Therapeutic Castor Oil Packs

I do not recommend castor oil for internal use, but for external use it has wonderful healing benefits!

Castor oil applied topically in the form of a "castor oil pack" was talked about much by the late psychic healer Edgar Cayce, and then re-popularized by the primary care physician, William McGarey, author of The Oil That Heals: A Physician's Successes With Castor Oil Treatments . 

According to a double-blind study titled the "Immunomodulation through Castor Oil Packs", published in the 1997 Journal of Naturopathic Medicine in a report by Harvey Grady, castor oil applied topically was found to enhance immunologic function. 

This study revealed that a castor oil pack therapy of a minimal two-hour duration produced an increase in the number of T-11 cells and during the following 24 hour period, there was an increase in the total number of lymphocytes.  

(Lymphocytes are your immune system's disease-fighting cells and are produced and stored mainly in your lymphatic tissue- such as thymus gland, spleen, and lymph nodes.) 

Waste and toxin build up is removed through your lymphatic system, so if this system gets congested, it can lead to inflammation and disease.  As the castor oil pack is applied, this increase in the action of the lymphatic cells helps to reduce congestion and increase lymphocyte production, thereby increasing healing and toxin removal from the affected area. 

Castor oil packs are easy and economical to apply.  You will need:

• a high quality, cold-pressed castor oil (one that specifies such on the bottle)
• wool flannel (enough to fold in about 4 layers)
• plastic wrap or a large enough plastic bag
• a heating pad or hot water bottle
• a large enough towel to cover area

Directions:
Soak the flannel entirely in castor oil (you want it wet, but not dripping with oil.)  This can be done in a pan or dish able to contain both the flannel and castor oil.  Next, apply the layered flannel to the area that needs treatment.  Cover flannel with plastic wrap or a plastic bag.  Begin to apply heat to area, start on low and work up to medium; keep heat at a comfortable setting- do not allow it to burn the skin.
Cover or wrap area with towel to keep the heat in.  Leave pack on for a minimum of 45 minutes to a maximum of 2 hours.  If desired, the skin can be cleansed with warm soap and water after removal.  This pack can be reused up to 30 times.  (Store in an airtight bag or container in the refrigerator, it is best to warm up some before using again, also one pack per person is recommended.)

Some of the indications for use are:  

• uterine fibroids,
• benign physiologic or polycystic ovaries, 
• any liver or gall bladder disorder, 
• migraines, 
• lower back pain, 
• varicose veins, 
• intestinal disorders such as constipation, 
• irritable bowel,
• acute gastritis.  

Use during pregnancy is not recommended except while under the care of your physician. 

Links for further reading about castor oil therapy:
http://www.ndhealthfacts.org/wiki/Castor_Oil
http://edgarcaycediet.com/Articles/castor_oil_packs.htm
http://www.naturopathicthoughts.com/2009/10/detox-your-liver-castor-oil-pack.html