3. Promotes Regular Bowel Movements
As mentioned above, researchers in Germany uncovered the mechanisms of castor oil. Unlike past theories, they found that ricinoleic acid binds to the EP3 receptor gene. When consuming this fatty acid, found in castor oil, you essentially activate intestinal and uterine smooth-muscle cells.
As you can imagine, this is why castor oil has been used for centuries as a natural laxative and continues to be used in order to clean out the intestines before a bowel examination or surgery. According to one 2010 study, castor oil may also be an effective solution for constipation symptoms among the elderly — testing those who had been constipated for 10 years or longer.
It’s important to note that excessive use of castor oil may lead to diarrhea. If you drink one teaspoon of pure oil daily for three consecutive days, this should be enough to relieve associated issues. If you cannot stand the taste, simply mix each dose into cranberry or prune juice to counteract the bitterness.