Castor Oil Packs were the number one treatment prescribed by Edgar Cayce and a favorite prescription of Naturopathic Doctors and nature cure practitioners everywhere due to it’s gentle yet powerful action on optimizing the natural function of the liver and gallbladder.  The liver is responsible for a multiplicity of functions in the body including detoxifying medicines, bacteria and other harmful substances – including environmental toxins;  transforming cholesterol to carry fats through the body; synthesizing proteins for blood plasma as well as bile for supporting digestion; storing and releasing glucose; processing  hormones, bilirubin and hemoglobin; regulating blood clotting; producing lymph for immune support.  Research studies have shown castor oil’s main constituent ricinoleic acid increases the levels of T-11 lymphocytes in the top layers of the skin augmenting normal immunity. This component has been shown to reduce acute and subchronic sensory neuropeptide-mediated neurogenic inflammation This same unsaturated omega-9 fatty has been researched as a generally safe labor induction method within 24 hours of oral intake, due to its binding of the EP3 prostanoid receptor resulting in uterine contractions.  That same proper binding increases prostaglandins E2 which are essential for functional ovulation.  The heat from a castor oil packs increases blood flow and may improve oxygenation to target tissues increase the lymph flow throughout the body, which eliminates toxins and helps reduce swollen lymph nodes.

So summarizing all that:  the liver does a lotta good stuff for us!! Give your liver some love in return.

Give a castor oil pack a try today, this week, this weekend as the paramount spring self-care therapy! Here’s how:

Castor Oil Pack

The following materials are needed to make a castor oil pack:

1. Flannel cloth
2. Vinyl hot water bottle
3. Warm water for bottle
4. Castor oil
5. Bath towel and hand towel or other bedding materials

Prepare a soft flannel cloth, preferably undyed, organic wool – or cotton – flannel.  Other material may be substituted such as an old, well-washed flannel shirt, jersey tee shirt or cotton diaper.  All material should be free of color or dyes.  The cloth should be 2 or 4 thickness when folded and appropriate size of the body area.  For example, the folded material should measure 10” x 12” or 14” for the average abdominal area; 7” x 10” for 12” for liver area; 5” x 16” strip to wrap the elbow.

Prepare the treatment area.  Castor oil is very sticky and adhesive.  Place an old towel, sheet or pillowcase on top of the treatment area (massage table, bed, lounge chair, sofa).  All materials used for treatment should be reserved for future treatments.  Materials in contact with oil will eventually become rancid and must be replaced.

Position self or patient onto treatment area.  For liver pack, position self or patient on left side (perpendicular or oblique) to fully expose liver area.  After pack is covered with towel, pillows may be stacked to the right side to prop and hold the pack in a comfortable position. Alternately placing castor oil packs over the intestines or uterus will shift the focus of the treatment to those specific organs.

Next, saturate cloth with castor oil.  The castor should be cold pressed and free of pesticides and chemicals (some drug store brands will be rinsed with hexane for extraction:  Make sure the cloth is wet but not dripping with oil.  Apply the pack to the indicated area of the body.  Cover area with vinyl hot water bottle (do not burn the skin my overheating).  Wrap a towel, pillowcase, etc around the area of the body, covering pack and bottle as well.  The pack should be in place for about one hour. After the treatment, the area of the body can be easily cleaned with a solution of baking soda dissolved in water (2 teaspoon per quart warm water) if desired. 

The flannel pack can be kept refrigerated in a plastic container (or ziploc freezer bag) between uses.  Unless the pack becomes discolored or rancid it can be used for several months.  If the pack is refrigerated, allow it to return to room temperature before reapplying pack with oil.

The pack should be used from 3 to 7 days a week as indicated.

Optional:  After every 3 treatments, up to 2 tablespoons of cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, organic if possible, can be consumed orally to stimulate liver activity.

Applying castor oil to liver, kidneys, intestines, etc. prior to a warm bath is a good additional option. Short on time? In office we offer a castor oil roll-on that is perfect to apply just before a bath.

To clean your handmade castor oil pack holder, spot clean with Dawn liquid detergent and distilled water, mixed. Spray on to remove stains. Placket should be cleaned and wiped down with dry towel or with a sprinkle of baking soda to absorb oil. Soak in warm water and dawn liquid. Hang to dry.

Use considerations: This is not medical advice. Castor oil pack and heat may increase blood flow; therefore, many women avoid using them during the flow of the menstruation cycle or near fertility based sexual activity. Castor oil packs should be avoided during pregnancy and castor oil by mouth can induce labor. Regarding increased blood flow to the uterus when applied topically:  castor oil is generally considered safe and potentially beneficial regarding fibroids.  As with any this or any new health practice, check with your physician to determine what is right for you.

Add an extra boost to your liver with a nice cleansing tea such as dandelion or burdock root. One of our favorite mixed teas available in grocery stores is Yogi Detox Tea. Another option is to create your own roasted breakfast drink with dandelion, burdock, chicory, and date or fig for a little sweetness if desired. Want to learn about more foods that detoxify the liver? Look for our seasonal wellness subscription plan with more tips like this coming soon.

Dandelion Coffee Recipe

• 2 tbsp dandelion
• 2 tbsp burdock root
• 1 tbsp chicory
• 2 tbsp nuts (almond, hazelnuts, etc.)
• thinly sliced dates or figs to taste
• powdered cinnamon or cardamon *
• 2 cups water

Choose the roots and/or nuts you wish to use and roast them at 350° for 10-20 minutes, stirring halfway through. The longer your roast, the darker the roast of your “coffee.” 

Add the roasted roots to 2 cups of water an boil for 5-10 minutes. Strain the coffee and add sweetner, dates or figs, and powdered herbs if desired.

Come back next week for our springtime fun recipes for sprouts and dandelion pesto!

Fullscript, one of our supplement providers which allows patients to “pickup” their supplements at their leisure has provided these generalized suggestions for managing liver health concerns:

Fatty Liver Support

Castor Oil Pack Holders are available for purchase directly through Alberta Orchard Wellness at:

https://squareup.com/store/dr-sarita-elizabeth-cox/item/castor-oil-pack-holder

The element of wood is associated with spring.

It’s Still Spring!

Its still spring until June 21!  Spring ~ the word itself conjures up the natural movement of this season. It’s a time for creativity and breaking through. Not unlike how many of us engage in spring cleaning rituals around home, our bodies also enjoy and benefit from a good spring cleaning~physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. This is the perfect time of year to give up coffee, alcohol, tobacco and other substances (think Lent) because the uplifting and stimulating energy of spring provides a natural seasonal boost. It is a time to renew health, to cultivate new relationships, expand upon current projects, and to plant seeds that will one day come to harvest.

The element of wood is associated with spring, a time of birth and new beginnings. Spring is the time to grow, establish deeper roots, and stay flexible in the wind like bamboo. In the body, that means a focus on joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons,and sex organs. It also means giving special attention to your liver, which works to detoxify the blood and make bile to metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. As spring is represented by the wood element and includes the liver and its complementary organ, the gallbladder, these two organs are the primary targets for springtime rejuvenation and health regimens. 

The liver performs many functions in the body. Removing toxins, peaking between 1-3 a.m.,  is among the most important. It governs the eyes and is associated with inner seeing. When a propensity to break down toxins combines with sight turned inward, rage directed toward the self is the expression of an imbalanced liver. When in balance, poisons and toxins are easily broken down and kindness and creativity turns inward.

To support liver functioning, drink plenty of fluids and add lemon to water (you may want to drink through a straw or brush teeth afterwards to protect enamel). Sour or vinegary foods in moderation nourish the liver (a couple of ounces of kombucha, sauerkraut).  Fresh greens, sprouts, asparagus, nuts and seeds balance and revive the liver. Exercise and sweating aid liver detoxification, so spring is a great time to develop a regular exercise program!

Tips for Healthy Spring Living:

• Support your liver and gallbladder through herbs like dandelion and acupuncture to reduce stagnation and balance the organs.
• Do not eat 2-3 hours before bed. Late night eating creates stagnation in the liver and prevents our body from repairing at night.
• Stop eating when 80% full. Eat slowly and chew thoroughly so the brain recognizes that the body is being fed. Overeating creates pressure on the liver and gallbladder.
• Be mindful of your spiritual health through self-care and meditation.
• Eat fresh and vital foods such as greens, sprouts, fruits, asparagus, celery and raw nuts and seeds. 
• Add lemon or apple cider vinegar to water to help detoxify the liver.
• Practice yoga twist postures to wring out the toxins.
  
  

  Lemon in water detoxifies the liver.