. |
Seeds for Change Wellness
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Castor Oil: A Wealth of Information
Castor Oil: A Wealth of Information
Contents:
Below is an assortment of information files and pieces I have collected over the years in regards
to the Castor Oil, a starting point if you are investigating this therapy and how it is used.
1. Natural Protection from Deadly Viruses
2. Common Methods of Using Castor Oil
3. Buying Castor Oil
4. Castor Oil Packs
5. How to Apply Castor Oil Packs
6. The Castor Oil Detox Program
7. The Right Way to Do It
8. There is No Lymph Drug
9. Versatile Remedy
10. The Oil That Heals
11. Modern Uses for An Old Folk Remedy
12. The Palma Christi
13. Help for Women's Problems
14. How Castor Oil Works on the Body
1. Natural Protection from Deadly Viruses
Source: Dr. David G. Williams -- ALTERNATIVES -- v6 n1, July 1995
Moving on to more "exotic" techniques to increase immune system efficiency, we come to castor
oil. I can remember my dad telling me time after time about his mother's devotion to castor oil
when he was growing up. At the first sign of any illness in one child, she would immediately give
all the children a quick oral dose of castor oil. There's no doubt it provided a quick solution for
constipation, and from what I can tell, it must have a positive effect on memory too. My dad can
vividly remember the taste and effects of castor oil to this very day.
In many ways, castor oil is a very unique substance. While most of us are familiar with its use as
a remedy for constipation, folk healers in this country and around the world have used castor oil
to treat a wide variety of conditions. Its effectiveness is probably due in part to its peculiar
chemical composition. Castor oil is a triglyceride of fatty acids. Almost 90 percent of its fatty acid
content consists of ricinoleic acid. To my knowledge, ricinoleic acid is not found in any other
substance except castor oil. Such a high concentration of this unusual, unsaturated fatty acid is
thought to be responsible for castor oil's remarkable healing abilities.
Ricinoleic acid has been shown to be effective in preventing the growth of numerous species of
viruses, bacteria, yeasts and molds. (J Am Oil Chem Soc 61;37.323-325.) This would explain the
high degree of success in the topical use of the oil for treating such ailments as ringworm,
keratoses (non-cancerous, wart-like skin growths), skin inflammation, abrasions, fungal-infected
finger and toenails, acne and chronic pruritus (itching). Generally, for these conditions the area
involved is simply wrapped in cloth soaked with castor oil each night, or if the area is small
enough, a castor oil soaked Band-Aid can be used. (For persistent infections and those finger
and toenails that have discolored and hardened, a good 10 to 20 minute soak in Epsom salts,
prior to applying the castor oil, usually speeds up the healing process.) Castor oil's antimicrobial
activity, while very impressive, comprises only a small part of the story concerning this mysterious
oil.
While castor oil has been thoroughly investigated for its industrial uses, only a minimal amount of
research effort has been directed toward its medicinal benefits. In Russia the oil is known as
"Kastorka." The stem of the plant is used in the textile industry. The extracted oil has a very
consistent viscosity and won't freeze even in Russia's severe climate. This makes it an ideal
lubricating oil in industrial equipment.
Medicinally, the oil is added to products to restore hair (one part oil to 10 parts of grain alcohol),
treat constipation, skin ulcers, some infectious gynecological conditions and eye irritations. The
castor bean plant is actually native to India, where it is called "Erand." There we found it being
used extensively for all types of gastrointestinal problems like constipation, dysentery and
inflammatory bowel disease. It was also used to treat bladder and vaginal infections and asthma.
We were told the seed kernels or hulls (without the actual seed) could be boiled in milk and water
and taken internally to relieve arthritis and lower back pain accompanied by sciatica. We also
found early reports of nursing mothers in the Canary Islands using poultices made from the
leaves of the castor bean. They applied the poultice to their breasts to increase milk secretion
and relieve inflammation and milk stagnation in the mammary glands. Applying the poultice to the
abdominal area promoted normal menstruation.
While I find all of these uses of castor oil very interesting, the most exciting use deals with ways to
increase topical absorption through the use of castor oil packs or poultices. Much of the current
use of castor oil packs, in the U.S. anyway, can be attributed to the late healing psychic, Edgar
Cayce. Time after time he recommended their use. Based on his reports, I began to use them in
my practice over 12 years ago. But even though I, and numerous other doctors, have continued
to experience remarkable results, the technique is still practically unknown and shunned by most
health care professionals today. This is probably due to two reasons. First, it's just too simple. It's
hard for most people to imagine that something as simple as castor oil packs could have a
profound effect on any health problem. Secondly, in our present health care system, positive
results alone do not constitute the critical factor in determining whether a treatment will be
accepted by the medical establishment. [Everybody (except probably the poor patient) now
seems to be more concerned about how something is supposed to work, than whether it actually
works at all.]
Recent research data presented by longtime follower of Edgar Cayce, Dr. William McGarey of
Phoenix, Arizona, might help shed some light on how castor oil works. If you're not particularly
interested in how castor oil enhances the immune system, feel free to skip the next couple of
paragraphs. Anyone suffering from AIDS or other serious viral or bacterial diseases may find this
information helpful, however. Numerous AIDS patients have been able to increase their T-cell
counts and clear up many of their problems by using the techniques I'll be describing. Others
have found it useful in eliminating chronic problems with epilepsy, hyperactivity, liver and
gallbladder diseases and chronic fluid retention. (Fortunately, to benefit from this and other
natural therapies you really don't have to understand how they work.) McGarey has reported
that, when used properly, castor oil packs improve the function of the thymus gland and other
areas of the immune system. More specifically, he found in two separate studies that patients
using abdominal castor oil packs had significant increases in the production of lymphocytes
compared to increases among those using placebo packs. Lymphocytes are the disease-fighting
cells of your immune system. They are produced and housed mainly in your lymphatic tissue.
This includes the thymus gland, the spleen, the lymph nodes and the lymphatic tissue that lines
the small intestine (called Peyer's patches, or more commonly, aggregated lymphatic follicles).
Strangely, other than knowing it produces the body's white blood cells, most doctors are not very
knowledgeable about the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is an amazingly complex
structure. It works hand in hand with both the blood circulatory system and the digestive system.
In the circulatory system, newly oxygenated blood from the lungs moves from the heart along
smaller and smaller arteries until it reaches the smallest vessels called capillaries. It is in these
microscopic tubules that the blood exchanges oxygen and nutrients for cellular waste products
with surrounding body cells. The capillaries then gradually become larger and form veins through
which the unoxygenated, waste-carrying blood returns back to the lungs and then to the heart to
be recirculated time and time again. Much of the fluid accompanying the blood and large protein
molecules leak from these capillaries. Additional fluids and waste products are expelled from
every cell in the body. These fluids accumulate in the small spaces between the cells. If all of this
material weren't somehow removed we would begin to swell like a toad and die within a matter of
24 hours. Fortunately, we have a completely separate circulation system, called the lymphatic
system, that is able to absorb and remove these fluids, proteins and waste materials.
With the exception of the brain, where these proteins and fluids flow directly into the fluid that
surrounds them, the extensive lymphatic network has hundreds of miles of tubules that cover the
entire body. Through these tubules all of this material is returned to the blood so it can be utilized
or eliminated from the body. (There is no pathway, other than the lymphatic system, that excess
protein molecules can use to return to the circulatory system.) Also, along these lymphatic
tubules you'll find bulb-shaped masses called lymph nodes, which act as filters and produce
antibodies when foreign proteins are encountered. I'm sure you've experienced the tenderness
and swelling of an inflamed lymph node at one time or another. It is usually a result of antibodies
fighting an infection either in the node itself or somewhere in the draining area of that particular
lymph chain.
In addition to returning leaking fluid from the circulation system and creating antibodies for the
immune system, the lymphatic system also performs another very important function. Clumps of
lymphatic tissue, called Peyer's patches, are spread throughout the small intestine. Unlike other
nutrients, fat molecules are generally too large to be absorbed directly from the intestine.
Instead, they are absorbed by these patches and transported along the lymphatic system and
then released into the blood stream where they can be carried throughout the body. Between 80
to 90 percent of all the fat absorbed from the gut requires the help of the lymphatic system.
When it comes to treating the majority of health problems, the status of your lymphatic system is
rarely given any consideration whatsoever. Medical students are taught that a failure of the
lymphatic system is obvious to detect because it is accompanied by "pitting" edema (the
accumulation of fluid in the tissues, i.e. swelling, usually in the feet, ankles or hands). The test for
"pitting" edema is rather simple. A finger is pressed into the skin at the area of the swelling and
then quickly removed. The skin stays depressed, forming a small "pit", which remains until the
fluid outside the cells has time to return to the area (this can take anywhere from 5 to 30
seconds). Unfortunately, research studies have shown that "pitting" edema and other signs of
fluid retention can't be observed until fluid levels outside the cells reach 30 percent above
normal. In other words, you can have a serious lymphatic drainage problem long before it can be
detected.
Several problems occur when the lymph drainage slows and fluids begin to accumulate around
the cells. First, the individual cells are forced further and further away from the capillaries. The
amount of oxygen and nourishment they receive is decreased. Under exertion or stress some
cells may die. Additionally, cells are forced to survive in their own waste and toxic by-products.
This situation can eventually lead to the degeneration and destruction of organs. For example,
poor lymphatic drainage of the heart can lead to tissue damage and even heart failure. Similar
problems occur in the liver, the kidneys and other organs. A good analogy would be if you
confined yourself to one room of your house. Someone could bring you food and water, but not
remove any of your waste products. Eventually you would have difficulty remaining healthy in
such an environment. As your waste accumulated, not only would you become sick, those around
you would begin to experience the same fate. Just like it is for each cell, in addition to
nourishment and oxygen, the removal of waste products is essential for continued health of the
entire body. Fluid accumulation outside the cells also stretches the tissue in the area. The more
it stretches and the longer it remains that way, the harder it becomes to correct the problem.
Regardless of the health problem, most doctors generally assume the lymphatic system is
working adequately. This assumption is made at the peril of the patient.
Research has shown that as we age certain organs begin to degenerate. The thymus gland is a
key component of the immune system. It is initially responsible for the proper development of the
lymphatic system and is practically absent in older individuals. Peyer's patches, those clumps of
lymphatic tissue found in the small intestine, begin to get smaller with age and are often
destroyed by certain diseases like typhoid fever. (Cayce felt that the overall health and well-
being of an individual was directly related to the health of these Peyer's patches. He stated on
several occasions, that a certain compound formed in these patches was necessary for
maintaining the integrity of the nervous system. He may very well be correct. To this day, we still
don't totally understand the functions and importance of either the thymus gland or Peyer's
patches.) Efforts should be taken to improve the function of the lymphatic system in every health
problem. This applies to AIDS, as well as heart disease, hemorrhoids and everything in between.
No drug exists that has the ability to improve lymphatic flow; however, the job can easily be
handled through the topical application of castor oil.
When castor oil is absorbed through the skin, several extraordinary events take place. The
lymphocyte count of the blood increases. This is a result of a positive influence on the thymus
gland and/or lymphatic tissue. The flow of lymph increases throughout the body. This speeds up
the removal of toxins surrounding the cells and reduces the size of swollen lymph nodes. The
end result is a general overall improvement in organ function with a lessening of fatigue and
depression. As toxicity is reduced, the pH of the saliva becomes less acidic, indicating improved
health. The Peyer's patches in the small intestine become more efficient in their absorption of
fatty acids, which are essential for the formation of hormones and other components necessary
for growth and repair.
2. Common Methods of Using Castor Oil
The most common way to use castor oil (and most objectionable, I might add) has been to take it
orally. Generally, oral doses are used to correct constipation. The recommended dose is usually
1 tablespoon for adults and 1 teaspoon for children. You can usually expect a "purging" of the
system in about four to six hours.
Rubbed or Massaged Directly Into the Skin - For several conditions I'll mention later, the oil can
simply be rubbed into the skin. It can also be used as a massage oil which seems to be especially
effective when applied along the spinal column. If the oil is massaged into the body, the direction
of the massage should always follow the same path as the underlying Iymphatic drainage system.
The diagram below shows the proper direction to massage the oil and further facilitate lymphatic
drainage. [Vater and Asdonk, Gesaltschaft for Manuelle Lymph Drainage (Essen, Germany).]
Conditions Responding to Topical Application - Oftentimes there is no need for castor oil packs;
amazing results can be obtained by simply applying it directly to the skin. The following is a short
list of some of the more common ailments it can remedy: skin keratosis, ringworm, fungal and
bacterial infections, wounds, abdominal stretch marks (prevention), bursitis, sebaceous cysts,
warts, senile lentigo ("liver" or "aging" spots) , muscle strains, ligament sprains, itching.
Castor Oil Packs
One of the most useful and least utilized methods of using castor oil is to employ packs. Packs
are an economical and efficient method of absorbing the ricinoleic acid and other healing
components of castor oil directly into body tissues. (The following basic procedure was outlined
in several of the readings of Edgar Cayce.)
To make a castor oil pack you will need the following items: cold pressed castor oil, a standard
heating pad, a plastic garbage bag, two or three one-foot square pieces of wool or cotton flannel
and one large bath towel.
1. Start by placing the heating pad on a flat surface and turn the setting to high.
2. On top of the pad lay the plastic garbage bag. Next, soak the flannel pieces with castor oil
generally about 1/2 cup) and lay them on top of the garbage bag and heating pad.
3. The entire pack can now be placed against the body with the oil-soaked flannel on the skin.
For general conditions the pack should be placed on the abdomen. (For treating lower back
problems, the pack can be placed there.) To help hold the pack in place and to keep oil from
getting on bedding, etc., the body can be wrapped in a large bath towel.
4. The pack should remain in place for at least one hour and the temperature of the heating pad
should be kept at the highest temperature tolerable to the patient.
5. When you remove the pack, the remaining oil can be massaged into the skin or cleaned off
using a little soda water made from 1 quart of warm water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
6. The flannel can be reused if stored properly after removing the pack. Put the flannel in either
a plastic bag or zip-loc container and place it in the refrigerator. Before using it next time let it
warm up and always add another 1 or 2 tablespoons of fresh cold pressed castor oil. (After a
month of use I would recommend using new flannel.)
Conditions Responding to Castor Oil Packs
Due to the many effects of its fatty acid component, ricinoleic acid, the use of castor oil can be
used topically to treat a wide variety of health complaints. Lymphatic Congestion: Obviously,
conditions known to be related to poor drainage of the lymphatic system will tend to benefit from
this type of therapy.
These would include complaints such as:
chronic fluid retention with swollen joints and pain
arthritis
upper respiratory infections involving the sinuses, tonsils and inner ear
colon problems like Crohn's disease or colitis
gallbladder disease
boils
liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, enlargement or congestion
menstrual-related congestion
appendicitis
hyperactivity
constipation, bowel impaction or adhesions
swollen lymph nodes
bladder and vaginal infections
Neurological Problems
Several neurological problems have also been responsive to castor oil. These include:
nerve inflammations such as sciatica, shingles, etc.
Parkinson's disease
multiple sclerosis
migraine headaches
cerebral palsy
AIDS
Conditions that stress or compromise the immune system will very often benefit from castor oil
packs. Nowhere is this more obvious than with AIDS. I have talked with several AIDS patients who
have added castor oil packs (usually for one hour a day) to their treatment regimen with very
positive results. Within two weeks, it was not uncommon for them to see increases in their WBC
counts (white blood cell counts), platelet counts, hematocrit readings and RBC counts (red blood
cells).
I should mention also that in addition to the castor oil packs most of those I talked to are also
drinking a combination of olive oil and lemon juice to further stimulate lymphatic flow and liver
activity. It can be made by blending the following:
1 clean whole lemon, (pulp, rind, seeds and all)
1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups of distilled water
4 rounded tablespoons of frozen orange juice concentrate
The blended material is then strained through a wire strainer to remove the pulp, which is
discarded. The remaining liquid is divided in four equal portions of approximately 1/4 cup each
and a portion is consumed with each of the three daily meals and before bedtime.
In addition to stimulating lymphatic flow, the drink increases the flow of bile from the liver and
gallbladder, which, in turn, enhances one's ability to digest essential fatty acids through the
Peyer's patches in the small intestine. It is not uncommon for AIDS patients to experience weight
gain and a reversal of a long list of complaints often associated with fatty acid deficiencies.
3. Buying Castor Oil
Any oil that enters your body either orally or through the skin needs to be of the highest quality.
Castor oil is no different. Check your local health food store for cold-pressed castor oil. If you
can't find it there or they can't order it for you, then it can be ordered through the mail from:
Heritage Store, P.O. Box 444, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23458.
They can also be reached by calling 1(800)862-2923.
Conclusion:
In his readings, Cayce attributed several actions to castor oil. Most were in one way or another
related to the body's lymphatic system. However, he also alluded to the idea that castor oil has a
vibrational quality that helps harmonize and promote healing within body cells. Based on
statements like these, many people labeled his psychic readings as quackery. As we gain new
knowledge about the workings of the human body, however, these explanations don't seem so
far fetched. Dr. Johanna Budwig has related much of the healing properties of flax oil to its
unique chemical bonds that vibrate at the same frequency as the wavelengths of sunlight. She
feels the essential fatty acids in flax oil have the ability to absorb and store the energy from
sunlight. It's possible that the special bonding in castor oil's unique ricinoleic acid works in a
somewhat related method.
Regardless of exactly how it works, I think you'll be more than satisfied when you experience the
amazing feats that can be accomplished with the simple oil of the castor bean. Centuries ago the
castor bean plant was referred to as the "Palma Christe." It was called this because the shape of
the plant's leaves were thought to resemble the palm of Christ. Knowing the healing power of this
plant, the name may be one of the most accurate descriptions ever.
:
4. CASTOR OIL PACKS
Use only cold pressed castor oil.
Use 1/4 cup of castor oil per treatment.
Use only pure white woolen or cotton flannel for the packs.
Always use castor oil over a clean flannel cloth. Do not add cold castor oil to a flannel that is
soaked in castor oil used in the previous treatment.
Use the packs with the heat pad 2 days a week over the abdomen area to the right of your naval,
2 days a week over the spleen area (bottom of left rib cage), and 3 days a week over the
Thymus gland (just above the heart). Use the packs one hour to 1 1/2 hrs. daily. Do the
treatments daily for the first 4 weeks, after which, do the treatments every other day, once over
the three target areas -- liver, thymus and spleen.
5. HOW TO APPLY THE CASTOR OIL PACKS
Place a heating pad which is about 14" by 16" on a table.
Cut a piece of plastic from a heavy gauge garbage bag about 14 inches by 16 inches and place
it on top of the heating pad.
Fold the wool or cotton flannel so it is two layers thick and measures 12" by 13." Place it on top of
the plastic sheet which is on the heating pad.
The first time you use castor oil, pour about 3/4 cup of cold pressed castor oil on the flannel and
spread evenly until the flannel is completely saturated.
Turn the heating pad on high for 5 minutes.
Pick up the heating pad with the plastic sheet and flannel soaked in castor oil and use both
thumbs to hold it together and place against your abdomen area, spleen area or the upper part
of your chest where the Thymus gland is located.
In order to hold everything in place, wrap a large bath towel around your body on top of the
heating pad. Use 2 or 3 large pins to hold it snug against your body. Reduce heat if it feels too
warm. After one hour or even longer, remove the heat pad and the flannel which will stick to the
plastic sheet. Massage the warm castor oil into your body. Use a dry hand towel and massage
the remaining castor oil into the skin. Wait 5 minutes, then take a bath or shower if desired.
First time users weekly schedule:
Use the castor oil packs over the thymus gland 3 times a week; 2 times a week over the spleen
and 2 times a week over the liver area. Do the treatments for one hour each day for the first 4
weeks. After the 4th week, do the treatment 3 times a week, every other day over the three target
areas -- the liver, thymus and spleen for one hour per treatment.
I am of the opinion that the amount of castor oil you absorb into the skin may be more important
than the length of time you use the heat pad. DO NOT APPLY A CASTOR OIL TREATMENT
OVER NEW FURNITURE. IF CASTOR OIL GETS ON THE FURNITURE, USE CARPET SHAMPOO
AND WARM WATER AND SPONGE THE AREA. USE A DRY TOWEL TO SOAK UP IT THE
EXCESS. Either place a plastic sheet over new furniture or use an old chair that does not have
much value in case some castor oil drips onto it.
ROOM TEMPERATURE CASTOR OIL WITHOUT HEAT PAD
Robert M (Case No. 1) told me a friend of his massaged castor oil over this chest and abdomen
area before bedtime for two weeks and that his CD4 count increased 120 points (from 540 to
660). He estimates he used about 1 tablespoon daily. He did not use the heat pad. I asked him
about the problem of getting the castor oil on the sheets. He said it was no problem as he
changed his sheets daily.
Book: THE OIL THAT HEALS (Castor Oil) by William McGarey M.D. $12.95 ea.
Edgar Cayce recommended the use of castor oil, or "Palma Christi", as a cure for many kinds of
ailments. Topical application was recommended for ailments of the skin, such as warts, and
castor oil packs (cotton cloth soaked with castor oil) for ailments originating deeper in the body.
The castor oil must be of the cold pressed variety to be effective since the modern heat
extraction process destroys the active ingredient in the oil. My mother reported that she had a
tumor in her leg that she was going to have surgically removed. While waiting for her surgery,
she applied castor oil packs to her leg daily for a month. When it came time for the surgery, the
tumor had disappeared. Upon hearing this, I decided to try the oil for myself. I chose to try and
remove a large mole on my back. I soaked the gauze on a Band-aid with castor oil and applied it
to the mole. I changed the Band-aid daily for two weeks. At this point, the mole became quite
tender to the touch, and I discontinued the castor oil treatment at this point. Two weeks later, the
mole, now dried like a scab, began parting from my skin on one edge. I pulled the mole off,
revealing fresh pink skin underneath. There was no pain, and the mole never returned.
Health Dispatch from Dr. David Williams
March 29, 2004
The Castor Oil Detox Program
I often remember my dad telling me that when he was growing up, his mother was devoted to
castor oil. At the first sign of illness in one child, she would immediately give all the children a
quick oral dose of the stuff. There's no doubt it provided a rapid solution for constipation, and it
must have had a positive effect on my dad's memory too, because he could vividly describe the
taste and effect of the castor oil many years later.
Castor oil is a unique substance with an ancient history. Folk healers the world over have used it
to treat a wide variety of conditions. Castor oil's effectiveness is probably due in part to its
unusual chemical composition—a triglyceride of fatty acids with almost 90 percent of that fatty
acid content consisting of ricinoleic acid. To my knowledge, ricinoleic acid is not found in any
other substance, and the high concentration of this unusual, unsaturated fatty acid is thought to
be responsible for castor oil's remarkable healing abilities.
Ricinoleic acid is effective in preventing the growth of numerous species of viruses, bacteria,
yeasts, and molds. (J Am Oil Chem Soc 61;37:323-325) It's successful as a topical treatment for
ringworm, keratoses, skin inflammation, abrasions, fungal-infected finger- and toenails, acne,
and chronic pruritus (itching). Generally, for these conditions the affected area is wrapped each
night in a castor oil-soaked cloth. For persistent infections, a 10- to 20-minute pre-soak in Epsom
salts will generally speed healing.
While I find internal and topical uses of castor oil helpful, the most beneficial use is in the form of
castor oil packs. When used properly, castor oil packs improve the function of the thymus gland
and other areas of the immune system. Two separate studies found that patients using
abdominal castor oil packs had significant increases in the production of lymphocytes compared
to those using placebo packs.
Lymphocytes are the disease-fighting cells produced by your immune system and housed mainly
in lymphatic tissue—including the thymus gland, spleen, and lymph nodes, as well as the
lymphatic tissue that lines the small intestine (called Peyer's patches).
Several problems occur when lymph drainage slows and fluid accumulates around cells. First, the
individual cells are forced further and further away from the capillaries. Next, the amount of
oxygen and nourishment the cells receive is decreased and, under exertion or stress, some cells
may die. Additionally, the cells are forced to try to survive in their own waste and toxic
byproducts, which can eventually lead to the degeneration and destruction of organs. For
example, poor lymphatic drainage of the heart can lead to tissue damage and even heart failure.
Similar problems can occur in the liver, kidneys, and other organs.
When castor oil is absorbed through the skin from packs, several extraordinary events take
place. The lymphocyte count of the blood increases as a result of the oil's positive influence on
the thymus gland, lymphatic tissue, or both. The flow of lymph increases throughout the body,
speeding up the removal of toxins surrounding the cells and reducing the size of swollen lymph
nodes. The end result is a general overall improvement in organ function with a lessening of
fatigue and depression.
Additionally, as toxicity is reduced, the pH of the saliva becomes less acidic, signaling improved
health, and the Peyer's patches in the small intestines more efficiently absorb fatty acids, which
are essential for the formation of hormones and other components necessary for growth and
repair.
7. The Right Way to Do It
Castor oil packs are an economical and efficient method of absorbing ricinoleic acid and other
healing components of castor oil directly into body tissues. To make a castor oil pack you will
need: cold-pressed castor oil, a standard heating pad, a plastic garbage bag, two or three 1-foot
square pieces of wool or cotton flannel, and a large bath towel.
• Start by placing the heating pad on a flat surface and turning the heat to high.
• Lay the plastic garbage bag on top of the heating pad to protect the pad.
• Saturate the flannel pieces with castor oil (about 1/2 cup) and lay them on top of the garbage
bag and heating pad.
• The entire pack can now be placed against the body with the oil-soaked flannel against the
skin. For general conditions, the pack should be placed on the abdomen. (For lower back
problems place the pack on the site of the problem.)
• To help hold the pack in place and prevent oil from getting on bedding, wrap the pack and body
in a large bath towel.
• Keep the pack in place for at least one hour with the heating pad set at the highest temperature
tolerable to the patient.
• When you remove the pack, massage the remaining oil into the skin or clean it off with a
solution of 2 tablespoons of baking soda mixed in 1 quart of warm water.
The flannel can be reused for up to one month if stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Let it
warm up before the next use and add 1 or 2 tablespoons of fresh cold-pressed castor oil to the
cloth.
8. There Is No Lymph Drug
Make an effort to improve the function of the lymphatic system in the case of every health
problem. The bottom line is that the removal of cellular waste products is essential for the health
of the entire body. This applies to heart disease, hemorrhoids, some neurological diseases,
AIDS, and many more. There is no drug that can improve lymphatic flow. That job can be
handled through the topical application of castor oil with the help of exercise and massage. (For
more information about the benefits of castor oil packs, and the diseases they can help, refer to
Alternatives, July 1995, Vol. 6, No. 1.)
Any oil you consume or apply to your skin needs to be of the highest quality. Castor oil is no
different. Check your local health food store for cold-pressed castor oil. I think you'll be more
than satisfied when you experience the amazing results that can be achieved with the simple oil
of the castor bean. Centuries ago, the castor bean plant was referred to as the "Palma Christe,"
because the shape of the plant's leaves was thought to resemble the palm of Christ. As familiar
as I am with the healing power of this plant, the name may be very accurate.
9. Versatile Remedy
It's not just a tablespoon "to cure what ails you" anymore. According to doctors and caregivers,
warming castor oil and placing it over the abdominal region can help your body function more
effectively.
Clinical evidence now confirms that castor oil packs improve eliminations, assimilations, lymphatic
circulation, and even the production of certain T-cells. If your body absorbs nutrients, eliminates
wastes, filters toxins, and bolsters the immune system more effectively; you are going to be a
healthier person overall. Think about it. You may even be preventing chronic disease.
Doctors at the A.R.E. Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona use castor oil for virtually every aspect of health,
treating the eyes, ears, immune system, various aches and pains, moles, warts and other skin
disorders. Castor oil packs are recommended by many doctors for relief from menstrual
problems, cysts and irregularities. Edgar Cayce recommended castor oil packs in 545 readings
for many different therapeutic purposes, including improvement of assimilations and eliminations.
We cannot make any medicinal claims, but we don't need to. Healers from many ancient cultures
have used castor oil for over 3000 years. In fact it was called "Palma Christi," the palm of Christ.
In The Oil That Heals by Dr. McGarey, castor oil packs have been shown to shrink polyps in the
colon and correct inflammatory conditions. It also eventually penetrates through the colon wall
where it works to loosen the impacted material from the wall. The liver and gall bladder are
benefited and gall stones will eventually dissolve by using these packs over a period of time.
Because of this, it is a powerful adjunct to colon hydrotherapy. Castor oil packs do so many
wonderful things that this book should be read by those who want to take charge of their own
personal healing.
10. The Oil That Heals
William McGarey, The Oil That Heals: A Physician’s Successes With Castor Oil Treatments,
(Virginia Beach: VA, A.R.E. Press, 1993), p.62.
Edgar Cayce has been called the father of the modern-day holistic health movement, and his
physical readings continue to be studied by physicians to determine it the material given for
specific individuals years ago can be used today to help those who suffer from similar conditions.
The principles of health and healing in the Edgar Cayce readings are that the balance of body,
mind, and soul are so closely intertwined that the dis-ease of any of these three aspects will also
affect the other two.
Castor oil is derived from the bean of the Ricinus communis or Palma Christi (palm of Christ)
plant, having beautiful large palmate leaves. Through the Cayce readings, it is apparent that the
oil of this humble plant is a marvelous source for a multitude of natural remedies. Castor oil is
mentioned for use in the form of external oil packs in over 570 health readings. The packs were
indicated for use in a wide variety of health situations, from arthritis, to liver and intestinal
conditions, to scleroderma. Additionally, castor oil was sometimes recommended for use in
massage for various skin disorders, tumors, and breast cancer. Clearly, the beneficial usage of
castor oil is wide ranging indeed!
11. CASTOR OIL: MODERN USES FOR AN OLD FOLK REMEDY
My first encounter with the amazing healing powers of castor oil took place during a business trip
to Amsterdam, Holland, nearly 20 years ago. As I got off the plane from Toronto, I felt a sharp
pain in my lower back, radiating down into my leg. Whether it was triggered by the long hours of
sitting crunched up in an uncomfortable airplane seat or by the heavy suitcase I was carrying, I'll
never know. By the time I got to my hotel room, I was in agony, barely able to stand up straight.
Even lying down on the bed was painful.
What was I to do? I didn't know anyone in the city, and I was scheduled to attend some important
meetings the following day. The staff at the hotel reception desk couldn't tell me how to locate a
chiropractor. I wasn't interested in going to a doctor for a prescription painkiller or muscle-
relaxant. I remembered that "Sleeping Prophet" Edgar Cayce had often suggested castor oil
packs for various aches and pains, and I remembered having read of this remedy's effectiveness
in cases of sciatica.
I managed to take a cab to a nearby drugstore, where I purchased a bottle of castor oil. No doubt
the pharmacist thought that I was bent over because of constipation!
Back at the hotel, I soaked a towel in the oil and wrapped it around my lower back. In a proper
castor oil pack, a cloth of wool or cotton flannel is folded in several layers, then saturated with
warm castor oil, and placed on the affected area. But I had to make do with a hotel towel and
room-temperature oil. I also didn't have access to a heating pad or hot water bottle to add the
prescribed warmth to the pack. The idea is that heat allows the oil to penetrate the skin and work
its way deep into the tissues. I figured that the heat generated by my body would have to do.
Finally, I cut open some plastic bags and spread them on the bed before lying down, to avoid
getting oil on the sheets.
Tired from the overnight flight, and exhausted from the pain, I drifted off into a deep sleep. When
I woke up a few hours later, I was drowsy with jet-lag, but the pain was gone! It had completely
disappeared, and I was able to sit, stand, and walk normally. An impressive result for a clumsy
first attempt with makeshift tools!
Since that time, I have witnessed the powerful healing force contained in castor oil on numerous
occasions. My family and I have successfully used castor oil packs and rubs for various kinds of
abdominal complaints, headaches, inflammatory conditions, muscle pains, skin eruptions and
lesions. Castor oil is a staple item in our medicine cabinet at home, and whenever we travel, we
pack a small bottle of castor oil.
12. The Palma Christi
Castor oil is extracted from the seed of the castor oil plant, whose botanical name is ricinus
communis. While it was Cayce who brought castor oil packs to fame in the 20th century, the oil
has a long and varied history of use as a healing agent in folk medicine around the world.
According to a research report in a recent issue of the Journal of Naturopathic Medicine, castor
bean seeds, believed to be 4,000 years old, have been found in Egyptian tombs, and historical
records reveal the medicinal use of castor oil in Egypt (for eye irritations), India, China (for
induction of childbirth and expulsion of the placenta), Persia (for epilepsy), Africa, Greece, Rome,
Southern Europe, and the Americas. In ancient Rome, the castor oil plant was known as Palma
Christi, which translates into hand of Christ. This name is still sometimes used today.
A book about the Vermont style of folk medicine by D.C. Jarvis published in 1958 lists numerous
conditions which respond well to the topical application of castor oil, including irritation of the
conjunctiva of the eye; to promote healing of the umbilicus in a newborn; and to increase milk
flow in lactating women when applied to the breasts. As a nursing mom, I can attest to the
effectiveness of castor oil applied to sore, irritated, or inflamed nipples. It works faster than any
commercial salve, and I don't have to worry about washing it off before the next nursing. Any
trace of the oil that my son may get in his mouth is definitely not going to harm him!
No one could claim more experience with the clinical application of castor oil than Dr. William A.
McGarey, Chairman of the Board of the A.R.E. Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. In the course of his
medical career spanning over several decades, Dr. McGarey has published numerous articles
and books covering treatments with various Cayce remedies. In his recently revised and updated
book about castor oil, entitled The Oil That Heals, Dr. McGarey recounts being told a story in
1965 by a man who, some years earlier, had travelled to a Virginia mountain town to visit his
sister. This man "had developed an intensely inflamed finger." writes Dr. McGarey. "A local
physician advised him to go to a larger city to have a surgeon work on it. He was about to leave
at once, for the finger was very painful, when his sister influenced him to show the finger to 'Aunt
Minnie', who lived up the hills and who was a midwife. As soon as she saw it, she told him to wrap
a flannel cloth soaked in castor oil around the finger and leave it there. He followed her advice
and direction, and by morning most of the inflammation and all of the soreness were gone. By the
morning of the second day, all the swelling and inflammation had gone, and a grain of sand
(acquired while he was bathing on the seashore one week earlier) was discovered under the
edge of the fingernail. This came out with the castor oil bandage, and the finger was healed."
Dr. McGarey has successfully used the castor oil packs in a clinical setting for numerous
conditions, including liver and gall bladder disturbances, abscesses, headaches, appendicitis,
epilepsy, hemorrhoids, constipation, intestinal obstructions, hyperactivity in children, and to avert
threatened abortions in pregnant women. In The Oil That Heals, Dr. McGarey says that Edgar
Cayce described at least thirty different physiological functions that could be changed for the
better through the use of castor oil applied topically, mostly by the use of the packs.
13.Help for Women's Problems
In The Edgar Cayce Handbook for Health through Drugless Therapy, the late Dr. Harold J. Reilly,
who worked with the information provided in the Cayce readings for forty-five years, recalls the
case of a woman who had been suffering from excessive bleeding of the uterus for thirteen
years. By the time she came to see Dr. Reilly, her problem was threatening to disrupt her career
as an opera singer, as well as her ability to function normally in her personal life as a wife and
mother. Four leading gynecologists whom she had consulted had all recommended some kind of
surgery, from a simple D&C to a total hysterectomy. Dr. Reilly put her on a regimen that began
with colonic irrigations and castor oil packs four nights on, three nights off. The woman later
reported that "after the first two nights of the castor oil packs ... the spotting stopped, and this
was remarkable, because it was just after my menstrual period, and usually that went on and on.
By the end of the week, I sang in a concert and felt fine."
In her popular book Take Charge of Your Body, Canadian physician Dr. Carolyn DeMarco
recommends the application of castor oil packs at night for the relief of pain and swelling
associated with varicose veins. And in a 1994 article in Health Naturally magazine, Dr. DeMarco
writes about the recommendation of American gynecologist Dr. Christine Northrup to apply castor
oil packs to the lumpy, painful breasts of women who suffer from cystic breast disease.
Susun Weed, author of the book Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year, says that in
traditional midwifery, castor oil is used internally and externally to stimulate the uterus, soften the
cervix, and help initiate labour. She suggests rubbing castor oil on the belly and covering with a
warm towel if the cervix is ripe and labour seems near. Some midwives rub castor oil on the feet
to help labour along.
14. How Castor Oil Works on the Body
A country doctor whom Dr. McGarey quotes in The Oil That Heals, once said: "Castor oil will
leave the body in better condition than it found it." But the physiological workings of castor oil's
interaction with the body remain somewhat elusive. Dr. McGarey says: "We still have no
explanation why ..... a pack using this oil will help restore normalcy to a hyperactive child, or
speed up the healing of hepatitis, or help to get rid of gallstones, or even help heal abrasions
and infections. Perhaps [the explanation] is to be found in the nature of the human body and the
secret capabilities of the substances God gave us here on the earth for our use and benefit."
Dr. McGarey is very humble in his statement, for he does present a plausible hypothesis relating
to Edgar Cayce's suggestion that castor oil packs can strengthen the Peyer's Patches, which are
tiny patches of lymphatic tissue in the mucosal surface of the small intestine. According to Cayce,
the Peyer's Patches produce a substance which facilitates electrical contact between the
autonomous and the cerebrospinal nervous system when it reaches those areas via the
bloodstream. Dr. McGarey thus understands Cayce to say that the health of the entire nervous
system is, to an extent, maintained through the substance produced by the Peyer's Patches
when they are in good health. Although the Peyer's Patches were discovered in 1677, it is only
recently that medical science has begun to recognize them as constituents of the body's immune
system.
Current research appears to confirm Dr. McGarey's theory. A double-blind study, described by
Harvey Grady in a report entitled Immunomodulation through Castor Oil Packs published in a
recent issue of the Journal of Naturopathic Medicine, examined lymphocyte values of 36 healthy
subjects before and after topical castor oil application. This study identified castor oil as an anti-
toxin, and as having impact on the lymphatic system, enhancing immunological function. The
study found that castor oil pack therapy of a minimal two-hour duration produced an increase in
the number of T-11 cells within a 24-hour period following treatment, with a concomitant increase
in the number of total lymphocytes. This T-11 cell increase represents a general boost in the
body's specific defense status, since lymphocytes actively defend the health of the body by
forming antibodies against pathogens and their toxins. T-cells identify and kill viruses, fungi,
bacteria, and cancer cells.
Castor oil packs are a simple home therapy which often produces astounding results. When we
consider the Cayce statement quoted in Dr. McGarey's book, "There's as much of God in a
teaspoonful of castor oil as there is in a prayer!", we may begin to appreciate the powerful
healing potential of the "Palma Christi".
Contents:
Below is an assortment of information files and pieces I have collected over the years in regards
to the Castor Oil, a starting point if you are investigating this therapy and how it is used.
1. Natural Protection from Deadly Viruses
2. Common Methods of Using Castor Oil
3. Buying Castor Oil
4. Castor Oil Packs
5. How to Apply Castor Oil Packs
6. The Castor Oil Detox Program
7. The Right Way to Do It
8. There is No Lymph Drug
9. Versatile Remedy
10. The Oil That Heals
11. Modern Uses for An Old Folk Remedy
12. The Palma Christi
13. Help for Women's Problems
14. How Castor Oil Works on the Body
1. Natural Protection from Deadly Viruses
Source: Dr. David G. Williams -- ALTERNATIVES -- v6 n1, July 1995
Moving on to more "exotic" techniques to increase immune system efficiency, we come to castor
oil. I can remember my dad telling me time after time about his mother's devotion to castor oil
when he was growing up. At the first sign of any illness in one child, she would immediately give
all the children a quick oral dose of castor oil. There's no doubt it provided a quick solution for
constipation, and from what I can tell, it must have a positive effect on memory too. My dad can
vividly remember the taste and effects of castor oil to this very day.
In many ways, castor oil is a very unique substance. While most of us are familiar with its use as
a remedy for constipation, folk healers in this country and around the world have used castor oil
to treat a wide variety of conditions. Its effectiveness is probably due in part to its peculiar
chemical composition. Castor oil is a triglyceride of fatty acids. Almost 90 percent of its fatty acid
content consists of ricinoleic acid. To my knowledge, ricinoleic acid is not found in any other
substance except castor oil. Such a high concentration of this unusual, unsaturated fatty acid is
thought to be responsible for castor oil's remarkable healing abilities.
Ricinoleic acid has been shown to be effective in preventing the growth of numerous species of
viruses, bacteria, yeasts and molds. (J Am Oil Chem Soc 61;37.323-325.) This would explain the
high degree of success in the topical use of the oil for treating such ailments as ringworm,
keratoses (non-cancerous, wart-like skin growths), skin inflammation, abrasions, fungal-infected
finger and toenails, acne and chronic pruritus (itching). Generally, for these conditions the area
involved is simply wrapped in cloth soaked with castor oil each night, or if the area is small
enough, a castor oil soaked Band-Aid can be used. (For persistent infections and those finger
and toenails that have discolored and hardened, a good 10 to 20 minute soak in Epsom salts,
prior to applying the castor oil, usually speeds up the healing process.) Castor oil's antimicrobial
activity, while very impressive, comprises only a small part of the story concerning this mysterious
oil.
While castor oil has been thoroughly investigated for its industrial uses, only a minimal amount of
research effort has been directed toward its medicinal benefits. In Russia the oil is known as
"Kastorka." The stem of the plant is used in the textile industry. The extracted oil has a very
consistent viscosity and won't freeze even in Russia's severe climate. This makes it an ideal
lubricating oil in industrial equipment.
Medicinally, the oil is added to products to restore hair (one part oil to 10 parts of grain alcohol),
treat constipation, skin ulcers, some infectious gynecological conditions and eye irritations. The
castor bean plant is actually native to India, where it is called "Erand." There we found it being
used extensively for all types of gastrointestinal problems like constipation, dysentery and
inflammatory bowel disease. It was also used to treat bladder and vaginal infections and asthma.
We were told the seed kernels or hulls (without the actual seed) could be boiled in milk and water
and taken internally to relieve arthritis and lower back pain accompanied by sciatica. We also
found early reports of nursing mothers in the Canary Islands using poultices made from the
leaves of the castor bean. They applied the poultice to their breasts to increase milk secretion
and relieve inflammation and milk stagnation in the mammary glands. Applying the poultice to the
abdominal area promoted normal menstruation.
While I find all of these uses of castor oil very interesting, the most exciting use deals with ways to
increase topical absorption through the use of castor oil packs or poultices. Much of the current
use of castor oil packs, in the U.S. anyway, can be attributed to the late healing psychic, Edgar
Cayce. Time after time he recommended their use. Based on his reports, I began to use them in
my practice over 12 years ago. But even though I, and numerous other doctors, have continued
to experience remarkable results, the technique is still practically unknown and shunned by most
health care professionals today. This is probably due to two reasons. First, it's just too simple. It's
hard for most people to imagine that something as simple as castor oil packs could have a
profound effect on any health problem. Secondly, in our present health care system, positive
results alone do not constitute the critical factor in determining whether a treatment will be
accepted by the medical establishment. [Everybody (except probably the poor patient) now
seems to be more concerned about how something is supposed to work, than whether it actually
works at all.]
Recent research data presented by longtime follower of Edgar Cayce, Dr. William McGarey of
Phoenix, Arizona, might help shed some light on how castor oil works. If you're not particularly
interested in how castor oil enhances the immune system, feel free to skip the next couple of
paragraphs. Anyone suffering from AIDS or other serious viral or bacterial diseases may find this
information helpful, however. Numerous AIDS patients have been able to increase their T-cell
counts and clear up many of their problems by using the techniques I'll be describing. Others
have found it useful in eliminating chronic problems with epilepsy, hyperactivity, liver and
gallbladder diseases and chronic fluid retention. (Fortunately, to benefit from this and other
natural therapies you really don't have to understand how they work.) McGarey has reported
that, when used properly, castor oil packs improve the function of the thymus gland and other
areas of the immune system. More specifically, he found in two separate studies that patients
using abdominal castor oil packs had significant increases in the production of lymphocytes
compared to increases among those using placebo packs. Lymphocytes are the disease-fighting
cells of your immune system. They are produced and housed mainly in your lymphatic tissue.
This includes the thymus gland, the spleen, the lymph nodes and the lymphatic tissue that lines
the small intestine (called Peyer's patches, or more commonly, aggregated lymphatic follicles).
Strangely, other than knowing it produces the body's white blood cells, most doctors are not very
knowledgeable about the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is an amazingly complex
structure. It works hand in hand with both the blood circulatory system and the digestive system.
In the circulatory system, newly oxygenated blood from the lungs moves from the heart along
smaller and smaller arteries until it reaches the smallest vessels called capillaries. It is in these
microscopic tubules that the blood exchanges oxygen and nutrients for cellular waste products
with surrounding body cells. The capillaries then gradually become larger and form veins through
which the unoxygenated, waste-carrying blood returns back to the lungs and then to the heart to
be recirculated time and time again. Much of the fluid accompanying the blood and large protein
molecules leak from these capillaries. Additional fluids and waste products are expelled from
every cell in the body. These fluids accumulate in the small spaces between the cells. If all of this
material weren't somehow removed we would begin to swell like a toad and die within a matter of
24 hours. Fortunately, we have a completely separate circulation system, called the lymphatic
system, that is able to absorb and remove these fluids, proteins and waste materials.
With the exception of the brain, where these proteins and fluids flow directly into the fluid that
surrounds them, the extensive lymphatic network has hundreds of miles of tubules that cover the
entire body. Through these tubules all of this material is returned to the blood so it can be utilized
or eliminated from the body. (There is no pathway, other than the lymphatic system, that excess
protein molecules can use to return to the circulatory system.) Also, along these lymphatic
tubules you'll find bulb-shaped masses called lymph nodes, which act as filters and produce
antibodies when foreign proteins are encountered. I'm sure you've experienced the tenderness
and swelling of an inflamed lymph node at one time or another. It is usually a result of antibodies
fighting an infection either in the node itself or somewhere in the draining area of that particular
lymph chain.
In addition to returning leaking fluid from the circulation system and creating antibodies for the
immune system, the lymphatic system also performs another very important function. Clumps of
lymphatic tissue, called Peyer's patches, are spread throughout the small intestine. Unlike other
nutrients, fat molecules are generally too large to be absorbed directly from the intestine.
Instead, they are absorbed by these patches and transported along the lymphatic system and
then released into the blood stream where they can be carried throughout the body. Between 80
to 90 percent of all the fat absorbed from the gut requires the help of the lymphatic system.
When it comes to treating the majority of health problems, the status of your lymphatic system is
rarely given any consideration whatsoever. Medical students are taught that a failure of the
lymphatic system is obvious to detect because it is accompanied by "pitting" edema (the
accumulation of fluid in the tissues, i.e. swelling, usually in the feet, ankles or hands). The test for
"pitting" edema is rather simple. A finger is pressed into the skin at the area of the swelling and
then quickly removed. The skin stays depressed, forming a small "pit", which remains until the
fluid outside the cells has time to return to the area (this can take anywhere from 5 to 30
seconds). Unfortunately, research studies have shown that "pitting" edema and other signs of
fluid retention can't be observed until fluid levels outside the cells reach 30 percent above
normal. In other words, you can have a serious lymphatic drainage problem long before it can be
detected.
Several problems occur when the lymph drainage slows and fluids begin to accumulate around
the cells. First, the individual cells are forced further and further away from the capillaries. The
amount of oxygen and nourishment they receive is decreased. Under exertion or stress some
cells may die. Additionally, cells are forced to survive in their own waste and toxic by-products.
This situation can eventually lead to the degeneration and destruction of organs. For example,
poor lymphatic drainage of the heart can lead to tissue damage and even heart failure. Similar
problems occur in the liver, the kidneys and other organs. A good analogy would be if you
confined yourself to one room of your house. Someone could bring you food and water, but not
remove any of your waste products. Eventually you would have difficulty remaining healthy in
such an environment. As your waste accumulated, not only would you become sick, those around
you would begin to experience the same fate. Just like it is for each cell, in addition to
nourishment and oxygen, the removal of waste products is essential for continued health of the
entire body. Fluid accumulation outside the cells also stretches the tissue in the area. The more
it stretches and the longer it remains that way, the harder it becomes to correct the problem.
Regardless of the health problem, most doctors generally assume the lymphatic system is
working adequately. This assumption is made at the peril of the patient.
Research has shown that as we age certain organs begin to degenerate. The thymus gland is a
key component of the immune system. It is initially responsible for the proper development of the
lymphatic system and is practically absent in older individuals. Peyer's patches, those clumps of
lymphatic tissue found in the small intestine, begin to get smaller with age and are often
destroyed by certain diseases like typhoid fever. (Cayce felt that the overall health and well-
being of an individual was directly related to the health of these Peyer's patches. He stated on
several occasions, that a certain compound formed in these patches was necessary for
maintaining the integrity of the nervous system. He may very well be correct. To this day, we still
don't totally understand the functions and importance of either the thymus gland or Peyer's
patches.) Efforts should be taken to improve the function of the lymphatic system in every health
problem. This applies to AIDS, as well as heart disease, hemorrhoids and everything in between.
No drug exists that has the ability to improve lymphatic flow; however, the job can easily be
handled through the topical application of castor oil.
When castor oil is absorbed through the skin, several extraordinary events take place. The
lymphocyte count of the blood increases. This is a result of a positive influence on the thymus
gland and/or lymphatic tissue. The flow of lymph increases throughout the body. This speeds up
the removal of toxins surrounding the cells and reduces the size of swollen lymph nodes. The
end result is a general overall improvement in organ function with a lessening of fatigue and
depression. As toxicity is reduced, the pH of the saliva becomes less acidic, indicating improved
health. The Peyer's patches in the small intestine become more efficient in their absorption of
fatty acids, which are essential for the formation of hormones and other components necessary
for growth and repair.
2. Common Methods of Using Castor Oil
The most common way to use castor oil (and most objectionable, I might add) has been to take it
orally. Generally, oral doses are used to correct constipation. The recommended dose is usually
1 tablespoon for adults and 1 teaspoon for children. You can usually expect a "purging" of the
system in about four to six hours.
Rubbed or Massaged Directly Into the Skin - For several conditions I'll mention later, the oil can
simply be rubbed into the skin. It can also be used as a massage oil which seems to be especially
effective when applied along the spinal column. If the oil is massaged into the body, the direction
of the massage should always follow the same path as the underlying Iymphatic drainage system.
The diagram below shows the proper direction to massage the oil and further facilitate lymphatic
drainage. [Vater and Asdonk, Gesaltschaft for Manuelle Lymph Drainage (Essen, Germany).]
Conditions Responding to Topical Application - Oftentimes there is no need for castor oil packs;
amazing results can be obtained by simply applying it directly to the skin. The following is a short
list of some of the more common ailments it can remedy: skin keratosis, ringworm, fungal and
bacterial infections, wounds, abdominal stretch marks (prevention), bursitis, sebaceous cysts,
warts, senile lentigo ("liver" or "aging" spots) , muscle strains, ligament sprains, itching.
Castor Oil Packs
One of the most useful and least utilized methods of using castor oil is to employ packs. Packs
are an economical and efficient method of absorbing the ricinoleic acid and other healing
components of castor oil directly into body tissues. (The following basic procedure was outlined
in several of the readings of Edgar Cayce.)
To make a castor oil pack you will need the following items: cold pressed castor oil, a standard
heating pad, a plastic garbage bag, two or three one-foot square pieces of wool or cotton flannel
and one large bath towel.
1. Start by placing the heating pad on a flat surface and turn the setting to high.
2. On top of the pad lay the plastic garbage bag. Next, soak the flannel pieces with castor oil
generally about 1/2 cup) and lay them on top of the garbage bag and heating pad.
3. The entire pack can now be placed against the body with the oil-soaked flannel on the skin.
For general conditions the pack should be placed on the abdomen. (For treating lower back
problems, the pack can be placed there.) To help hold the pack in place and to keep oil from
getting on bedding, etc., the body can be wrapped in a large bath towel.
4. The pack should remain in place for at least one hour and the temperature of the heating pad
should be kept at the highest temperature tolerable to the patient.
5. When you remove the pack, the remaining oil can be massaged into the skin or cleaned off
using a little soda water made from 1 quart of warm water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
6. The flannel can be reused if stored properly after removing the pack. Put the flannel in either
a plastic bag or zip-loc container and place it in the refrigerator. Before using it next time let it
warm up and always add another 1 or 2 tablespoons of fresh cold pressed castor oil. (After a
month of use I would recommend using new flannel.)
Conditions Responding to Castor Oil Packs
Due to the many effects of its fatty acid component, ricinoleic acid, the use of castor oil can be
used topically to treat a wide variety of health complaints. Lymphatic Congestion: Obviously,
conditions known to be related to poor drainage of the lymphatic system will tend to benefit from
this type of therapy.
These would include complaints such as:
chronic fluid retention with swollen joints and pain
arthritis
upper respiratory infections involving the sinuses, tonsils and inner ear
colon problems like Crohn's disease or colitis
gallbladder disease
boils
liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, enlargement or congestion
menstrual-related congestion
appendicitis
hyperactivity
constipation, bowel impaction or adhesions
swollen lymph nodes
bladder and vaginal infections
Neurological Problems
Several neurological problems have also been responsive to castor oil. These include:
nerve inflammations such as sciatica, shingles, etc.
Parkinson's disease
multiple sclerosis
migraine headaches
cerebral palsy
AIDS
Conditions that stress or compromise the immune system will very often benefit from castor oil
packs. Nowhere is this more obvious than with AIDS. I have talked with several AIDS patients who
have added castor oil packs (usually for one hour a day) to their treatment regimen with very
positive results. Within two weeks, it was not uncommon for them to see increases in their WBC
counts (white blood cell counts), platelet counts, hematocrit readings and RBC counts (red blood
cells).
I should mention also that in addition to the castor oil packs most of those I talked to are also
drinking a combination of olive oil and lemon juice to further stimulate lymphatic flow and liver
activity. It can be made by blending the following:
1 clean whole lemon, (pulp, rind, seeds and all)
1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups of distilled water
4 rounded tablespoons of frozen orange juice concentrate
The blended material is then strained through a wire strainer to remove the pulp, which is
discarded. The remaining liquid is divided in four equal portions of approximately 1/4 cup each
and a portion is consumed with each of the three daily meals and before bedtime.
In addition to stimulating lymphatic flow, the drink increases the flow of bile from the liver and
gallbladder, which, in turn, enhances one's ability to digest essential fatty acids through the
Peyer's patches in the small intestine. It is not uncommon for AIDS patients to experience weight
gain and a reversal of a long list of complaints often associated with fatty acid deficiencies.
3. Buying Castor Oil
Any oil that enters your body either orally or through the skin needs to be of the highest quality.
Castor oil is no different. Check your local health food store for cold-pressed castor oil. If you
can't find it there or they can't order it for you, then it can be ordered through the mail from:
Heritage Store, P.O. Box 444, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23458.
They can also be reached by calling 1(800)862-2923.
Conclusion:
In his readings, Cayce attributed several actions to castor oil. Most were in one way or another
related to the body's lymphatic system. However, he also alluded to the idea that castor oil has a
vibrational quality that helps harmonize and promote healing within body cells. Based on
statements like these, many people labeled his psychic readings as quackery. As we gain new
knowledge about the workings of the human body, however, these explanations don't seem so
far fetched. Dr. Johanna Budwig has related much of the healing properties of flax oil to its
unique chemical bonds that vibrate at the same frequency as the wavelengths of sunlight. She
feels the essential fatty acids in flax oil have the ability to absorb and store the energy from
sunlight. It's possible that the special bonding in castor oil's unique ricinoleic acid works in a
somewhat related method.
Regardless of exactly how it works, I think you'll be more than satisfied when you experience the
amazing feats that can be accomplished with the simple oil of the castor bean. Centuries ago the
castor bean plant was referred to as the "Palma Christe." It was called this because the shape of
the plant's leaves were thought to resemble the palm of Christ. Knowing the healing power of this
plant, the name may be one of the most accurate descriptions ever.
:
4. CASTOR OIL PACKS
Use only cold pressed castor oil.
Use 1/4 cup of castor oil per treatment.
Use only pure white woolen or cotton flannel for the packs.
Always use castor oil over a clean flannel cloth. Do not add cold castor oil to a flannel that is
soaked in castor oil used in the previous treatment.
Use the packs with the heat pad 2 days a week over the abdomen area to the right of your naval,
2 days a week over the spleen area (bottom of left rib cage), and 3 days a week over the
Thymus gland (just above the heart). Use the packs one hour to 1 1/2 hrs. daily. Do the
treatments daily for the first 4 weeks, after which, do the treatments every other day, once over
the three target areas -- liver, thymus and spleen.
5. HOW TO APPLY THE CASTOR OIL PACKS
Place a heating pad which is about 14" by 16" on a table.
Cut a piece of plastic from a heavy gauge garbage bag about 14 inches by 16 inches and place
it on top of the heating pad.
Fold the wool or cotton flannel so it is two layers thick and measures 12" by 13." Place it on top of
the plastic sheet which is on the heating pad.
The first time you use castor oil, pour about 3/4 cup of cold pressed castor oil on the flannel and
spread evenly until the flannel is completely saturated.
Turn the heating pad on high for 5 minutes.
Pick up the heating pad with the plastic sheet and flannel soaked in castor oil and use both
thumbs to hold it together and place against your abdomen area, spleen area or the upper part
of your chest where the Thymus gland is located.
In order to hold everything in place, wrap a large bath towel around your body on top of the
heating pad. Use 2 or 3 large pins to hold it snug against your body. Reduce heat if it feels too
warm. After one hour or even longer, remove the heat pad and the flannel which will stick to the
plastic sheet. Massage the warm castor oil into your body. Use a dry hand towel and massage
the remaining castor oil into the skin. Wait 5 minutes, then take a bath or shower if desired.
First time users weekly schedule:
Use the castor oil packs over the thymus gland 3 times a week; 2 times a week over the spleen
and 2 times a week over the liver area. Do the treatments for one hour each day for the first 4
weeks. After the 4th week, do the treatment 3 times a week, every other day over the three target
areas -- the liver, thymus and spleen for one hour per treatment.
I am of the opinion that the amount of castor oil you absorb into the skin may be more important
than the length of time you use the heat pad. DO NOT APPLY A CASTOR OIL TREATMENT
OVER NEW FURNITURE. IF CASTOR OIL GETS ON THE FURNITURE, USE CARPET SHAMPOO
AND WARM WATER AND SPONGE THE AREA. USE A DRY TOWEL TO SOAK UP IT THE
EXCESS. Either place a plastic sheet over new furniture or use an old chair that does not have
much value in case some castor oil drips onto it.
ROOM TEMPERATURE CASTOR OIL WITHOUT HEAT PAD
Robert M (Case No. 1) told me a friend of his massaged castor oil over this chest and abdomen
area before bedtime for two weeks and that his CD4 count increased 120 points (from 540 to
660). He estimates he used about 1 tablespoon daily. He did not use the heat pad. I asked him
about the problem of getting the castor oil on the sheets. He said it was no problem as he
changed his sheets daily.
Book: THE OIL THAT HEALS (Castor Oil) by William McGarey M.D. $12.95 ea.
Edgar Cayce recommended the use of castor oil, or "Palma Christi", as a cure for many kinds of
ailments. Topical application was recommended for ailments of the skin, such as warts, and
castor oil packs (cotton cloth soaked with castor oil) for ailments originating deeper in the body.
The castor oil must be of the cold pressed variety to be effective since the modern heat
extraction process destroys the active ingredient in the oil. My mother reported that she had a
tumor in her leg that she was going to have surgically removed. While waiting for her surgery,
she applied castor oil packs to her leg daily for a month. When it came time for the surgery, the
tumor had disappeared. Upon hearing this, I decided to try the oil for myself. I chose to try and
remove a large mole on my back. I soaked the gauze on a Band-aid with castor oil and applied it
to the mole. I changed the Band-aid daily for two weeks. At this point, the mole became quite
tender to the touch, and I discontinued the castor oil treatment at this point. Two weeks later, the
mole, now dried like a scab, began parting from my skin on one edge. I pulled the mole off,
revealing fresh pink skin underneath. There was no pain, and the mole never returned.
Health Dispatch from Dr. David Williams
March 29, 2004
The Castor Oil Detox Program
I often remember my dad telling me that when he was growing up, his mother was devoted to
castor oil. At the first sign of illness in one child, she would immediately give all the children a
quick oral dose of the stuff. There's no doubt it provided a rapid solution for constipation, and it
must have had a positive effect on my dad's memory too, because he could vividly describe the
taste and effect of the castor oil many years later.
Castor oil is a unique substance with an ancient history. Folk healers the world over have used it
to treat a wide variety of conditions. Castor oil's effectiveness is probably due in part to its
unusual chemical composition—a triglyceride of fatty acids with almost 90 percent of that fatty
acid content consisting of ricinoleic acid. To my knowledge, ricinoleic acid is not found in any
other substance, and the high concentration of this unusual, unsaturated fatty acid is thought to
be responsible for castor oil's remarkable healing abilities.
Ricinoleic acid is effective in preventing the growth of numerous species of viruses, bacteria,
yeasts, and molds. (J Am Oil Chem Soc 61;37:323-325) It's successful as a topical treatment for
ringworm, keratoses, skin inflammation, abrasions, fungal-infected finger- and toenails, acne,
and chronic pruritus (itching). Generally, for these conditions the affected area is wrapped each
night in a castor oil-soaked cloth. For persistent infections, a 10- to 20-minute pre-soak in Epsom
salts will generally speed healing.
While I find internal and topical uses of castor oil helpful, the most beneficial use is in the form of
castor oil packs. When used properly, castor oil packs improve the function of the thymus gland
and other areas of the immune system. Two separate studies found that patients using
abdominal castor oil packs had significant increases in the production of lymphocytes compared
to those using placebo packs.
Lymphocytes are the disease-fighting cells produced by your immune system and housed mainly
in lymphatic tissue—including the thymus gland, spleen, and lymph nodes, as well as the
lymphatic tissue that lines the small intestine (called Peyer's patches).
Several problems occur when lymph drainage slows and fluid accumulates around cells. First, the
individual cells are forced further and further away from the capillaries. Next, the amount of
oxygen and nourishment the cells receive is decreased and, under exertion or stress, some cells
may die. Additionally, the cells are forced to try to survive in their own waste and toxic
byproducts, which can eventually lead to the degeneration and destruction of organs. For
example, poor lymphatic drainage of the heart can lead to tissue damage and even heart failure.
Similar problems can occur in the liver, kidneys, and other organs.
When castor oil is absorbed through the skin from packs, several extraordinary events take
place. The lymphocyte count of the blood increases as a result of the oil's positive influence on
the thymus gland, lymphatic tissue, or both. The flow of lymph increases throughout the body,
speeding up the removal of toxins surrounding the cells and reducing the size of swollen lymph
nodes. The end result is a general overall improvement in organ function with a lessening of
fatigue and depression.
Additionally, as toxicity is reduced, the pH of the saliva becomes less acidic, signaling improved
health, and the Peyer's patches in the small intestines more efficiently absorb fatty acids, which
are essential for the formation of hormones and other components necessary for growth and
repair.
7. The Right Way to Do It
Castor oil packs are an economical and efficient method of absorbing ricinoleic acid and other
healing components of castor oil directly into body tissues. To make a castor oil pack you will
need: cold-pressed castor oil, a standard heating pad, a plastic garbage bag, two or three 1-foot
square pieces of wool or cotton flannel, and a large bath towel.
• Start by placing the heating pad on a flat surface and turning the heat to high.
• Lay the plastic garbage bag on top of the heating pad to protect the pad.
• Saturate the flannel pieces with castor oil (about 1/2 cup) and lay them on top of the garbage
bag and heating pad.
• The entire pack can now be placed against the body with the oil-soaked flannel against the
skin. For general conditions, the pack should be placed on the abdomen. (For lower back
problems place the pack on the site of the problem.)
• To help hold the pack in place and prevent oil from getting on bedding, wrap the pack and body
in a large bath towel.
• Keep the pack in place for at least one hour with the heating pad set at the highest temperature
tolerable to the patient.
• When you remove the pack, massage the remaining oil into the skin or clean it off with a
solution of 2 tablespoons of baking soda mixed in 1 quart of warm water.
The flannel can be reused for up to one month if stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Let it
warm up before the next use and add 1 or 2 tablespoons of fresh cold-pressed castor oil to the
cloth.
8. There Is No Lymph Drug
Make an effort to improve the function of the lymphatic system in the case of every health
problem. The bottom line is that the removal of cellular waste products is essential for the health
of the entire body. This applies to heart disease, hemorrhoids, some neurological diseases,
AIDS, and many more. There is no drug that can improve lymphatic flow. That job can be
handled through the topical application of castor oil with the help of exercise and massage. (For
more information about the benefits of castor oil packs, and the diseases they can help, refer to
Alternatives, July 1995, Vol. 6, No. 1.)
Any oil you consume or apply to your skin needs to be of the highest quality. Castor oil is no
different. Check your local health food store for cold-pressed castor oil. I think you'll be more
than satisfied when you experience the amazing results that can be achieved with the simple oil
of the castor bean. Centuries ago, the castor bean plant was referred to as the "Palma Christe,"
because the shape of the plant's leaves was thought to resemble the palm of Christ. As familiar
as I am with the healing power of this plant, the name may be very accurate.
9. Versatile Remedy
It's not just a tablespoon "to cure what ails you" anymore. According to doctors and caregivers,
warming castor oil and placing it over the abdominal region can help your body function more
effectively.
Clinical evidence now confirms that castor oil packs improve eliminations, assimilations, lymphatic
circulation, and even the production of certain T-cells. If your body absorbs nutrients, eliminates
wastes, filters toxins, and bolsters the immune system more effectively; you are going to be a
healthier person overall. Think about it. You may even be preventing chronic disease.
Doctors at the A.R.E. Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona use castor oil for virtually every aspect of health,
treating the eyes, ears, immune system, various aches and pains, moles, warts and other skin
disorders. Castor oil packs are recommended by many doctors for relief from menstrual
problems, cysts and irregularities. Edgar Cayce recommended castor oil packs in 545 readings
for many different therapeutic purposes, including improvement of assimilations and eliminations.
We cannot make any medicinal claims, but we don't need to. Healers from many ancient cultures
have used castor oil for over 3000 years. In fact it was called "Palma Christi," the palm of Christ.
In The Oil That Heals by Dr. McGarey, castor oil packs have been shown to shrink polyps in the
colon and correct inflammatory conditions. It also eventually penetrates through the colon wall
where it works to loosen the impacted material from the wall. The liver and gall bladder are
benefited and gall stones will eventually dissolve by using these packs over a period of time.
Because of this, it is a powerful adjunct to colon hydrotherapy. Castor oil packs do so many
wonderful things that this book should be read by those who want to take charge of their own
personal healing.
10. The Oil That Heals
William McGarey, The Oil That Heals: A Physician’s Successes With Castor Oil Treatments,
(Virginia Beach: VA, A.R.E. Press, 1993), p.62.
Edgar Cayce has been called the father of the modern-day holistic health movement, and his
physical readings continue to be studied by physicians to determine it the material given for
specific individuals years ago can be used today to help those who suffer from similar conditions.
The principles of health and healing in the Edgar Cayce readings are that the balance of body,
mind, and soul are so closely intertwined that the dis-ease of any of these three aspects will also
affect the other two.
Castor oil is derived from the bean of the Ricinus communis or Palma Christi (palm of Christ)
plant, having beautiful large palmate leaves. Through the Cayce readings, it is apparent that the
oil of this humble plant is a marvelous source for a multitude of natural remedies. Castor oil is
mentioned for use in the form of external oil packs in over 570 health readings. The packs were
indicated for use in a wide variety of health situations, from arthritis, to liver and intestinal
conditions, to scleroderma. Additionally, castor oil was sometimes recommended for use in
massage for various skin disorders, tumors, and breast cancer. Clearly, the beneficial usage of
castor oil is wide ranging indeed!
11. CASTOR OIL: MODERN USES FOR AN OLD FOLK REMEDY
My first encounter with the amazing healing powers of castor oil took place during a business trip
to Amsterdam, Holland, nearly 20 years ago. As I got off the plane from Toronto, I felt a sharp
pain in my lower back, radiating down into my leg. Whether it was triggered by the long hours of
sitting crunched up in an uncomfortable airplane seat or by the heavy suitcase I was carrying, I'll
never know. By the time I got to my hotel room, I was in agony, barely able to stand up straight.
Even lying down on the bed was painful.
What was I to do? I didn't know anyone in the city, and I was scheduled to attend some important
meetings the following day. The staff at the hotel reception desk couldn't tell me how to locate a
chiropractor. I wasn't interested in going to a doctor for a prescription painkiller or muscle-
relaxant. I remembered that "Sleeping Prophet" Edgar Cayce had often suggested castor oil
packs for various aches and pains, and I remembered having read of this remedy's effectiveness
in cases of sciatica.
I managed to take a cab to a nearby drugstore, where I purchased a bottle of castor oil. No doubt
the pharmacist thought that I was bent over because of constipation!
Back at the hotel, I soaked a towel in the oil and wrapped it around my lower back. In a proper
castor oil pack, a cloth of wool or cotton flannel is folded in several layers, then saturated with
warm castor oil, and placed on the affected area. But I had to make do with a hotel towel and
room-temperature oil. I also didn't have access to a heating pad or hot water bottle to add the
prescribed warmth to the pack. The idea is that heat allows the oil to penetrate the skin and work
its way deep into the tissues. I figured that the heat generated by my body would have to do.
Finally, I cut open some plastic bags and spread them on the bed before lying down, to avoid
getting oil on the sheets.
Tired from the overnight flight, and exhausted from the pain, I drifted off into a deep sleep. When
I woke up a few hours later, I was drowsy with jet-lag, but the pain was gone! It had completely
disappeared, and I was able to sit, stand, and walk normally. An impressive result for a clumsy
first attempt with makeshift tools!
Since that time, I have witnessed the powerful healing force contained in castor oil on numerous
occasions. My family and I have successfully used castor oil packs and rubs for various kinds of
abdominal complaints, headaches, inflammatory conditions, muscle pains, skin eruptions and
lesions. Castor oil is a staple item in our medicine cabinet at home, and whenever we travel, we
pack a small bottle of castor oil.
12. The Palma Christi
Castor oil is extracted from the seed of the castor oil plant, whose botanical name is ricinus
communis. While it was Cayce who brought castor oil packs to fame in the 20th century, the oil
has a long and varied history of use as a healing agent in folk medicine around the world.
According to a research report in a recent issue of the Journal of Naturopathic Medicine, castor
bean seeds, believed to be 4,000 years old, have been found in Egyptian tombs, and historical
records reveal the medicinal use of castor oil in Egypt (for eye irritations), India, China (for
induction of childbirth and expulsion of the placenta), Persia (for epilepsy), Africa, Greece, Rome,
Southern Europe, and the Americas. In ancient Rome, the castor oil plant was known as Palma
Christi, which translates into hand of Christ. This name is still sometimes used today.
A book about the Vermont style of folk medicine by D.C. Jarvis published in 1958 lists numerous
conditions which respond well to the topical application of castor oil, including irritation of the
conjunctiva of the eye; to promote healing of the umbilicus in a newborn; and to increase milk
flow in lactating women when applied to the breasts. As a nursing mom, I can attest to the
effectiveness of castor oil applied to sore, irritated, or inflamed nipples. It works faster than any
commercial salve, and I don't have to worry about washing it off before the next nursing. Any
trace of the oil that my son may get in his mouth is definitely not going to harm him!
No one could claim more experience with the clinical application of castor oil than Dr. William A.
McGarey, Chairman of the Board of the A.R.E. Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. In the course of his
medical career spanning over several decades, Dr. McGarey has published numerous articles
and books covering treatments with various Cayce remedies. In his recently revised and updated
book about castor oil, entitled The Oil That Heals, Dr. McGarey recounts being told a story in
1965 by a man who, some years earlier, had travelled to a Virginia mountain town to visit his
sister. This man "had developed an intensely inflamed finger." writes Dr. McGarey. "A local
physician advised him to go to a larger city to have a surgeon work on it. He was about to leave
at once, for the finger was very painful, when his sister influenced him to show the finger to 'Aunt
Minnie', who lived up the hills and who was a midwife. As soon as she saw it, she told him to wrap
a flannel cloth soaked in castor oil around the finger and leave it there. He followed her advice
and direction, and by morning most of the inflammation and all of the soreness were gone. By the
morning of the second day, all the swelling and inflammation had gone, and a grain of sand
(acquired while he was bathing on the seashore one week earlier) was discovered under the
edge of the fingernail. This came out with the castor oil bandage, and the finger was healed."
Dr. McGarey has successfully used the castor oil packs in a clinical setting for numerous
conditions, including liver and gall bladder disturbances, abscesses, headaches, appendicitis,
epilepsy, hemorrhoids, constipation, intestinal obstructions, hyperactivity in children, and to avert
threatened abortions in pregnant women. In The Oil That Heals, Dr. McGarey says that Edgar
Cayce described at least thirty different physiological functions that could be changed for the
better through the use of castor oil applied topically, mostly by the use of the packs.
13.Help for Women's Problems
In The Edgar Cayce Handbook for Health through Drugless Therapy, the late Dr. Harold J. Reilly,
who worked with the information provided in the Cayce readings for forty-five years, recalls the
case of a woman who had been suffering from excessive bleeding of the uterus for thirteen
years. By the time she came to see Dr. Reilly, her problem was threatening to disrupt her career
as an opera singer, as well as her ability to function normally in her personal life as a wife and
mother. Four leading gynecologists whom she had consulted had all recommended some kind of
surgery, from a simple D&C to a total hysterectomy. Dr. Reilly put her on a regimen that began
with colonic irrigations and castor oil packs four nights on, three nights off. The woman later
reported that "after the first two nights of the castor oil packs ... the spotting stopped, and this
was remarkable, because it was just after my menstrual period, and usually that went on and on.
By the end of the week, I sang in a concert and felt fine."
In her popular book Take Charge of Your Body, Canadian physician Dr. Carolyn DeMarco
recommends the application of castor oil packs at night for the relief of pain and swelling
associated with varicose veins. And in a 1994 article in Health Naturally magazine, Dr. DeMarco
writes about the recommendation of American gynecologist Dr. Christine Northrup to apply castor
oil packs to the lumpy, painful breasts of women who suffer from cystic breast disease.
Susun Weed, author of the book Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year, says that in
traditional midwifery, castor oil is used internally and externally to stimulate the uterus, soften the
cervix, and help initiate labour. She suggests rubbing castor oil on the belly and covering with a
warm towel if the cervix is ripe and labour seems near. Some midwives rub castor oil on the feet
to help labour along.
14. How Castor Oil Works on the Body
A country doctor whom Dr. McGarey quotes in The Oil That Heals, once said: "Castor oil will
leave the body in better condition than it found it." But the physiological workings of castor oil's
interaction with the body remain somewhat elusive. Dr. McGarey says: "We still have no
explanation why ..... a pack using this oil will help restore normalcy to a hyperactive child, or
speed up the healing of hepatitis, or help to get rid of gallstones, or even help heal abrasions
and infections. Perhaps [the explanation] is to be found in the nature of the human body and the
secret capabilities of the substances God gave us here on the earth for our use and benefit."
Dr. McGarey is very humble in his statement, for he does present a plausible hypothesis relating
to Edgar Cayce's suggestion that castor oil packs can strengthen the Peyer's Patches, which are
tiny patches of lymphatic tissue in the mucosal surface of the small intestine. According to Cayce,
the Peyer's Patches produce a substance which facilitates electrical contact between the
autonomous and the cerebrospinal nervous system when it reaches those areas via the
bloodstream. Dr. McGarey thus understands Cayce to say that the health of the entire nervous
system is, to an extent, maintained through the substance produced by the Peyer's Patches
when they are in good health. Although the Peyer's Patches were discovered in 1677, it is only
recently that medical science has begun to recognize them as constituents of the body's immune
system.
Current research appears to confirm Dr. McGarey's theory. A double-blind study, described by
Harvey Grady in a report entitled Immunomodulation through Castor Oil Packs published in a
recent issue of the Journal of Naturopathic Medicine, examined lymphocyte values of 36 healthy
subjects before and after topical castor oil application. This study identified castor oil as an anti-
toxin, and as having impact on the lymphatic system, enhancing immunological function. The
study found that castor oil pack therapy of a minimal two-hour duration produced an increase in
the number of T-11 cells within a 24-hour period following treatment, with a concomitant increase
in the number of total lymphocytes. This T-11 cell increase represents a general boost in the
body's specific defense status, since lymphocytes actively defend the health of the body by
forming antibodies against pathogens and their toxins. T-cells identify and kill viruses, fungi,
bacteria, and cancer cells.
Castor oil packs are a simple home therapy which often produces astounding results. When we
consider the Cayce statement quoted in Dr. McGarey's book, "There's as much of God in a
teaspoonful of castor oil as there is in a prayer!", we may begin to appreciate the powerful
healing potential of the "Palma Christi".