The castor oil pack
Today we are diving into the WHY behind castor oil packs! This is not just a fad or trend, it’s a beautiful way to holistically support your healing.
Castor oil is able to penetrate deep into the skin… deeper than any other topically applied oil. When absorbed, castor oil contains ricinoleic acid and quercetin. Ricinoleic acid is anti-inflammatory and quercitin can bind to iron and remove excess through the stool. Double blind studies have shown an increase in lymphocyte production and the level of activity of T-cell lymphocytes. T-cell lymphocytes identify and kill invaders such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
What are the reported benefits of a castor oil pack:
✨Improved digestion
✨effective removal of waste
✨reduction in pain
✨lowered inflammation
✨reducing nausea
✨enhanced immunity
Under stress, the liver can become quickly overburdened with IRON… this is one of the many responses to stress that the body has. Our tissues and organs begin to sequester iron. When we have too much iron hanging out in the liver, we aren't able to get it back into the iron recycling program, where it would be made into hemoglobin. When we hold onto iron anywhere in the body, we are immediately setting the stage for oxidative stress (negative reactions with oxygen) and inflammation of the area. This is why it is so important to manage iron vitality and homeostasis in the body. We'll get deep into all of that in future newsletters, so hold tight. January's emails will focus primarily on iron/iron anemia/iron recycling, toxicity & detoxification!
The primary ingredient in castor oil that enables this activity is ricinoleic acid. Ricinoleic acid is a fatty acid that penetrates well into the skin. When the fatty acid is released into the intestines, it exhibits anti-inflammatory effects and enhances intestinal activity. A castor oil pack is a good way to keep your bowels regular.
One warning sign that your liver might need more support is skin breakouts. The liver is our primary site of detoxification and when it's maxed out, the job is passed along to the skin. I always know if it's time to do a castor oil pack if I get any hormonal acne. Another sign is waking frequently between the hours of 2am and 4am. These are hints your body is giving you that may indicate your liver is struggling.
I personally love the Queen of Thrones castor oil pack and the bottle of organic castor oil that you can purchase alongside it. I store my pack in a glass container in my bathroom cupboard and use it about once to twice a week, overnight. It's very simple to use, just pour 1-2tbsp of the castor oil on the cotton side of the pack, and smear it around… try not to get any on the seams. Tie the pack around your abdomen, below the right side of your rib cage which is where your liver sits. You can place a heat pack on top if you'd like, or I just use it without. Sit back and relax (or go to sleep).
A word of caution: My recommendation is to always go slow when implementing something new into your routine. Remember, the castor oil is detoxifying the liver and intestines and it is very possible the movement of waste, excess hormones and detoxification could lead to some to some detox symptoms.
An example of a slow start: 30 minutes in the evening once a week! Then an hour, then two… Wait until you've built up some regularity to it and then try it overnight.
WHAT'S THE BEST TIME FOR A CASTOR OIL PACK?
I like to use in the evening or overnight. When starting out, avoid using a castor oil pack during menstruation. Get used to it first, and then experiment to find out the best routine for your own body.
