The use of castor seed as contraceptive is becoming a common knowledge as a result of its acclaimed potency. But there is also increase fear about castor seed and cancer.
Castor seed is a natural contraceptive, but is it totally safe? Will it leave a woman with cancer after using it for months or years as a contraceptive?
No woman will want to keep pregnancy away for some time and then return with a terminal diseases like cancer.
This is the reason people are concerned whether there is a thin line between castor seed and cancer.
As a result, you will want to know if you are safe when you use castor seed as contraceptive.
Basically, castor seed is rich in ricin. This is a toxic protein (Ricinus communis). This is the major reasons this castor seed and cancer fear is rising.
Castor seed is effective for women who want to prevent pregnancy.
See Related Article On How Castor Seed Works As Contraceptive
- Effectiveness Of Castor Seeds For Birth Control
- Side Effects Of Castor Seed For Birth Control: Users’ Experiences
- How To Neutralise Effect Of Castor Seeds As Contraceptive
However, there have been cases of women noticing some forms of side-effects when they use castor seed.
From vomiting, diarrhea, delayed period, having excessive period bleeding to delay in conception when you decide to conceive.
But, most persons that have reported this side-effects either abused the use of the seed.
Some got negative result because they ingested more than the dose they should. Others because they swallowed the seed with the shell.
Also, the ricin, which is one basic reason this side-effects occur, is often activated when the seed is injured. injury could occur while removing the white inner seed from the shell.
Castor Seed And Cancer
On whether this ricin is a cancer causing agent, a study has an different finding. It says ricin could inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
The study highlighted that although ricin is listed as one of the most poisonous substances in nature, it can be used in the complex forms with liposome to increase its specificity to apply in treatment of melanoma and other cancers (1).
Another study of 2015 is more specific. It also says ricin from castor seed has a potential as a treatment remedy for cancer.
According to the study, ricin, a cytotoxic plant protein isolated from castor bean seeds, is a ribosome-inactivating protein which destroys the cells by inhibiting proteins synthesis (2).
Furthermore, it states that ricin presents great potential as anti-cancer agent. Ricin exerts its anti-cancer activity by inducing apoptosis in cancer cells.
That said, a few other studies are recommending the use of castor oil instead of the seed. This is because during the extraction of the oil, there is a reduction in the ricin compound in castor seed.
The belief is that the oil is safer.
A Dose Lasts For Six Months
Additionally, there is currently no scientific evidence to suggest that consuming small amounts of castor oil, which is used in food, cosmetic, and industrial products, poses a cancer risk.
While some women who use this seed say it helps them keep pregnancy away, it is okay to also follow the recommendation.
Experts recommend that a dose (two seeds removed from the shell) could be effective for six months.
This means that a dose taken to prevent conception could still be effective for a six-moth period.
If you want to ingest castor seed as contraceptive, ensure that you do not damage the white seed in any way.
We know that people take to this natural seed because of the negative effects that implants and other forms of orthodox contraceptives come with.
The abuse or excessive use of anything is often detrimental to our health.
But if you are not comfortable with taking castor seed as contraceptive, you could opt for neem oil.
This you could use as lubricant, although some persons say their partner often detest the odour of this oil.
Neem oil is a product from neem tree and it is effective as contraceptive.