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While colonics are my go-to for all things constipation, castor oil packs are a great way to keep things moving between appointments. Castor oil had been used for centuries to help improve skin, hair and body ailments. Castor beans have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs dating back to 4000 b.c. It has been said Egyptian doctors used castor oil to help protect the eyes from irritation. It has been used medicinally in the United States starting in the late 1800's for ailments such as heartburn and constipation.
Castor oil is an oil that is derived from the seeds of a castor bean. Its consistency is a bit thick and sticky, with a subtle pungent smell. I myself am very sensitive to smells but castor oil doesn't seem to bother me! Castor oil has a wide range of uses such as:
Treatment of skin conditions (sunburn, dry skin, ring-worm, bruises, dermatitis)
Hair Growth
Menstrual Cramping
Gall stones
Hemorrhoids
Wounds
Better Sleep
Constipation
It is also anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant!
While we can talk for days about all of the other benefits, I will keep this short and stick to how and why it helps with constipation. Castor oils active ingredient, ricinoleic acid, acts as a natural laxative by binding to the receptors on the smooth muscle cells of your gut wall. After binding to these receptors, it causes the large intestine muscles to contract and expel the waste from your colon. It also decreases inflammation while hydrating the intestinal tissue. Not to worry, this wont cause you to run to the bathroom in a mad dash after applying castor oil, it more so gives you a nice smooth, complete movement. Castor oil also helps to detox the lymphatic system, which is always a good thing!
That brings me to how the process works..
My favorite way to use castor oil is by using the Queen of Thrones Castor Oil Pack. This pack
makes it super easy and mess-free. Back when I first started using castor oil, its was extremely messy and so many steps to the process, it involved finding organic cotton and then soaking castor oil in the cotton, finding a way to keep this oil there.. (typically this is suggested by using Saran Wrap which I definitely wouldn't recommend as the plastic can leech into the castor oil). This castor oil pack is designed in such a way that allows you to wear it through the night comfortably. It works by pouring 1-2 tablespoons of the oil onto the organic cotton material that is lined with polyurethane, a non-toxic, eco-friendly layer that naturally holds in body heat. You can place the pack anywhere on the abdomen, but I prefer to use the liver pack and place the pack directly on the liver overnight, this not only helps to detoxify the liver but it also helps to support movement of the gut and promote lymphatic drainage.
I also should add it is important to use organic castor oil that comes in a glass bottle. Like I mentioned above, plastic can leech into the castor oil, and we don't want that being absorbed into our body!
So back to the pack...optimally you want to leave it on overnight but at the very least leave on for at least an hour to get the benefits. The pack is not only comfortable to sleep in but I actually get better sleep when I have the pack on. The reason for this is the castor oil pack for the liver has a calming effect on your nervous system which promotes the production of your feel good hormones dopamine and oxytocin.
So while there are many natural remedies to help relieve constipation between your colon hydrotherapy appointments, a castor oil pack is top on my list of recommendations! And of course a healthy diet.
You can purchase a Queen of Thrones Castor Oil Pack HERE
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