[ Violet uses castor oil packs not only for her bloating discomfort, but to help with elimination. What a cute lil' water bottle she has! ]
Castor oil, the wonder oil for many uses but we're talking specifically here for digestion ease! Castor oil comes from the seeds of the Ricinus Communis plant native to Asia and Africa. It's believed that the active compound ricinoleic acid in castor oil is the super power that contains it's medicinal properties, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and therapeutic effects. Castor oil's healing benefits contain up to 90% of the ricinoleic acid, that's why it rocks and works!!
Our guts are a sensitive area, and especially those of us with excessive tummy troubles. A tip in balance with our sleep, eating too much sugary foods, even stress can have a negative effect on our gut microbiome.
[ It looks like both mama and her gut are unhappy! ]
Too much bad bacteria in our gut causes our health to suffer, because our immune, digestive, endocrine and nervous systems keep in touch with one another and 'gossip' about how bad things are in their 'town' - your body :() when things aren't going right. An unhappy gut will definitely make the rest of you unhappy. [ Think of the saying 'If mamma ain't happy, no one's happy!' ] That's really the idea! Our gut is 'da mama!!
[ It looks like bloated Betty's getting right on top :() of castor oil treatments! ]
[ When purchasing castor oil go for pure unprocessed - meaning Hexane free! ]
I can't tell you how happy I've been since I've started incorporating Castor Oil packs and a good 'Gut Assist Powder' ( more on that below ) for my digestive issue. I was diagnosed with consistent bloating and constipation, but not IBS, or any other stomach ailment at this time. I've had colonoscopies in the past, that have checked out fine.
In recent months, I've been seeing a Functional Medicine Doctor for my digestive issues ~WooHoo!
This is a medically trained doctor who is also trained in alternative approaches to health and wellness based on lifestyle, genetics, environment among other factors that many traditional doctors don't look at. They take a medical and holistic approach to healing. More on my experience and my digestive and health improvements in another post!
Listed below are some of the many benefits of the natural detoxification effects of castor oil:
Ok, about those castor oil packs. Although mostly familiar with being effective as a strong laxative, ( this is primarily what I'm using them for ~ And OH does it WORK!! ), many studies (and people ) have shown and experienced many other health benefits. Applying castor oil packs externally around the abdominal area help to strengthen our lymphatic tissues in the small intestine, increasing the production of lymphocyte and boosting our overall defense system! Consistent use over time, castor oil can impact our whole health as it aids in improving the nervous and immune systems. Boy oh boy, who doesn't need that these days!!
What you need for Castor Oil packs: Good Castor Oil, preferably one without Hexane, that's pure without other chemical additives.
The oil wrap process is very simple, (you may want to place an old towel onto the area your'e lying down on to prevent any possible oil stains, but I've yet to have any unnecessary dripping!) simply soak the cloth in the castor oil wring it out
(but make sure it's well lubricated ) and place onto the stomach area, then layer on the plastic wrap or plastic grocery bag - this helps the heat penetrate - then place the heating pad or hot water bottle over the plastic wrap.
[ Now that's a happy tummy, a castor soak and spa treatment to boot! :() ]
Make sure you don't have your heating source too hot, you don't want to burn your skin. Leave on for 30 minutes up to an hour. When done wipe the excess oil from your body and place the oil soaked rags into a plastic bag for the next use. Your castor packs can be stored in the fridge, though I've simply stored my packs in a cool dry place like a hall closet. Castor oil packs can be reused up to 30 times before you need to make a new one.
It's best to do a skin patch test before using castor oil if you've never applied it to your skin, to check for allergic reactions. Rub a few drops onto the skin and leave for 24 hours, if there's no reaction, your'e good to go!
* Avoid using castor packs if pregnant or breastfeeding - or check with your doctor.
* Avoid use of castor packs on recent injuries or open irritated skin like cuts or scratches that are healing.
* DO NOT place castor packs in the microwave due to the cloth can over heat, smoke and catch fire.
Whenever I use castor packs for 'elimination help' I usually can expect a bowel movement within a couple hours, sometimes less! I love that I don't have to take laxatives which can cause dehydration or other issues.
[ The best poop is poop that knows its way OUT! ]
In our next post i'll be sharing how using a Gut Powder has further helped me with severe constipation issues!! At LivingThruGrace we want to get you 'moving'!! :()