Why is castor oil not recommended for continuous use?

Castor oil differs from familiar edible oils in that it is chosen for a functional purpose rather than for the everyday diet. Its action is fairly intense, which is exactly why it is regarded as a remedy for occasional situations rather than for continuous use.

What this means in practice:

• It is not an oil "for eating" in the usual sense. It is not added to dishes for flavour or as a source of fat — it has a specific purpose.
• A short-term scenario. It makes sense to keep the product for a specific situation: short-term use (no more than 3 days in a row) or preparation for a procedure where bowel cleansing is important.
• Regular use calls for a different approach. If the need arises often rather than as a one-off, this should be discussed separately with a specialist rather than dealt with by taking it on your own over a long period.

Besides fatty acids as the main active component, the product contains vitamin E, which helps protect the oil from oxidation during storage. The product is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent disease. If you frequently need a product like this, it is wiser to find out the cause together with a specialist.