Is castor oil the same as canola oil?

Question

I heard that castor oil is suppose to induce labor...but i couldn't find it anywhere. Just wondering if canola oil is the same or not.

Answer 1

It's different than canola oil. Canola is a vegetable oil derived from rapeseeds that is used for cooking. The word "canola" is a derivative of the phrase "Canadian oil, low acid" because it is low in erucic acid.

Castor oil is extracted from castor beans.

You would find castor oil in the health and beauty section, if the store has it, because some people use castor oil for its moisturizing qualities.

As far as labor induction goes, you can try it. Some women swear it works. Others just get diarrhea and stomach cramps.

By the way, it is NOT proven that there is a correlation between taking castor oil and having meconium in the amniotic fluid. This could very well be simply a co-occuring symptom of overdue babies. That is, many past due babies have meconium in their fluid anyway. Castor oil is used most frequently in overdue pregnancies. Since overdue babies have an increased chance of having meconium in the amniotic fluid, many believe the overdue baby is the cause of the meconium and not the castor oil.

Answer 2

No. They're very different. Castor oil was used for medicinal purposes to "clean out" the digestive system. It causes hard intestinal cramps and tastes and smells like you're drinking automotive oil. Canola oil is used for cooking. It's said to be a healthy substitute for vegetable oil.

Answer 3

Not castor oil is not the same as canola oil. You can find castor oil in you pharmacy department. I don't know about it for inducing labor but i heard a thing about vinegarette salad dressing for inducing labor, but not sure only telling what i heard. good luck.

Answer 4

NO! Castor oil comes from the Castor bean,and yes I've heard that too. Have you tried gnc or organic store?

Answer 5

Drinking castor oil will NOT induce labor. That's just an old wives tale.

To save yourself from becoming sick, don't grovel the lie and do it.

Answer 6

LOL that is really funny. I really hope this is not a serious question... just in case NO

Oh and just in case you really are serious. Do NOT take castor oil. It can kill your baby if it aspirates the myconium that is passed from you taking it.

edit- wow, i would think if you were going to recommend someone try something that controversial you would at least site a source. I have read posts from women on here that had serious complications from using castor oil

Answer 7

NO! Totally different. You can buy it at any super walmart but I wouldn't recommend it. It gives you horrible cramps......not contractions if you don't take it the right way and it won't work unless your body is ready for labor....If I were you I would just have sex...It caused me to go into labor with both of my kids. Of course I waited until I was atleast 38 weeks along.

Answer 8

nope... not quite... castor oil is a medication to help you get the runs or to poop... Try looking for it in the laxative section... kroger, walmart, all those places sell it... Canola oil will just clog your arteries and make it harder for you to breathe

Answer 9

UH NO!!! I tried the Castor Oil thing...not only did it taste awful...it didnt work!!! be careful!!

Answer 10

No, it's different. Don't take it if you are close to the end of your pregnancy. There's a small chance it will start labor, but a larger chance that it will make the baby have meconium (a bowel movement in the womb) and that is not good.