Say YES to Castor Oil
I was recently purchasing shampoo and conditioner when the gal at the register asked me my thoughts about my purchases. She was looking to improve her hair and was tired of going to the salon because of time and costs. She asked me “how can I get my hair healthy without the costs of a salon?”
Here’s how… castor oil.
I LOVE castor oil!
There are so many reasons to say YES to castor oil.
Castor oil is one of the most versatile healing oils. We use it regularly at home and in the clinic.
For those who don’t know what castor oil is, or aren’t sure why you would love such a viscous, unforgiving oil; here’s the what and the why…
Castor Oil – Ricinus communis seed oil – The Palma Christi, naturally anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, strengthens the immune system, supports lymphatic cleansing, relaxing; castor oil is an extremely useful oil to have in your medicine cabinet.
So back to healthy hair … Nothing makes you feel naturally sexier than lustrous hair.
Here’s a simple recipe to help your hair shine!
What you’ll need:
for longer or thicker hair you should double or triple this recipe to obtain full hair coverage
- 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar (kumbucha does well as a replacement if you have forgotten about your brewing project and now have a ton of kombucha vinegar on your hands)
- 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin
- 1 egg (whites & yolk)
- 2 tablespoons castor oil
Steps:
- Mix apple cider vinegar and glycerin into a bowl and beat till thick and even.
- Then add the egg (whites and yolk) and castor oil then beat until smooth.
- Evenly apply to your hair.
- Cover with cap (or risk the drip-drip as this concoction dries).
- Wait about 2 hours, then wash and rinse (use a little coconut oil on the ends of your hair before it dries).
It is best to do this treatment several times your first month or two; then taper down to a monthly treatment. These are rough guidelines as everyone is unique so some may benefit from more regular use and others less.
Other External Uses for Castor Oil
Castor oil is great for your skin. Use it on dry skin or on any blemish and watch it disappear. Get your camera out for the before and afters because castor oil will amaze you!
Have a stye?
Apply castor oil (2-3 times a day) right on the stye and watch it vanish away painlessly.
Want softer hands?
At night before bed, lube your hands up with castor oil, then put your cotton night gloves on. May not be the sexiest night-time look, but come day who will care! Your skin will look and feel younger.
Liver or age spots the problem?
Use castor oil! Again, just apply. Would recommend to do at night or when planning indoor time.
Scars & Warts
Same thing – just apply several times a day to daily and watch it disappear.
Cysts or hard swellings?
Again… just apply castor oil as often as possible topically to the cyst or hard swelling and watch it do its magic. I’ve actually seen it shrink a cyst in half in just 7 days!
Now, I’ll remind you, castor oil is a very viscous and very messy oil. It may not be the oil for you if you are going to be out interacting with the public all day. But on your down time at home, it is worth it. Sleep in your less than sexy PJ’s and don’t use your favorite silk pillow cover. Castor oil is messy… but oh so healing!
Castor Oil for Lymph and Organ Cleansing
Let’s step aside from vanity and start talking inner health…
Castor oil, when used as a castor oil pack, is medicinal in that it can really help you help your body support it’s immune system.
With castor oil packs you can detoxify and strengthen your organs while relaxing at home.
What You Will Need for a Castor Oil Pack
- unbleached cotton flannel or unbleached plain cotton
- heating pad or hot water bottle
- saran wrap
- a towel or sheet to protect what you are lying on
- castor oil of course!
Get yourself a piece of unbleached cotton flannel or unbleached plain cotton – big enough that you can fold it into 3 or 4 layers and still adequately cover the organ that you want to nourish.
How to Do a Castor Oil Pack
Saturate, really SATURATE, the cotton pad with castor oil and place it on the area of treatment.
Completely cover the castor oil pad with a piece of saran wrap and place a heating pad on top. Turn the heat pad to your desired heat level or use a hot water bottle. The heat helps you relax and pushes the oil deeper into your tissues.
Relax for at least 45 minutes and enjoy. You may fall a sleep… be warned. This is a great way to unwind while doing something good for your health.
If you plan it all right, you can do a hair treatment and an organ cleanse in one fabulous at-home spa session! And for the cost of pennies!
How to Store Your Castor Oil Pack
Always store your castor packs in the fridge after use. You may reuse several to dozens of times. I prefer to store in glass containers but do what works best for you. If traveling, a ziplock sort of bag is fine.
When to Use a Castor Oil Pack
For women, I recommend monthly uterus treatments. It’s a fabulous treatment to give yourself at the beginning of your menses. A castor oil pack can instantly relieve cramps and cramp-like symptoms of PMS.
It’s also awesome to do over your liver – weekly or monthly depending on your age and health status. A healthy liver is key to internal and external health and beauty. Castor oil packs are a powerful therapeutic way to support your liver.
And if you’re suffering from insomnia, well… castor oil packs over your liver can be a simple and very effective remedy.
You can also do it over any other organ or area that needs healing; like a sprained ankle, or a painful lower back or an arthritic area or joint.
So by now I feel even those who had no idea the wonders of castor oil, and even those who think – ‘eh, that stuff is too messy!’ – will reconsider either out of vanity or health.
Here’s to both! YES to castor oil!!!
Personally, I use Heritage Products Cold-Pressed Castor Oil. I happen to use and recommend several of the products by this company. I am not being paid to use their products or write these words, they are just quality products.