DIY Castor Oil Packs for Liver Detox and Break Down Kidney Stones

Many of us can remember being given castor oil as a child, for cold, fever, constipation or deworming. If you did, then you’ll know just how unpleasant it was to have to swallow the oil. Our parents (or grandparents) probably knew about the many health benefits of castor oil, but we now know that castor oil has many more uses, virtually a cure-all for many ailments!

Castor oil is a triglyceride that is composed of fatty acids, 90 percent of which is ricinoleic acid. Ricinoleic acid is the primary healing ingredient in castor oil that is used to prevent the growth of various harmful microbes such as viruses, bacteria, yeasts and molds.

This is really a no-wonder as we have read that seeds from fruits have these powerful anti-pathogen properties. Three very good examples are papaya seeds, pumpkin seeds and avocado seeds.

CASTOR OIL TO BE TAKEN ORALLY FOR MEDICINAL BENEFITS

1. Improves Immune function

Castor oil has strong immune-enhancing effects that support and improve the lymphatic drainage. You can use abdominal castor oil packs to significantly increase the production of lymphocytes—white blood cells that help produce antibodies to fight invading pathogens.

The lymphatic system also impacts the circulatory and digestive systems in helping you to detoxify, support heart health and heal digestive issues such as diarrhea and constipation.

2. Improves Blood Flow

Poor blood circulation is one of the first signs of impending chronic diseases. By improving circulation, the blood system is able to pump blood to and from the heart, carries oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. This process is vital for keeping a healthy body to nourish every cell and ensuring that wastes are also carried out of the body effectively.

3. Balances Hormones

With a much improved blood circulation and less toxins in the blood stream from castor oil consumption, your body is able to balance hormones more efficiently. With more balanced hormones, the immense benefits are distributed to all parts of the body where hormones affect your health. There will be less PMS symptoms, mood swings, anxieties, depression, and improved health of the reproductive system, and the other hormone producing glands, such as the thyroid, thymus, pancreas, adrenals and the like.

4. Improves Digestive Health

The pharmaceutical companies my tell you that is is not safe to ingest the oil for its effective effect. The truth is that our ancestors have been doing this for centuries for good health.

Castor oil works as a natural mild laxative when taken orally and helps with complete evacuation during a bowel movement. The active ingredient ricinoleic acid helps the process of digestion, nutrient absorption and cleansing of the digestive system for regularity.

A healthier gut will reduce digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhea, cramping, bloating (water retention), leaky gut and other symptoms of IBS.

5. Soothes Arthritic Joint Pains

Congestion in the lymphatic system due to accumulation of toxic wastes is what typically cause the pain and inflammation in joints. As castor oil is efficient in easing up the lymphatic flow, it can also help ease up the congestion thus relieving arthritic pains.

Massage castor oil on the painful joints regularly to get the lymphatic system moving and to ease the congestion. Increasing blood flow in the affected area will alleviate the pain.

6. Treats Fungal Infections

Thanks to the active ingredient—ricinoleic acid—castor oil can be used to treat common fungal infections such as cystic acne, ringworm, shingles, athlete’s foot, jock itch (tinea cruris), and other fungal ailments.

To effectively treat fungal infections, take castor oil orally (see dosage below), and also apply it topically. Heat 1-2 tablespoon of castor oil on low heat just to warm it up a little. Apply it on affected area to ease the itch. Repeat regularly or when needed till you see significant improvement. Continue treatment until the infection completely disappears.

PURCHASING QUALITY CASTOR OIL AND ORAL DOSAGE

As with ingesting any oil, always be sure that you obtain only the highest quality to ensure safety and effectiveness. Pure castor oil has to be cold-pressed, and preferably come in dark bottles.

Do not purchase cheap castor oil. Some of it is processed with chemicals or in other ways that leave a less than desirable resulting product including possible contamination with toxins.

Read the package directions on ingestible amount. Do not take more than recommended and do not consume more than seven days consecutively unless under the supervision of your healthcare professional.

To use castor oil orally, always start with a low dosage and working your way up. Typically, the dosage for adults is 1 tablespoon and children 2-12 years old is 1 teaspoon. You can mix the oil with juices or choice of milk to dilute the oil and at the same time, making it palatable. I don’t recommend the oil to be taken orally for children under 2 years of age.

CASTOR OIL FOR EXTERNAL APPLICATION

7. Treats Inflamed Skin

Castor oil is excellent for treating skin inflammation that is caused by sunburns, bites, dry cracked skin or acne. Dip a cotton ball in castor oil, apply directly to the affected skin area and leave it on for an hour and let it absorb. Repeat two or three times a day till skin is healed.

8. Moisturizes Skin And Relieves Itchiness

The fatty acids in castor oil can nourish and moisturize dry skin and skin itchiness. Due to its viscous nature, it stays put and easily penetrates into your skin tissue.

Remember that a little goes a long way—simply rub a teaspoonful between your palms and apply all over your skin.

9. Healthy Lips

Castor oil does wonders for dry and cracked lips. It is added to lip balm that you buy over the counter. Simply rub a little of this oil on your lips to heal cracks and prevent further chapping. This is a much safer option than petroleum jelly such as Vaselline.

10. Relieves Muscle And Back Pain

Massage castor oil on your muscles after an intense workout to promote blood circulation and relieve soreness. Mix it with peppermint oil or chamomile oil for extra healing and soothing effect.

Have someone massage the oil on your back pain area. Then cover the area with a clean, soft cloth and place a hot water pack on top to help the oil permeating through the skin into the inflamed tissues. Leave till hot water pack turns cold. Repeat the process daily till pain goes away. This remedy helps increase blood flow that will remove the pain effectively.

11. Treats Hemorrhoids

Castor oil is great for shrinking hemorrhoids that are outside the body. Soak a cotton ball in castor oil and apply it on the hemorrhoids. Leave the cotton ball on for about 15 mintures. Wear a pad if you need to move around. Apply multiple times a day if needed.

12. Assisting A Good Night’s Sleep

This is an excellent remedy if you have difficulty falling asleep. It is not clear exactly how, but people who have tried this vouch for its effectiveness.

Dabbing a small amount of castor oil on your eyelids can help you fall asleep much easier. Castor oil may promote a deeper and longer sleep, enabling you to wake up refreshed in the morning.

13. Stops Colic In Infants

Colic sometimes occurs during the first few months of a baby’s life and can lead to long periods of excessive crying. Its exact cause is still unknown, although gas is believed to be a major culprit.

To use castor oil for colic, rub some of the oil between your two palms to warm it up, then gently place your warmed palm on your child’s abdomen. Do this until you hear your baby break wind, expelling the gas in the intestines. Your baby will get quick relief and soon fall asleep in peace.

CASTOR OIL FOR BEAUTY, HAIR AND HEALTH

14. Hair Growth And To Thicken Hair

Warm up castor oil a little and massage the oil into your hair and scalp to improve blood circulation to the follicles, promoting faster hair growth. The oil will also nourish your hair with the fatty acids and protein content.

For a really deep effect, leave the oil on overnight and cover with a shower cap. Wash it out the next day. You may need to shampoo a couple of times to get rid of the greasy oil. A little messy but it works to grow your hair like crazy!

Doing this regularly promotes hair growth and new growth that will leave you with a beautiful head of healthy, shiny and thicker hair.

15. Treats Dandruff And Scalp Conditions

Thanks to its anti-microbial  properties, massaging castor oil into the scalp will help to clear up much of the dandruff even after one application.

For a healthier and shinier hair, and to get rid of dandruff, mix these:

• 1 tablespoon of castor oil
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• Juice from half a lemon

Apply this mask mixture to the roots of your hair and leave for about 30 minutes. Shampoo and condition your hair.

16. For Longer Eyelashes And Eyebrows

If you desire to have longer eyelashes and thicker eyebrows, use a cotton bud tip to apply castor oil on your eyelids and eyebrows respectively. Do this every night before going to bed. It stimulates the growth of hair in these area. You will see good results within two weeks of nightly application.

17. Erases Scars And Stretch Marks

Apply castor oil on scars or stretch marks—2-3 times a day, every day—to reduce the appearance of scars. The fatty acids in the oil penetrate into the scar tissue and promote the growth of healthy tissue around it.

Applying castor oil on your abdominal skin during pregnancy will prevent stretch marks from forming. It is easier to prevent than to erase, so it’s good to know and do this during pregnancy.

18. Removes Skin Tags, Corns And Warts

Take a cotton wool, soak it in castor oil and press out the excess. Put the soaked cotton over your skin blemish and secure it in place with a bandaid. Some people use a piece of duct tape that works equally as well. The oil will soften the tags, corns, warts and all, within a few days and drop off without scarring. Remove and change the dressing every day until you achieve your desired results.

CASTOR OIL LIVER PACK

Benefits Of Using A Castor Oil Pack

Castor oil packs have been shown to help liver detoxification naturally, break down kidney stones, support uterine and ovarian health, improve lymphatic circulation, increase blood flow and reduce inflammation.

Detoxification using castor oil pack may be messy but it does not have any negative side effects. Many have reported better and quality sleep, more energy, less body and joint pains, better skin condition and many other health issues gone, after applying castor liver pack a few times.

As in any detoxification program, it is very important to eat healthy, drink plenty of water, and for better results to drink freshly-extracted juices to nourish cells back to health.

What You Need:

• High quality castor oil
• Lemon essential oil – optional but recommended
• Washable spa body wrap
• Heat pad
• Wool Flannel Pad or Cotton Pad or cloth (if using cotton I recommend organic, if possible)

Instructions:

1. Moisten flannel or cotton with castor oil.  (Add 1-2 drops of lemon essential oil to the castor oil, mix well.)
2. Place moistened pad/cloth on right side of abdomen, just below rib cage (that’s where your liver is located). If using to detoxify kidneys, put them on your back where both kidneys are located.
3. Secure the pad in place with the body wrap by wrapping around entire abdomen.
4. Heat up the heating pad and place it on top of flannel pad.
5. Lie down and keep the heat pack in place for about an hour.

NOTE: Castor oil application can be very messy and difficult to remove, so make sure to wear a clean, old garment that you don’t mind getting stained.

CAUTION

As good as castor oil is, always practice safe use especially when using it for the first time.

• Test the oil on your wrist before using it, to make sure that you are not allergic.
• Do not use too much castor oil, nor too often on your face, as it may clog pores and lead to breakouts.
• Pregnant women should avoid taking castor oil orally.

Stay healthy and positive! Share and make your loved ones aware!

Source: Beauty and Tips