The use of castor oil in the treatment of children

Castor oil is a tool that has been known to everyone since childhood, thanks to the references to this drug, as effective, but rather nasty, in fairy tales and films. For example, Malvina was drunk by Pinocchio with castor oil in punishment, and Dunno could not tolerate this medicine. There is a deal of truth in it. Castor oil is not the most pleasant thing in the world, but sometimes you can't do without it. We will tell about the use of castorhe in the treatment of children in this material.

At the heart of the legendary castor oil - a substance derived from the seeds of ordinary castor (plant euphorbiaceae). The oil is translucent and viscous, has a light yellow tint and a well-remembered peculiar smell.

In pharmacies, you can buy the product in different bottles - from 25 to 100 ml. The price is small, on average in Russia it is 27 rubles for a small bottle (25-30 ml) up to 90 rubles for a larger capacity.

Most people believe that castor oil is an extremely laxative, which is used for constipation. However, castor oil is a shrub, although it is one of the most poisonous, it also has other undoubted advantages: it is an excellent emollient used for inflammation of the digestive organs (gastric ulcer and gastritis, for colitis, poisoning, etc.).

Castor oil is an amazing herbal remedy that has anti-inflammatory, diuretic, laxative effects, anthelmintic and warming effects. In addition, it is often used in cosmetology.

On the use of castor oil in the treatment of children for a long time argued traditional healers and quite traditional doctors with diplomas of medical institutes. There are numerous arguments for and against. And while there is a search for truth, castor oil continues to be used, including for children. Indeed, more than one generation of moms and dads, as well as grandparents grew up on such treatment by quite healthy people.

The scope of castor oil for adults is quite extensive, which can not be said about child application. Let's take a look at when and how to treat a child with this drug.

For relief from constipation, castor oil should not be given to children under 12 years old. Drink it once a day. This tool, which is not intended for a course of treatment, as it causes rapid addiction and impaired intestinal function (atony), when the child is no longer able to go to the toilet "large" on their own, without another dose of the drug. The dose depends on the age and weight of the offspring. Minimum - 1 teaspoon, maximum - 1 tablespoon. The expected effect is 4-6 hours after administration.

Castor oil is part of many children's skin care products, including creams for the diaper, which means that it can be used externally for eczema, itching, diaper rash, and pimples from birth. For application to the damaged area of ​​the skin, the oil is recommended to be slightly heated, as it becomes thinner when it is warm and better reveals its beneficial properties.

Castor oil is often used in massage mixtures for small children.It is recommended to mix with almond or peach oil. Children from 2 years old can add a few drops of essential oils to this composition. This massage improves lymphatic drainage, warms the body, has a powerful restorative effect.

With a strong cough, the proven “grandma's” recipe helps a lot. A mixture of preheated castor oil and turpentine is rubbed into the child’s chest and back, then the child is covered with a warm blanket. This is a great warming procedure that allows you to in 3-5 days get rid of cough. This method is recommended for children from six months and older.

With alopecia (a disease that is accompanied by thinning and hair loss) the child can be helped with the help of the same castorhe. Add warmly grated onion bulb to warm oil. The mixture is gently rubbed into the scalp of the child, covered with a film for half an hour. Then wash off. The procedure can be carried out if the child is already 3 years old. The frequency of such treatments for hair is 2-3 times a month. The growth of the hair in most cases is fully restored within two to three months.

Slightly heated castor oil is instilled into the ears to relieve pain and inflammation in otitis media. Such treatment has an age requirement - children under 2 years old should not use the drug as drops in their ears! Children over this age drip with great care. It is important that the eardrum was not damaged, and the discharge from the inflamed ear was not purulent.

For the ears of the child is enough 1-2 drops in each auricle no more than twice a day. With castor oil, turunds can be made into the ears or a warming compress on the parotid area (provided that the child has no purulent discharge).

Castor oil is used to clean the intestines from worms in both adults and children. However, it should be remembered that castor oil is not recommended for internal use in children under 12 years. Often this method helps to get rid of worms and children younger (from 7 years). The dose of the drug - should not exceed a teaspoon. For treatment, the oil is mixed with lemon juice and given to the child once a day. The course of treatment is not more than 3 days.

With a poorly healing umbilical wound, the same castorca helps the newborn. In this case, it is even recommended by doctors. With a cotton swab dipped in a warm oil of castor bean seeds, it is necessary to gently handle both the umbilical space and the wound itself several times a day.

Warts in children - a fairly common phenomenon. Castor oil should be rubbed into the wart with heavy movements for about five minutes. The procedure is repeated 3-5 times a day. After 3-4 weeks the wart should disappear. The same way you can reduce the severity of age spots, but it will require a longer course of treatment.

Often, castor oil is instilled into the nose of children with a cold, sinus. It is important to remember that babies under 3 years old cannot be used in this way. The rest shows a three-time daily instillation of 2 drops in each nostril. If the runny nose with a cold is insignificant, you can get rid of the wings of the nose with the castor oil from the inside and outside. It is also a great way to prevent viral infections during periods of seasonal incidence.

The drug should be applied to the child on the sore spot, after mixing it with sea buckthorn oil. Castor quickly heals various wounds, with the exception of skin lesions with the formation of purulent plaque.

1. Castor oil can not be used if the child has a tendency to allergic reactions.
2. Inside, castor oil should never be given to a child with appendicitis, pinching of hernias and other problems that are accompanied by severe pain and require surgical intervention.
3. The drug is prohibited to use in children with kidney disease.

The symptoms of castor overdose in children are as follows: abdominal cramps, kidney dysfunction, dizziness, loss of consciousness. Antidotes - «Loperamide» and "Atropine sulfate".