What is Castor Oil?

Castor oil has a long history of traditional medical use dating back to ancient Egypt. Castor oil is
derived from the castor bean (Ricinus communis. Although it was once taken orally as a laxative,
it's now known to be toxic and is used only externally over unbroken skin. It should only be used
after consulting a health care professional.

What is a Castor Oil Pack?

A castor oil pack involves the use of cloth soaked in castor oil which is placed on the skin. It's used
by some alternative practitioners to enhance circulation and to promote the healing of the tissues
and organs underneath the skin. Alternative practitioners also use it to improve liver function,
relieve pain, reduce inflammation and to improve digestion.

How is a Castor Oil Pack Made?

Castor oil packs are made by soaking a piece of flannel in castor oil and placing it on the skin. The
flannel is covered with a sheet of plastic, and then a hot water bottle is placed over the plastic to
heat the pack.

A castor oil pack can be placed on the following body regions:

 The right side of the abdomen. Castor oil packs are sometimes recommended by alternative
practitioners as part of a liver detox program.
 Inflamed and swollen joints, bursitis, and muscle strains.
 The abdomen to relieve constipation and other digestive disorders.
 The lower abdomen in cases of menstrual irregularities and uterine and ovarian cysts.

Safety

Castor oil should not be taken internally. It should not be applied to broken skin. It should not be
used during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or during menstruation.

Materials

 Three layers of undyed wool or cotton flannel large enough to cover the affected area
 Castor oil
 Plastic wrap cut one to two inches larger than the flannel (can be cut from a plastic bag)
 Hot water bottle
 Container with lid
 Old clothes and sheets. Castor oil will stain clothing and bedding.
Method
1. Place the flannel in the container. Soak it in castor oil so that it is saturated, but not dripping.
2. Place the pack over the affected body part.
3. Cover with plastic.
4. Place the hot water bottle over the pack. Leave it on for 45-60 minutes. Rest while the pack is
in place.
5. After removing the pack, cleanse the area with a dilute solution of water and baking soda.
6. Store the pack in the covered container in the refrigerator. Each pack may be reused up to 25-
30 times.
Castor Oil Health Benefits

What is Castor Oil?

Castor Oil is a very pale yellow liquid that is extracted from castor seeds (Ricinus Communis). It is
an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant oil which has been used for centuries for its therapeutic and
medicinal benefits. It is believed that most of castor oil's benefits are derived from its high
concentration of unsaturated fatty acids. Although it has a strong and rather unpleasant taste,
castor oil is used in cosmetics, soaps, textiles, medicines, massage oils and many other everyday
products.

What are the Benefits of Castor Oil?

Castor Oil has been used both internally and externally for thousands of years due to its many
wonderful health benefits. Since it can strengthen the immune system, castor oil is considered a
great remedy to treat the following major illnesses and ailments:

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson's Disease
• Cerebral Palsy
• Hair loss
• Pain from Arthritis and Rheumatism

It has also been found to help with many everyday problems such as:

• Yeast Infections
• Constipation
• Gastrointestinal Problems
• Menstrual Disorders
• Migraines
• Acne
• Sunburn
• Athlete's Foot
• Ringworm
• Skin Abrasions
• Inflammation

Castor Oil is also commonly used to induce labour, so pregnant women should always consult a
doctor before using it.

Uses of Castor Oil

Arthritis Natural Remedy

The anti-inflammatory properties of Castor Oil make it an excellent massage oil for relieving
arthritic joints, nerve inflammations, and sore muscles.

• Make a small pad by folding a small piece of unbleached cotton flannelette into 3 or 4
layers.
• Dip the cotton pad into Castor Oil and place it on to the affected joint or muscle.
• Cover the pad with a plastic wrap.
• Place a hot water bottle or heating pad over the plastic wrapped cotton pad. The plastic
wrap will prevent the water bottle or heating pad from getting oily.
 • Leave the cotton pad on for 45 minutes to an hour, once per day.

This Castor Oil pack can be reused. Simply place it into a plastic ziplock bag and refrigerate it until
it is ready to be used again. It can be refrigerated in a ziplock bag.

Constipation Remedy
Studies have shown that Castor Oil is a very strong laxative, which makes it very effective against
constipation. Therefore, simply take a teaspoon of castor oil in the morning. You can mix the oil
with orange juice, cranberry juice, prune juice, or ginger juice to take away from the bitter taste
without affecting the laxative effects. However, do not take it continuously for more than 3 days.
If symptoms persist for longer than 3 days, consult your physician immediately.

Ringworm Treatment
Ringworm is known to be a stubborn condition to treat, but one of the active compounds of Castor
Oil (Undecylenic Acid) has been found to be very effective at treating this fungal infection.

• Spray Castor leaves with some hot water and coarsely crush the leaves.
• Soak the leaves in pure coconut oil.
• Warm the leaves to a temperature that will not burn the skin, and apply the leaves over
the affected area as a poultice.
• Leave on the skin for at least one hour, or optionally overnight.
• You may wrap the leaves with unbleached cotton fabric to prevent the oil from staining
your bed sheets.

Repeat the procedure every night before going to bed until cured. However, if you notice any
redness or discomfort around the area, discontinue this remedy.

Skin Problems
Successful studies have approved the use of Castor Oil for skin infections and other skin problems
such as sunburn, abrasions, acne, dry skin, boils, warts, stretch marks, liver/age spots, athletes
foot and chronic itching and inflamed skin.

• Dip a cotton ball into Castor oil and apply it onto the affected skin in the morning and at
night.
• Alternatively, for larger skin areas, soak an appropriately large piece of unbleached cotton
cloth in Castor Oil and wrap the affected area overnight.
• If the area is very small, soak a Band-Aid in Castor Oil and cover the infected skin
overnight.

For stubborn fungal infections that affect the skin or nails, it is recommended to soak the affected
skin in Epsom Salt for 10-15 minutes to soften and disinfect the skin before applying Castor Oil. This
can help speed up the healing process.

Stye Treatment
The anti-bacterial components of castor oil have been found to be effective against styes (oil gland
infections on the eyelid). Simply apply a very small drop of castor oil directly onto the stye 2 or 3
times per day.

Wrinkle Treatment
Castor oil is a natural emollient that penetrates the skin and helps stimulate the production of
collagen and elastin which can soften and hydrate the skin. Therefore, castor oil is a wonderful
natural treatment for wrinkles since it restores and rejuvenates skin's natural youthful appearance
by making skin smoother, softer and pliant. Dip a small cotton ball into pure Castor oil and apply it
on wrinkled skin before going to bed. Use only a small amount of oil when applying it to the skin
near the eyes.

What are the Side Effects of Castor Oil?

Castor oil is normally safe if used in moderation. However, pregnant and lactating women and
people with intestinal blockage, acute inflammatory intestinal disease, appendicitis, or abdominal
pain should not take Castor Oil without their doctor's approval.

Note that precautions must be taken when taking the oil internally, so you should always follow the
directions on the package and consult your doctor or naturopathic professional before consuming it.
A typical recommended dosage for Castor Oil is no more than one-half to one full teaspoon per day.
Overdosage of Castor Oil may result in diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or cramping.

Castor Oil No-1:B.S.S. Castor Oil is Castor Oil bleached to British Standard Specifications. It is a
yellow viscous liquid free from suspended matter and insoluble in water.
APPLICATIONS:B.S.S. Castor oil finds application in a wide variety of uses and is the starting
material for most other derivatives of castor oil. As an ingredient in pharmaceutical and cosmetic
applications In combinations with styrene and di-isocynates for a film forming Varnish or a
substantially insoluble infusible polymer As lubricant component of coatings for vitamin and mineral
Tablets. As an ingredient for petroleum oil-field de-emulsification As capacitor impregnate As a sonar
transducer fluid As a dielectric material for electrical condensers In manufacture of polyurethane
casting resins In hydraulic fluids for automobiles, trucks and machinery As a starting material for
most other derivatives of Castor Oil PACKING : Steel Drums of 200 kgs

12-Hydroxy Stearic Acid (12-HSA): 12-Hydroxy Stearic Acid is the mixed

fatty acid obtained by hydrolysis of Hydrogenated Castor Oil. It is high
melting, brittle, waxy solid at ambient temperatures. It should be stored
away from heat to avoid deterioration. It is insoluble in water and it's
solubility in many organic solvents is also limited. It is a non-toxic, non-
hazardous material.

Applications: 12-Hydroxy Stearic Acid finds applications in a wide variety

of uses. In the manufacture of multipurpose Lithium and Calcium greases, and manufacture of acrylic
polymers. As an internal lubricant for moulding of plastics Aqueous & non aqueous coatings for
automotive, equipment, appliances and architectural applications , As a shrink resistant treatment for
wool ,As coating liners for the interior of metal food and beverage containers Aviator and internal
lubricant for natural and synthetic rubbers and As a theology modifier for Inks. In the manufacture of
speciality chemicals such as esters, ethoxylates, sulfates etc. for plasticizers, textile, cosmetics and
metal working operations.

Hydrogenated Castor Oil (HCO): Hydrogenated Castor Oil (HCO), also

called Castor Wax, is a hard, brittle, high melting solid which is tasteless
and odourless. Chemically it is the triglyceride mainly of 12-Hydroxy
Stearic Acid. It is insoluble in water and solubility in many organic solvents
is also very limited. HCO is available as flakes or powder which melts to a
clear transparent liquid. It is a non-toxic, non-hazardous material.
Applications: In the manufacture of multipurpose Lithium/Calcium grease and high performance
aviation grease, In the manufacture of soaps & cosmetics , As mould release agent in the processing
of plastics and rubbers, As a component of speciality wax blends like pencils, crayons, lipsticks and
anti-deodorant sticks, In the manufacture of hot-melt coatings and sealant requiring resistance to
water, As a coating agent for paper & as anti foaming agent, In the manufacture of Automotive
refinish Acrylics, Rheological agent that provides thixotropy in paints, coatings, inks, adhesives,
sealants and numerous industrial composition. Thick film chlorinated rubber, epoxy and vinyl
coating, Flame Retardant and anti static agent for fibre, Manufacture of Spin finish oil for polyamide
fibber, In preparation of ointments, emulsified virus vaccines, sustained release capsules,
wetting/bodying agent, face paint As plasticizer for cellulosics, Processing aid for colour
concentrates, Surface treatment agents, In the manufacture of hot melt adhesives used in packaging
books, binding footwear, carpet backing and in product assembly, Anti-tack and slip additives for
processing plastics In the manufacture of speciality chemicals for applications such as metal working,
plasticizers and textile auxiliaries in the form of derivatives such as esters, ethoxylates, sulfates etc.

Ricinoleic Acid: Ricinoleic Acid, also called castor oil acid, belong to a family of the unsaturated
fatty acid. It is a viscous yellow liquid, melting at 5.5 C and boiling at 245 C. It is insoluble in water
but soluble in most organic solvents. It is prepared by the hydrolysis of Castor Oil. It is used in textile
finishing, in coating, inks and in making soaps.

Applications:

Soaps: Ricinoleic acid can be reacted with different bases eg. Caustic, ammonia, ethanolamines etc to
prepare soaps. Some of the applications of these materials are in Cutting oils, Industrial lubricants,
Emulsifiers & Metal-working compounds. These compounds impart lubricity & rust-proofing
characteristics. Transparent bar soaps & high solids liquid soaps are made possible by using
Ricinoleic acid. Ricinoleic acid soaps also enable the solubilization of phenolic & cresylic bodies in
industrial germicides, disinfectants & heavy duty detergents.
Surface Coating: Ricinoleic acids are efficient pigments & dye dispersants which find uses in inks,
coatings, plastics, cosmetics, etc.
Rubber:The sodium & potassim soaps of Ricinoleic acid are emulsifiers & foam stabilizers.
Food: Ricinoleic acid is used to manufacture Poly Glyceryl Poly Ricinoleate (PGPR) a key ingredient
in chocolate products.
Vinyl polymers: The sodium soap is useful as emulsifier, stabilizer & defoamer for emulsion
polumerization of resins such as PVC & PVAC.
Leather Chemicals: Ricinoleic Acid is used for the treatment of leather. It provides good wetting,
flexibility and softening property to leather.

The Oil Cleansing Method

Clear, glowing, dewy-looking skin, free of blackheads, pimples, cysts, and
other imperfections seems to be an elusive goal. The booming skin care
industry would have you believe the same with their claims of the need to rid
your skin of oil completely and apply burning chemicals in order to avoid these
imperfections. Modern society has been so strongly influenced by these
marketing claims that some find themselves washing the delicate and easily-
inflamed tissue of their facial skin with "grease cutting" or "antibacterial" dish
and hand soap only to find that their skin condition worsens. The anxiety that
rises when yet another pimple flares up or another painful lump begins
forming beneath the skin sends many into overdrive in attempt to counter the
impending damage, but does it ever work? Does the panicked scrubbing,
disinfecting, and drying ever work? Why is it that if something works for a few
days, or if you get lucky, a few weeks, the long term brings the blemishes
back? The cycle seems endless. It's exhausting. It's painful. It's embarrassing.
It's expensive!
The reasons we have so much trouble with mainstream skin care products are numerous, but two reasons, in
particular, lead the pack. These products strip the oil out of our skin, leaving our largest organ trying to repair
itself by replacing the oil stripped away. This leaves us in a cycle of being tight and dry followed by the inevitable
oil slick. Each time we strip the oil away, our skin over-compensates for the lack of moisture by creating more oil.
On top of the drying effects, these products are highly-scented. Fragrance is one of the top skin irritants and
strangely enough, even the so-called "unscented" products usually contain fragrance. See for yourself and check
the labels. Dry, irritated skin replaced by oily skin, inflamed and trapping debris?

If we know what our body is going to do and understand the process, we can then understand what it takes to
control it and achieve the results we want. Clear skin is attainable.

Getting right down to basics, when cleansing and moisturizing your skin, it is imperative that you keep in mind
that oil dissolves oil. Your skin naturally lubricates itself with oil, and as we are creatures of adaptation, one can
believe that if this weren't the appropriate built-in care for ourselves, our bodies would have adapted to suit the
need. If you've been battling your skin for long, you're probably recoiling at the mere thought of applying oil to
your face. You can imagine the slick, greasy, clogging feeling of smearing sludge all over your face. If you stay
with me and read the rest of this article, that mental image will be replaced by a more comforting, Zen-like image
of a relaxing spa massage. I promise. Let your curiosity get the better of you, read the article, then decide if you
should give this method of skin care a go.

Do not be afraid of applying oil to your face. Oil, alone, will not bring you blemishes. Pimples, cysts, zits,
blackheads, whiteheads...these are a result of several different factors including hormones, bacteria, dead skin
cells and the buildup of these factors. Your skin naturally produces oil because it needs it. It is not a malicious
force to be reckoned with; it is there for the benefit of your skin, allowing your largest organ to function properly. It
is naturally occurring. Not only does your natural oil help lubricate, it also heals, protects, and moisturizes your
skin so that it may function properly. Properly functioning skin is beautiful, clear, and glowing. Learning to work
with your skin, not against it, will save you tremendously.

While we're talking about clarifying your skin externally, we must also touch on the internal aspect. WATER!
Drink no less than 8 glasses of water a day. If your skin has issues with blemishes, drink up! Water will help
release and remove the toxins from within, lessening the load on your skin to push the toxins out. Carry a bottle
of water around with you throughout the day so water is always available.

Now, to the main point of this article.

The basic concept of this skin care and cleansing method is that the oil used to massage your skin will dissolve
the oil that has hardened with impurities and found itself stuck in your pores. The steam will open your pores,
allowing the oil to be easily removed. Should you need it, the smallest drop of the same oil formula patted over
damp skin will provide the necessary lubrication to keep your skin from over-compensating in oil production.

We will need two oils. The first, and most

importantly, is Castor Oil. If you don't have this
medicine cabinet staple already, it can be found
online or in the laxative section of your grocer or
drugstore - usually bottom shelf. Castor Oil has
potent anti-inflammatory properties, but is also
healing and cleansing, which is why we're focusing
on this oil as our primary oil. Castor Oil has been
the focus of many books and medical discussion
because of its seemingly "magical" healing
properties. As quoted in The Oil That Heals by Dr.
McGarey, he states, "Castor oil will leave the body
in better condition than it found it." Though it may
be our most important oil, we won't be using it in
the amounts that we will the other oil (or
combination of oils for those who want to take this a step further). A little bit of Castor Oil goes a long way and
too much will leave you, surprisingly, with dry skin.

Since Castor Oil is so thick and its cleansing properties so strong, we need to dilute it with another oil, thinner in
consistency, but no less nurturing to the skin. Sunflower Seed Oil has become my personal favorite, though in
the past, I've suggested Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Both are wonderfully caring oils for skin application, but I've found
that Sunflower Seed Oil has a more luxurious feel for massage. It sinks into the skin better, aiding the castor oil in
transportation deep into the pores and allowing it to draw the dirt and grime to the surface of your skin where it
can be wiped away. The essential fatty acids, though they are not naturally occurring in the body, are a necessity
for the health of our cell membranes. These acids help restore the skins natural moisture balance and help
prevent unnecessary dryness. The secondary oil that you choose is entirely up to you and should be determined
by your skins needs and the properties of that oil. Choose from natural, cold-pressed vegetable oils, as these
have nutrients, vitamins, and fatty acids that mineral oil and other refined oils don't. You may even have these
oils in your kitchen, as they're used for cooking, as well! For the sake of explaination, from this point on, we'll say
"Sunflower Seed Oil" in place of "Secondary Oil." Remember that Sunflower Seed Oil may be replaced by your
vegetable oil of choice.

Your Personal Oil Blend

The starting point for creating your own, personalized skin cleansing oil blend is knowing your general skin type.
Those with dry skin will want less Castor Oil. Those with oily skin will want to blend in more. Finding your perfect
combination of oils will probably take a little bit of trial and error, so start with very small batches. Once you know
what your ratio of oils looks like, you'll be able to blend much more at a time for convenience.

Some suggestions in creating your blend of deep cleansing oil:

 Oily Skin: Try a blend of 30% Castor Oil to 70% Sunflower Seed Oil.
 Balanced Skin: Try a blend of 20% Castor Oil to 80% Sunflower Seed Oil.
 Dry Skin: Try a blend of 10% Castor Oil to 90% Sunflower Seed Oil.

You can vary these percentages to match your own skins needs. If your skin feels too dry, you'll need to use less
Castor Oil and replace it with more Sunflower Seed Oil. Keep in mind that Castor Oil is the drawing, cleansing,
and purging oil for your pores. The Sunflower Seed Oil is to dilute the Castor Oil in viscosity (thickness) and
additionally provide moisture, nutrients, and other benefits. My own, personal blend, for my sometimes oily,
sometimes dry, frequently flakey, and easily irritated skin is about 25% Castor Oil to 75% Sunflower Seed Oil. I
mix and store my mixture in a clean four-ounce flip-top bottle for convenience. When you go to replenish your oil
blend, I suggest cleaning your bottle thoroughly with dish soap or the dishwasher. Better yet, if you can replace
the bottle, this is ideal. We want to be extremely cautious in introducing bacteria to the bottle.

The Oil Cleansing Method

First and foremost, this is typically done in the evening, prior to bed. There should be no need for deep cleansing
in the morning if you're waking up with skin cleansed the night before. In the morning, a quick wipe with a warm
washcloth should suffice. We don't want to overcleanse our skin as this will serve only to irritate and cause more
oil production. The objective of using this method is to deep clean while balancing our skins oil production at the
same time.

 You'll need a soft washcloth, your oil blend, and hot, running water.
 Pour a generous puddle of oil into the palm of your hand. Roughly, the size of a quarter, but
more is acceptable. Rub your hands together to warm the oil and smooth over your face.
 Begin massaging the oil into your face. This will remove makeup, dirt, and other impurities, so
there is no need to use a makeup remover or wash your face prior to the massage. I've found that this
removes even my stubborn waterproof mascara and concealor.
 Using slow, firm motions across the skin, massage the oil deeply into your pores. Take your
time and focus on your problem areas. You want the oil to work into your pores so that blackheads and
the like can be dissolved and steamed away.
 As you're massaging, let your mind drift off to something calming and breathe deeply. Take this
time to relax and release some of the stress that your body is harboring. Sit down, breathe deeply, and
take your time. Give the oil enough time to work on dissolving the impurities in your pores and give
yourself enough time to unwind. Picture what your face would look like if it were completely clear and
free from blemishes. Focus on that image and know that it is attainable. Trust that it is attainable. Accept
that it is attainable. You can have clear skin, free of blemishes and you will have clear skin, free of
blemishes. Focus on perfect skin and breathe deeply.
 Once you're satisfied that your pores are saturated and you're feeling calm, pick up your
washcloth and soak it in clean, steamy water. We want the water to be warm enough to open your pores
and remove the oil. Cool water will not open your pores, nor will it remove the oil efficiently. We're not
scalding our skin, we're steaming to coax our pores to release the oil carrying the impurities. We're
essentially steaming our skin as an esthetician would, but without the luxury of a steam machine.
  Hold the washcloth to cover your face. Allow it to stay until it cools. You will feel your pores
releasing the impurities. Wipe the oil gently away and rinse the washcloth well in hot, running water.
Hold the washcloth to your face again, allowing it to cool. Wipe gently, rinse well, and repeat two or
three more times. Avoid any temptation to scrub, as you'll find it's completely unnecessary and your skin
will be soft, smooth, and free of flakes without the additional manual exfoliation and irritation that will
result. Impurities, dead skin cells, and bacteria will be gently swept away.
 Have no fear of the oil, as the steamy washcloth will remove it. The Castor Oil, though it is an
oil, will help with the removal of the other oils, as well. It is our main cleansing oil and is easily removed
with warm water.
 If your skin feels tight, take a tiny drop of your oil blend, rub it between your clean, damp palms
and pat it onto your damp skin. Gently massage any oil residue into your skin so there is no film of oil
left sitting on the surface. Your skin should now glow!

CASTOR OIL: MODERN USES FOR AN OLD FOLK REMEDY

"by Simone Gabbay."

My first encounter with the amazing healing powers of castor oil took place during a business trip to
Amsterdam, Holland, nearly 20 years ago. As I got off the plane from Toronto, I felt a sharp pain in my
lower back, radiating down into my leg. Whether it was triggered by the long hours of sitting crunched
up in an uncomfortable airplane seat or by the heavy suitcase I was carrying, I'll never know. By the
time I got to my hotel room, I was in agony, barely able to stand up straight. Even lying down on the
bed was painful.

What was I to do? I didn't know anyone in the city, and I was scheduled to attend some important
meetings the following day. The staff at the hotel reception desk couldn't tell me how to locate a
chiropractor. I wasn't interested in going to a doctor for a prescription painkiller or muscle-relaxant. I
remembered that "Sleeping Prophet" Edgar Cayce had often suggested castor oil packs for various
aches and pains, and I remembered having read of this remedy's effectiveness in cases of sciatica.

I managed to take a cab to a nearby drugstore, where I purchased a bottle of castor oil. No doubt the
pharmacist thought that I was bent over because of constipation!

Back at the hotel, I soaked a towel in the oil and wrapped it around my lower back. In a proper castor
oil pack, a cloth of wool or cotton flannel is folded in several layers, then saturated with warm castor
oil, and placed on the affected area. But I had to make do with a hotel towel and room-temperature oil.
I also didn't have access to a heating pad or hot water bottle to add the prescribed warmth to the
pack. The idea is that heat allows the oil to penetrate the skin and work its way deep into the tissues. I
figured that the heat generated by my body would have to do. Finally, I cut open some plastic bags
and spread them on the bed before lying down, to avoid getting oil on the sheets.

Tired from the overnight flight, and exhausted from the pain, I drifted off into a deep sleep. When I
woke up a few hours later, I was drowsy with jet-lag, but the pain was gone! It had completely
disappeared, and I was able to sit, stand, and walk normally. An impressive result for a clumsy first
attempt with makeshift tools!

Since that time, I have witnessed the powerful healing force contained in castor oil on numerous
occasions. My family and I have successfully used castor oil packs and rubs for various kinds of
abdominal complaints, headaches, inflammatory conditions, muscle pains, skin eruptions and lesions.
Castor oil is a staple item in our medicine cabinet at home, and whenever we travel, we pack a small
bottle of castor oil.

The Palma Christi

Castor oil is extracted from the seed of the castor oil plant, whose botanical name is ricinus
communis. While it was Cayce who brought castor oil packs to fame in the 20th century, the oil has a
long and varied history of use as a healing agent in folk medicine around the world. According to a
research report in a recent issue of the Journal of Naturopathic Medicine, castor bean seeds, believed
to be 4,000 years old, have been found in Egyptian tombs, and historical records reveal the medicinal
use of castor oil in Egypt (for eye irritations), India, China (for induction of childbirth and expulsion of
the placenta), Persia (for epilepsy), Africa, Greece, Rome, Southern Europe, and the Americas. In
ancient Rome, the castor oil plant was known as Palma Christi, which translates into hand of Christ.
This name is still sometimes used today.

A book about the Vermont style of folk medicine by D.C. Jarvis published in 1958 lists numerous
conditions which respond well to the topical application of castor oil, including irritation of the
conjunctiva of the eye; to promote healing of the umbilicus in a newborn; and to increase milk flow in
lactating women when applied to the breasts. As a nursing mom, I can attest to the effectiveness of
castor oil applied to sore, irritated, or inflamed nipples. It works faster than any commercial salve, and
I don't have to worry about washing it off before the next nursing. Any trace of the oil that my son may
get in his mouth is definitely not going to harm him!

Ann's NOTE: A visitor suggests that castor oil can in fact be poisonous. One ingredient, 'ricin'is a
recognized toxin. Another is 'RCA. See information below. We suggest WASHING it OFF. One
suggestion is to use baking soda. (Then water).

No one could claim more experience with the clinical application of castor oil than Dr. William A.
McGarey, Chairman of the Board of the A.R.E. Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. In the course of his medical
career spanning over several decades, Dr. McGarey has published numerous articles and books
covering treatments with various Cayce remedies.

In his recently revised and updated book about castor oil, entitled The Oil That Heals, Dr. McGarey
recounts being told a story in 1965 by a man who, some years earlier, had travelled to a Virginia
mountain town to visit his sister. This man "had developed an intensely inflamed finger." writes Dr.
McGarey. "A local physician advised him to go to a larger city to have a surgeon work on it. He was
about to leave at once, for the finger was very painful, when his sister influenced him to show the
finger to 'Aunt Minnie', who lived up the hills and who was a midwife. As soon as she saw it, she told
him to wrap a flannel cloth soaked in castor oil around the finger and leave it there.

He followed her advice and direction, and by morning most of the inflammation and all of the soreness
were gone. By the morning of the second day, all the swelling and inflammation had gone, and a grain
of sand (acquired while he was bathing on the seashore one week earlier) was discovered under the
edge of the fingernail. This came out with the castor oil bandage, and the finger was healed."

Dr. McGarey has successfully used the castor oil packs in a clinical setting for numerous conditions,
including liver and gall bladder disturbances, abscesses, headaches, appendicitis, epilepsy,
hemorrhoids, constipation, intestinal obstructions, hyperactivity in children, and to avert threatened
abortions in pregnant women.

In The Oil That Heals, Dr. McGarey says that Edgar Cayce described at least thirty different
physiological functions that could be changed for the better through the use of castor oil applied
topically, mostly by the use of the packs.

Help for Women's Problems

In The Edgar Cayce Handbook for Health through Drugless Therapy, the late Dr. Harold J. Reilly, who
worked with the information provided in the Cayce readings for forty-five years, recalls the case of a
woman who had been suffering from excessive bleeding of the uterus for thirteen years.

By the time she came to see Dr. Reilly, her problem was threatening to disrupt her career as an opera
singer, as well as her ability to function normally in her personal life as a wife and mother. Four
leading gynecologists whom she had consulted had all recommended some kind of surgery, from a
simple D&C to a total hysterectomy. Dr. Reilly put her on a regimen that began with colonic irrigations
and castor oil packs four nights on, three nights off.

The woman later reported that "after the first two nights of the castor oil packs ... the spotting stopped,
and this was remarkable, because it was just after my menstrual period, and usually that went on and
on. By the end of the week, I sang in a concert and felt fine."

In her popular book Take Charge of Your Body, Canadian physician Dr. Carolyn DeMarco
recommends the application of castor oil packs at night for the relief of pain and swelling associated
with varicose veins. And in a 1994 article in Health Naturally magazine, Dr. DeMarco writes about the
recommendation of American gynecologist Dr. Christine Northrup to apply castor oil packs to the
lumpy, painful breasts of women who suffer from cystic breast disease.

Susun Weed, author of the book Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year, says that in
traditional midwifery, castor oil is used internally and externally to stimulate the uterus, soften the
cervix, and help initiate labour. She suggests rubbing castor oil on the belly and covering with a warm
towel if the cervix is ripe and labour seems near. Some midwives rub castor oil on the feet to help
labour along.

How Castor Oil Works on the Body

A country doctor whom Dr. McGarey quotes in The Oil That Heals, once said: "Castor oil will leave the
body in better condition than it found it." But the physiological workings of castor oil's interaction with
the body remain somewhat elusive.

Dr. McGarey says: "We still have no explanation why ..... a pack using this oil will help restore
normalcy to a hyperactive child, or speed up the healing of hepatitis, or help to get rid of gallstones, or
even help heal abrasions and infections. Perhaps [the explanation] is to be found in the nature of the
human body and the secret capabilities of the substances God gave us here on the earth for our use
and benefit."

Dr. McGarey is very humble in his statement, for he does present a plausible hypothesis relating to
Edgar Cayce's suggestion that castor oil packs can strengthen the Peyer's Patches, which are tiny
patches of lymphatic tissue in the mucosal surface of the small intestine.

According to Cayce, the Peyer's Patches produce a substance which facilitates electrical contact
between the autonomous and the cerebrospinal nervous system when it reaches those areas via the
bloodstream. Dr. McGarey thus understands Cayce to say that the health of the entire nervous
system is, to an extent, maintained through the substance produced by the Peyer's Patches when
they are in good health. Although the Peyer's Patches were discovered in 1677, it is only recently that
medical science has begun to recognize them as constituents of the body's immune system.

Current research appears to confirm Dr. McGarey's theory. A double-blind study, described by Harvey
Grady in a report entitled Immunomodulation through Castor Oil Packs published in a recent issue of
the Journal of Naturopathic Medicine, examined lymphocyte values of 36 healthy subjects before and
after topical castor oil application.

This study identified castor oil as an anti-toxin, and as having impact on the lymphatic system,
enhancing immunological function. The study found that castor oil pack therapy of a minimal two-hour
duration produced an increase in the number of T-11 cells within a 24-hour period following treatment,
with a concomitant increase in the number of total lymphocytes.

This T-11 cell increase represents a general boost in the body's specific defense status, since
lymphocytes actively defend the health of the body by forming antibodies against pathogens and their
toxins. T-cells identify and kill viruses, fungi, bacteria, and cancer cells.

Castor oil packs are a simple home therapy which often produces astounding results. When we
consider the Cayce statement quoted in Dr. McGarey's book, "There's as much of God in a
teaspoonful of castor oil as there is in a prayer!", we may begin to appreciate the powerful healing
potential of the "Palma Christi".

Castor Oil Pack Instructions

(excerpted from The Oil That Heals by William A. McGarey, M.D.)

Prepare a flannel cloth which is two or three thicknesses when folded and which measures about
eight inches in width and ten to twelve inches in length after it is folded. This is the size needed for
abdominal application - other areas may need a different size pack, as seems applicable. Pour castor
oil into a pan and soak the cloth in the oil.

Wring out the cloth so that it is wet but not drippy with the castor oil (or simply pour castor oil onto the
pack so it is soaked). Apply the cloth to the area which needs treatment. Most often, the pack should
be placed so it covers the area of the liver.

Protection against soiling bed clothing can be made by putting a sheet underneath the body. Then a
plastic covering should be applied over the soaked flannel cloth. On top of the plastic, place a heating
pad and turn it up to "medium" to begin, then to "high" if the body tolerates it. It helps to wrap a large
towel around the body to hold the pack snugly in place, using large safety pins on the towel. The pack
should remain in place between an hour to an hour and a half.

The skin can be cleansed afterwards, if desired, by using water which is prepared as follows: to a
squart of water, add two teaspoons of baking soda. Use this to cleanse the abdomen. Keep the
flannel pack wrapped in plastic for future use. It need not be discarded after one application, but can
usually be used many times.

Note: Always use a high-quality, cold-pressed castor oil, available in health food stores.