castor oil poultice
Castor oil is a thick fatty-oil made from castor bean seeds, castor oil contains a variety of therapeutic components including amino acids, terpenoids, phytosterols, and more. It has been used therapeutically since ancient Egypt and is commonly used in traditional Aryuvedic medicine.
Castor oil enhances the circulation, promotes healing of the tissues and organs by penetrating the skin. As with any new substance, particularly if you are sensitive, it is ideal to test a small patch out by placing a drop on to a clean area of skin and leaving it overnight to see if there is any reaction.
CASTOR OIL BENEFITS
Castor oil contains a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid which has been shown to help balance inflammation.
Improves immune function - it helps to improve lymphatic drainage, blood flow, thymus gland health and more.
Boosts circulation: it aids the blood and lymph system engendering the right balance between each helping to prevent fluid retention (oedema).
Improves circulation helps the overall function of our vital organs such as the liver, heart, lung and brain.
Moisturises skin and aids in the healing of wounds including scar tissue.
Helps to heal dry, irritated, burnt and ulcerated skin and has shown to be effective against bacteria such as staphylococcus.
CASTOR OIL POULTICE – WHAT YOU WILL NEED
Glass bottle of organic, cold-pressed and hexane-free castor oil
1 x unbleached organic cottonflannel/square
1 x organic sanitary pad or incontinence
1 x sheet of plastic or cling film
1 x tablespoon baking soda
1 x hot water bottle (ideal but not essential)
1 x clean sealable glass container to store the oiled material
CASTOR OIL POULTICE – WHAT TO DO
Please note that it is important to test a small amount of castor oil on your skin on the day prior to poulticing, so as to ensure that you do not respond with any skin reactions. If you find that your skin reacts with a rash or reddening then please do not proceed with poulticing.
You can purchase ready-made castor oil packs made from organic cotton to use for this, following is an inexpensive do-it-yourself poultice instruction. Castor oil will stain so use material that you do not mind discarding in future.
take the sanitary/incontinence pad and slice a line down the middle ensuring that you do not cut/damage the plastic base.
pour as much castor oil in to this slice, your aim is for the pad to absorb as much oil as is possible without running out
fold and place your organic unbleached cloth over this pad and pout further castor oil on to it so that it is soaked but manageable and not running out.
Prepare your hot water bottle and have it ready next to you.
Drink a large glass of room temperature/warm water.
Find a comfortable position and lie with your feet elevated. Use a pillow or bolster for support under your knees or feet if this feels comfortable.
place the poultice over the area that you would like to focus on ie. an area of scar tissue, of pain - I recommend placing the poultice over your liver region for any digestive illnesses, headaches, migraines or generalised body aches and pains.
castor oil is thick and will stain, I advise wrapping the poultice in a layer of plastic like cling film or a plastic bag to minimise mess however avoid the plastic coming in to contact with the oil. I also recommend laying on an old towel.
I find the poultice works best when a heat source is applied over it such as a hot water bottle as this warms the oil and will stimulate your circulation and lymph.
You will aim to lie with the poultice for 45-60 minutes however you can keep the poultice on for even longer including overnight while you sleep.
It is an ideal opportunity to use this time to practice relaxation breathing.
Take in a smooth deep breath into your lower abdomen, using it to force it out like a balloon.
Pause momentarily and then breath out relaxing your jaw and shoulders as you do this.
Pause then take an in breath, repeat this cycle.To remove the oil wipe with a clean dry cloth.
You can wash any excess oil off with a mixture of baking soda in to water.
Keep the remaining oil on the soaked material and store in your container in the fridge. These can be reapplied and reused up until the material begins to change colour.
I recommend that you repeat this process on at least 5 consecutive nights weekly, depending on your issue, and to do so weekly until you experience improvement.
When first starting to castor poultice it is best to avoid doing so during your period as for some people it can prove too stimulating.