Is Castor Oil a Miracle Plant Part 1

Castor Oil in ancient times was known as Palma Christi ( the Palm of Christ) due to its wide and successful uses to heal the body. There are still many uses of Castor oil. However, in modern society it is mainly known for its usage as an oral laxative.

I have been using Castor oil on myself for years. I started initially using  it while working for a group of naturopaths who would recommend it to patients for digestive issues.

To continue getting a first hand understanding about how it works I continue to use it and expand where and why I use it on myself. The more I speak to people about how I use castor oil the more others share their stories and expand on its usefulness. Whether you believe this oil is the hand of Christ being laid upon you creating miracle cures or not, you will surely soon agree it is a versatile Oil. As Buddha said, don't believe what I say without testing it out first. After doing your own research and experimentation compare to what I've shared and make up your mind regarding how beneficial castor oil is for your wellness program.

Here is a short list of body issues which can be improved or healed by castor oil:
1. Softening of scar tissue
2. Removal of warts
3. Removal of callous and corns
4. Improving hair repair and growth
5. Reduction in Arthritis pain
6. Reduction or elimination of menstrual cramps
7. Reduction or elimination of hemorrhoids
8. Reduce or eliminate cysts formation
9. Reduce or eliminate muscle pain
10. Clear acne
11. Improve nail health
12. Serves as an anti-bacterial and  Anti-fungal
13. Removal of skin tags
14. Reducing or eliminating bags under the eyes
15. The most well know usage: improving digestion and reducing or eliminating constipation
16. Used in combination with baking soda as a paste it can help remove moles

Though there are many articles reporting the claims of people like me with their successful experiences with castor oil, it is rare to see published medical studies supporting its medicinal benefits. You will find nods by the American Cancer Society reporting castor oil being used as a vehicle to deliver  chemotherapy drugs to cancerous tumors. And though they suggest its topical use has been connected to the prevention and treatment of cancer, they repeat there is no scientific support for this connection. There is so much layman interest in this oil a group has developed the International Castor Oil Association. You can google this association to get the latest news on castor oil.

The FDA has determined it safe and effective for humans to use internally as a stimulate, laxative. However, some individuals who have consumed too much for extended periods of time have experienced unpleasant results. These unpleasant results were; diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fluid and electrolyte imbalances, abdominal cramping/pain and sever gas. These results have not been reported with external use of castor oil.  Still, as with any treatment, one should be aware of any unusual symptoms that linger and should inform one's doctor or health care provider.

Now let's look at what Castor Oil is and how it can contribute to the 16 benefits listed above.

Castor oil is extracted from seeds of the castor plant (Ricinus Communis). It is classified as a vegetable oil. It's biology defines it as a triglyceride, monounsaturated 18 chain fatty acid. The component that sets it apart from other vegetable oils and makes it the miracle oil is Ricinoleic acid. It is also biodegradable.

Image from google (studiobotanica)

Other  important components contributing to the medicinal benefits of castor oil :
1. Vitamin E which helps to improve the immune system, improve circulation in the veins and heart,
                        improves the function of red blood cells and widens blood vessels
2. Omega 6 essential fatty acids which help to plump up tissues and promotes new cell growth
3. A low molecular weight which allows it to be easily absorbed by the skin and taken to the depths
                        of organs
4. Oleic acid which serves, along with ricinoleic acid, as an antimicrobial

The medicinal benefits resulting from the major and minor components of this versatile oil are :
1. Improved circulation
2. Improved/ increased white blood cell count
3. Increased lymphocytes (the disease fighters) housed in thymus gland, spleen, lymph nodes, and the     lymph tissue lining the small intestine
4. Enhanced moisture retention
5. A warming effect
6. Decreased inflammation
7. Stimulation and improved function of internal organs
8. Stimulation of the production of collagen and elastin
9. Decrease or elimination of unhealthy bacteria and fungus

You may also hear about the other side of the extraction process, the meal, that is left after the oil is extracted. This part of the plant needs to be handled with the utmost of care and must not come into contact with the human body because the protein  (Ricin) contained in the meal is highly poisonous. This protein does not come into contact with the oil after processing, which makes the oil safe.

Now you know what it is and what it does, let's discuss what to look for when buying the oil. The appearance of the oil can vary. I find, the higher grade, 100% natural, organic, unrefined, cold pressed products sold in health food stores tend to have a darker, richer color and often have a bit of a woody smell. For added benefits I've been told to select the raw product. The bottle should also say for external use only.

 My favorite brand

In the next series of writings on castor oil I'll discuss in more detail how it works to eliminate constipation and how it promotes health as a topical treatment.


I hope this first part has sparked your interest to read more and to do your own experiments.

As always never start a treatment program without consulting with your MD or other health care provider.

A Supported and Healthy Cleanse Part 2

In Part one we discussed why you may want to look into starting a cleanse and we spoke about scheduling an exam with a health care provider to determine if your body can handle a cleanse.

Now let's look at what is meant by a cleanse, detox, fast and an elimination diet, so you will have a better idea what your doctor is recommending once they have determined your body can handle the work.


Most of us have heard our doctors tell us to fast before taking certain blood tests. Have we ever thought about why we need to fast prior to these tests or when looking to clean out our bodies?

We absorb nutrients, minerals and sugars from the food and beverages we eat. When our health care providers are trying to determine what our baseline levels are we need to avoiding eating or drinking anything that will increase, Iron levels, blood glucose (sugar), lipids, or affect our liver enzymes ( such as drinking alcohol). Usually to ensure there are no false readings our medical team will have us avoid eating and drinking for anywhere from 8-12 hours and 24 hours when dealing with alcohol. Eliminating liquids does not include water. This is known as a fasting blood test. It is not dealing with cleaning out your body, but rather it's looking to see how your body has been absorbing and utilizing the food it consumes. In this way the doctor can see if you need to eat foods with more Calcium (as one example) or you are not processing sugars well and may be heading to diabetes or other system issues.

Another popular reason to fast is religious observance. Fasting has been very common in the Catholic church for years. The saints would consume only water for one day a week to help them maintain balance and connection or to show devotion by giving up something of value. I carry the name of one of those saints. But that's for another blog story.  Not only did this practice help them spiritually it improved their well-being.  Though this practice has been around for centuries and has scientific backing, the research has yet to explain why intermittent fasting is beneficial to well-being. The research has shown periodically restricting food intake for 24-48 hours can help the body deal with stress load, improve the neuronal health of brain cells, have a better response to insulin, improved metabolism, improved immune response and increase overall life span.

By definition fasting means to consciously reduce or eliminate certain or all food and drink for a period of time. An absolute fast is solely consuming water for 24 - 48 hours.

What does the body do when we limit the availability of food? It begins to function to optimize energy. Our bodies are wonderful at adapting and utilizing what has been stored in the cells and fat more efficiently.  The fatty tissues (adipose) hold onto resources for a long-term energy source. While the liver can convert its stores of glucose into fast energy. Once the body uses up the liver's energy stores it begins to break down the fat for fuel. This shift in energy source may be one reason why fasting leads to the benefits it produces within the body.

Who shouldn't fast:
1. Someone with liver or kidney issues
2. Someone with a history of heart rhythm issues
3. Someone with a history of malnutrition or eating disorder
4. Women who are or may be pregnant

What is an elimination diet?
This form of eating requires a person to remove all foods that could be seen by the body as an allergen and then gradually reintroduce those  foods one at a time. Most people will turn to this method when they are having allergy symptoms or experiencing unexplained sensitivity reactions.

Your doctor will be the best one to direct you as to which foods to eliminate. In general most elimination diets remove all gluten sources, all animal products (meat, eggs and dairy), soy, corn, coffee, caffeine,  alcohol, most sugars, nuts, citrus fruits (orange, lemon, grapefruit, strawberries etc), and nightshade vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant etc). The time one follows this food adjustment varies depending on why your doctor determined its need. Usually for an adult it will last about a month. At the end of the month your doctor will have you bring back one food, usually what you think may be effecting you the most, for one day. Then you will monitor your response for two to three days. If no adverse signs or symptoms are seen then you introduce the next food and so on for approximately 5-6 weeks. With the allergens identified most people will feel an increase in energy, stamina, and thought processes.

What is meant by detoxifying your body? From a biology stand point the body is built to detox on a daily basis with no extra help from us. When we exhale we are eliminating unwanted wastes. Once we take in oxygen,use it, we then need to get ride of its counter part, carbon dioxide (which as you know at high levels can kill). Our livers are riding us of waste as bile, kidneys produce urine, colon produces fecal matter, and the skin is constantly shedding  dead skin cells and sweet (to name a few of its waste products). For women the biggest detox process happens on a monthly basis via the menstrual cycle. In the world of holistic health a detox program in general is geared to support the body's organs of elimination to work more efficiently.

In general most discussion will use the term cleanse and detox interchangeable. In my opinion a cleanse is a method of introducing food in a way that will move built up waste through the body's tubes, pipes, vessels faster and more efficiently. It is a way to enhance the natural detox system of the organs of elimination.

What is needed to break build- up from the walls of your piping system and wash it out of the body? Well we have already discussed the most important means, water. Liquid is the number one enhancer however, there are no calories, fats, protein, sugars, fiber or vitamins and only trace mineral in water. Therefore, a prolonged cleanse requires liquids that are nutrient dense, which brings us to the practice of juicing fruits and vegetables. By juicing raw fruits and vegetables you will have the nutrients you need to maintain health while providing fluid to wash away toxins and other debris.

Besides washing out the tubes we also need to introduce foods like Chlorophyll which will bind to toxins and carry them out of the body. We can eat fruits and veggies with high Vitamin C contents to convert toxins into more digestible materials. Eating Citrus foods are important as they spark the liver's enzymatic process. The liver can also be enhanced by antioxidant foods such as green tea. "Good" oils such as the omegas are helpful with the lubrication of the intestinal walls. During a cleanse we also want to address other organism that may have grown to unhealthy numbers or are parasitic, garlic is a food to help in this area. Finally we want to consume foods like turmeric to help us reduce or eliminate inflammation. It is not uncommon to experience more pain and inflammation or even flu like symptoms while doing a cleanse. This usually happens when we are doing a cleanse for the very first time or we have overwhelmed our bodies for an extend period  with less beneficial foods or lived in toxic/polluted environments.

Another food source that is valuable during a cleanse are herbs. The subject of herbs for enhancing the body's detox process can generate volumes of books.  Supplements for cleansing are basically herbs placed in capsules. There are also two camps of herbs Western and Eastern and that is all I'll say on this subject.

Whether to do a cleanse focused on eating raw vs. cooked foods will be determined by your doctor based on your constitution and any symptoms you presented at the start of your testing. One symptom would be cold feet and hand or mucus. In this case a Naturopath may recommend you focus on lightly cooked foods and avoid foods that have high water contents and raw foods.


What does all of this information tell us? First, if we are eating clean, healthy, balanced foods and consuming enough water our bodies are built to detox on a daily basis without extra work by us. Knowing our baseline functioning and our constitution will help us determine what to introduce to enhance our natural detox system if we have created a build up of toxins and hard to digest materials.

I am not one to follow what I consider a fade cleanse like doing only, a mixture of honey, lemon, cayenne pepper and water for weeks or the salt water cleanse. I believe in doing a cleanse in stages by kick starting the energy stores with a water fast. Then cleaning the liver so it is working at top form to handle the dumping of toxins from the fat stores and other storage sites. Followed by an elimination diet to see if the body has developed any intolerance for any foods. Finally, completing the process by reintroducing foods that can continue cleaning out all systems. Once everything is clean and shiny I like to continue eating clean and healthy foods to maintain a balanced system for as long as possible. I feel staging the process is less traumatic to the body.

Finally, if you are interested in adding herbs to your cleanse routine, I highly recommend finding a good medical provider well versed in either Western or Eastern herbs. Personally, it has been easier to go with Western herbs because I can recognize the names and more readily find information explaining their usage.

My next installment will discuss what massage techniques can enhance your cleanse routine.

Again, I hope you found this information to be of value.

Getting To know Colette as a Massage Therapist

If you have been wondering who Colette is and how she became the therapist she is today, we put together a little insight here.

Colette Chavez Walker graduated from East/West College of Massage in Portland, Oregon. She was trained by some of the best massage therapist and instructors in Portland namely John Hart, TJ Ford and Allison Longstretg  Lurie.  Always striving for more knowledge and means to provider her clients with the best and most effective results ,Colette has taken extensive continuing education courses. Most recently, she traveled to Thailand with her instructor Allison Lurie. There she immersed herself in all things Thai; as Thai massage is more than just a series of strokes, it is part of a living culture where food, mediation and bodywork are all equal parts of bringing a person into their highest well being. Colett's techniques are also greatly influence by her time learning, Lomi(a form of Hawaiian massage)from Native Hawaiian, Kamaile Puaoi, who truly embodies the Aloha essence. Colette is also certified in Orthopedic Massage by founder James Waslaski. Another one of Colette's passions is women's health. To gain more knowledge in this realm, Colette studied with Dr. Randine Lewis, author of “The Infertility Cure” and Founder of Fertile Soul.

 Through her oral health studies at UCLA Colette is also trained in working with muscular conditions related to the jaw. Working with the Naturopaths at Tigard Holistic Health Clinic, Colette refined her understanding of the importance of alternative healing arts and was provided with methods for caring for clients going through cancer therapies. 

Colette is also a Reiki master and has been utilizing the Usui method of Reiki for over 10 years.  While in Thailand, Colette was introduced to Chi Nei Tsang (stomach massage, but oh so much more). This amazing technique blends beautifully with her Reiki practice of mediation. Colette’s other source of mediation, spirituality, empowerment and exercise is Belly Dance. Through Reiki, Chi Nei Tsang and belly dance, she has come to understand that all things are connected both macrocosmically as well as microcosmically; therefore the healing process must be dealt with on all levels, within all our bodies (emotional, mental, physical and spiritual). Colette understands that to find and maintain health, we should care for our bodies as though they were infants, addressing our individual needs, while balancing nutritional, emotional, mental, spiritual and physical aspects of our being.

Colette is a practitioner that listens to her client’s body, working on a myofascial, neuromuscular and energetic level to help release blocks and tension, easing the client back to their ideal alignment. She is dedicated to guiding rather than leading her clients to a path of balance within mind, body and spirit. Each of her sessions is customized to the client’s individual needs, desires and comfort.

Website: colette.massagetherapy.com