Castor Oil
Botanical Name: Ricinus communis
Common Names and Synonyms: Castor oil, Palma Christi
Background: Native to India, Asia and Africa, and cultivated
in the U.S. for the oil, the castor plant is a shrub with stems which can
grow anywhere from 3 to 30 feet high in some latitudes. The leaves
are large and palmate, having blue-green lobes and serrated margins.
The small red flowers produce extremely poisonous, greenish-red oval fruit,
which contains the deadly alkaloid, ricin.
Castor oil is extracted either through compression
or decoction. Cold pressed oil is superior to that compressed with heat.
Fresh seeds are shelled and crushed between rollers. The mass is
transferred to hemp cloths and placed in layers on a screwpress. Once the
oil is expressed, water is added and heated to the boiling point to separate
the scum from the oil. In heat compressed castor oil, the seeds are
heated or baked for an hour before introducing them into a screwpress to
draw off the oil, which again is mixed with water and boiled for an hour
to clarify. This process of decoction generally is used in India,
where castor oil extensively is used for illumination, rather than medicinal
purposes. Castor oil is a powerful laxative, has an unpleasant taste and
consistency, and is best administered in capsules.
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Castor Oil in the Cayce Readings
-
Applied topically, castor oil was recommended to remove warts. Mixed with
baking soda, castor oil was used to soften and remove calluses from the
feet. Rarely, castor oil was to be taken internally as a purgative.
-
Warm castor oil packs applied to the abdomen was the most widely recommended
use for castor oil. Castor oil packs were given for a variety of complaints,
from breaking up abdominal adhesions, to loosening locked bowels.
Abdominal castor oil packs were typically followed by doses of olive oil.
Cayce Quotes on Castor Oil
255-9
. DO NOT create such a condition, by taking so much - either of the
oil packs or of the olive oil - as for the body to become dependent upon,
or the body become so strained by the constant purging of the upper portion
of the alimentary canal, or of the hepatic circulation, but keep DOWN the
inflammation. NOTHING is much better than the olive oil as a food
for the intestinal system. This may be left off occasionally, however,
for a week or ten days, and then resumed again.
1314-2
Across the areas of the lacteal ducts, the spleen,
the pancreas, the liver, the caecum, we would apply Castor Oil Packs to
alleviate those tendencies for tissue in the area to adhere and thus create
at times the spasmodic reaction to the nervous system itself. These
should be applied hot but not so hot as to injure, to be sure, the bodily
functions. They should be changed about every hour for periods of
two to three days, rest a week and then begin again.
2153-4
Have sufficient periods of the Castor Oil Packs.
To be sure, they are disagreeable, but they will break up lesions, as no
other administrations will. The best time to take these is the evening,
to be sure. These should be given in series; applied for an hour
each evening for two or three evenings BEFORE each osteopathic adjustment
is to be made, see? At least every OTHER series, follow same with
at least a tablespoonful of Olive Oil taken internally.
4017-1
First we find that there should be several series
of Castor Oil Packs, three to four thicknesses of old flannel saturated
with hot Castor Oil, applied just as hot as the body can stand for one
hour each day for three days in succession.
Apply these directly to the body, cover so as to
prevent soiling linen, then apply the electric pad. These would extend
over the gall duct and liver area to the caecum, along the right side,
or the whole right half of the abdominal area, from the rib to the groins.
After the third day of applying these Packs, take
internally a tablespoonful of Olive Oil.
637-2
Once a week, and for at least three hours at the
time, we would apply the Castor Oil packs over the caecum and the lacteal
duct and gall duct area. Use at least a three-ply of flannel wrung
out of hot Castor Oil. This would necessitate the changing of the
cloths at least three times during that period, or an hour for each application.
The day following the packs, for the better eliminations
through the alimentary canal, we would take internally the combination
of properties found in Fletcher's Castoria. Taken in very small quantities
will be much more effective; quarter to a half teaspoonful every half hour,
during the whole day. Do this each week on the day following the
Castor Oil packs. This will create for the body the proper associations
of the lymph circulation, that will be increased by the applications for
those things without and from within; producing better peristaltic movement
for the system, and bringing about bettered conditions for the body.
1843-3
The LESIONS exist in those areas of the lacteal
ducts, or that area just below the jejunum, and upon which there is the
flow of activity from pancreas, spleen and liver to assimilate with that
digested - or at the main center. Not that there are not lacteal
ducts through other portions of the system, but the lesions are where the
greater network exists through which fats and the alkalines and acids are
separated in the system.
Here we would apply, consistently (over this area,
you see), the hot Castor Oil Packs. These should extend over this
particular spot, which is four fingers from the umbilical or navel center
toward the right side - only slightly, very slightly upward from that center.
If the hand is laid upon this area it will be found to be cold, in comparison
to other areas. Then apply these also, or let them extend also, over
the liver area, extending to the caecum area, on the right side.
Use at least three thicknesses of flannel saturated with the Oil; not just
sprinkled on or poured on, of the bedclothing, then applying an electric
pad. Keep the electric pad at a heat that is not too objectionable,
but warm enough to produce the absorption of the oil into the skin, you
see. Let these remain on for an hour each evening, for eight days
in succession. Then leave off eight days, then apply again, and so
on in this manner. but saturate the flannel with the Castor Oil and
apply hot. Not so hot as to make it disturbing to the body, but warm;
and then cover same with an oil cloth or the like, you see, to prevent
soiling
1312-1
The organ, the liver itself, with its contributory
reactions, as the spleen and the kidneys, show the greater disorders.
While this may not be termed as yet wholly cirrhosis of the liver, the
spots and the hardening in portions indicate that it is bordering on that
condition. Also the condition in the gall ducts, and the excretions
that come from the pancreas and duodenum, make the improper assimilation
of elements in system. Also there are those tendencies for the membranes
of the colon and area to become dry, or a tendency for the lack of peristaltic
movement, or for the lymph circulation to be proper through same, causing
a pressure at times on the bladder and inflammation, naturally, to the
kidneys. All of these are secondary, but will become complications
unless there is the removal of the pressures in the system so as to allow
a more normal, nominal reaction of the assimilating system; for without
the proper assimilations the vitality and the strength are gradually being
used up, or burned up, in the attempt of the system to draw on the strength
of same to supply the proper nutriment to the whole system. This
is not a jaundice condition; rather more the torpidity of the liver, from
hardening condition; though the indications in the system indicate that
this in itself might become one of the complications, in the reaction to
the organs affected by the disturbance. In meeting the needs of the conditions
in the present, as we would find, this would be the manner in which this
might be done:
First, begin with the Castor oil packs over the
whole liver area. These we would apply at least twice each day until
there is a full reaction from the effects of the oil upon the lymph about
the circulation in the liver proper.
3210-1
Apply, then, the Castor Oil Packs over the area
about the lacteal ducts of the right side. This would include the
whole liver area even to the caecum on the right side, extending to the
navel center.
Do this at least an hour each day for five days.
Use three to four thicknesses of flannel thoroughly soaked in warm Castor
Oil. Using electric pad, low heat, to keep the Pack warm for one
hour.
After removing the Pack, sponge off the area with
a rather strong soda water. Then massage the same area gently, by
a masseuse or an osteopath, or one well-trained in physiotherapy or neuropathic
massage.
503-1
Over the area of the liver, pancreas and the spleen,
we would each evening apply castor oil packs; three or four layers off
flannel dipped in castor oil and this kept as warm as the body may stand,
for periods of thirty to sixty minutes. When this has been done for
two or three days, begin with small doses of the liquid Simmon's Liver
Regulator until the system is entirely cleansed. See?
2188-2
In the present, to relieve the tensions and to prevent
the upsets which do arise at times now from the inflammation and cake caused
in the mucous membranes of the pyloric portion of the stomach, and the
concurrent disturbances which this produces with the pancreas and the liver
in its activity in assimilation ...
We would apply hot Castor Oil Packs for at least
two hours each day for three days.
On the evening of the third day of applying the
Packs, take internally half a teacup of Olive Oil.
3683-1
The activities of the liver, especially the right
lobe, cause a disturbance to the pancreas and the spleen. Thus, if we would
relieve the tensions here, the greater portion of the disturbances through
the body would be alleviated.
We would begin first, then, by making this application
to the body:
Apply hot Castor Oil Packs for an hour each day
for at least five days in succession, over the liver and extending to the
caecum area. Keep this heated as much as the body can stand,
but not sufficient to be disagreeable, just so there may be the absorption
of the oils. When the Pack is removed each time, bathe off with a
weak soda water.
On the third day of using these Packs, begin taking
internally small quantities of Olive Oil; about half a teaspoonful two
to three to four times a day.
567-8
The breaking up of the lesions in the caecum and
in the lacteal ducts is beneficial, removing much of that which destroys
the coordination between the sympathetic and cerebrospinal reactions at
times; PROVIDED that the adherence is prevented from being made again.
As we find, with those adjustments that make for
the better flow of the lymph and the circulatory forces through this portion
of the body, we would add the Castor Oil packs as we have indicated before
- which would assist in alleviating and drawing, through the absorption
of the oil into the system, those activities of this vegetative or lymphatic
circulation. These would be the more helpful.
650-2
(Q) What can be done for the sore on the ear?
(A) Massage it with sweet oil or camphorated oil in the mornings,
and with Castor Oil in the evenings; not to hurt, but just around the edges
and over it.
2455-3
For the conditions in the lower limbs and the feet,
- we would massage these thoroughly with Peanut Oil.
For the conditions of hardening, as on toe, we would
use a mixture of baking soda and Castor Oil. Do not bind up, but
massage this on after the feet AND the lower limbs - from the knees downward
- have been massaged thoroughly with the Peanut Oil. Do this at least
three to four times a week; and the condition - it will be found - will
disappear.
308-13
(Q) What is the best way to remove warts?
(A) This one on the right knee is gradually leaving. Put
equal portions of Castor Oil and Soda on the finger tip, massage this,
it'll make it sore but it'll take it away also.
759-10
(Q) What will eliminate the warts from the hand and body?
(A) Massage them with Castor Oil.
1179-4
(Q) How can [1179] get rid of her warts?
(A) Apply a paste of baking soda with Castor Oil. Mix together
and apply of evenings. Just the proportions so it makes almost a
GUM; not as dough but more as gum, see? A pinch between the fingers
with three to four drops in the palm of the hand, and this worked together
and then placed on - bound on. It may make for irritation after the
second or third application, but leave it off for one evening and then
apply the next - and it will be disappearing!
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