One of my favorite ways to relax and recharge is using castor oil packs. Historical textbooks list castor oil as one of the oldest ways to support health with citations dating back to 1550 BC in Egypt, thousands of years in India and China, and was deemed the Palma Christa in medieval Europe.
What is Castor Oil?
Castor oil and its major constituent ricinoleic acid, an unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid, has been researched for analgesic, anti-inflammatory, laxative, and uterine relaxation effects. Specifically castor oil has been shown to increase the levels of T-11 lymphocytes in the top layers of the skin, increase prostaglandin E2, and activate the EP3 prostanoid receptor. Increase in T-11 lymphocytes is hypothesized to support normal immunity, whereas increases in prostaglandins may be responsible for the induction of labor in pregnant women.
The heat from a castor oil packs increases blood flow and may improve oxygenation to target tissues. Castor oil also activates the VR1 receptor similarly to capsaicin, and this may account for its analgesic effects.
When should Castor Oil Packs be used?
Castor oils packs are typically placed on top of the liver or on top the uterus. The former supports liver health, while the latter supports reproductive health. As with many…
