
Ayurvedic medicine has long used castor oil for lumbago, sciatica and rheumatism. In the Canary Islands the oil is used to prevent sore nipples in nursing mothers and is also rubbed onto their scalps to prevent post natal hair loss. In soapmaking, although castor oil would appear to require less sodium hydroxide, it sometimes requires more due to its high ricinoleic acid content. It's also a well-known superfatting agent and well suited for shampoo bars and skin-care products. Without other oils, it produces a transparent soft soap. In combination with over vegetable oils, however, it makes a wonderfully emollient, hard bar of soap. SAP value: 180.3. INCI: Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil.
From folk medicine: Castor oil fomentations are recommended for ridding the body of hardened mucus in the form of cysts, tumors and polyps. The castor oil is applied by soaking a flannel cloth in the oil and applying it over the liver. A hot water bottle or electric heating pad is applied on top of the pack and left on the area for 30 to 60 minutes. This is repeated daily for three days followed by olive oil massages over the same area for three days. On the seventh day, it is recommended by some that the patient should rest by fasting on nothing but distilled water. Depending on the particular case, this procedure should be repeated for between six weeks to six months to properly cleanse the system.
Materials Needed To Make A Castor Oil Pack (1) Three layers of natural, uncolored wool or flannel cotton large enough to cover the area being treated. (2) Castor oil. (3) Plastic wrap large enough to cover the cloth. (4) Hot water bottle or electric blanket. Procedure: (1) Soak cotton with castor oil. It should be saturated but not dripping. (2) Place the pack on the area being treated, for example lower right abdomen [liver]. (3) Cover the pack with plastic wrap and place a hot water bottle over the pack. (4) Leave the pack on for 30-60 minutes. Use the castor oil pack 3-7 days per week. Precautions include avoiding meal times, not using the pack during heavy menses, and avoiding contact with fabric that could become stained. The same pack may be used for weeks or months. Refresh with additional oil if necessary. Conditions are said to have been responsive to castor oil applications include (please consult with a health care professional before you apply a castor pack; the information we provide below is just that, information which is readily available to all either in books or on the web): skin keratosis; ringworm, fungal and bacterial infections; wounds; abdominal stretch marks (prevention); bursitis; sebaceous cysts; warts; liver or age spots; muscle strains; ligament sprains; itching; chronic fluid retention with swollen joints and pain; arthritis; upper respiratory infections involving the sinuses, tonsils and inner ear; colon problems involving inflammation; gallbladder disease; boils; liver cirrhosis; hepatitis; menstrual-related congestion; constipation, bowel impaction or adhesions; bladder and vaginal infections.
Additional info from renowned herbalist Susun Weed:
The commercially extracted (not infused) oil of the seeds of this poisonous plant was the remedy most frequently recommended by the psychic healer Edgar Cayce for resolving lumps and growths. (The poison isn�t in the oil, but�if taken internally�castor oil is a strong laxative.)
The classic application is a hot castor oil compress made by baking a flannel cloth saturated in castor oil in the oven until it is thoroughly heated. This hot compress is applied, covered with plastic and/or layers of towels to hold in the heat, and kept on as long as possible. In extreme cases, compresses are applied continuously, day and night. For small lumps, room temperature castor oil is applied morning and night ( before bed), and covered completely with a regular adhesive strip (or two). Note from Camden-Grey: Please set your oven at the lowest possible temperature and check on it every 5 minutes until done. It's your responsibility to do this properly!!
Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. They are not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Please consult your health care professional with any health-related concerns and for diagnosis and treatment.
Susun Weed, PO Box 64, Woodstock, NY 12498, Fax: 1-845-246-8081
Visit Susun Weed at: www.susunweed.com
Legal Disclaimer: This content is not intended to replace conventional medical treatment. Any suggestions made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, condition or symptom. Personal directions and use should be provided by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare practitioner with a specific formula for you. All material on this website/email is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Contact a reputable healthcare practitioner if you are in need of medical care. Exercise self-empowerment by seeking a second opinion.
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TERMINOLOGY:
EO = essential oil
FO = fragrance oil
HOW PRODUCTS ARE DISPENSED...
BOTTLING/PACKAGING:
Essential oils: in 1/32 oz. to 1/4 oz...amber glass vials with orifice reducers. ½ oz. to 2 oz...in amber glass bottles with white caps and Eurodroppers...3 to 4 oz. in amber glass bottles with black caps and without orifice reducers...7 oz. in aluminum bottles...15 oz. in amber glass bottles with black caps...10 & 25 lbs. in HDPE plastic containers with wide mouths although, occasionally, 25 lbs. may be dispensed in factory-issued metal containers with pouring spouts.
28 lbs. of carrier oils and other liquids are dispensed in individual HDPE plastic gallon containers with handles, each holds the purchased net weight of liquid.
30+ lbs. of carrier oils, other liquids, soft butters, Castile gel and other products are dispensed in plastic HDPE pails w/metal handles & pouring spouts in the lid; those products may remain inside the pails indefinitely when properly stored. After Covid, we reserve the right to use any packaging/dispensing container available to us and not mentioned above because it continues to be difficult many times to restock the same packaging container or material used in the past.
NOTE: An EO may safely remain inside an aluminum container for up to 3 months, but if storing longer than 3 months the oil should be transferred to amber glass. Fragrances and carrier oils up to 8 lbs. may remain inside HDPE plastic bottles indefinitely. If the customer at any time feels more comfortable transferring a product to glass this should be done. ALL PRODUCTS ARE DISPENSED BY WEIGHT, THUS, SOME CONTAINERS MAY BE FILLED HIGHER THAN OTHERS DEPENDING ON THE WEIGHT AND VISCOSITY OF EACH PRODUCT.
Raw materials/ingredients are dispensed by weight. Many customers ask how many ounces in a pound, there are 16 ounces in one pound. These are not fluid ounces, they are ounces by weight.
HOW TO STORE: EOs, FOs and BUTTERS should be stored in tightly-sealed containers away from direct light and heat. Some EOs could be highly flammable, keep away from open flames. Keep all liquids and powders you purchase from Camden-Grey tightly capped and away from the reach of children, the elderly or infirm and pets. Refrigerating butters could adversely affect the consistency of the butter, please join our Forum if you need to learn how to handle, work with and store products. The link is towards the top right green section of our pages.
(Rev. 6/13/23)