Castor oil has been used for centuries as a natural laxative. It is derived from the seeds of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis). Castor oil contains a compound called ricinoleic acid that acts as an irritant to the intestines, causing them to contract and stimulate bowel movements.
How Does Castor Oil Work?
When castor oil is ingested, the ricinoleic acid stimulates the small intestine to start contracting. This contraction stimulates the colon to also begin contracting. The contractions push stool through the intestines, stimulating a bowel movement.
In addition, castor oil also helps draw moisture into the intestines. This softens the stool, making it easier to pass through the colon. The combined effect of the intestinal contractions and softened stool is what leads to castor oil’s laxative effect.
How Long Does Castor Oil Take to Work?
Castor oil typically takes 2-6 hours to induce a bowel movement after ingestion. However, the exact timing can vary depending on several factors:
- Dosage – The more castor oil you take, the faster it will work. The standard dose is 15-30 mL.
- Age – Castor oil tends to work more quickly in children compared to adults.
- Individual physiology – Some people’s intestinal tracts respond more rapidly to castor oil than others.
- Bowel habits – People prone to constipation may take longer to respond.
- Food intake – Castor oil will work faster if you take it on an empty stomach with minimal food intake.
On average, most people can expect castor oil to produce a bowel movement anywhere from 2-6 hours after taking a medicinal dose. However, it may work in as little as 1 hour or can take up to 12 hours in some individuals.
What Factors Speed Up Castor Oil?
There are a few things you can do to help speed up how fast castor oil works:
- Take on an empty stomach – Don’t take castor oil after a heavy meal, which can slow gastric emptying and absorption.
- Take in the morning – Our gastrointestinal motility is greater in the morning. Taking castor oil first thing can promote faster action.
- Increase the dose – Taking the maximum recommended dose of 30-60 mL can shorten the time to work.
- Combine with other laxatives – Castor oil can be combined with stimulant laxatives containing senna or bisacodyl for a faster effect.
- Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water, which keeps your digestive system lubricated.
What Factors Delay Castor Oil?
On the other hand, some factors that can delay how long castor oil takes to work include:
- Taking it in the evening
- Taking after a large meal
- Being dehydrated
- Having slow intestinal motility
- Taking too small of a dose
Under these circumstances, castor oil may take longer, up to 8-12 hours, to fully stimulate a bowel movement after ingesting it.
How to Take Castor Oil for Constipation Relief
To get the fastest constipation relief from castor oil, follow these tips:
- Take on an empty stomach first thing in the morning
- Drink 8 ounces of water just before taking the oil
- Consume the full dose of 15-30 mL (1-2 tablespoons)
- Mix the oil with fruit juice or a non-carbonated beverage to improve palatability
- Stay near a bathroom for quick access once bowel movements start
Using this method, most people will have a bowel movement within 2-4 hours after ingesting the castor oil. The oil is most effective when bowel habits are already regular.
How Long Does Castor Oil Take If Constipated?
If you are currently constipated, castor oil may take longer to work. In cases of chronic constipation, it could take 8-12 hours before inducing a bowel movement.
This prolonged timeframe occurs because the colon has already slowed down significantly. It takes longer for the contractions stimulated by castor oil to override the colon’s inactive state.
However, castor oil can still effectively alleviate constipation. Just be prepared that it may not work as quickly as in people with normal bowel habits.
Starts Working in 1-3 Hours
Castor oil usually starts working in 1-3 hours once you ingest it. You’ll start feeling intestinal gurgling, cramps, or urgency to have a bowel movement during this initial 1-3 hour period. This reflects your intestines starting to contract in response to the castor oil.
However, full laxative effects don’t usually occur until about 2-6 hours after taking castor oil. So you may start feeling initial effects in 1-3 hours but not have complete relief until the 2-6 hour mark.
How to Take Castor Oil for Quickest Results
Here are some tips for taking castor oil to get the fastest results:
- Take on an empty stomach first thing in the morning
- Drink a full glass of water before and after taking the oil
- Start with 1 tablespoon (15mL) dose first
- Gradually increase to 2 tablespoons (30mL) if needed
- Combine with prune juice or another liquid to improve taste
- Remain close to a bathroom after taking it
Using this method, castor oil will typically induce a bowel movement within 2-4 hours. Let the initial smaller dose work first before taking more.
How Long Does It Take Castor Oil to Kick In?
Castor oil usually takes around 2-6 hours to fully “kick in” and stimulate a bowel movement after you ingest it. However, you might start feeling some initial stomach gurgling within the first 1-3 hours.
Castor oil needs time to be digested and converted into ricinoleic acid, the active compound responsible for its laxative effect. It also takes time for the released ricinoleic acid to sufficiently coat and irritate the intestines to generate contractions leading to bowel movements.
So full effects don’t begin until a few hours after taking it. Be patient and give it the necessary time to work through your system. Expect a 2-6 hour waiting period before it fully kicks in.
Does Castor Oil Work Faster for Babies?
Yes, castor oil tends to work more quickly in babies compared to adults. There are a few reasons for this:
- Babies have faster gastric emptying, allowing faster absorption.
- Their intestinal tracts are more sensitive and reactive.
- Low body weight means a larger relative dose per pound.
In babies, castor oil bowel movements often start within 30 minutes to 2 hours after administration. It works twice as fast in babies compared to the average adult timeline.
However, dosage must be carefully calculated based on the baby’s weight and age. Always consult a pediatrician before giving castor oil to an infant.
How Long Does It Take to Poop After Taking Castor Oil?
On average, it takes around 2-6 hours to poop after taking castor oil. However, some people may have a bowel movement as early as 1 hour or as late as 12 hours after ingesting castor oil.
The timing depends on several factors like dose taken, age, gut transit time, and if you’re already constipated. Castor oil also may produce multiple bowel movements, not just a single episode.
Once you start feeling intestinal rumblings, try to stay close to a bathroom. Onset of action can be quite variable.
Does Castor Oil Work Faster When Taken With Juice?
Drinking juice along with castor oil does not make it work significantly faster. However, mixing the oil with juice can make it easier and more pleasant to ingest.
Juice helps mask the taste but doesn’t speed up the digestive conversion of ricinoleic acid, which dictates onset of action. But taking it with juice is fine as long as no carbonation is added.
How Long Should It Take Castor Oil to Work?
Castor oil typically takes between 2-6 hours to fully work after you ingest it. This allows time for it to stimulate contractions throughout the intestines leading to bowel movements.
You can expect castor oil to work in the following general timeline:
- 1-3 hours: Some mild cramping or intestinal rumbling may begin
- 2-3 hours: Stronger abdominal cramping and urge to have bowel movement
- 2-4 hours: First bowel movement, but may be more to come
- 4-6 hours: Additional bowel movements throughout this time
- 6-12 hours: Effects taper off and bowel function returns to normal
However, there is significant individual variation in timing and number of stools. Give the oil up to 12 hours before deciding if it “didn’t work” for you.
Does Castor Oil Work Faster Than Other Laxatives?
Castor oil generally does not work any faster than other common laxatives used for constipation relief. Its speed of action is similar to:
- Psyllium husk (2-12 hours)
- Magnesium citrate (30 min to 6 hours)
- Lactulose (24-48 hours)
- Polyethylene glycol (12-72 hours)
However, stimulant laxatives with senna or bisacodyl tend to work a little faster than castor oil, in around 2-6 hours. When used together with castor oil, they can speed up bowel movements slightly.
Does Castor Oil Work Faster After Eating Something?
No, castor oil does not work faster if you eat something right after taking it. In fact, eating may actually delay its effects.
Eating food can slow down the rate of gastric emptying. This means it will take longer for the castor oil to be fully absorbed and start working. Food can also make you less aware of first sensations of cramping.
For fastest effects, it’s better to take castor oil on an empty stomach and avoid food for 2-3 hours afterward. This allows your body to fully digest and absorb the oil into your system as quickly as possible.
Conclusion
In summary, castor oil generally takes between 2-6 hours to produce a bowel movement after ingestion. You’ll usually start feeling cramps and rumblings within 1-3 hours as the intestinal contractions begin.
Castor oil works faster when taken on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Allow up to 12 hours for it to fully work before taking more. Combining it with other stimulant laxatives may speed up the effects slightly.
Be prepared to stay near a bathroom once you take castor oil. Onset of action can vary widely between individuals. The good news is using castor oil is an effective, all-natural way to find constipation relief.
