Castor Oil ~ Natures Cure All

castoroil

Recently I have been using castor oil packs on my legs to help with tight calf muscles from running. Kim Keresturi our RMT was the one who suggested it. Before that, I had only ever heard of castor oil packs on the abdomen. I have had great results with this method and thought I should share it.

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 used to be 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?

Closeup of young woman with hand on her stomach

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.

Materials

• Cotton flannel, or other 100% natural material 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

• A thin towel (I use a tea towel) (I prefer a thin towel so the heat can still get through)

• If doing this in your bed lay on a towel or use older sheets. Castor oil may stain clothing and bedding.

castoroilpack

Method

1. Place the flannel in the container. Soak it in castor oil so that it is saturated, but not dripping.2. Place it over your whole abdomen (make sure to include the liver and the uterus), or if doing a pack on another area, place the pack over the affected body part.3. Place the piece of plastic on top and then place the towel.4. Place the hot water bottle over the pack. Leave it on for 45-60 minutes. Rest while the pack is in place.5. When you remove the pack, the remaining oil can be massaged into the skin or cleaned off using the other clean flannel cloth.6. Store the pack in the covered container in the refrigerator. Each pack may be reused up to 25-30 times.

7. Take it easy for a couple of hours after doing a Castor oil application.

Properties Of Castor Oil Therapy

Castor oil assists the body in the removal of inflammatory components like prostaglandins. This decreases pain during menses and pain associated with endometriosis, inflammation, and adhesions."Scientific studies have shown that Castor oil treatments can boost the immune system by increasing the number of total lymphocyte count."Castor Oil Packs Break Up Scar TissueCastor oil therapy can be effective in breaking up scar tissue and adhesions. Castor oil pack also loosens up masses or cysts and can remove toxins from as deep as 8 cm.Castor Oil Packs Aid Tissue DetoxCastor oil stimulates lymphatic drainage and removes waste products from the tissues and cells.

Other Benefits Of Castor Oil Therapy

The following conditions respond to the application of Castor oil packs:1. Menstrual dysfunction and painful periods.2. Liver, pancreas and gallbladder disorders.3. Digestive and stomach problems.4. Adhesion and scarring of the Fallopian tubes.5. Constipation and poor elimination through the bowels.6. Benign fibroids, endometriosis and ovarian cysts.7. Lymphatic congestion and swollen lymph nodes.8. Constipation, bowel impaction or adhesions.9. Bladder and vaginal infections.10. Fibrocystic breast disease (breast applications).11. Can be used to treat gynaecological disorders related to infertility, like endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome, etc.Castor oil is absorbed easily into the body through the skin and its healing components are delivered directly into the body tissues.

Safety Precautions

Do not apply a Castor oil packs on broken skin. Avoid doing castor oil pack during menses. In women who are actively trying to conceive, it is best to avoid castor oil therapy after ovulation has been detected. Avoid applying heat on the abdomen during early pregnancy as this can affect the developing baby. in fact, castor oil treatment are contraindicated in pregnant and nursing moms. If you have uterine bleeding or suffer from cancerous tumors do not do castor oil packs. For any serious conditions talk to your doctor before doing castor oil therapy.Kim Keresturi, our RMT at Circle of Light introduced me to Castor Oil a few years ago. Thank you Kim!

Are You 'Wearing' Your Illness?

Please do not ever wear your illness.What does that even mean?I've noticed lately how we introduce ourselves has changed over the years. It used to be career or family or relationships that people identified with.Now people seem to introduce themselves with their illnesses or limitations. Whether its physical, mental, or emotional. At first I thought this was just happening to me. Once people realized I was a holistic practitioner, they would then proceed to share their medical history. But then it happened again the other day, with a person had never met me before, and did not know what I did for a living and it got me thinking. What is going on out there in the world that we feel the need to disclose personal health information with people we just meet? Is it that we are just more aware of our bodies? Or has social media created a world in which people interacting with one another feel the need to share Everything.While I celebrate our new found awareness that we are more aware of what's going on in our body, I do question if it's healthy to identify the Who in the 'Who We Are' with those things so thoroughly.Identifying with our illness solidifies it. It becomes part of the  personality, and as a result becomes locked into the mind. In truth the mind is fluid. Things in the body are in constant change and flux. Some parts of the body actually change moment to moment. If you are going to grab onto a belief and identify yourself with it, please make it a positive one, a hopeful one. And don't use illness as an excuse for why you do not participate in life.(More on that Here)I would love for people to introduce themselves and share their dreams and goals. If they have to talk about their illnesses, to speak of them in fleeting transitory terms like 'You may have noticed I'm currently facing the challenge of (such and such) though it may be clearly visible to you, I want you to know I'm not letting this current situation define my life. I'm working with it to heal and balance it the best I can. And though you may see this about me first I want you to know that I am (this this and this) as a person. That's Who I Am.'I find people born with physical disabilities or have to deal with ones on a daily basis that are hard to miss are the first ones to Not define themselves by it. They do not want to. My father in law was in a wheelchair most of his life and he rarely if ever spoke of it. He was obviously in the chair. But he spoke of other things. He never let it stop him. He was still a scout leader. He invented a contraption to help him hang his  basement  drop ceiling. He swam, scuba dived, and could fix anything. Sure he almost injured himself a million different other ways doing some of these things but he LIVED life. He Never let his disability undermine his ability.I find people today use their (insert everything from ADHD to gluten allergy to back pain) to define them and prevent them from not only acknowledging their abilitie,s but in living their lives. When a group of unwell people are talking it can become almost a contest. No longer do people talk of jobs, cars, houses, or neighborhoods to brag of social status.(thank goodness) But they will list off all manner of illnesses and problems and the winner is the person with the most things wrong with them. They win the sympathy of the group. I'm just waiting for the day when those letters that some people send in lieu of Christmas cards do not tell you about that families trips or children's accomplishments, etc. but instead will list personal ailments. Or when those cute cartoon stick people families on the back of cars morph to have symbols representing everyones 'conditions'.Why am I even blogging about this? Who cares you say? Why not let everyone introduce themselves with their illness and limitations forevermore?Because WHAT WE SAY MATTERS.Our Thoughts over time actually Become Matter.Please please before you speak, consider that you are ordering from that vast soup of potential-the quantum field. To say something out loud means you have had to think it for a very long time and The Thought is What Creates Your Reality.Believe me, I know illness is out there. I know some of us will face horrendous challenges and heartache in our lives. And that's hard.But if it happens to you, please do not let that illness, imbalance, or terrible life event claim and take over your mind. Keep your mind a sanctuary of peace and allow those other things to morph and change and heal and balance. And if they cannot or will not and they are life long please do not let them define or limit you. Leave a space in your mind that is hopeful, that will create a space for healing. Find a way to Live your Life and your Dreams despite your circumstance. You owe yourself that much.May you all have joy, love and perfect radiant health!Always,Kerri

'I Can't' ~ Two Words That Will Get You Nowhere

Have you ever said 'I can't'? Most people have at one point in their lives.Those two words hold a lot of power. More than you realize.Just contemplate for a moment.....How often do you use them in your life?'I can't' can also appear as 'I won't', 'I don't want to', 'I'd rather not', 'I don't know how to', and 'I'm too afraid to''I can't' happens when we feel powerless, when we feel unable to make change or take a step forward.In truth we are Never powerless. It is only our fear that stops us from action.Sometimes it is necessary to stop and reassess and take stock of our lives, so uttering an 'I can't' can buy some time or result in a much needed 'time-out'.'I can't' can become problematic in your life when you find it is a recurring pattern and/or it is replacing the 'I can's'.'I can't' ultimately is an excuse not to participate in life. We are all here to participate in life. The body will not thrive in an environment of 'i can't' for long without some ill effects. 'I can't' is often used as an excuse to not act, to not decide, and to not change. It is used as an excuse because it sounds so much better than I won't or I don't want to. 'I can't' doesn't invite argument. No one is going to say why can't you? Whereas people would easily say why don't you want to? Excuses are handy. They can be helpful when you need a break. But are your excuses killing you softly?The refusal to change out of a negative or toxic situation whether it's a job relationship or habit can slowly deplete you life-force energy over time. The early stages often manifest as fatigue, depression, anxiety, and can continue to affect organs and systems more directly as adrenal failure, chronic fatigue, cancers, heart disease.If you ever feel stuck in the 'I can't' but you know you need to make a change in your life then that is a great time to enlist the help of a professional to guide you through the process. Whether its a gentle nudge you need, or a complete overhaul, there are many wonderful healers, counselors, life coaches, lawyers, etc. out there who can help you. The good ones will never tell you what to do, but they will support and guide you to get to that place where you know what you want to/need to do.Sometimes just information gathering will make you feel more empowered. Education dissolves fear, and this will help you move towards making a choice.If you ever find yourself stuck in the 'I can't', taking action (any action!) will help move you out of that energy into the energy of 'I can' which will empower you and begin to move you forward. This post is just about awareness. In my line of work I encounter a lot of people living in the mentality of 'I can't' and they do nto even realize it, nor do they realize the unique link it has to their wellness. Just start tracking your 'I can'ts' , just to notice where and when you use them. That alone is a very enlightening exercise. Then you can begin to try changing them to 'I can' or at the very least an 'I will try'.Lots of Love,KerriI created Circle of Light to support everyone on their journey. We have many helpful services and talented caring staff. As with anything else always use your intuition and meditate on it or contemplate in silence the best course of action for yourself. If you need us we are happy to be of service to you.www.circleoflightwellness.com