Castor Oil

Castor Oil is derived from the castor bean and is obtained by cold pressure. Rich in fatty acids and very moisturizing as well as lubricating to the skin in general. Acts as a humectant, attracting moisture to the skin.

Castor Oil packs (materials needed and procedure listed below) applied with warm flannel are believed effective for pain relief and to “draw out” cysts, boils and warts. From folk medicine: Castor Oil fomentations are recommended for ridding the body of hardened mucus in the form of cysts, tumors, and polyps. Castor Oil is applied by soaking a flannel cloth in Castor 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.

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 appears to require less sodium hydroxide, it sometimes requires more sodium hydroxide due to its high ricinoleic acid content. It is also a well-known superfatting agent and is well-suited for shampoo bars as well as skin-care products. Without other oils, it produces a transparent soft soap. In combination with other vegetable oils; however, it makes a wonderfully emollient, hard bar of soap.

Sold by weight.

SAP value: 180.3.

INCI: Ricinus Communis (castor) seed oil.

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 To Make And Use A Castor Oil Pack:

(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 Castor 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 spots 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 infections,
and vaginal infections.

Latin Name: Ricinus Communis L Forms Available: oil Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Effective for pain relief and to “draw out” cysts, boils and warts. Ridding the body of hardened mucus in the form of cysts, tumors, and polyps. Relief from lumbago, sciatica, and rheumatism. Prevents sore nipples in nursing mothers and post natal hair loss. A superfatting agent and well-suited for shampoo bars as well as skin-care products. Without other oils, it produces a transparent soft soap; but in combination with other vegetable oils, it makes an emollient, hard bar of soap. [Purchase Castor Oil Based Products] - [Recipes]

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