There’s something magnetic about castor oil: thick, glossy, earthy - a plant oil that’s been trusted for millennia to move the body, soothe the skin, and reset rhythms. At iAMA we cold-press and bottle castor oil the old way - hexane-free, organic where possible - because quality matters when you want an oil that works on a cellular level.
Below we go deep: how castor oil works inside the body, what the research says about its laxative and uterotonic effects, the risks to consider, the long human history, and the quieter, spiritual reasons people keep returning to this ancient remedy. (Short version: it’s biologically active, historically proven, and - when used responsibly - a beautiful, natural tool in your wellness kit).
The molecular engine: ricinoleic acid and how castor oil acts in the body
Castor oil is unique among vegetable oils because its dominant fatty acid is ricinoleic acid - a hydroxylated (OH-bearing) fatty acid. When you ingest castor oil, intestinal lipases break the triglycerides down and release ricinoleic acid, which then interacts with the cells of your gut and reproductive system. The key pathway scientists have identified is activation of prostaglandin EP3 receptors on smooth-muscle cells, which increases smooth-muscle contractility in the intestine and uterus. This is the cellular mechanism thought to underlie castor oil’s stimulant-laxative and potential labor-inducing effects. PubMed+1
At the tissue level this looks like:
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Enteric smooth muscle activation: ricinoleic acid stimulates intestinal smooth muscle to increase peristalsis — coordinated, wave-like contractions that speed stool transit. This is why castor oil reliably produces a laxative effect. PubMed
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Epithelial & barrier interactions: ricinoleic acid and related signaling may transiently alter epithelial transport and permeability, contributing to increased fluid secretion into the gut lumen (softer stools, faster transit). Emerging human research is still exploring how this affects mucosal integrity long term. Lippincott Journals
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Uterine smooth muscle: the same prostaglandin-linked pathways are present in uterine tissue; ricinoleic acid can increase uterine contractility in some people, which explains both historical use and the need for caution in pregnancy. PNAS+1
What the evidence says (short, sciencey takeaways)
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Approved use: The FDA recognises castor oil as a stimulant laxative - it’s one of the few plant oils with long-standing regulatory acceptance for relieving temporary constipation. Cleveland Clinic+1
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Mechanism: The PNAS/biochemistry work showed that ricinoleic acid acts via prostaglandin EP3 receptors to produce the laxative and uterotonic effects observed in animal and human studies. PubMed+1
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Labor induction: Clinical evidence is mixed but notable: some randomized trials and meta-analyses report increased rates of labor onset after oral castor oil in post-term pregnancies - which supports the physiological plausibility but also raises safety flags that call for medical oversight. Castor oil is therefore not recommended for use in pregnancy without clinician guidance. PMC+1
A closer look at cells, fibres and tissues - why an oil can have systemic effects
On the micro scale, ricinoleic acid does more than “push” stool mechanically. By engaging G-protein coupled receptors (EP3) on smooth muscle cells, it changes intracellular signaling —-calcium flux, activation of contractile proteins (actin-myosin interactions), and prostanoid cascades that coordinate muscle tone. These molecular events translate to:
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altered smooth muscle fiber contraction (intestine, uterus),
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modulation of enteric nervous system signals that coordinate motility, and
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transient changes in epithelial transport (ions and water), which increase luminal fluid content and soften stool. PNAS+1
Because the gut is also immunologically active tissue (gut-associated lymphoid tissue), any intervention that moves luminal contents and changes barrier function can secondarily alter immune signaling and local inflammation. That’s why some people report reduced bloating or a sense of “reset” after castor oil use - it’s not mystical, it’s physiology.
Cellular detail: how stimulation translates to motion
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Signal transduction: Ricinoleic acid binds to EP₃ → G-protein signalling cascades inside smooth-muscle cells → changes in intracellular calcium dynamics → actin–myosin crossbridge cycling increases → coordinated contraction of the circular and longitudinal muscle layers.
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Tissue coordination: Enteric nervous system reflexes amplify local contractions into peristaltic waves; interstitial cells of Cajal (pacemaker cells) help coordinate rhythmicity.
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Barrier & secretion: Enterocytes respond to paracrine and autocrine signals by modulating ion channels and transporters (e.g., chloride secretion), drawing water into the lumen and easing passage.
Castor oil for bloating
Whether you take it internally or wear our wrap pack topically, our cold-pressed, hexane-free castor oil works with your body - not against it. When taken orally (in small, appropriate doses), castor oil can stimulate smooth-muscle contractions in the intestines via its main compound, Ricinoleic acid, helping encourage bowel movement and relieve constipation, which in turn can ease bloating. Applied externally as a gentle abdominal pack, the oil combined with warmth may help support circulation, lymphatic flow, and gentle relaxation of abdominal muscles - all of which may support digestive comfort and reduce feelings of puffiness.
At iAMA, we believe in working with your cells, tissues, and natural rhythms - not forcing them with chemicals. Our castor oil is pure and potent, designed to nurture your body from within and without, offering a holistic path toward calm, lighter, more balanced digestion.
Safety first: risks, pregnancy, and why you should be cautious
Castor oil is powerful and not risk-free. Common and expected effects include abdominal cramping, nausea, and diarrhea. Severe or prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. In pregnancy, because castor oil can stimulate uterine contractions, it has been used historically to induce labor - but this is not recommended without medical supervision due to potential risks to mother and baby and mixed evidence about safety and efficacy. Current clinical guidance is to avoid unsupervised ingestion in pregnancy and to always consult a midwife or obstetrician. NCBI+2PMC+2
Other safety notes:
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Castor oil should be for external use on cosmetic packaging unless you have a licensed medicinal product and appropriate labelling.
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If taken orally under medical advice, hydration and electrolyte monitoring are important if diarrhea occurs.
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People with gastrointestinal disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or certain cardiac/renal conditions should not self-administer stimulant laxatives without medical advice. NCBI
A quick tour through history: why humans have trusted castor oil for millennia
Castor oil’s medicinal use stretches back to ancient Egypt and across traditional systems. It was a common household remedy in many cultures: for constipation, skin and hair care, and as an agent to “move” the body when things felt stuck. In 19th–20th century Western medicine it became a standard laxative and household staple; midwives and traditional practitioners have used it occasionally to encourage labor. These long cultural threads reflect an empirical recognition of castor oil’s strong physiological effects = long before modern receptor biology explained how it works. Wikipedia+1
The spiritual and ritual aspect: why natural rhythms matter
At iAMA we honour the physical and the subtle. Spiritually, castor oil has long been used as a ritual medium: its weight, warmth, and tactile quality lend themselves to practices that encourage presence, attentive touch, and embodied rest. When you use an oil in a deliberate ritual - whether applying it topically (packs, massages) or consuming it under professional guidance - you’re signaling to your body and nervous system that you’re switching from “do” to “repair.”
From an energetic point of view, moving fluids (lymph, blood, digestive contents) helps shift stagnation in classic healing frameworks; modern physiology simply provides the language for how those shifts occur at the cellular and tissue level. Using natural, minimally processed ingredients - like hexane-free, cold-pressed castor oil - aligns the ritual with clean inputs, reducing exposure to synthetic adjuvants that can provoke unintended responses.
Beyond pharmacology, many people regard castor oil use as a embodied ritual: a small, intentional act that signals self-care, release, and renewal. Orally taking a traditional remedy carries cultural weight: it connects the user to ancestral practices and frames physiological change within a larger meaning system. For some, combining the physical action (bowel clearance) with reflective practices (journaling, breathwork, or ceremony) creates psychological benefits that are complementary to the oil’s direct effects. From this viewpoint, natural substances like castor oil can offer holistic value: biochemical action and symbolic ritual. When practiced responsibly, ritual complements clinical safety. (This is a perspective rather than a clinical claim.)
Why iAMA’s cold-pressed, hexane-free castor oil matters
Not all castor oil is created equal. The process matters because bioactive compounds are sensitive to heat and solvents:
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Cold-pressed extraction preserves delicate fatty-acid profiles and phytochemicals.
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Hexane-free means no extraction solvent residues - important for both safety and preserving the oil’s true aroma and activity.
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We source oils with traceability and test for purity so the ricinoleic-rich oil you use is as close to the plant’s biology as possible.
When you choose iAMA’s castor oil, you’re choosing an oil formulated to act on the skin, hair and - when handled responsibly and under guidance - to perform predictably if used internally in contexts where its stimulant properties are appropriate.
Practical, responsible takeaways
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Castor oil’s primary medically recognised internal action is as a stimulant laxative; this is backed by regulatory recognition and mechanistic science. Cleveland Clinic+1
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Do not self-administer castor oil during pregnancy without clinical supervision; it may induce uterine contractions in some people. PMC
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For topical rituals (packs which can be bought here, massage, Gua Sha), choose cold-pressed, hexane-free castor oil to get the richest, cleanest results - that’s the iAMA standard.
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If you want the ritual and internal “reset” feeling without ingesting, consider topical castor oil packs or gentle abdominal massage with iAMA castor oil to stimulate circulation, lymphatic flow and parasympathetic relaxation.
References
Tunaru S. et al., PNAS 2012 — ricinoleic acid activates prostaglandin EP3 receptors mediating laxation and uterine contraction. PNAS
StatPearls: “Castor Oil” (NCBI Bookshelf, 2024) — regulatory, clinical, safety overview. NCBI
Amerizadeh A. et al., systematic review/meta-analysis on castor oil and labor induction (PMC) — discusses effects and cautions. PMC
DrugBank / Verywell / clinical overviews — practical timing, onset, and safety notes. DrugBank+1
iAMA is the home of pure gold, pure castor oil.
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