New information, new data, and new research flood into the world on a daily basis. Technology has produced fantastic new devices that provide high levels of therapy and promote healing and detoxification in the comfort of our homes. This may cause us to dismiss a simple and time-tested therapy for healing.
We tend to keep our ears perked for the newest approach or innovation when seeking freedom from chronic illness.
Suffering with chronic pain, fatigue, or debility, well…stinks! Our brains are wired to escape pain and seek pleasure. In this pursuit, we can overlook (and undervalue) the tried and true.
Disease and dis-ease seem to be more insidious than ever before in history. Yet our bodies are still as miraculous as ever.
Environmental toxins and man-made problems may persist, but God’s design will always prevail. Our body has, and always will, respond to quality, timing, frequency, intensity, and duration of stimuli. The source of stimuli can stem from herbs, nutrients, meals, sleep, prayer, clean water, or positive relationships to name a few.
Implementing health-building stimuli into each day doesn’t have to be high tech and new-fangled.
Time-tested Therapy for Healing
As much as we appreciate and utilize the latest technology at the Institute for Restorative Health, we continue to value the therapeutic workhorses of old. We consistently recommend therapies (at home and in the clinic) that give the most benefit for the time and resources invested.
Castor oil packs provide a great return on the time invested while remaining quite cost effective!
What is a Castor Oil Pack?
This time-tested therapy for healing utilizes flannel sheets saturated with castor oil. These castor oil packs are then applied externally to specific areas of the body, depending on symptoms and need. We recommend applying a moist heat source to improve this therapy.
Egypt and India, cradles of the healing arts, have documented the therapeutic effects of castor oil for thousands of years. These ancient healing traditions used castor oil for longevity, skin health, joint pain and abdominal pain. It was used both internally for digestive health, and externally as an anti-microbial and for skin support.
The use of castor oil packs is a relatively recent therapy. Naturopathic doctors have known and promoted the health benefits of castor oil packs for decades.
Therapeutic Properties of Castor Oil
Castor oil is produced from the seeds of the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis). This therapeutic oil has been referred to as the “palm of Christ” due to its healing properties and hand-like appearance.
The Doctrine of Signatures provides the intuitive knowledge of the therapeutic effect of plants based on the plant’s physical similarities to parts of the human body. The branches of the castor bean plant are long and tube-like. In this tradition, it indicates that castor oil supports vascular health, helps move lymph fluid, and acts as a diuretic.
When oil is extracted from the castor bean, it is mostly comprised of ricinoleic acid. This unsaturated fatty acid is similar in shape to oleic, or linoleic, acids found in olives, nuts, and avocados. Molecules of similar shape have similar functions. Therefore, castor oil, like other healthy oils, is an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and boosts the immune system.
Ricinoleic acid is not found in many other plants. The chemical makeup of this acid is called a hydroxyl group. This gives castor oil the unique ability to possess not only the properties of an oil, but also alcohol. As a result, this property helps to preserve castor oil from rancidity. It also allows it to permeate into tissues differently than other oils.
Castor oil packs may:
- Improve digestion
- Relieve constipation
- Cleanse the liver/gall bladder
- Calm and balance the nervous system
To make a pack, you’ll need:
- Cold-pressed, organic castor oil
- Unbleached wool or cotton flannel (3-4 layers in 12” x 12” sheets)
- Plastic trash bag, or plastic wrap
- Moist heat source, such as hot water bottle
- Old towels
Soak the flannel with castor oil. The first time will take more oil to saturate the flannel (at least 4 tsp). Place the plastic between the heat source and the flannel and apply to the area of concern (e.g. liver, abdomen, low back). For best results, allow the oil-saturated flannel to warm up for 15 minutes on the heat source before applying to the body.
Multiple old towels are necessary as castor oil will run, drip, and discolor whatever material it touches. You’ll want to lie down on one towel and cover the pack with an additional one. This will retain heat and protect other materials from any oil run-off.
You can wear the castor oil pack for an hour or overnight. It is important to rest and relax during this time. Find a comfortable position and pray, meditate, read, or listen to music for maximum effect.
After use, wipe off the excess castor oil and cleanse the skin. The castor oil is resistant to spoilage and may be kept at room temperature. The pack will last through several applications. Replace it when the castor begins to smell rancid or the flannel discolors from released toxins.
Contraindications for Using Castor Oil Packs
External use of castor oil is safe and effective. However, avoid using the heat source with active infections, bleeding, or injuries less than 48 hours old. Do not use castor oil packs during pregnancy.
The above castor oil method is very effective but can be quite messy regardless of your use of caution. Home therapy diligence is a must while attempting to escape the grip of chronic illness. To improve consistency in applying your castor oil pack, consider this much easier and less messy system from Dr. Marisol.
Non-Invasive Healing Modalities
When it comes to finding relief from chronic pain, relentless constipation or IBS, blocked lymphatics, or the flames of inflammation, don’t overlook this powerful yet gentle and time-tested therapy for healing.
Are you looking for an effective, but natural and non-invasive way to heal from a complex or chronic health condition? Click here to learn more about our BioRestorative Method. We’ve tailored each element in our BioRestorative MethodTM to optimize your physical, mental, and spiritual health. Request a complimentary consultation to see if a customized program is right for you.
