Castor Oil is familiar to nearly all women over a certain age. Our grandmothers always kept it nearby, and over the years it has been heralded as a healing agent capable of reducing inflammation, excellent in the treatment of constipation, and as an aid to promote contractions during labor.
The use of castor oil can be traced as far back as the Egyptian era. It was Edgar Cayce, the self–professed clairvoyant who claimed his ethereal contact—the sun god Ra—had introduced him to the practice of castor oil packs via trances. It has been reported that Cayce kept an ailing boy alive for years purely through the administration of castor oil packs over the abdomen.
Derived from the castor bean, castor oil packs are quite simple to perform—but beware! They can be messy. Suggested placement of these packs are the abdomen, the liver, and any areas of pain or inflammation such as joints, or on the lower abdomen for menstrual cramps.
Effects
• A castor oil pack over the liver is recognized as detoxifying
• Stimulates the circulation
• Reduces pain and inflammation
• Immune-boosting
• Promotes hair growth
Materials
• Organic wool flannel
• Castor oil (hexane-free)
•Plastic wrap
• Hot water bottle
Instructions
• Soak 2 to 3 layers of cotton flannel in castor oil.
• Place on plastic.
• Put the flannel covered with the plastic over the area to be treated.
• Add heat over the top by using a hot water bottle.
• Leave in place for 35 to 45 minutes.
A castor oil pack may be reused as many as 20 times. Castor oil can stain, so be aware of your surroundings and consider covering the area you are using for resting with plastic.
The treatment may be performed 2 to 3 times per week.
Who Should Not do This: Castor oil packs should be applied with caution to anyone with high blood pressure. If in doubt, apply the pack for 10 minutes initially to assess how you feel.
Anne Bramham
A respected spa industry mentor, Anne Bramham is the founder of ASTECC (Advanced Spa Therapy Education Certification Council) and an instructor for the Dr. Vodder School of North America. She has introduced ASTECC training to top spa and wellness destinations throughout the U.S., including Montage Resort & Spa, Grand Del Mar, Spa Shiki Four Seasons, and Ritz-Carlton. She resides with her family in South Florida.