrhea, which will continue both before and after childbirth. The following symptoms occur along with diarrhea:

dehydration;
abdominal pain;
vomit.

Too much contraction of the uterus can cause rapid labor. Wanting to give birth to a child quickly, a woman can harm both herself and the baby, because the cervix must prepare for the birth of the baby and open. Rapid delivery is fraught with ruptures of the genitals and perineum, as well as birth injuries to the baby.

How much castor oil do you need to drink for it to work? The effect of the drug cannot be predicted. For one woman, a few drops are enough, for another, a whole bottle is not enough, and labor will never begin, but nausea and diarrhea will occur. An allergic reaction may occur to castor oil in the form of itching, irritation, redness and swelling.

For this reason, self-prescribing castor oil is prohibited. The use of stimulant cocktails should only occur under the supervision of a physician.

In pharmacies, castor oil is sold in the form of oil in bottles. The product has a rather unpleasant taste and causes a gag reflex, so women who risk using this method of stimulating labor add it to drinks or food.

Cocktails are prepared from castor oil. The ingredients completely neutralize the taste and oiliness of castor oil. Cocktail recipes:

Cocktail with juice. To prepare, you will need 50 ml of castor oil and 100 ml of juice, preferably orange. The sour taste of oranges will eliminate the gag reflex. The oil and juice are mixed and drunk in one gulp. Some women add half a glass of champagne or dry white wine to this cocktail. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is undesirable, but if your doctor does not prohibit you from occasionally drinking a little wine, you can dilute the mixture with this ingredient.
Almond and peach. To prepare the cocktail, you need to take 30 g of almonds, 200 ml of peach juice and 2 tablespoons of castor oil. Mix the juice and butter, chop the almonds and add to the mixture. Instead of peach juice, you can use peaches, which are crushed in a blender. Drink the resulting drink in one gulp. Before taking the medicine, you can eat a slice of black bread on an empty stomach.

What are the dangers of using it during pregnancy?

Many doctors are against the use of castor oil orally during pregnancy, because it often leads to early termination . This is due to one of the properties of the product - increased contractile activity of smooth muscles.

It is especially not recommended to use castor oil in the first and third trimesters.

However, even in the middle of gestation you should be extremely careful when using castor oil. Even a small dose sometimes causes severe diarrhea and, as a result, loss of fluid and possible dehydration of the woman’s body. This poses a serious danger to two lives: hers and the baby’s.

Another well-known area of use of castor oil is stimulation of labor. However, modern doctors refuse this method of inducing contractions, preferring to use safer medications with controlled consequences of administration.

Despite the fact that castor oil is a natural remedy, it also has contraindications. Among them:

intolerance or hypersensitivity to components;
toxic poisoning, for example, with benzene or phosphorus;
pathologies of the abdominal organs, which include obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract, bleeding, and inflammatory processes.

Thus, castor oil should not be taken internally without the consent of your doctor. It is he who will assess all the risks for the mother and fetus and decide on the advisability of using this product.

External use

External use of castor oil during pregnancy will help solve many cosmetic problems such as dry skin, brittle nails and hair loss. This is possible due to the action of saturated fatty, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated acids and vitamins included in the product.

For cosmetic purposes, cold-pressed oil is best suited; it retains all the beneficial properties, unlike refined, heat-treated oil. It can be used either in its pure form or mixed with other oils and ingredients to make masks. Castor oil is a natural, effective and inexpensive remedy that does not have any harmful effects on a pregnant woman and child when used externally.

Castor oil increases the rate of hair growth, nourishes and strengthens it. Thanks to castor oil, nails stop flaking. Castor seed oil easily penetrates the skin and protects it from the formation of stretch marks. Applying castor oil to eyelashes makes them longer and more beautiful.

Castor oil brightens the overall complexion and helps remove freckles, moisturizes and nourishes the skin, is effective in combating fine wrinkles, strengthens the nail plate, softens the cuticle, fights splitting and brittleness of nails, prevents fungal diseases and has a good effect on the skin of the hands.

You can rub castor oil into your nails as a stand-alone remedy. To improve the condition of facial skin during pregnancy, it is added to masks and creams. Here are some recipes:

To lighten freckles 1 tbsp.
Mix a spoonful of grated apple (can be replaced with cucumber, raw potatoes or kefir) with a teaspoon of castor oil, apply to the face and rinse with warm water after 15-20 minutes. If the skin is very dry, then instead of kefir and vegetables it is better to take fatty cottage cheese or sour cream.
You can cleanse and nourish the skin if you add 1 tbsp. Add a teaspoon of castor oil and honey to a spoonful of oatmeal with milk. Mix the mixture well and apply to the skin of the face, neck and décolleté, and after 15-20 minutes rinse with warm water.
To combat wrinkles around the eyes, combine castor, olive oil and wheat germ oil in equal proportions (you can also use other oils: peach, almond, grape seed). Heat the mixture slightly in a water bath and apply with light tapping movements with the tips of your ring fingers along the massage lines around the eyes. Blot the remaining oil with a napkin.

Castor oil can also be used to prevent stretch marks. The oil is heated to a temperature of 37 degrees and massaged into problem areas. The effect of castor oil can be enhanced by the properties of coconut oil.

For hair

Castor oil enhances hair growth, prevents hair loss, nourishes and protects against dryness, treats brittle and split ends, and eliminates dandruff.

The secret to enhancing the effect of the oil is to warm it to body temperature before using it. After applying the mask, the hair is covered with polyethylene and wrapped in a towel to maintain temperature.

The disadvantage of using castor oil for hair is that it leaves a greasy residue that is very difficult to wash off. Therefore, it is used as part of masks, mixed with drying ingredients: chicken protein, lemon juice, mustard. For dry hair, such masks can be used 1-2 times a week, and for oily hair - once every 10-15 days.

How else can you use topical oil during pregnancy? The external use of the herbal product is extensive. It is used as follows:

getting rid of acne;
improving skin quality;
strengthening eyelashes;
getting rid of stretch marks;
against hair loss.

Castor oil during pregnancy can be used to combat corns and chapped lips.

Let's look at the application in more detail.

For the mask recipe you will need a teaspoon of castor oil and calendula solution. The white of one egg and an aspirin tablet, previously ground into powder, are added to the mass. The mask is applied to the face two to four times. First apply one layer, when it dries, apply a second and so on. After the last layer has dried, the mask can be washed off. This mask should be used once a month. The effect of use is noticeable immediately.

Castor oil has a beneficial effect on the skin of the face and is safe for areas under the eyes. Its use moisturizes dry skin, nourishes, fights signs of aging, and has antibacterial results. Recipes for face masks:

One yolk is ground with a teaspoon of castor oil. Apply for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Cook oatmeal, add butter to it. Three spoons of porridge are mixed with a teaspoon of castor oil, the final ingredient is liquid honey. Keep the product on your face for about 10 minutes, then wash it off.
Boiled potatoes are mashed and a teaspoon of castor oil is added to it. A yolk and a spoonful of milk are also added to the mixture. The mask can be applied to the area under the eyes. Keep this mixture for about 10 minutes.

Eyelash strengthening

Before the eyelash strengthening procedure, the oil is slightly warmed up and applied to the ends of clean eyelashes and eyebrows. Excess oil is removed with a cotton swab. The product is left for an hour, after the procedure you need to wash with warm water. To get beautiful thick eyelashes, castor oil is applied daily for a month.

With the help of castor oil, you can begin to prevent stretch marks. To do this, during pregnancy you can do light massages, add oil to products to combat stretch marks.

Pregnant women often experience worsening hair condition. They begin to fall out, become dull, and dandruff appears. The use of castor oil will help you cope with many problems. You can make masks from the oil and rub it into your scalp. To strengthen weakened strands, castor oil is mixed with onion juice; in case of hair loss, it is recommended to make a mask with alcohol.

1.Two tablespoons of castor oil are mixed with four tablespoons of pepper tincture. The mass is rubbed into the head and kept for half an hour. Do not apply the product over the entire length, as it will dry out the strands.

2. Castor oil heated in a water bath is rubbed into the scalp, put on a plastic cap and leave overnight. The mask is washed off the next morning.