Castor Oil has been medicinally used for over 3,500 years. Castor oil is known to promote detoxification, helps to stimulate blood circulation in the body’s tissues and improve lymphatic drainage for optimal health and healing.
One of the more compelling health benefits of castor oil, is how it can support your
immune system without ingesting the oil, but by applying it externally on your skin.
Lymphatic Drainage System
Did you know unlike your blood, your lymphatic fluid doesn’t have a pump? Instead, it relies on gravity and pressure. Thats why lymphatic massage and rebounding are so useful. The lymphatic fluid allow waste to be collected from your tissues and transported to your blood for elimination. When your lymphatic system is not working properly, waste and toxins build up and make you sick.
Lymphocytes are your immune system’s disease-fighting cells. They are produced and stored mainly in your lymphatic tissue (thymus gland, spleen, and lymph nodes). When your lymphatic system is not working properly, waste and toxins can build up causing inflammation and make you sick and even cause cancer.
Edgar Cayce’s Castor Oil Pack
Castor oil packs were popularized by the late psychic healer, Edgar Cayce. William McGarey, a physician and the author of The Oil That Heals researched Edgar Cayce’s work and reported that when used properly, castor oil packs improve the function of your thymus gland and immune system by increasing lymphocyte production1. Increased lymphocytes speed up the removal of toxins from your tissues, which promotes healing.
Ricinoleic Acid
Castor oil is a triglyceride of fatty acids—almost 90% consists of ricinoleic acid and is thought to be responsible for castor oil’s remarkable healing abilities.
Ricinoleic acid is effective in preventing the growth of viruses, bacteria, yeasts, and molds. You can use this topically for ringworm, keratoses, skin inflammation, abrasions, fungal-infections in finger and toenails, acne, and chronic pruritus (itching). The treatment for these conditions is to wrap the affected area each night in a cloth soaked with castor oil.
How To Make Castor Oil Packs
Castor oil “packs” can be an economical and efficient method of infusing the ricinoleic acid and other healing components of castor oil directly into your tissues. Be sure to do “patch test” prior to applying a castor oil pack to assure no allergic reaction to the oil.
To make a castor oil pack, you will need the following supplies:
- High quality cold-pressed castor oil
- A hot water bottle or heating pad
- Plastic wrap, sheet of plastic, or plastic garbage bag
- Two or three one-foot square pieces of wool or cotton flannel, or one piece large enough to cover the entire treatment area when folded in thirds
- One large old bath towel
Instructions:
- Fold flannel three layers thick so it is still large enough to fit over your entire upper abdomen and liver, or stack the three squares.
- Soak flannel with the oil so that it is completely saturated. The oil should be at room temperature.
- Lie on your back with your feet elevated (using a pillow under your knees and feet works well), placing flannel pack directly onto your abdomen; cover oiled flannel with the sheet of plastic, and place the hot water bottle on top of the plastic.
- Cover everything with the old towel to insulate the heat. Take caution not to get the oil on whatever you are laying on, as it can stain. If necessary, cover that surface with something to protect it.
- Leave pack on for 45 to 60 minutes.
- When finished, remove the oil from your skin by washing with a solution of two tablespoons of baking soda to one quart water, or just soap and water. (Be sure to wash the towel by itself, as the castor oil can make other clothes stink if washed together.)
- You can reuse the pack several times, each time adding more oil as needed to keep the pack saturated. Store the pack in a mason jar in a convenient location, such as next to your bed. Replace the pack after it begins to change color.
- For maximum effectiveness, apply at least four consecutive days per week for one month. Patients who use the pack daily report the most benefits.
References:
1 Immunomodulation Through Castor Oil Packs
Harvey Grady
Journal of Naturopathic Medicine
Volume 7, Number 1 1999
The following paper published in 1999 details the results of a double blind study done on 36 healthy subjects before and after applying castor oil packs abdominally for 2 hours daily while having them rest in bed.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29084706
https://drprincetta.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Castor-Oil-Packs-Immunomodulation.pdf
http://www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/151/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25542985
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/303087.php
https://www.drdavidwilliams.com/benefits-uses-castor-oil/
Additional Reads
http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.aspx?Id=2910
I use castor oil to detoxify at least 1 time every three months and for the growth of my hair and eyelashes, I use it in cosmetic form. I didn’t know so many wonders about this product. Good article.