I first introduced the castor oil My birthday is approaching with my first child. Like any mom, I was eager to meet my little one, so I turned to the vast wisdom of Google to find ways to speed up my body’s labor process.
I’ve found many traditional remedies to induce labor that I’ve tried (walking, spicy foods, rolling on a medicine ball, pineapple, dancing, Raspberry leaf tea, and others). I also found a few that I haven’t been brave enough to try…especially castor oil! (And I’m glad I didn’t… I’ll tell you why.)
What is Castor Oil?
castor oil (A common sign) is a castor seed native to India. It is rich in ricinoleic acid, which is thought to be responsible for its health-promoting abilities. In fact, it was called once Palma Christ Because its leaves resemble the hands of Christ. While castor oil is said to have health benefits, it should be noted that the castor seed itself can be deadly. Internal use of castor oil may be safe but requires caution.
Used in ancient Japanese healing arts and other ancient cultures, castor oil enjoys a long and unique history. One of the oldest medical textbooks, the Ebers Papyrus, was written by the ancient Egyptians in 1550 BC.
Although it is considered “generally safe” by the FDA and up to one tablespoon per day is approved for internal use, it can cause serious digestive problems in some people. I’m not a doctor and I don’t play on the internet, so talk to you before using castor oil or anything else.
Does Castor Oil Really Initiate Labor?
Castor oil is sometimes used internally to induce labor, however Existing research questions its usefulness.. In fact, if taken internally, it can cause diarrhea (the idea is that it also triggers uterine contractions).
I chose not to try this and do not recommend it because there is some evidence that it increases the chance of passing meconium before birth. It is also sometimes used to reduce constipation (again with diarrhea).
I much prefer it for external use and personally don’t use it internally. It is one of two oils I use. My daily oil cleansing routineThis has greatly improved my skin.
Castor Oil Packs (And Why One)
When to support my body I found the MTHFR mutationI decided to try another way to use castor oil – castor oil packs!
what is it?
To stimulate the functions of the lymph and liver, castor oil is kept on a piece of skin with a heat source for at least an hour. Unlike some “detox” methods, this one is not said to have any negative side effects and there are many accounts of people immediately noticing better sleep, more energy and clearing of skin marks.
Note: Even for external use, I recommend consulting with a doctor or naturopath to make sure this natural remedy is right for you. It should not be used if you are pregnant or struggling with health problems. I test any new oil (or any ingredient) on the small of my arm before using it on a larger part of my body.
You can put the beauty benefits of castor oil pack where you need it:
- Using the right side of the stomach or the entire stomach is thought to support the liver and digestive system. some Gallbladder specialists He recommends castor oil packs as a whole system.
- Apply directly to strained joints or muscles to reduce swelling. (Note: This is not a substitute for medical care and is intended to treat minor injuries that do not require medical attention.)
- Or try it on the lower abdomen to help with menstrual pain and problems.
What does he do?
Castor oil packs take advantage of the anti-inflammatory and lymph stimulating benefits of castor oil but allow for safe external use. From a 1999 study:
With a minimal 2-hour treatment period, this study found that castor oil packs produced a “significant” transient increase in T-11 cells that increased within 7 hours of treatment and returned to normal levels within 24 hours. .
The increase in T-11 cells represents a general increase in the overall immune status of the body. Lymphocytes actively protect the health of the body by creating antibodies against pathogens and their toxins. T-cell lymphocytes are small lymphocytes derived from the bone marrow and thymus gland that recognize and kill viruses, fungi, bacteria, and cancer cells. T-11 cell lymphocytes provide basic antibodies to strengthen the immune system.
In short, castor oil packs are said to help detoxify the liver naturally, support uterine and ovarian health, improve lymphatic circulation, and reduce inflammation.
There are no conclusions for the external use of castor oil packs (although there are some precedents), but a long history of traditional use in many cultures. There is some evidence that it may have. Suppressive effect on inflammation And Positive effect on arthritis When used externally.
Castor oil packs also provide a relaxing break, which has its own health benefits!
How to make a castor oil pack
Castor oil packs are easy to make at home. I like them because they want me to be quiet and relax for at least an hour. This is not always easy to do! They can be messy, but not with proper preparation.
You can also purchase a complete castor oil kit instead of collecting all the items below. See the end of this article for the ones I tried and liked.
you need
- High quality Powdered oil (free from hexane)
- Unbleached and undyed wool or cotton scraps (like this) – can be reused up to 30 times
- Wrap-around wrap (or a large piece of cotton) or plastic wrap (not good)
- Hot water bottle Or Heating pad
- Glass container with a lid – I use a quart-size mason jar to store the oiled flannel between uses.
- Old clothes, towels and sheets – castor oil will stain!
- Patience (hard to find!)
Note: I recommend that you carefully prepare the place where you will put the castor oil pack to prevent contamination. Try using an old shower curtain with a sheet underneath you to keep anything from getting dirty. I usually don’t need to wash the sheets, and I just fold them and store them in the bathroom for later use.
How to use castor oil pack
- Cut a large piece of cotton and fold it in thirds to make three layers. My original piece was 20 inches by 10 inches and when folded was approximately 7 inches by 10 inches. Yours can be big or small depending on where you plan to put it.
- Drizzle the fruit thoroughly (but not completely) in the castor oil. The easiest way I’ve found to do this is to carefully fold the flan and place it in a quart-sized mason jar. Then I added a tablespoon of oil at a time (every 20 minutes or so) to give it time to absorb. I also gently shake the pot between adding more oil so that the oil reaches all parts of the fabric. Ideally, this should be done a day before to give it time to soak evenly. I keep the jar because this is where I keep the flannel in use (it can be used about 30 times).
- Carefully remove the castor oil-coated cloth and open it.
- Lie on an old towel or sheet and place the cloth on the desired part of the body.
- Cover by Roll-round roll or cotton flannel, And place the heating pack on it. You can use a plastic grocery bag to prevent oil from getting on the heating pad. A hot water bottle, electric heating pad or Rice heating pad It can be used, but hot water bottles and rice packs may need to be reheated several times.
- Lie on your back with your legs elevated (I usually lie on the floor with my feet on the couch) and relax for 30-60 minutes.
- Use this time to practice deep breathing, read a book, meditate, or pray (or Something that entertains you).
- After the desired time, remove the packaging and return the flask to the glass case. Keep in refrigerator.
- Use natural soap or baking soda and water to remove castor oil left on the skin.
- Relax and rest. Make sure you drink enough water and after doing so, stay hydrated to support digestion.
Where to buy a castor oil kit
You can buy castor oil kits complete with cotton swabs, and a no-mess roll-up package that eliminates the need for plastic wrap.
- I used it This life from radiation Very good result (no spillage).
- This set of castor oil It’s similar in price and quality to Radiant Life, but the flannel wrap design is slightly textured and easy to connect.
Other ways to use castor oil
Castor oil is handy to have around the house for other uses. It is rich in fatty acids. And it contains antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory properties It can benefit the body in many ways. Use castor oil externally:
- Apply to skin, dry skin, rashes, boils, age spots and warts to improve skin and add moisture.
- treatment Toe nail fungus
- Relieve cracks, damage or adhesions
- Apply to back pain areas
- To cleanse and soothe the stomach when there is a problem with digestion or reproduction
For best results, apply castor oil packs for 60-90 minutes as soon as the problem starts. Do this 3 times a week for 3 weeks. Consult a doctor to rule out more serious causes.
This article has been medically reviewed Madiha Saeed, M.DBoard Certified Family Physician. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk to your doctor.
Have you ever used castor oil? I’ll be sharing some of my favorite uses soon, but please share below!
