Last update: Jan. 24, 2017
Poorly safe. Evaluate carefully.
Use safer alternative or interrupt breastfeeding 3 to 7 T½.
Read the Comment.
Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM´s pediatricians and pharmacists, and are based on updated scientific publications.
It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it.
Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.
Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.
Castorbean is also known as Castor Oil. Here it is a list of alternative known names::
Castorbean in other languages or writings:
Castorbean belongs to these groups or families:
Write to us at elactancia.org@gmail.com
e-lactancia is a resource recommended by AELAMA
Would you like to recommend the use of e-lactancia? Write to us at corporate mail of APILAM
The seeds contain 50% oil. In the oil there are established fatty acids such as ricinoleic (90%), linoleic, oleic, linolenic and palmitic.
In the seeds there is ricin, a substance that can cause a very serious poisoning.
Castor oil is orally used as a laxative and topically as an anti-inflammatory medicine on the skin. It appears as excipient in several dermatological and cosmetic preparations.
At latest update relevant published data on excretion into breast milk were not found.
The ricinoleic acid is an irritant of the intestinal mucosa where it is readily absorbed, being able to appear in the milk. It is highly recommended to use a safer laxative while breastfeeding.
Castor oil, either orally (Winterfeld 2012) or topically applied on the breast (Rasiya 2011), has been used as a galactogogue without any proof on effectiveness. On the other hand, it has also been allegedly used to reduce milk production (Hardy 2000, Eglash 2014 ).
The best galactogogue-like results are attained through a frequent and on demand breastfeeding along with a correct technique (ABM 2011).
In some cultures castor oil is administered instead of colostrum to infants in the first few days of life (Benakappa 1989), being this a risky practice, since diarrhea, dehydration, insomnia and tremor can occur.
Topical use on the skin is not contraindicated during lactation, provided it is not applied on the breast and areas where the infant can touch and absorb it are avoided.