A Therapeutic Oil
Castor Oil is a fatty oil derived from castor seeds of the castor bean plant, Ricinus communis. The oil has been used for centuries, both internally and topically. The Egyptians were using it as far back as 4000 B.C. per the Ebers Papyrus. Traditionally, castor oil has been a stalwart supporter of well-being. It has been lauded for fortifying the immune system, accelerating the healing of skin maladies like styes and wounds, alleviating constipation, and even aiding in the induction of labor. Some use castor oil internally for its laxative effects, but I am going to focus on external uses.
Today castor oil is used frequently in various industries, such as the industrial, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries for uses such as to provide gloss in lip balms. Castor oil also has various properties such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and does not clog your pores as readily as other oils may.
Castor beans contain a toxic enzyme called ricin, luckily, the heating process castor oil undergoes during production deactivates the ricin, allowing the oil to be used safely. The primary active component of castor oil is the monounsaturated fatty acid ricinoleic acid (up to 90%), with the remainder being made up of linoleic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, and a small amount of linolenic acid.
Wellness Benefits
Castor oil can act as an occlusive moisturizer, which prevents or reduces water loss through the outer layer of the skin, so some people also use castor oil for skin care treatment of wrinkles around the lips and eyes as well as for moisturizing dry skin. You can also use this rich oil on its own as a natural moisturizer, but since it is thick, you may want to mix it with other skin-friendly oils such as almond, grapeseed, jojoba, avocado, carrot seed, or raspberry seed. (If you are interested in learning more about formulating your facial oils, Susan M. Parker has a great course through The Lipid Oils Academy and also has written a neat book, Power of the Seed: Your Guide to Oils for Health & Beauty). Do be aware, that some can have an allergic reaction or irritation to applying undiluted castor oil topically, so try it on a test patch first. If you have a mild irritation reaction, you may want to consider diluting it with another oil.
Some people apply castor oil topically to the scalp and hair to bring a luxurious silky shine to the hair and to treat dandruff. You may find it additional benefit to either infuse rosemary into the castor oil or to add rosemary essential oil at a 1-2% dilution to the castor oil for use on the hair to add shine, strength and potentially even promote hair growth. To kick the dandruff treatment up a notch, consider adding either tea tree or patchouli essential oil at a 1-2% dilution or infusing sage and/or parsley into the castor oil.
Holistic Health Approach of Castor Oil Packs
Research has shown that the compounds in castor oil give it the following properties and potential health benefits when used topically:
Relief from pain
Reduction of inflammation
Antimicrobial (may even help reduce acne)
Balancing to bowel activity (reduces diarrhea and improves constipation)
Offers support and protection for the liver and gallbladder (may aid in detoxification)
Reduction of gas, bloating, and abdominal cramps, including menstrual cramps
Wound-healing (do not use on open wounds)
Supports lymph circulation and blood circulation
May help with sleep
You can purchase a castor oil pack kit from places such as Amazon, or you can try your hand at making your own.
Materials:
Piece of cloth (flannel or cotton), double layered (or more)
Cut to fit the area that you will be covering
Ace wrap to secure the pack in place and protect clothing from staining
Castor oil*
Container with lid (for storage of castor oil pack)
Directions:
Fold the piece of cloth so it is 2 or more layers thick
Pour oil onto cloth, 1-2 Tbsp, and allow it to soak in for a couple of minutes (this is your “castor oil pack”)
Place the castor oil pack directly over the targeted area while relaxing comfortably. Secure the pack in place with an ace bandage and to provide a protective barrier (note that the oil may stain clothing or bedding)
Lay down and relax with the pack in place, allow it to be in place for at least 30 minutes, if not overnight
After removing the pack, gently wash the treatment area
Store the pack in a covered container in the refrigerator between uses, or up to several months. Create a new pack every few months, or after about 20 uses.
* Castor oil packs should not be used over open wounds or ulcers, during heavy menstrual bleeding, during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or over areas of malignancy or neuropathies. When shopping for castor oil, please be picky. Choose organic, cold-pressed, hexene-free (solvent-free), castor oil from a trusted brand, preferably in a glass container.
Versatility of Castor Oil Packs
Liver: For general therapy, place the castor oil pack over the liver, which is on the right side of your body, at the bottom of your ribcage. This general therapy helps in detoxing, reducing inflammation, and improving digestion.
Joints: Place the castor oil pack on a sore joint. Sit back and rest with the pack in place for a few hours. It can provide some relief from pain by improving blood circulation and reducing inflammation.
Back: Place an old towel on the bed, and place a properly sized pack on top of the towel. Lie down on the pack to give your back the care it needs. This therapy can help relax your back and body in general.
Sinuses: Place castor oil packs on your forehead to soothe sinus congestion and mild headaches. In addition to relieving sinus pain, it can also bring relaxation and induce pleasant sleep.
Feet: Give your feet the love and appreciation that they need. With the antimicrobial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil, your foot care will be elevated with a weekly treatment. Using the castor oil packs once a month along with doing occasional herbal salt foot soaks will really make a difference in your general well-being.
Skin Health: Castor oil packs placed over closed wounds (do not place on open wounds) or dry, itchy areas to promote and support healing. The fatty acids in castor oil can moisturize the skin as well as enhance the smoothness and softness of the skin and promote the growth of healthy skin tissue. For even better results, combine with other skin-friendly oils such as jojoba oil or almond oil in the castor oil packs, or consider infusing your oil with skin-loving herbs such as rose petals, calendula flowers, or self-heal.
Renaissance in Medicine
Castor oil, once overlooked, is reclaiming its throne in the realm of healthcare. The search for simpler, safer, and cost-effective solutions is leading many to rediscover the age-old wisdom of castor oil. Notably, institutions like the North Broward Hospital District and the University of Maryland Medical Center endorse castor oil packs for various treatments. The current use of castor oil packs in hospitals include
decreasing the side effects of chemotherapy for lung cancer patients as well as aiding the detoxification of the lungs
as an integrative approach to pelvic inflammatory disease, irritable bowel syndrome, low back pain, kidney stones, and lung cancer
for the use of gallbladder disease and congestive heart failure
for the use of ulcerative colitis and pertussis
Final Thoughts
In the realm of holistic health, castor oil packs offer a cost-effective, accessible, and profound path to well-being. They provide relief from pain, support digestive health, detoxify, and nurture your skin—all within your reach. As you contemplate your holistic wellness journey, consider the simplicity, affordability, and remarkable therapeutic potential that castor oil brings to the table. Give it a try and unlock the potential for a healthier, more balanced life.
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