The Castor Oil Pack

, March 25, 2015 in Therapeutics

Castor oil is a clear, viscous oil that is cold extracted from the seed of Ricinus communis. This plant, native to India and Africa can now be seen in many Canadian gardens. After the oil is extracted, a second extraction of the pomace yields Ricin, a poison used in cancer research and poison products.

Castor oil is first mentioned in the Ebers Papyrus – 1550 BCE and was used by Cleopatra for her eyes and lips. Information available in the modern scientific literature is limited to the purgative properties of internal ingestion of the oil. A dose of 5-15 ml will produce catharsis within two to eight hours.

There is a plethora of anecdotal folk and clinical literature on Castor Oil, but this bears no stamp of authority in the academic community. A more enlightened approach regarding the use and efficacy of Castor Oil packs is found in the readings of the medical psychic Edgar Cayce, and these readings are summarized in one book.1 Cayce describes a relationship between body organs, the lymphatic system and its various tissues, the nervous system, the endocrine system and the mind. Biochemists had not yet found the messenger chemicals that Cayce “saw” so very few people believed that these systems had an elaborate communication system that linked them together. The science of psychoneuroimmunology is just beginning to map out the relationships that many people intuitively grasped long ago. In short, Cayce says that Castor Oil, due to its unique molecular structure, is absorbed through the skin reaches the internal organs, re-establishing “coordination” which in turn brings about a state of healthy balance. The most significant recorded success of Castor Oil Packs relates toward organs in the pelvic cavity, consistent benefits to gastro intestinal problems and conditions in the genito-urinary tract. Numerous topical conditions like warts and papilomas have been treated successfully. Even some people with acute inflammatory conditions have responded well. Of course, in all serious medical conditions professional help should be sought.

The Castor Oil Pack

Supplies:
  • 2 Blankets and 2 Towels (May be stained during treatment.)
  • Double Boiler or Cook Pot and Hot Water Bath
  • 1 Bed sheet cut into 8 parts
  • 100 – 250 ml Castor Oil
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Hot Water Bottle
  • Plastic Wrap
  • Small Mixing Bowl
  • 2 Tbs Baking Soda
Method:
  1. Have patient recline comfortably on a bed, couch or reclining chair with the area of their abdomen or pelvis to be treated exposed.
  2. Heat the oil over simmering water in the double boiler or water bath.
  3. Fold a strip of the bed sheet until it is 3 to 5 layers thick and place in the small bowl.
  4. Pour the hot oil over the cloth and knead it into the fabric.
  5. Fill the hot water bottle with the simmering water bath.
  6. Wring out the Castor Oil pack so that it remains soaked, but not dripping.
  7. Place the pack over the abdomen centering it on the area of concern and extending beyond the area a bit.
  8. Cover the pack with plastic wrap.
  9. Place the hot water bottle over the plastic and cover with towels to insulate.
  10. Cover the patient with blankets for comfort.
  11. Have the patient lay quietly for an hour engaged in some internal exercise of relaxation/breathing/or prayer exercise or simply resting.
  12. When time is up, remove the pack and discard.
  13. Mix 2 Tbsp. of baking soda into a bowl of tepid water and wash the skin free of oil.
  14. Have the patient lay quietly again for a while, or take a nap. If treatment was given in the evening patient may go to sleep for the night.
  15. Repeat the process on alternating days with deep-set chronic conditions for the duration of the internal program.