Castor Oil For Thyroid: Benefits, Methods, and Precautions

The Nature around us is an unfathomable treasure-house of miracle cures and treatments. Castor oil has been traditionally used for various health reasons and current research focuses on its other potential benefits. Recent anecdotal evidence suggests that this oil might help treat thyroid problems. There have been claims of using the oil for alleviating thyroid issues. This article will dive more into the details regarding it. Before that, it will also provide you with a brief overview of the thyroid gland and its issues. It also will detail castor oil and its multifarious health benefits. So jump right into the article and find out everything on the topic: Using castor oil for thyroid: All you need to know! 

Understanding Thyroid And The Role of Castor Oil in Managing Thyroid Issues

The thyroid is a small endocrine gland that is shaped like a butterfly and is found below Adam’s apple. It is made up of two connected lobes with a thin band of tissues called isthmus. Being a part of your endocrine system, it regulates many of the important functions in your body by secreting hormones that control actions such as metabolism, heart rate, digestion, etc. Yet, the main duty of your thyroid gland is to control your metabolism, that is how your body processes the food you eat into energy. As already mentioned, the thyroid is an endocrine gland so it secretes hormones. The major hormones released by your thyroid gland include:

• Thyroxine (T4)– One of the primary hormones secreted by the thyroid gland, thyroxine doesn’t directly affect your metabolism. It converts into T3 when released into the bloodstream through a process called deiodination.
• Triiodothyronine (T3)– Even though your thyroid gland produces this hormone in lesser quantities, it has major effects on your body. It can affect physiological processes such as metabolism, body temperature, growth and development, and heart rate. It is known to increase your basal metabolic rate and accelerate your body’s ability to consume oxygen and energy.
• Reverse triiodothyronine (RT3)– As the name suggests, RT3 reverses the effects of T3 hormone in your body. It is also known as a metabolic inactive form of the T3 hormone.
• Calcitonin– Thyroid gland produces calcitonin to regulate calcium levels in the body. Certain cells in the thyroid gland called C-cells are responsible for producing calcitonin.

A combined action of all these thyroid hormones can regulate the following functions:

• Metabolism or how your body uses energy
• Breathing 
• Heart rate
• Body temperature
• Brain development
• Digestion
• Bone and skin health

Any kind of issues with the thyroid gland can lead to certain thyroid disorders. They are:

• Hypothyroidism– When your thyroid gland produces insufficient amounts of thyroid hormones, it leads to this issue.
• Hyperthyroidism– When the thyroid gland produces too many thyroid hormones, it is called hyperthyroidism.
• Goiter– This is when your thyroid gland gets enlarged without any particular reason.
• Thyroid nodules– If there are lumps or abnormal masses on the thyroid gland, it is called thyroid nodules.
• Thyroid cancer– A more common condition among women than men, it is of different types.

The composition of castor oil

A kind of vegetable oil extracted from castor beans, castor oils have been traditionally used for multiple purposes. It is usually thick and odorless and is primarily known for its laxative properties. According to data from NIH, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has recommended castor oil only as a stimulative laxative for providing temporary relief from constipation. Some of the benefits and uses of castor oil include:

• For treating constipation– As mentioned above, the FDA has approved the use of castor oil for relieving constipation temporarily. As a laxative, it can cleanse your colon and help your intestinal muscles to contract.
• For moisturization– As a humectant, castor oil can help your skin retain moisture and make it soft and smooth. The fatty acids in this oil also hydrate your skin.
• For inducing labor– Traditionally, castor oil has been used to induce labor in pregnancy due to its laxative properties.
• For hair health– Even though there isn’t much research available to support the claims that castor oil promotes hair growth, traditionally it has been used for this purpose. It is known to prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth.
• For healing wounds– Having antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, castor oil can accelerate wound healing. It can also reduce inflammation and protect the wounds from infection.

How Does Castor Oil Help With Thyroid?

Even though the research available on the connection between castor oil and thyroid health is an ongoing one, many experts suggest applying the oil to relieve its impacts. The presence of a unique fatty acid called ricinoleic acid in castor oil has been proven to have anti-inflammatory properties. A research paper published in the Mediators of Inflammation journal under Wiley Online Library has studied this topic in detail and has found significant reports. As per this, topical application of ricinoleic acid, a main constituent of castor oil, can provide anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. So those who advocate for applying castor oil for thyroid claim that using this oil will reduce the overall swelling due to thyroid disorders and can relieve you from inflammation. Some studies also indicate that applying castor oil can convert levothyroxine (T4) successfully into triiodothyronine (T3). 

Benefits Of Using Castor Oil For Thyroid

Based on anecdotal and historical evidence, there are multiple benefits of using castor oil for the thyroid. Regular application of castor oil has been shown to provide the following benefits:

• Regulates hormone levels– Being an endocrine gland, a proper thyroid function demands balanced hormone levels. Castor oil application has been shown to regulate thyroid hormones thereby alleviating the symptoms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
• Prevents inflammation– As mentioned earlier, the ricinoleic acid in castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce inflammation of thyroid cells. It will be particularly helpful in the case of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an inflammatory condition that affects your thyroid.
• Detoxifies your body– As the castor oil packs can stimulate the lymphatic system, this will help your body eliminate harmful toxins and chemicals. When your thyroid gland is detoxified, it becomes more healthier and functional.
• Promotes mood and relieves stress– The very act of applying castor oil can be soothing and provide you with relaxation. Hormonal disorders can often bring along stress, so in the case of thyroid issues, applying castor oil can reduce stress and bring a sense of calm and peace. 

How To Use Castor Oil For Thyroid?

You can heat a little amount of castor oil and apply it topically above your throat. Or you can mix it with a carrier oil for a more relaxed and soothing massage experience. Now another method of applying castor oil to the thyroid is through castor oil packs. The process is a bit more complex than direct application. Here is how it is done. You will need the following materials before applying the castor oil pack.

Materials you need:

• Organic cotton piece
• Cold-pressed castor oil
• A hand towel and scissors
• A rectangular heat pad

Application Process

First, you have to cut a small piece of organic cotton that can fit on your neck. Now put enough castor oil on this cotton. Lie down on your bed and put this cotton towel soaked with castor oil on your neck. Next, you should cover this with an old, used hand towel and flannel. Above this, put a hot water bag or heat pad. Lie down in this position for at least 5-10 minutes. After this, you can clean away the throat area with a cotton cloth.

Taking castor oil orally can cause more side effects than using it as a pack and topical application. Regarding this, a few downsides of using castor oil for thyroid is detailed in the next section.

Downsides Of Using Castor Oil For Thyroid

Consuming castor oil orally can lead to diarrhoea and abdominal cramps so care should be taken before its usage. Using castor oil packs can be less risky. But still, there are a few points to be noted before using it.

• If you have any skin allergies or irritation, always start with a small quantity of castor oil and wait whether any adverse reactions happen.
• Avoid using castor oil packs if you are pregnant.
• Do not use these packs during the menstrual period.
• If you have an IUD, do not use castor oil packs as it can release copper in your body causing the IUD to be dislodged.

Conclusion

Castor oil is an oil extracted from Ricinus communis plant seeds. Traditionally used for various purposes, this plant oil has significance in history. The oil is abundant with ricinoleic acid which has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Castor oil is FDA-approved for use as a laxative for temporary relief from constipation. It is also found to be beneficial for supporting skin moisture and treating wounds. Castor oil also has been shown to stimulate hair growth and has been used to induce labor during pregnancy. There are anecdotal reports of this oil being used to treat thyroid problems. Even though research is ongoing, there have been claims of effective mechanisms of the oil for treating thyroid. The ricinoleic acid can relieve inflammation and stimulate lymphatic nodules associated with the thyroid gland. Still, caution should be applied before adopting such procedures. 

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