Castor Oil Pack

FIRST AID USES OF CASTOR OIL

For Sprains, Strains, Fractures, Bruises: Castor oil, applied topically will greatly reduce the pain, swelling, and discoloration due to soft tissue injury. Apply castor oil directly to the affected area or use a castor oil fomentation. Continue treatment for up to 48 hours applying more oil as it is absorbed by the body.

For Chapped or Irritated Skin: The emollient properties of castor oil makes it excellent for soothing chapped lips and dry or irritated skin.

For Ear Infections: Warmed castor oil dropped in the ear can lessen the pain caused by infection.

INDICATIONS

May be used on any part of the body to help draw out infection or congestion; aids in healing. Apply when at rest, in a calm, quiet environment. Pack should be in place for 1-1.5 hours for best results.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Do not use heat with uterine growths, bleeding, pregnancy, ulcers or while menstruating. Do not fall asleep while using the electric heating pad.

SUPPLIES FOR CASTOR OIL PACK

Flannel or wool cloth
Heating pad
Plastic wrap
Castor oil

PREPARATION OF PACK

1. Fold the flannel or wool cloth into 2-4 thicknesses, and a suitable size to cover recommended body area.

2. Either soak the pack in preheated castor oil, or saturate the cloth with castor oil, and heat the castor oil pack in the oven on a cookie sheet at a low temperature. (Don't use your microwave oven, as you can too easily scorch the oil and pack.) You want the pack very hot, but not hot enough to burn your skin.

3. Apply pack to area of body you wish to treat.

4. Place sheet of plastic over pack. This is to prevent oil from ruining your clothes and linen.

5. Place heating pad on top of plastic, and turn heating pad on to medium, or to high if tolerable.

6. Treatment should continue for one hour. Longer treatments are not harmful, though it is not advisable to fall asleep with the heating pad on.

7. To complete treatment remove the castor oil pack, and cleanse your skin with a solution of baking soda. (1 teaspoon baking soda to 1 pint of water.)

8. The pack can be stored in the refrigerator in a container. It can be reused 20-25 times, after which it should be washed or dry-cleaned.

USAGE OF CASTOR OIL PACK

Spread castor oil directly on affected area. Cover with plastic wrap or a plastic bag. This may be covered with a towel, or T-shirt. If skin is sensitive to plastic, use a paper towel between skin and plastic wrap. For arms and legs, a plastic bag with the end cut off works well. An old sock with the toe cut off makes an ideal outer bandage. The heel of the sock fits an elbow perfectly, or a knee if a stretchy sock is chosen.

Do the treatment 1-3X per day in an acute ailment, 1-3X per week in a chronic ailment.