Castor oil is amazing. A truly wonderous gem of a plant. No to mention how beautiful it is. See? Sweet right!
It is my go-to remedy for almost everything skin and immune related and can be viewed as an alternative to cortisone or antibiotic creams. The ricinoleic acid in castor oil prevents the growth of bacteria, yeast, and viruses. When I have joint pain anywhere, I rub it on the joints, if I have swollen glands, I massage it into neck/gland area, if I am feeling a little backed up- on to my belly it goes (massaged in a clockwise direction- the same direction stuff moves through the large intestine). With a cold or congestion, I'll mix in a little comfrey and eucalyptus and massage it into my chest. Be warned- it will stain your clothes so put on the old and uglies for this one.
Castor oil has many beneficial uses in health and beauty products as well as in industrial uses. It is however a master at the gentle detox. You know how we love the detoxers that require minimal effort. This is one you need to welcome into your life and here is why.
Taken Internally
Has a laxative effect (anyone who grew up in the West Indies, India or some South American countries will likely have vile memories of lining up with their siblings to take down a spoonful of this bitterness).
Helps the intestinal system with inflammatory bowels and dysentery.
It is said to increase the appetites of the ill.
Destroy mucous to cure runny noses and congestion.
Topically
A castor oil soaked bandage can remove swelling and infection from any wounds including ringworm, inflammation, and sun burns. (The best way to use this as a topical cream is to pre soak the infected area with Epsom salts to soften the skin, then wrap the area with a cotton cloth soaked in castor oil- worked like a charm when I burnt my arm this summer).
Castor seeds or roots boiled into a topical poultice are applied liberally to rheumatic and arthritic swellings.
Massaging the body with castor oil prior to a bath once a week will help the skin retain its natural healing properties as well as stimulate the body’s muscles and internal organs.
Rubbing castor oil on hands and feet at night will help maintain healthy and soft skin, as well as reduce callous and dry skin.
Castor Oil Packs
And at last, my great grand-diddy of healing practices- the Castor Oil Pack! Take a cotton flannel or cloth and soak with castor oil. Apply to the skin that you wish to detoxify or increase energy flow, cover with a little plastic and then lay on a hot water bottle or heat pack. Leave it on for anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour and just chillax while this is going down. Castor oil packs soaked through the skin and improve the body’s ability to assimilate nutrients, eliminate toxins, and stimulate circulation. The castor oil pack can be repeated many times, so the pack is not thrown away. This can be done daily, three times a week- whatever floats your boat.
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