The Many Benefits of Castor Oil
As a massage therapist and person who loves computers, I experience soreness, tension, and sometimes pain in my wrists, thumbs, and forearms. Repetitive use my hands leaves me with hypertonic muscles that can feel like little rocks and connective tissue that feels like metal rods. During the last months of massage school, the pain was becoming unbearable and it became hard to use my pincer grip (thumb & forefingers) because pain would shoot up my arms. This was quite a predicament, since my new career as well as my “old” career depended on me constantly using my hands! I became a bit frantic and very worried. I could not live in pain – I am supposed to help heal pain! What was a new MT to do?
Before too long, it hit me. Castor Oil! During the hydrotherapy week of school, we learned about the drawing and lubricating properties of castor oil combined with heat. All it took was a couple treatments for me to feel relief! I went from constant aching and shooting pain back to normal. This amazing treatment is pretty simple and very accessible!
Castor oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the castor seed. It is a colorless and viscous liquid with mild to no odor or taste. About 85% - 95% of the fatty acid chains are ricinoleic acid, which exerts anti-inflammatory effects. Castor oil or a derivative is added to many modern drugs.
Castor oil appears to have a unique ability to sink transdermally (through the skin) to relax smooth muscle. The use of cold pressed castor oil in folk medicine predates government regulations. Uses include skin problems, burns, sunburns, skin disorders, abdominal complaints, headaches, muscle pains, inflammatory conditions, skin eruptions, lesions, and sinusitis.
Unfortunately, no research exists to prove the healing effects of castor oil. Many testimonials and stories about people’s experiences can be found by doing a simple google for “castor oil.” Through my professional and personal experience, I have heard of people avoiding carpal tunnel surgery, alleviating pain from overian cysts, and detoxifying the liver all from castor oil packs. There is no guarantee that your condition will be healed, but with so many people finding relief with castor oil, I know it is worth a shot.
I am excited about what Castor Oil has done for my pain and offer this modality for you to try!
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CASTOR OIL PACKS
Precautions
Do not use a heated castor oil pack for uterine growths, cancer tumors, or ulcers. Don’t use if you are pregnant, breast feeding, or menstruating. Don’t apply over broken skin. Consult your doctor before using this treatment.
Castor Oil Pack Components
- Castor oil – cold pressed only
- Plastic – bags, saran wrap, etc Cotton or Wool – wash cloth, flannel, muslin (3x the size of the area to apply it on)
- Heating pad (if indicated)
To Make The Pack
Take the piece of the material, place it in a pan (like a large disposable baking pan) and pour castor oil on it. Thoroughly soak the material, you can rub the material together and then let it set until is absorbs. When you use it, you want it well saturated, but not dripping. There is happy medium to be found.
You will be able to reuse this pack many times. After each use, you will probably need to add a little more castor oil. When you are not using it, you can store it in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
How To Place The Pack
Fold the pack 3 times to place on a larger or flat area like the abdomen or back. You can wrap the material around an arm, hand, or leg. Once placed, cover the area with plastic so that no part of the oil-soaked pack is exposed. Cover or wrap with a heating pad if indicated..
Using The Pack
Use the pack in the evening, as you are resting before bed. Use care with the pack & oil. Note that castor oil is almost impossible to wash out completely.
Keep the pack on for at least 20 minutes up to overnight. For my arms, I have found that using a long tube sock or leg warmer over the plastic makes it easy for me to sleep with the castor oil packs on. With the overnight method, I only use the heating pad to initially warm the pack.
Have a paper towel handy to wipe the oil off yourself. Castor oil is very sticky. If you aren’t showering immediately, you can make a solution of baking soda in warm water (2 teaspoons to a quart), and use paper towels or a sponge with the baking soda solution to clean off the castor oil.
I apply as many times as it takes for me to feel relief and then do maintenance packs as needed. Typically, this will be 2 – 5 times in a week. As life gets busy, I sometimes forget the maintenance packs and my body lets me know.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castor_oil
http://www.meridianinstitute.com/reports/castor2.html
http://www.edgarcayce.org/health/database/health_resources/castor_Oil_Packs.asp
http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/castor-oil.html
Photo Credit: Photo by Brian Prechtel - http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/jan01/k9200-2i.jpg
