If you read the label you'll see that they suggest using it for intestinal incontinence by taking it orally. Now if it were harmful, this woudl be a seriously bad idea. You see the Castor plant was blessed by Jesus, as for side effects, having been in use for thousands of years and no one has complained of side effects, I'm pretty sure there is nothing to worry about. Some people have used the Castor Oil therapy in many forms for as long as two full years in a shot. THe best place for finding unusual remedies for Castor Oil is at the A.R.E. website. I've been reading his books so I don't visit the web site. But I do know there is one.