Health experts weigh in on new TikTok castor oil trend with warning of 'dangerous complications'

The TikTok frenzy around the health benefits of castor oil has pulled in hundreds of thousands of viewers and a number of famed influencers on the platform. Creators have hailed its variety of uses from drinking the oil to “detox” the body to the benefits of using it as skincare, but experts say otherwise.

Drinking castor oil has been praised for “cleaning the gut”, helping with overall wellness and aiding weight loss, according to influencers. According to health professionals though, the oil has one definitive internal purpose: “Castor oil is known to be a natural laxative.”

Dr Munir Somji, who boasts a hefty following of his own on the platform, noted that the oil is FDA-approved because of its laxative effect as it stimulates muscle movement in the intestines and can help temporarily relieve constipation. This effect could be the inspiration behind the “detoxing” claims.

However, the medical professional warned that it should only be consumed in cases of constipation, noting that excessive consumption can cause negative side effects like diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, vomiting, bloating and dizziness. He added: “Because of this, it isn’t used as a first remedy for constipation and should only ever be used under medical supervision.”

He brutally slammed claims that castor oil “detoxes” the body or aids weight loss saying using it for these purposes over long periods “can lead to dangerous complications”. As for the alleged skincare benefits behind the thick oil, Dr Somji noted the trend may not be too far off from the truth.

He shared in a clip: “Castor oil has some essential fatty acids that are good for the skin barrier.” However, despite some influencer claims the doctor clarified that it has no effect on the collagen in one’s skin and is only recommended for dry skin types.

Jane Clarke, an incontinence nurse at the Australia-based Confidence Club, agreed with Dr Somji as she told Newsweek castor oil is “an excellent moisturiser”. She also doubled down on the criticisms around drinking it despite claims that ancient civilisations used it for this purpose: “It is advisable to avoid ingesting castor oil altogether. The fact is, in 2024 we don’t need to rely on the same laxatives that the ancient Egyptians needed to, medicine has moved on and we now have safer options.”