Castor oil

[thehelper97]

If this has been covered, I apoligize.

Someone suggested I make castor oil packs on a clients back to help loosen the muscles before working.

How exactly is this done? How long would it take? Is all castor oil the same or do you need higher quality??

Does anyone do this in a massage session? Do they charge extra or just charge for the time?

Lots of questions! Thanks in advance.

 

[clorox ribbon]

i use CO compresses on the low back of my IBS, fibro, endo clients and during abdominal massage as well.

i use a warm towel to open up and relax, apply the oil, cover with another couple of warm towels, a dry towel on top and some warm stones to keep in place and keep the heat in. plus, the weight feels wonderful. then i work the legs/feet before coming back to the back.

good luck!

 

[Panda Bear!]

Cold Pressed Castor Oil is the kind you'll want, and can be easily found at health food stores, and perhaps the pharmacy. It is used also in Ayurveda frequently. I use it to massage the feet - it has really great grip for foot massage and they say it "draws out systemic" stuffs. *shrug* I like it on the feet. I haven't tried it in packs, though I'd like to.

 

[bread]

Cold Pressed Castor Oil is the kind you'll want, and can be easily found at health food stores, and perhaps the pharmacy. It is used also in Ayurveda frequently. I use it to massage the feet - it has really great grip for foot massage and they say it "draws out systemic" stuffs. *shrug* I like it on the feet. I haven't tried it in packs, though I'd like to.

yes.. i purchased mine from mountain rose herbs... can't remember who turned me on to them but i love them!

 

[Joey]

I recall we had a thread that told how to make a castor oil pack quite some time ago (or I asked the poster and they PM'd me with the info). Unfortunately, I can't seem to find the thread and I don't have the PM (if there was one). *sigh*

The best I could do was find these two comments by AnastasiaB.


I found this on a CTS thread:

Learned this one from an instructor while in massage school for treatment of CTS and CTS-like symptoms ---

cut a strip of flannel 2-3 inches wide about as long as the same width Ace bandage.

pour castor oil over the flannel bandage until it is wet but not slimy and "squish" the castor oil into the bandage

roll the flannel back up so that you can wrap your hand and wrist with it like you would a sprained / strained wrist and hand

after wrapping the hand and wrist w/ the flannel bandage either wrap it carefully w/ plastic wrap OR put on a cheap plastic glove from which you have cut off the fingers and thumb

last step - put on a cotton glove, OR, make a fingerless glove from an old tube sock, OR, wrap the wrist and hand with an Ace bandage. Go to bed with this get-up on overnight.

Get up in the morning, disassemble the whole thing, put the flannel bandage in a zippie bag and throw it in the fridge to chill till that night. Repeat this for up to a week although I saw results in decreased swelling, etc w/in 2 days! The flannel bandage will get a bit "funky" smelling, but, you can always wash it or cut a new one and, it does work!!! It's a derivation of an Edgar Cayce remedy for a multitude of joint and body concerns.........

The gamma linoleic acid in the castor oil works as a natural anti-inflammatory, and the multiple layers increase the circulation to take the inflammatory properties out of the joint area

And this (from the same author) on a Carpal Tunnel Techniques thread:

Cut a 3 inch wide strip of flannel [cotton or wool], pour castor oil onto it until the flannel is wet, not squishy [easiest to roll up like an ace bandage for this part]. Wrap this flannel strip around the hand/wrist as one would for a sprained wrist. Wrap a strip of plastic wrap [OR, put a plastic glove w/ fingers cut off] around wrist in same fashion, being VERY CAREFUL not to wrap too snugly, THEN, wrap with ACE bandage, or cover w/ cotton glove minus fingers, or an old sock with appropriate holes for fingers.

Wear this concoction over night. THe extra layerings over the original flannel wrap keep the circulation to the area boosted thus increasing the decrease in swelling. AND, the linoleic acid in the castor oil has a mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory property of its own. In the morning, take the whole concoction apart. Put the flannel strip in a "zippie" bag, throw it in the fridge till that night, put in on again - try 3 to 4 days minimum.

Worked like a charm for me when I was in school for my wrists, and does wonders for ankle, knee, and elbow problems as well.

 

[Alps]

I've used it a lot in my practice (and personally since I am challenged with both CFS & FMS) for years. I studied Edgar Cayce and the Cayce -Reilly massage a while back and this is highly recommended.

The only thing is the oil is very thick and heavy and so that I discuss that with the client and give them the option. And moist heat is key.

 

[Melonie]

I knew castor oil was used in Ayurveda and the Cayce packs, but hadn't realised you could use the Cayce packs as a quickie tight muscle warmer.

I thought the Cayce style packs had to be left on for a while for the castor oil to be doing anything, they're something that can be done at home as a systemic treatment. How do they work with a quick application? Would the castor oil make that much difference in such a short time frame or is it mainly the heat doing the work?

Castor oil is a bit of a wonder oil, but it is also a bit of a pain to get out of linens. I use it on the feet occassionally, but have a couple of castor oil only towels for wrapping the feet, will work it into the feet and leave it on until the end of the treatment.

 

[P.U.M.A]

As I remember, Castor Oil packs applied overnight while one sleeps on the abdomen where the liver is helps the liver to detox....

 

[sledge250672]

DISCLAIMER: I have never done this - it was provided to me by another MT.

Basically what a hot caster oil pack is a deep heat treatment. You can use any kind of caster oil although the kind made for MT is best. After applying a layer, you put plastic wrap over the area, then a hot wet towel (microwave for 20-30 sec should be nice and hot), then a second layer of plastic wrap. Followed by a dry towel and a heating pad. Add some weight (towels, sheets, pillow whatever you have) and then let them sit for about 15 min to 30 min and their muscles should loosen up.

What I am not sure of, is where you put the Castor Oil. t102

 

[jusme]

I think the idea is that you put the pack wherever there is a problem. If lower back hurts, put it there. If there are digestive problems, it goes on the belly. There may be some system of where to put it in certain situations, but I'm not aware of it.

Though it seems with all the heat and attention given to the area, you could give or take the castor oil.

But in the quote you've given it looks like the castor oil is first applied to the skin, then all the other stuff is put on top. The heat probably does help the castor oil absorb.

 

[Marketa]

Though it seems with all the heat and attention given to the area, you could give or take the castor oil.

But in the quote you've given it looks like the castor oil is first applied to the skin, then all the other stuff is put on top. The heat probably does help the castor oil absorb.

Thanks for confirming that. I just have no knowledge of the stuff.

 

[Tayler F]

DISCLAIMER: I have never done this - it was provided to me by another MT.

Basically what a hot caster oil pack is a deep heat treatment. You can use any kind of caster oil although the kind made for MT is best. After applying a layer, you put plastic wrap over the area, then a hot wet towel (microwave for 20-30 sec should be nice and hot), then a second layer of plastic wrap. Followed by a dry towel and a heating pad. Add some weight (towels, sheets, pillow whatever you have) and then let them sit for about 15 min to 30 min and their muscles should loosen up.

What I am not sure of, is where you put the Castor Oil. t102

That's basically the method recommended by Cacye as a self care treatment BUT the oil is left on for much longer than 15-30min - it's usually an overnight treatment. A cloth is soaked in castor oil, not so it's dripping, but almost, that is applied on the body (the first layer mentioned) then the plastic/towel combinations. I suppose for a quickie version, just apply the oil directly to the skin, but then, as shivashiva said, the actual oil would probably be less important than the heat. I wish Spock would come back and explain how a shorter version works!

 

[neale]

I have a friend who uses this reguarly and lately I have been feeling like I need to use castor oil on myself. My friend says that it is impossible to get out and off of your skin; she had a friend of hers bring some soap nut powder back from india specificly for this purpose. She says it works great. Apparently Soap Nut Powder is not available in the U.S. , go figure. Does anyone have suggestions for other methods of removal?

 

[Steven H]

I haven't tried this with castor oil, but it is an Ayurvedic technique for removing oils. Make a paste with garbanzo bean powder (chick pea flour. also called besan. you can buy at the health food store) and water. A thick paste. Then scrub the area with a small amount. It might take a few tablespoons to do the whole body. Best to do this in the shower, but away from the stream of water.

This is a great scrub for the whole body that removes dirt and excess oil but does not strip the skin.

Recipes for this are also made which add oat flour, barley flour, sandalwood powder, rose petal powder, etc.

When I googled "soap nut powder", this is the first thing I got: NeemResource which sells soap nut powder if you scroll down. It's $10/lb. There are probably other places that sell it as well.

Shiva

 

[nmorinello]

Apparently Soap Nut Powder is not available in the U.S. , go figure.

Gotta love the internet. You should be able to order it online.

(Also, in my case I am close to the "Indian/Pakistan" area of town --- well, actually all of the cultural areas seem to be close to me. I am in a nice interenational mix. Anyhoo, we have real Indian stores, shops, groceries and the like. I am pretty sure it could be found in a shop like that too -- if you are fortunate to be in an area like this.)

http://www.neemresource.com/LeafBark.html
Read about it here before ordering:

Soap Nut Powder/Ritha
Soap Nut "sapindus trifoliatus" is a fruit. The outer skin of the nut is peeled off, dried, and then pulverised. Traditionally, soap nut has been used in medicinal preparations and commonly as a soap and in herbal shampoos. It is also an excellent emulsifier for neem and karanja oil.

Neem Leaf (dried, crushed), 1 lb. - $9.00
Neem Leaf (dried, crushed), 2 lbs.- $18.00
Neem Bark Powder,1 lb.- $9.00
Neem Bark Powder, 2 lbs.- $18.00
Soap Nut Powder, 1 lb. - $10.00
Soap Nut Powder, 2 lbs. - $20.00

http://www.neemresource.com/OnlineOrder.html
Scroll down to:

Soap Nut Powder - 1 lb. $10.00

Soap Nut Powder - 2 lb. $20.00

 

[BiGstylin]

cool, thanks! yes one has to love the internet, pueppi.

shiva, the garbonzo bean paste you mention sounds really nice. This is a treatment you do on the table? how do you remove the paste if you are doing a treatment? Shower? sponge? My shower clogs easily I see myself doing this with a bucket and sponge. I'm really curious about ayurvedic treatments; did you take a class or read a great book, both?

 

[ya_staff]

You can try a bucket and sponge, but I really doubt that will work, only because the grains are so tiny and fine. Let me know if it does! This is not a treatment I have done on clients, but when I received it at Kripalu they layed down sheets on the floor all around the table cause the stuff flies when you scrub! They used the garbanzo powder mixed with hot oil. It was so wonderful! Then afterwards she sort of brushed the chunks off with a towel and sent me to the shower to remove the rest, which was still a lot. I want to try doing it on a few friends as a treatment and perhaps add it to my menu. I have a shower clients can use, but I'm not sure whether I want that mess and laying down sheets and stuff!

Yep, the ayurvedic treatments I learned both in person, from books, and from videos. I worked at an Ayurveda Center in hawaii and that's what started me on it. Since leaving there I have read many many books and also got some videos to help me learn new things. I hope to take some more in-person trainings as time/money allows.

shiva

 

[Indian Dude 713]

Thanks for all the info about castor oil. One of my clients did it to himself and I noticed a huge difference in his back muscles when I worked on him. He has no issues rinsing it off. I then did it to my daughter and she enjoyed it and said her back felt GREAT!

 

[Pompal 09.]

I was google searchin' around, and found this info:

Rubbed or Massaged Directly Into the Skin
For several conditions I'll mention later, the oil can simply be rubbed into the skin. It can also be used as a massage oil which seems to be especially effective when applied along the spinal column. If the oil is massaged into the body, the direction of the massage should always follow the same path as the underlying Iymphatic drainage system. The diagram below shows the proper direction to massage the oil and further facilitate lymphatic drainage. [Vater and Asdonk, Gesaltschaft for Manuelle Lymph Drainage (Essen, Germany).]

Conditions Responding to Topical Application
Oftentimes there is no need for castor oil packs; amazing results can be obtained by simply applying it directly to the skin. The following is a short list of some of the more common ailments it can remedy:
skin keratosis
ringworm
fungal and bacterial infections
wounds
abdominal stretch marks (prevention)
bursitis
sebaceous cysts
warts
senile lentigo ("liver" or "aging" spots)
muscle strains
ligament sprains
itching

Castor Oil Packs
One of the most useful and least utilized methods of using castor oil is to employ packs. Packs are an economical and efficient method of absorbing the ricinoleic acid and other healing components of castor oil directly into body tissues. (The following basic procedure was outlined in several of the readings of Edgar Cayce.)
To make a castor oil pack you will need the following items: cold pressed castor oil, a standard heating pad, a plastic garbage bag, two or three one-foot square pieces of wool or cotton flannel and one large bath towel.
1. Start by placing the heating pad on a flat surface and turn the setting to high.
2. On top of the pad lay the plastic garbage bag. Next, soak the flannel pieces with castor oil generally about 1/2 cup) and lay them on top of the garbage bag and heating pad.
3. The entire pack can now be placed against the body with the oil-soaked flannel on the skin. For general conditions the pack should be placed on the abdomen. (For treating lower back problems, the pack can be placed there.) To help hold the pack in place and to keep oil from getting on bedding, etc., the body can be wrapped in a large bath towel.
4. The pack should remain in place for at least one hour and the temperature of the heating pad should be kept at the highest temperature tolerable to the patient.
5. When you remove the pack, the remaining oil can be massaged into the skin or cleaned off using a little soda water made from 1 quart of warm water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
6. The flannel can be reused if stored properly after removing the pack. Put the flannel in either a plastic bag or zip-loc container and place it in the refrigerator. Before using it next time let it warm up and always add another 1 or 2 tablespoons of fresh cold pressed castor oil. (After a month of use I would recommend using new flannel.)

And I found these descriptions on a couple massage therapist's websites:

Heated castor oil: Castor Oil is an anti-toxin that impacts on the lymphatic system and enhances immunological function. It strengthens the Peyer's Patches, which are tiny patches of lymphatic tissue in the mucosal surface of the small intestine. Castor oil was considered to be so powerful as a healing agent that ancient herbal texts refer to it as Palma Christi, the palm of Christ.
Castor Oil Pack
A warm linen cloth soaked in caster oil is placed over the abdomen then heat is applied for 45 to 60 minutes in order to allow the detoxifying qualities of the castor oil to affect the liver, gallbladder and other organs of the abdominal area. This treatment is used in conjunction with abdominal massage to further aid in the detoxification process.

Massage Treatment Add-Ons: Castor Oil Pack
Add a Therapeutic Castor Oil Pack to a 1 Hour or 1.5 Hour Massage
Castor oil packs can be used anywhere on the body to break up scar tissue and adhesions, soften masses, and draw out toxins from as deep as 4 inches. A castor oil pack improves elimination through the bowel, kidneys, and bladder, stimulates peristalsis, and protects the mucous lining of these organs. It improves absorption and assimilation in the digestive organs, balances acid secretions in the stomach, and stimulates the liver, pancreas and gallbladder. Castor oil packs have also been known to improve the function of the thymus gland and other areas of the immune system. Studies have found that abdominal castor oil packs had significant increases in the production of lymphocytes (Lymphocytes are the disease-fighting cells produced by your immune system and housed mainly in lymphatic tissue -- including the thymus gland, spleen, and lymph nodes, as well as the lymphatic tissue that lines the small intestine.) Castor oil packs help improve lymph flow and drainage speeding up the removal of toxins surrounding the cells as a result improving organ function, and a lessening of fatigue and depression. They help the body release toxins, and help restore PH to a less acidic level.

 

[Jacob B]

I seem to recall that the flannel Cayce was known to have
recommended was a wool flannel and it is still available at health food stores, along with the Castor Oil from
Home Health, Co.

For anyone who may want to have a reference guide, this book is available directly through the are.bookstore.com,
which is connected to the Cayce Institue, out of Virginia.
I'm sure you can also find it elsewhere on-line.


The Oil That Heals
A Physician's Successes with Castor Oil Treatments
William A. McGarey
Paeforum.xxxack - 232 pgs
Castor Oil was recommended by Edgar Cayce for treating many ailments that resist traditional therapies. Dr. McGarey's book recounts case histories in which he succeeded in employing castor oil packs as a healing agent for a variety of disorders from constipation and arthritis to ovarian cysts, urinary problems and more. Includes instructions for use of castor oil packs.