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As we all know, castor oil has only one FDA-approved indication for constipation; there is no other use of castor oil or castor oil packs that is clinically supported. Nevertheless, many naturopaths believe castor oil packs are safe to help you reduce belly fat following regular application.
Still, topical application of castor oil may cause abdominal cramping or diarrhea. The reason is the excessive absorption of ricinoleic acid into the skin and deep tissues due to frequent or prolonged use. Therefore, it is essential to know if this therapy is safe for you or not since extreme approaches for weight loss are least encouraged in medicine. Medical science also urges you to focus primarily on your diet and physical activity to maintain a healthy body weight. So, to know if you can apply castor oil packs besides other interventions for weight loss, check out the following blog.
How Do Castor Oil Packs Work to Help You Reduce Weight?
It is not scientifically approved that castor oil or castor oil packs can help you reduce weight. However, many naturopaths believe that this Hand of Christ is the solution to all bodily problems, and they have logical explanations to support their claim. Also, people who believe in naturopathy and the safe use of complementary medicine incorporate such therapies and massages into their daily lives and report visible positive changes. Some of the concepts that support the claim of using castor oil packs for weight loss are:
- Castor oil is an excellent detoxifying agent. It enhances blood circulation, promoting better filtration and removing wastes and toxins from the body. Since obese people have more toxins accumulated in their bodies, detoxification helps in reducing such waste.
- Castor oil's principal medicinal substance, ricinoleic acid, is anti-inflammatory. It helps mitigate inflammation anywhere in the body, thereby reducing the appearance of a bloated stomach and enhancing blood and lymphatic circulation. Such improved circulation of the two systems helps the body become healthy, and the skin looks plump with a reduced appearance of cellulite.
- Ricinoleic acid is a potent laxative. It promotes prostaglandin synthesis. It is itself a prostaglandin-like substance that activates EP3 prostaglandin receptors in the smooth muscles of the intestines. Activated receptors allow Ca++ to flow into the intestinal walls, contracting them smoothly and periodically.
These contractions manifest them as enhanced bowel movements that promote better digestion. Better digestion means better nutrient extraction from meals, utilization of the essentials, and removal of harmful wastes and toxins. This regularity of digestion helps the metabolism work efficiently, managing appetite levels and reducing insulin resistance and fat accumulation, aiding you in attaining a healthy body weight.
Remember that those mentioned above are only the claims and have no solid clinical grounds.
How Do You Use Castor Oil Packs for Weight Loss?
Firstly, gather your supplies. Buy a good quality castor oil bottle; opt for The Goodbye Company cold-pressed, unrefined, USDA-certified organic castor oil. Also, grab your ready-to-use castor oil packs, plastic wraps, an old towel, or a T-shirt. Secondly, prepare your massage station by spreading an old towel on the surface where you will lie. Also, add castor oil to the inner layer of the pack and let it soak it to avoid any dribblings. Wear your old T-shirt or a bra or nothing to avoid castor oil stains.
Apply your castor oil pack on the bare skin over your abdomen (where you want to reduce belly fat). Ensure you have applied no skin care product like a moisturizer to your belly. This is to avoid interactions with castor oil and help it penetrate effectively into the skin. Wrap the pack with a plastic sheet or cling film to secure it and provide insulation.
Then, apply a heating pad or a warm compress over the wrap to provide warmth, accelerate absorption, and function of castor oil. You can initially leave the pack for about 30 minutes, then increase the duration to an hour following your body's good response.
You can use these harmless and safe packs daily. However, to avoid abdominal cramping or diarrhea (which may occur due to excessive absorption of ricinoleic acid into the abdominal smooth muscles), it is advisable to use them 2-3 times weekly. Store the pack in an air-tight container and put it into the refrigerator for subsequent use. You can always add more castor oil to the pack for practical application.
FAQs
Is drinking castor oil for weight loss safe?
Castor oil is a potent laxative, and its use for constipation is FDA-approved. But it has no scientific basis for reducing weight. Nevertheless, many people who get bloated or become obese due to chronic constipation believe and drink castor oil to promote their bowel movements. They believe enhanced bowels can better digest your food and produce glucose, which will be utilized in physical activity instead of storing fats or glycogen, making you obese.
How Effective Are Castor Oil Packs For Shrinking Belly Fat?
The use of castor oil packs for shrinking belly fat is not approved. However, many naturopaths believe in its magical functions that collectively work to reduce body weight. The first section of this article clearly explains the logical reasons and ground reality of castor oil pack application for weight loss.
How many times a day should I use a castor oil pack?
You can apply castor oil packs daily or every other day safely. But using these packs about 3-4 times a week is advisable for weight loss. Nevertheless, you can adjust the application frequency according to your body's response. If you experience bloating or abdominal cramping, reduce the application. It's all about trying and testing.
What are the side effects of applying castor oil to the belly button?
Ricinoleic acid- the principal constituent of castor oil, is a potent laxative that enhances smooth muscle contraction and promotes bowel movements. Therefore, applying castor oil to the belly button may cause side effects upon excessive use. These include nausea, cramping, abdominal bloating, or diarrhea that usually appears after absurd penetration of ricinoleic acid into the stomach tissues.
Does castor oil remove cellulite?
Cellulite is a complex skin condition influenced by several factors, such as genetics, hormonal changes, and lifestyle modifications, including diet. Therefore, correcting and managing all these factors is necessary to help with cellulite. Many believe massaging castor oil on your body can help reduce the visibility of dimpled skin. The mechanism supporting this claim is ricinoleic acid action to accelerate subcutaneous circulation and lymphatic flow. Though it's not clinically approved, some individuals claim to have seen visible results after regular use up to a month.
Takeaway
Though no scientific evidence approves and explains the topical application of castor oil for reducing weight, many believe this oil works wonders. Castor oil includes ricinoleic acid, which is a potent laxative. This acid activates prostanoid EP3 receptors in the intestines, increasing fluid secretion and enhancing bowel movements. Enhanced bowel motility promotes better digestion, production, and utilization of glucose, thereby reducing fats and glycogen synthesis, making a person look obese.
Therefore, you can use castor oil packs to reduce weight for easy application. Castor oil packs also help reduce the appearance of cellulite by rooting blood and lymphatic circulation. These packs are readily available everywhere, including local manufacturers and online stores. You can leave such packs on your abdomen to tuck your belly or thighs for about an hour daily.
Nevertheless, if you notice any side effects such as abdominal pain, bloating, or diarrhea, reduce the frequency of applications (e.g., about 2-3 times a week) or discontinue the use if you develop a skin rash or allergy. Anyhow, dietary changes and exercise play a significant role in weight loss; this harmless at-home therapy can also work for you; as someone said, “it's all about the BELIEF.” However, always consult your healthcare provider before trying any unapproved therapy to avoid chemical interactions.
