Castor oil is extracted from the seeds of Ricinus communis, a herb native to Africa and India. This plant is known by many other names, including: castor, castor bean, palma christi, Mexico seed, oil plant, and mole bean. Most castor oil that you purchase today comes from either Brazil or India.
The ancient Egyptians were the first to record the use of castor oil for medicinal purposes, and since then it has been used by many cultures as a folk medicine. Castor oil was reportedly used as a medicine during the early Middle Ages in Europe. In his Encyclopedia of Healing, the American healing psychic Edgar Cayce claimed that castor oil helped to heal the lymphatic tissue in the small intestines, thus increasing absorption of fatty acids and allowing for tissue growth and repair. However, taking castor oil internally is not recommended for long periods of time.
Most applications for castor oil are external to treat skin, burns, sunburns, skin disorders, skin cuts, and abrasions. Castor oil can also be used to draw out styes in the eye by pouring a small amount into the eye and allowing it to circulate around the inside of the eyelid. The oil is also used as a rub or pack for various ailments, including abdominal complaints, headaches, muscle pains, inflammatory conditions, skin eruptions, lesions, and sinusitis. Edgar Cayce recommended using a castor oil pack from a piece of flannel that has been soaked with castor oil and then putting it on the area of complaint and placing a heat source, such as a hot water bottle, on top of it.
Dr. Mason recommends castor oil packs to treat muscle spasms and sprains. Personally I’ve found it to be very effective in treating tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. An orthopedic surgeon wanted to operate on my wrist because of all the problems I was having, but regular applications of castor oil cured it.
Here’s the best way I’ve found to apply castor oil packs:
- Coat the affected area with castor oil.
- Cover that same area loosely with some plastic wrap.
- Wrap an ace bandage or towel around the plastic wrap.
- Sleep that way over night. Your body heat will do the rest.
For more information:
- The American Cancer Society has some interesting things to say about castor oil.
- You might also want to check out this post called “Castor Oil: Modern Uses For An Old Folk Remedy“
- Wikipedia also has some interesting information on castor oil.
November 30, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Thanks for the details bout caster oil. I never use it before. Thanks for the information.
December 1, 2008 at 1:44 am
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December 1, 2008 at 2:54 am
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December 9, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Castor oil might be my favorite and most used old time remedy. It always works.
February 2, 2009 at 6:02 am
no more hair fall.
no more itchy
no more dandruff.
body feel strong
no more cold..
within a month
but dont take too much
thank you.
February 2, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Shukri,
Glad to hear that this has helped you.
You’re right about limiting the amount of it that you take.
Robin
February 6, 2009 at 2:50 am
castor oil also can be mix with other herb
such as coconut oil,aloe vera and honey.
depend on on what type of usage.
coconut oil or coconut milk mix with castor oil is good for hair.
aloe vera mix with castor oil help to cure scar much more faster than aloe vera alone.
2 tablespoon honey with half spoon castor oil help to cure cold and cough faster and give you body energy to fight cold.remember dont take castor oil to much.you can take castor oil only once a week.the rest of the day can be continue only with honey.
September 23, 2009 at 4:34 pm
I recently started using castor oil and it is an amazing healing oil! I found immediate relief by just applying to sore, painful muscles and joints and much more when rubbed and the most when heat applied as well (as suggested by E. Cayce) and others…bruises healed and were gone faster too! I am a total convert and will always have it on hand. I have yet to take it internally though as I have not done enough research on that aspect.