Do you give your kids...Castor oil?

In olden days, Castor oil was given orally to babies and kids, also adults used to take for bowel movements and clear constipation. This is what I read on the internet. But, these days I have never heard any Parent giving it to their child.

1. Why do Parents not give these days when it is so cheap and easily available?

2. Do you give it to your kids once in a while to clear their stomachs/intestines even though they don't have constipation?

3.Can we give even if the child is not constipated?

4. Does it really improve immunity and help fight illnesses? I am not talking after you fall sick but as a preventive.

5.What are side effects?

6. Is it harmful and so that is why Parents don't give these days?

7. What age kids can take?

Please reply...and also would be thankful if you could give me the info.
Also please share your experiences and that of your kids when you gave them.

Adara

Hey adara,
My mom used to give my DS Castrol when he was born and yes, they used to say that it cleared the bowel system...
If he is constipated or pushing harder, they used to give it orally - but i've seen people who used to give it regularly in the morning and some used to apply it externally...
Am not sure of the effects and not really aware if it has any side effects...
But my son never had issues coz of it - but my mom used to say its dangerous if it gets into their nose or respiratory track...
Otherwise from wat i've seen and heard its very safe...
For my son, it was given from the time of birth - they used to dip their finger in it and keep it in his tounge - wont be more than 2-3 drops...
But am scared of doing it on my own - if my mom is there, she gives it at times...
Its better not to try such things, if u dont have prior experience on such things...
Take care...

Thanks MiaSen for your response. I tried giving both my dds last weekend but it did not produce much effect. Anyway, it is not noticeable because as it is they are not constipated. Also, being a weekend they stayed up very late almost till 11pm watching some movie along with us when their usual bed time during school days is 8:30 pm. So, next morning also got up late and I think the major reason for not such a significant effect is that. I will give a gap of another week and try after that. This periodic cleaning of the system actually raises the immunity level....I have read. Since winter is fast approaching I want them to stay healthy.

Actually, I did exhaustive research on the net and found that castor oil is indeed used as a laxative and it is good and yeah it can be used for babies too. But they only say you need to used the refined form of the oil. You can get it in Pharmacies where it is specificaly written as a laxative.

All these age old remedies have been lost due to the so called modern medicine which though is instant relief but brings so many side effects along with it. It is a pity that we are doubting the treasure of knowledge that we have. This is all because it is imposed more as a tradition rather than explaining as science by our adults.

Please share your thoughts.

Adara

My mom used to give castor oil drops (2 to 3 )mixed with my milk(mothers milk) to my DS when he was baby daily in the morning(called Uggu in telugu) castor oil we bought from pharmacy used as laxative. it worked very good and I dont see any problem. even now when my son is constipated which happens occassionally, I give him 1/4 teaspoon of castor oil and it cleans out bowl in 6 to 8 hours.

Sujatha.

Thanks Sujatha for the response.

I thought of trying this weekend but it looks like I have to wait for the next weekend since this weekend we are having halloween party and kids are surely staying up late which again messes up their timings. For anything to try out or get anything done I need to follow proper sleep routine with my kids.


Adara

You can give castor oil as no side efects are seen so far. But take care of the appropriate dose. And it doesn't show any effect in one dose. You have to give it on regular basis. Castor oil is very good fo dry skin also and whenever you want to have a good sleep just apply small quantity on your eyelids, it works. These are my personal experiences.

Hi,
I used to give 1/4 spoon of castor oil with milk to my DD. It is a good
bowel cleanser. But my husband says nowadays the castor oil is very
refined and it has less effect on cleansing. Now if I mix the oil with milk
and call my DD , she refuses to take these days. As far as I know there
was no side effect. My MIL used to apply on her eyes for reducing the
heat. But here in winter we want to maintain the body heat.
At summer time I apply a little bit on my DD`s head at nights.