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HOLISTIC HEALTH &
WELLNESS ARTICLES
The Benefits of
Castor Oil
Castor oil is derived from the
seeds of the castor oil plant. Castor oil contains healing properties
that stimulate the
lymphatic system as well as
anti-inflammatory properties. It also coordinates the activity between
the function of the organs in the body. The body responds to castor oil
very well. It has a primary effect on the lymphatic, digestive and
nervous systems. Castor oil is one of the most effective agents for
stimulating muscular and mucous membrane activity. It increases the
movement of lymph fluid through the vessels.
The oil is absorbed by the tissues and it
vibratory action stimulates the parasympathetic nerves located in the
area being treated. This action in turn will force the lymphatics to
drain the area under stress more adequately. Such activity will benefit
any organ or part of the body where circulation is being restricted.
Castor oil packs applied topically to sprains, bruises or other body
traumas will relieve pain and reduce spasm. It expedites the healing
process by minimizing swelling and relaxing the injured area. Castor oil
is also beneficial when placed over detoxification organs (such as the
liver, kidneys, gall bladder, GI tract) to open these systems for
detoxifying the body.
Castor oil packs are one of the most useful
naturopathic home remedies available. Taken orally castor oil is one of
medicines most powerful laxatives. (Not recommended to take orally while
pregnant.) Dr. Raymond Christopher states in his book School of Natural
Healing: "Castor oil helps to get rid of hardened mucus in the body,
which may appear as cysts, tumors or polyps."
How to make a Castor oil Pack
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To prevent stains, place a towel over a
piece of plastic to protect the chair or the bed.
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Cover a cookie tin or similar flat
surface, with a piece of plastic wrap.
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Moisten once piece of flannel with warm
water and place it on the plastic wrap.
-
Pour Castor oil over a 2nd piece of
flannel, soaking it thoroughly with making it too wet. Fold the
cloth to spread the oil evenly and then unfold it fully onto the
other piece of flannel on the plastic which has been placed on the
cookie tin.
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Heat a rice pack in the microwave for 1-2
min, until its warm.
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Place the rice pack in a ziploc baggie to
keep it from getting oily.
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Lift the piece of plastic with the 2
pieces of flannel and place the flannel on the skin with the castor
oil soaked piece against the body. You may remove the plastic wrap
and sit it nearby to wrap the flannel when complete.
-
Place the ziploc baggie with the rice pack
inside on top of the flannel pieces.
-
Cover everything with a towel or dedicate
a flannel robe or blanket to castor oil time and wrap up in it.
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An ace bandage wrapped around the castor
oil pack and around your body can be helpful in keeping the pack in
place so you can move around a bit while applying the castor oil.
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Enjoy this soothing and relaxing pack for
1 and a half hours or more, three days in a row. Each day place the
two layers of flannel back on the plastic and roll it up to put it
away. Put new castor oil on the cloth each time you apply it, taking
care not to make it too oily.
-
You can wash the cloths and leave them in
the sun and air to purify for at least one day. Do not wash with
clothes, in the sink is fine.
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Rest on the seventh day. Repeat when
necessary or as often as you like.
Enjoy the castor oil pack by reading, writing,
resting, meditating, watching tv or videos, or sleep while the pack is
on. The relaxation of the solar plexus is very soothing and especially
valuable to the release the kind of constipation caused by muscular
tension. Making a strong effort to overcome any resistance to doing the
Castor oil pack and include it in any home care program.
Special Diets and
Lifestyle Changes
QUESTION: I
was recently diagnosed with a special condition that led my doctor to
recommend a specific diet. I'm having a difficult time sticking to the
rigorous diet, because it cuts out a lot of my favorite foods. Can you
give me some suggestions to help me change my eating habits?
ANSWER: Changing your diet for
any reason can be a tough adjustment not only physically but also
mentally and emotionally. Get rid of foods from your house that you want
to avoid, keep healthy food in easy to grab places, read books on health
or related topics to help keep your mind in the game and remember that
thoughts and beliefs are powerfully connected to your physical health.
Instead of looking at these changes as deprivation, “I can’t eat this,”
change your perspective to, “I am choosing to eat healthy because ... I
know I want to feel good!”
The best advice I could give you is to
brainstorm some goals of what you are trying to accomplish for yourself
(not for anyone else). And possibly identify what you may be feeling
apprehensive about or what may be holding you back. Goal setting is
actually a part of finding your life’s purpose (moving towards values
and moving away from values), writing them down and re-reading them
periodically while making these changes can be encouraging.
Journaling is also a great place to
put your energy towards in creating health. Learning about
yourself and your relationship with your body and your emotions is
important. When changing to a healthy diet, your body begins to release
stored toxins. While our physical bodies detoxify, our emotional body
detoxifies as well. Sometimes when I am working with people who are
making changes in their diet they begin to notice emotions coming up
that doesn’t seem “logical”. Finding a quiet place and just beginning to
write can help you explore the roots of these emotions. Don’t worry
about what comes out, or how it sounds…just write. I think it is most
powerful when making life changes to recognize and pay attention to
every aspect of who you are. Acknowledging your strengths, your gifts
and what you have accomplished will attract even more movement towards
your whole body health.
Everyday is a choice. Take baby steps,
but take steps. Remember reaching optimal health is a practice, just
like any other thing we do in life. Don’t beat yourself up if you get
off track, just practice getting back up and trying again. And one last
thing, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes just having support
can be a beautiful thing!
Article originally published in
Health Central News © 2007
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