A little background
| Castor Bean Plant (troop75.typepad.com) |
The Castor Plant is native to India and Eastern Africa, but has been naturalized and cultivated worlwide in warmer climates. Also known as Castor Bean or Palma Christi, so called as the leaves were said to look like the hands of Christ. The plant itself is a tall,branched shrub, with large, palmate leaves and irregular serrate margins, often with a bluish or reddish tinge. The flowers are monoecious, in terminal racemes. The fruit capsules are spiny and soft, or smooth and grooved, containing the large oval seeds. These are cream or greyish-brown and often mottled or speckled with brown or black marklings.
The parts used from the plant are the leaves and oil which is expresssed from the seed.
The oil has a very consistent viscosity and wont freeze which makes it ideal for lubricating equipment in severely cold climates. It was forst used in Worl War I as an aircraft lubricant. Modern non-medical uses for Castor Oil include;
- Food additive and flavouring agent
- Mild inhibitor
- Ingredient in skin producrs and cosmetics (lipstick, shampoo, soap and others)
- Used in the manufactoring of plastics, rubbers, synthetic resins, paints, varnishes, lubricant seals, dyes and leather treatments. (The lubricant company "Castrol" took their name from Castor Oil.
Modern medical uses for Cator Oil fall into five general categories;
- Gastrointestinal remedy
- Antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral)
- Labour stimulant
- Anti-inflammatory and analgesic
- Immune system and lymphatic stimulant
Topical application seems to be useeful for a variety of skin conditions like keratosis*, dermatosis**, would healing, ringworm, warts, acne and other skin infections, sebaceous cysts*** itching and even hair loss.
*Keratosis (A skin disease marked by excessive growth of the epidermis or horny tissues. )
**Dermatosis ( Any skin disease, especially one which does not produce inflammation.
***Sebaceous cyst (A retention cyst caused by the blockage of a duct from the sebaceous gland so that sebum (the fatty secretion from the sebaceous glands) collects. The sebaceous glands are found in the skin, communication with the hair follicles and secreting sebum.
Studies Supporting Castor Oil's Effiacy as an Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory and Immunostimulant
Some notable studies of Castor Oil include;
(1) Castor Oil has been found to have a strong supressive effect in some tumours.
(2) An Indian study in 2011 found that Castor Leaf Extract showed better antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria than Gentamycin* (which was their standard fro comparison)
(3) A 2010 study found Castor Oil packs were an effective means of decreasing constipation in the elderly
(4) A 2009 study found that Castor Oil effectively relieves arthritis.
(5) A 1999 study was carried out to determine whether or not topical Castor oil would stimulate the lymphatic system. The findings were positive. After a 2 hour treatment with Castor Oil Packs, there was a significant increase in the number of T-11 cells, which increased over a seven-hour period following treatment.
(6) In a 2000 study of the effetcs of ricinoleic acid on inflammation, researchers found it excreted "Capsaicin-like" anti-inflammatory properties.
(7) Patients with occupational dermatitis may have a positive reaction to Castor Oil or Ricinoleic Acid.
*Gentamycin/gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antiobiotic composed of a mixture of related gentamycin components and fractions and is used to treat many types of baterial infections, particuularly thouse caused by Gram-negative organisms.
Once poisoned, there is no antidote.
If the resin (made from a protein in the castor seeds) gets ingested into the ribosomes of your cells where it prevents protein sythesis, which kills the cells. Ricin is made form the "mash" that is left over after processing the castor seeds into oil.
Just 1mg of ricin is fatal if inhaled or ingested (much less if injected)
Eating just 5-10 Castor Seeds would be fatal.
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| Castor Bean Seeds (nationalgeographic) |
Castor Oil and your body
Castor oil is broken down by your small intestine into ricinoleic acid which acts as an irritant to your intestinal lining. This is what gives Castor Oil the ability to reverse constipation - but it's also the reason that some people report digestive discomfort, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal side effects .
People who are suffering from cramps, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), Diverticulitis, Hemorrhoids, Colitis, Ulcers, Prolapses or have recently undergone surgery should avoid Castor Oil due to these possible adverse reactions.
| Castor Oil (Medhealth.net) |
A Herbal remedy that has lasted Millenia
Traditionally Indians would boil kernals or hulls into a brew to relive arthritis, sciatica and lower back pain problems.
Medical problems treated by the Indians using Castor Oil include;
- Constipation
- Dysentery
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Bladder and vaginal infections
- Asthma
In the Canary Islands locals made poutices from the leaves to treat Gynaecologial probelems. Nursing Mothers would apply the poultices to the breasts to increase milk secretion and relieve inflammation of their mammary glands. Women also applied to poultices to their abdomens to promote normal menstruation.
The topical absorption of Castor Oil is the basis for the more modern "Castor Oil Packs".
Boosting your Lymphatic System to improve healing
It is thought that one of the more compelling health benefits of Castor Oil is it's support on the Immune System (when used externally)
Lymphocytes are your immune systems disease-fighting cells and are produced and stored mainly in your lymphatic tissue (thymus gland, spleen and lymph nodes.)
Hundreds of miles of lymphatic tubules allow waste to be collected from your tissues and transported to your blood for elimination, a process referred to as lympahtic drainage.
When the lymphatic system is not working properly, waste and toxins can build up and make you sick.
When the lymphatic system is not working properly, waste and toxins can build up and make you sick.
Lymphatic Congestion is a major factor leasing to inflammation and disease. This is where Castor Oil comes in. When Castor Oil is absorbed through your skin (according to Coyce and McGrath), your lymphocytes speed up the removal of toxins from your tissues which promotes healing.
Castor Oil Packs
Castor Oil packs are an economical and efficient medthod of insfusing the ricinoleic acid and other healing components of Castor Oil directly into your tissues. I would suggest doing a patch test first to ensure you do not have an allergy to the oil.
There are several ways to use Castor Oil topically, You can simply rub it directly onto the affected area of your skin, or affix a plaster soaked in Castor Oil if only a very small area needs to be treated.
For larger applications you can use Castor Oil as a massage oil, which reportedly is effective when applied along the spinal column and massage along the lympathic drainage papthways.
But the really popular way of using Castor Oil for therapeutic purposes is in a Castor Oil Pack.
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| (www.pacificalternativeclinic.com) |
To make the pack you will need;
- High-quality cold-compressed Castor Oil
- A heating pad or hot water bottle
- Plastic wrap, clingfilm or a sheet or plastic
- 2 or 3 1 sq. ft. pieces of wool or cotton flannel, or one large peice big enough to cover the treatment are when folded in thirds.
- 1 large old bath towel (as the oil can stain)
Instructions for making and using a Castor oil Pack
(courtesy of Daniel H. Chong, ND)
Fold the flannel three layers thick so it is still large enough to fit over your entire upper abdomen and liver, or stack the three squares.
Soak flannel with oil so it's completely saturated. The oil should be at roon temperature.
Lie on your back with your feet elevated (use a pillow under your knees and feet) and place the flannel dirently onto the abdomen. Cover the oiled flannel with the sheet of plastic and place the hot water bottle on top of the plastic.
Cover everything with the old towel to insulate the heat.
(Take caution not to get oil on whatever you're lying onm as it can stain. If neccessary cover the area you are using to protect it.)
Leave the pack on for 45-60 minutes.
When finished, remove the oil from your skin by wasahing with a solution of 2 tablespoons of baking soda to 1 quart of water, or just soap and water.
(Be sure to wash the towel seperately as the castor oil can make other clothes stink if washed together)
You can reuse the pack several times, each time adding more oil as needed to keep the pack saturated. Store the pack in a plastic container or zip-lock bag, in a convenient location, such as next to your bed. Replace the packs after it begins to change colour.
For maximum effectiveness, apply at least four consecutive days per week for one month.
Patients who use the pack daily report the most benefits.
If you are ensure, check out the link on our blog courtesy of YouTube which shows you step-by-step how to make a Castor Oil Pack.
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