Castor oil is an old natural remedy that has helped many people improve their health. One of the oldest medical documents in history, the Ebers Papyrus, details that the ancient Egyptians used castor oil as a topical remedy in 1550 B.C. Since the ancient days, women have used castor oil packs to help get rid of fibroids, but it has also been used to regulate hormones and improve digestive health.
What is Castor Oil?
Castor oil is derived from the castor seed. The oil is a triglyceride that is made up of fatty acids, 90% being ricinoleic acid, which is the primary healing agent in castor oil. Ricinoleic acid helps to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, viruses, yeasts, and molds.
While castor oil has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, there are occasionally some side effects. The most common side effects include skin reactions or gastrointestinal discomfort. The latter is not uncommon, given that the small intestine breaks down castor oil into ricinoleic acid, which can irritate the intestinal wall. People with cramps, IBS, hemorrhoids, or colitis may want to avoid castor oil so as to not experience side effects.
Buying Castor Oil
When you buy castor oil, it is important that you obtain the highest quality for effectiveness and your safety. Pure castor oil must be cold-pressed and it should come in dark bottles. Don’t get cheap castor oil! When you buy the oil, read the label for dosage instructions.
Here are a few things that castor oil can improve:
Improved Blood Flow
Improper circulation can lead to the development of chronic diseases, specifically those related to the heart. When you improve circulation, the blood can carry more oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. This helps keep cells alive and well.
Balanced Hormones
When you improve circulation by consuming castor oil, the body can help balance hormones more efficiently. Regulating your hormones helps curb mood swings, anxiety, depression, PMS symptoms, and helps enhance reproductive health.
Digestion
As mentioned earlier in this article, some people are not advised to ingest castor oil. Since castor oil works as a mild laxative, those with constipation, bloating, leaky gut, and other digestive issues may benefit from this natural remedy.
Immune Health
Consuming castor oil can help boost the immune system and improve the health of the lymphatic system. Additionally, castor oil helps to increase white blood cell production, which helps produce antibodies to fight off infections and illnesses.
Make Your Own Castor Oil Pack Liver Treatment
If you need to naturally detox your liver, a castor oil pack can get the job done. Additionally, a castor oil pack has helped people sleep better, experience less joint pain, and many have noticed improved skin health. Some people even experience better lymphatic circulation, uterine support, and reduced inflammation.
What You’ll Need
- High quality castor oil
- Lemon essential oil
- Heating pad, or hot water bottle
- Wool flannel cloth
What To Do
- Soak the flannel in castor oil and add several drops of lemon essential oil. Place the flannel on the right side of your abdomen below the ribcage. If you are using this for kidney pain, place the cloth on your back where your kidneys are located.
- Lie down on your back and heat up the heating pad to place on top of the cloth. Keep everything on the addressed area for an hour.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
