Mineral Oil Laxative

A misnomer

Like castor oil, mineral oil belongs to the class of natural laxatives known as "lubricant laxatives". Lubricant laxatives, contrary to their name s, do not really lubricate the intestines at all. To do so would imply that stool is sped up due to a thin film of oil which decreases the frictio n between it and the colonic walls.

Rather, lubricant class of natural laxatives have the effect of coating the stomach contents, preventing the removal of water and thereby keeping the stool soft.

The mechanism of mineral oil

The main ingredient of mineral oil is petrolatum, which is a tasteless, colorless and odorless substance that is not only indigestible to humans, but also to bacteria. Therefore, petrolatum stays unspoiled and intact for extended periods. When it's in the intestines, it isn't absorbed and passes through completely. But like taking any oily substance that coats your stools, there may be an effect on not just absoprtion of water but also other substances. For example, fat soluble vitamins like K, D, A, and E, are sometimes found to be deficient in people who take too much oils as laxatives. This is because these vitamins dissolve well in oil and remain in the gut rather than be absorbed into the body.

Application

How is mineral oil taken? The usual route is by oral administration, but it can also be used in suppository or enema form by placing in rectum. This is special for the class of natural laxatives, but allows for some control of dosing by restriction to the lower intestines.

Electrolyte imbalance

As usual, there may be side effects from taking mineral oil, such as high electrolytic imbalance which needs to be remedied by fixing the diet. Since the side effects are variable across the population, it is highly advised that you seek the advice of a doctor before taking up this kind of treatment even though it's billed as a natural laxative.