A spoonfull of sugar? or Castor Oil?
Yes, your grandmother was right, castor oil is good for you, and in fact it’s very good for you. Its a bit of a blast from the past and isn’t as fashionable as retro telephones – which make unusual gifts, but it should be part of our modern lives. Its taste isnt nice, but you can try and mask the flavour with lemon. I do remember being a kid and refusing to open my mouth to take it.
But what is Castor Oil exactly? The Castor Plant of India supplies the beans, and the oil is crushed from the beans and gathered to create the oil?
The oil is made of up a combination of 3 fatty oils, 1) palmitic acid 2) oleic acid amd 3) alpha-linolenic acid and a single glycerol molecule. Having all of these fatty acids present means that Castor Oil contains twice as much energy as carbohydrates and proteins making Castor oil play an important role in human metabolism.
In traditional folk medicine it was used for all sorts of things from skin problems and burns to headaches and muscle pains.
Many doctors still advise on what is called a castor oil pack, which is made by soaking a piece of flannel in castor oil, then putting it on the area of complaint and placing a heat source, such as hot water bottles, on top of that. From Constipation to Liver and kidney disorders, A Castor Oil pack is said to benefit them all. It works in the same way as acupuncture by helping to improve the blood flow.
The most impressive thing about the oil is its ability to strengthen the immune system, its does this by increasing the number of lymphocytes in the body, this happens when it is absorbed directly through the skin.
A Castor oil pack would be applied to the lower abdomen, this would be done around 3 times per week to help blood flow. How did it do this? most likely due to Castor Oils ability to penetrate the skin.
Here is how to make a Castor oil pack:
3 large layers of untreated wool or cotton, over the affected area of the body
* Castor oil
* Plastic wrap cut 1-2″ larger than the flannel (can be cut from a plastic bag)
a container
* Old clothes and sheets. Remember that Castor oil will stain clothing and bedding.
So there you are, Castor oil – one of natures wonder medicines, and if you fancy taking half a spoonful a day, you can add a little honey and lemon to make it taste better.