Castor Oil packs

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Castor Oil Cures

Updated: 01/08/2011

Though we mainly know it as one of Edgar Cayce's most famous remedies, castor oil has a long history of traditional medical use dating back to ancient Egypt. Derived from the castor bean, the oil was traditionally used internally as a laxative. However, now it is primarily used externally due to its potential toxicity.
A castor oil pack is placed on the skin to increase circulation and to promote elimination and healing of the tissues and organs underneath the skin. It is used to stimulate the liver, relieve pain, increase lymphatic circulation, reduce inflammation, and improve digestion.
Castor oil packs are a traditional holistic treatment for a range of conditions, such as: cholecystitis (inflammation of the gall bladder), poor eliminations, epilepsy, various liver conditions such as cirrhosis and torpid liver, scleroderma, headaches, appendicitis, arthritis, incoordination between assimilations and eliminations, colitis, intestinal disorders such as stricture and colon impaction, incoordination between nervous systems, neuritis, and toxemia.
Castor oil packs are made by soaking a piece of flannel in castor oil and placing it on the skin. The flannel is covered with a sheet of plastic, and then a hot water bottle is placed over the plastic to heat the pack.
A castor oil pack can be placed on the following body regions:
The right side of the abdomen to stimulate the liver; inflamed and swollen joints, bursitis, and muscle strains; the abdomen to relieve constipation and other digestive disorders; the lower abdomen in cases of menstrual irregularities and uterine and ovarian cysts.
Safety precautions: Castor oil should not be taken internally. It should not be applied to broken skin, or used during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or during menstrual flow.
Materials
* Three layers of undyed wool or cotton flannel large enough to cover the affected area
* Castor oil
* Plastic wrap cut 1-2" larger than the flannel (can be cut from a plastic bag)
* Hot water bottle
* Container with lid
* Old clothes and sheets. Castor oil will stain clothing and bedding.
Place the flannel in the container. Soak it in castor oil so that it is saturated, but not dripping. Place the pack over the affected body part. Cover with plastic. Place the hot water bottle over the pack. Leave it on for 45-60 minutes. Rest while the pack is in place. After removing the pack, cleanse the area with a dilute solution of water and baking soda. Store the pack in the covered container in the refrigerator. Each pack may be reused up to 25-30 times.
It is generally recommended that a castor oil pack be used for 3 to 7 days in a week to treat a health condition or for detoxification.

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The Castor Oil & Milk Shake:

Laxative:

Its primary use is a stimulant laxative. It may cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramping. The general recommendation is 1 to 2 ounces mixed with milk or juice to make it palatable. It's best to follow the directions on the bottle.

Alternative liver cleanse:

Mix 40 ml castor oil with milk and shake for 5 minutes - drink on an empty stomach in the morning. Castor oil internally is a very drastic purgative and interrupts the enterohepatic cycle, which results in a heavy release of toxins built up in the liver. Patients report feeling the effect of all the toxins leaving their bodies.

Induction of Labor:

If you are 40 weeks and showing signs of labor, castor oil may induce labor. If you have begun to dilate and efface already, this will increase your chances of castor oil being effective at labor induction. It is believed that castor oil works to stimulate the bowels which can lead to cramps and tightening of the muscles in the intestines. These cramps may spread to the uterus, tightening the uterine muscles and stimulating contractions

• You should not try castor oil if you have not reached your due date or have a high risk pregnancy.
• There are some concerns about the safety of castor oil. Some reports show a correlation between meconium in the amniotic fluid and castor oil. However, many believe that it is more a co-occurring symptom of overdue babies. 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.

How to use: Most midwives recommend using 2 ounces mixed with milk or juice, or even ice cream. Source(s): http://malaysia.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070120185624AA49enm

NOTE: Before using castor oil you should consult your health care provider.

Specific Applications & Relevant Research:

Liver Detox:

General recommendation is to place the pack over the liver for at least an hour or overnight. The liver is located on the right side of the body underneath the rib cage.

Tumors / Cysts:

Warm castor oil packs may help dissolve lumps and relieve pain. Sometimes lumps will shrink after only a few applications. General treatment protocol: three hours, three times a week. (Ref.: "Alternative Cancer Therapies)

General Health Concerns:

Applications also include abdominal complaints, headaches, inflammatory conditions, muscle pains, skin eruptions and lesions (apply to affected areas)

Enhanced Immunological Function:

A double-blind study, described by Harvey Grady in a report entitled Immunomodulation through Castor Oil Packs published in a recent issue of the Journal of Naturopathic Medicine, examined lymphocyte values of 36 healthy subjects before and after topical castor oil application. This study identified castor oil as an anti-toxin, and as having impact on the lymphatic system, enhancing immunological function. The study found that castor oil pack therapy of a minimal two-hour duration produced an increase in the number of T-11 cells within a 24-hour period following treatment, with a concomitant increase in the number of total lymphocytes. This T-11 cell increase represents a general boost in the body's specific defense status, since lymphocytes actively defend the health of the body by forming antibodies against pathogens and their toxins. T-cells identify and kill viruses, fungi, bacteria, and cancer cells. Castor oil packs are a simple home therapy which often produces astounding results.
Two separate studies found that patients using abdominal castor oil packs had significant increases in the production of lymphocytes compared to those using placebo packs. Lymphocytes are the disease-fighting cells produced by your immune system and housed mainly in lymphatic tissue. For example, poor lymphatic drainage of the heart can lead to tissue damage and even heart failure. Similar problems can occur in the liver, kidneys, and other organs. When castor oil is absorbed through the skin from packs, several events take place. The lymphocyte count of the blood increases. The flow of lymph increases throughout the body, speeding up the removal of toxins surrounding the cells and reducing the size of swollen lymph nodes. The end result is a general overall improvement in organ function with a lessening of fatigue and depression. Additionally, as toxicity is reduced, the pH of the saliva becomes less acidic, and the Peyer's patches in the small intestines more efficiently absorb fatty acids, which are essential for the formation of hormones and other components necessary for growth and repair.