A Product of Uganda
Castor oil: A Complete Medicine Chest
Castor oil was a part of my family's medicine chest. Once a month my Grandmother or Mother gave it to all the children for internal cleansing, and to make sure we stayed in good health. As I grew older, I became fascinated by the different healing properties of herbs, and relied on castor oil as my number one remedy. I have used it for female problems, by making a castor oil pack and placing it over the troubled area. The next morning I will wash the area with warm water and baking soda to alkalinize the area where toxins have been released.
A castor oil pack is simply cotton flannel material saturated with the oil, and placed over the abdomen or any area that needs care. Cover the flannel with clear plastic food wrap, then a towel over it, and apply heat to increase penetration, (heating pad). I also use it as my facial massage oil to relieve any stress that may be held in my face. As my eye soother, I place it around my tired eyes before retiring. Finally, it is my all over body massage oil, keeping my skin supple and smooth.
Castor oil is also know as Palma Christi (which means the Palm of Christ). Knowing that the palm of Christ is healing me, gives me great comfort as I apply the oil. The oil is safe, and I have been using it topically for over 20 years. I am grateful for Mother Nature and for the wisdom of the Elders in my Family for bringing me an understanding of and appreciation for this remarkable oil. May you too enjoy its many benefits.
Margaret Pemberton, Atlanta, GA
Nutritional Consultant
The Castor Oil plant (Ricinus Communis) is native to India, Africa and Central America and grows wild in most of the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. It was cultivated 6000 years ago by the Egyptians, who used the oil as fuel to burn in their lamps. It was known to Herodotus, who calls it Kiki, and states that it furnishes an oil much used by the Egyptians, in whose ancient tombs, seeds of Ricinus are found. Around the 4th century BC, it had already been introduced into Greece where it is cultivated even today under the same ancient name. It was employed medically in Europe during the early Middle Ages and used externally in skin diseases. In the 18th century, its cultivation in Europe as a medicinal plant had ceased and small supplies of the seeds and oil required for European medicine were obtained from Jamaica. The name "castor" was originally applied to the plant in Jamaica where it is called "Agnus castus", although it bears no resemblance to the south European plant of the same name. In Jamaica, the oil is extracted by cold pressing (without heat).
Medicinally, the oil is used as a purgative and laxative, taken in teaspoon doses followed by a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice. Castor Oil has a very radical effect on the stomach and intestines and is not recommended for internal use in large quantities especially for children. In fact, caution is recommended when using Castor Oil, and other herbal laxatives such as senna pods are more highly recommended. The oil has many good external uses. In China, it is used as a rub for deformed faces and joints. Warm Castor Oil is used as a rub for arthritis and rheumatism and as a bath oil, it relieves many skin problems. In Jamaica, the plant known as agnus castus is used to cure constipation and bodily pain. The oil applied to wounds will stop bleeding. Hot Castor Oil massaged into the hair will strengthen it and eliminate dandruff, lice, fleas, and other scalp problems. Mixed with olive oil, it will blacken hair and mixed with cocoa butter, it will make it grow. The leaves can be used in a bath to reduce swelling in the joints, to relieve all bodily pains, and to increase the flow of milk in nursing mothers.
1. Rashan Abdul Hakim, Basic Herbs and Healing, 1989.
2. "Castor Oil Plant ", A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve, www.Botanical.com
