Description and composition
The drug is produced in the form of oil, which is obtained from the seeds of the castor bean plant. The composition includes several active components, including:
- fatty acids, 90% ricinoleic (rare compound);
- linoleic acid;
- palmitic;
- stearic;
- oleic;
- vitamin E.
The oil is stored in a cool or moderately warm place at temperatures up to 20 degrees Celsius. It is very important to ensure complete darkness - direct rays are not allowed. Should be kept out of reach of children. If the conditions are met, the drug can be stored for 1 year from the date of production.
One out of two
Photo: depositphotos/bit245
The most popular in Russia is sunflower oil, and preference should be given to the aromatic product rather than the refined one. ⠀ “Few people know that natural raw sunflower oil is similar in color to olive oil - with a greenish tint. In composition it differs significantly from it. Vegetable vitamin E, which is an antioxidant, contains 12 times more than olive oil,” the expert informs.
The doctor notes that sunflower oil contains about 66% polyunsaturated acids. Among them, the essential linoleic acid, which belongs to the Omega-6 class, predominates. However, it is worth remembering that its excess is harmful to health. In particular, linoleic acid is considered to be the cause of inflammation of the vascular wall, which leads to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Therefore, excessive consumption of sunflower oil is undesirable.
Olive oil is valued due to its high oleic acid content and maximum proximity to animal fats.
“It actively participates in fat metabolism, is perfectly absorbed, normalizes blood pressure, promotes good digestion and has a positive effect on the heart and blood vessels,” notes the nutritionist.
When heated, olive oil produces virtually no carcinogens, making it good for frying and cooking.
Pharmacology: beneficial properties of oil
Thanks to its rich chemical composition, the oil provides great benefits to various body systems, primarily the skin and gastrointestinal tract:
- Cleansing the intestines due to a mild laxative effect. The effect appears within 5-6 hours after application. The ricinoleic acid contained in castor oil stimulates receptors on the inner surface of the intestines, due to which peristalsis increases and bowel movements occur.
- Castor oil helps fight certain fungal pathologies. Thus, the oil is used for candidiasis and oral stomatitis. The product can also be used to treat toenail fungi. But in this case, castor oil is mixed with baking soda in a 1:1 ratio. The treatment occurs due to the warming effect, so the oil is first heated in a water bath.
- The oil makes hair stronger, more elastic, gives it a healthy shine, and also accelerates growth and protects against breakage. Ricinoleic acid is responsible for this effect, which stimulates blood flow into the scalp. As a result, hair follicles receive additional nutrition and develop faster.
- Due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, castor oil is used in the treatment of dandruff. Moreover, it is suitable for all hair types.
- Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, prevents premature aging, and also eliminates redness and flaking of the skin, helps cope with itching and other signs of seborrheic dermatitis.
- The oil helps restore eyelashes, eliminate damage and stimulate growth. This will make them thicker and look much more attractive.
- Castor oil also stimulates the growth of eyebrows, they become thicker and more pronounced.
- The oil is also used for the skin - fatty acids nourish tissues, moisturize them, and normalize fat metabolism. In addition, the active ingredients slow down the development of wrinkles.
- The oil helps get rid of acne, rashes and other diseases associated with an imbalance of skin bacteria.
- Finally, castor oil helps repair damaged skin cells. It penetrates deep into the tissue and stimulates regeneration processes.
Everything is good in moderation⠀
Photo: depositphotos/Valentyn_Volkov
Different oils, according to the doctor, differ from each other not only in taste, but also in the ratio of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. These acids are necessary for healthy skin, hair, and tissue regeneration.
“These are structural components of cell membranes: but if Omega-3 has anti-inflammatory properties, then an excess of Omega-6 acids, on the contrary, enhances the inflammatory process,” the expert warns.
According to the nutritionist, Omega-6 fatty acids, when consumed in too large quantities with food, constrict blood vessels, increasing blood pressure and blood clotting, affect vascular permeability to histamine, suppress the immune system, slow down metabolic processes, increase systemic inflammation and cell division , which carries a risk of developing tumors.
There is no need to take Omega-6 supplements under any circumstances - the body already gets enough of them from food. Olga Lushnikova
nutritionist
According to the expert, in terms of the ratio of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, the optimal oils are flaxseed oil, chia seed oil, canola oil, hemp oil, olive oil and avocado oil. They are recommended to be used on an ongoing basis.
Contraindications and side effects
In some cases, castor oil is contraindicated:
- acute inflammatory processes in the intestines, including appendicitis;
- abdominal pain, the cause of which is unknown;
- intestinal bleeding in the uterine area;
- glomerulonephritis in acute and chronic form;
- poisoning with substances that dissolve in fats;
- poisoning by substances contained in the extract of a plant called male fern;
- chronic constipation;
- all trimesters of pregnancy;
- lactation;
- children under 11 years of age inclusive;
- individual intolerance.
The product can be taken at almost any age, but sometimes allergic reactions can occur, including redness, itching, swelling, rashes and others. In such cases, treatment is stopped, and if necessary, consult a doctor to change the drug and undergo treatment.
Vegetable oil for constipation in pregnant women
Vegetable oil will help pregnant women with constipation
Retention of stool while expecting a baby is quite common; this occurs due to hormonal changes. Therefore, it is important to monitor the functioning of the digestive organs during this period.
The main thing is to normalize your diet during pregnancy and take medications with mild laxative effects, such as vegetable oil.
Pregnant women should take the product, since daily consumption of oil will not only promptly free the body of toxins, but also saturate the organs with useful substances.
It doesn't hurt to add vegetable fats to fruit juices. But starting from the 36th week of pregnancy, it is best to stop taking the product. The reason is that the oil is rich in prostaglandins, which can cause miscarriage.
Signs of overdose
To avoid overdose, you should take oil in an amount of no more than 7 g per 1 kg of your own weight. Due to a violation of the specified amount, the following symptoms may appear:
- pain with cramps in the abdomen;
- diarrhea;
- kidney disorders;
- dizziness;
- the appearance of hallucinations;
- loss of consciousness.
Treatment is symptomatic; loperamide and atropine sulfate are indicated. Taking castor oil is discontinued. If side effects from the nervous system occur, an intravenous injection of diazepam in an amount of 5-10 mg should be administered.
What else can help?
Along with the use of vegetable oils, other treatment methods are used aimed at comprehensively restoring the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract:
- dietary nutrition;
- physical exercise;
- massage;
- treatment with mineral waters;
- physiotherapy, etc.
Dietary nutrition restores the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Instructions for use
The oil is taken internally and externally. In the first case, the dosages are as follows:
- adults – 15 or 30 g (up to 2 tablespoons) once a day;
- children over 11 years old - 1 teaspoon or tablespoon (10-15 g) once a day).
The total course of treatment should not exceed 3 days.
For external use they act as follows:
- Add a little oil to the shampoo and rinse your hair.
- Mix castor oil with vegetable oil, for example, burdock in a 1:1 ratio and rub it into the hair roots, leave for 30 minutes.
- In the evening, heat up the castor oil, apply it to the brush and treat the eyelashes, then blot it with a napkin, and in the morning rinse it off completely with warm water. The same composition is applied to the eyebrows.
- Mix castor oil with olive or coconut oil in equal proportions and apply to facial skin for 20-30 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
How to choose the right oil
The product has healing properties, but differs in taste. In order to eliminate the causes of constipation, you should use unrefined or unrefined vegetable oil.
It is important that the product is fresh and consumed in its pure form, and not after heat treatment.
If you have any doubts about the choice of oil for constipation, it is recommended to consult a specialist for advice. The main thing is that no harm is caused by the action of the product.
Special instructions and drug interactions
Castor oil should not be used during pregnancy. During feeding, it is used with caution and only in consultation with a doctor. The product can only be used if the expected benefit significantly outweighs the possible risks. If the oil is used for more than 3 days, and the therapeutic effect does not occur, the dose is canceled.
The drug impairs the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins - K, D and A. At the same time, it improves the absorption of drugs whose components are soluble in water. If used together with saline laxatives, the laxative effect is significantly enhanced.
Preparations based on platyphylline, pirenzepine and atropine sulfate lead to a weakening of the medicinal effects of the oil. Castor oil also enhances the effect of drugs that enhance the contractility of the uterus. As a result, there is a threat of miscarriage.
Useless liquid
Photo: depositphotos/natalya.stepowaya
You can get confused by the variety of vegetable oils in the assortment of stores: pumpkin, sesame, soybean, sea buckthorn, hemp, avocado oil, grape seed oil, rapeseed, corn, peanut, olive. Each of them has a unique composition and taste.
“What all oils have in common is that they contain fat-soluble vitamins A, E, D, K, some B vitamins, macro- and microelements, as well as essential polyunsaturated fatty acids: Omega-3, 6 and 9,” says the therapist. nutritionist Olga Lushnikova.
According to the doctor, we are, of course, talking about unrefined vegetable oils obtained by cold pressing. With this method, the structure of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamins is not destroyed, and the product is easily absorbed. ⠀ “As a result of refining - the process of purifying oils from all kinds of impurities - a useless liquid is obtained, completely devoid of valuable substances,” explains the doctor. According to the expert, it is better to minimize the consumption of refined vegetable oils.
