Cold Pressed Castor Bean Oil – the old remedy for pain relief
Most of us think of Castor Oil as the horrible liquid our parents made us take for the lovely laxative quality it possesses. Many are surprised to learn of the variety of uses cold pressed castor bean oil has for your health. Castor oil gained popularity as a topical healing agent in the mid-1900s, applied with a wool cloth and a heat source directly to the skin. In Naturopathic Medicine, castor oil packs are a commonly prescribed home remedy for ailments involving scar tissue, liver stagnation and joint pain or inflammation. In this modern age a flannel cloth and a heating pad or hot water bottle is all you need. As a strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic, this is a satisfying (and warm) treatment option.
Indications for Castor Oil :
- Liver Cleansing
- Skin inflammation, pain and/or infection (if closed)
- Breast Infection and/or plugged milk duct
- Peptic Ulcers
- Colitis
- Prostate or uterine problems
- Arthritis
- Chest colds
- Anti-inflammatory and analgesic
How To:
- Fold 1 to 2 inch thickness of flannel cloth about 10″ x 12″ for abdominal applications.
- Dampen the cloth and pour castor oil onto the cloth.
- Place over treatment area and place plastic wrap over the castor oil pack to prevent soiling your clothes or sheets.
- Place heating pad or hot water bottle on top.
- Pack may remain in place 1 – 8 hours. Minimal treatment time is 1 hour.
Post Treatment Cleaning:
If you choose, you may clean off castor oil with soda water prepared by adding one teaspoon baking soda to one pint of cool water. Dip a cloth into soda water and rub skin briskly until thoroughly cleansed. Castor oil pack may be kept up to one year in a plastic container or zip lock bag.
