Why didn't I think of this option as well? To be honest I forgot until a client of mine asks me: "Stefan, what do you think of Castor oil."
Childhood memories came back. In Austria, as children we were given castor oil chest rubs when we had a cold or had ankle sprains. I never understood the benefit of it, until I studied for my masters in holistic nutrition.
What is Castor oil?
Castor oil is extracted from the seeds of the castor oil plant whose Botanical name is ricinus communis. It has been used in folk medicine more than 4000 years ago in Egypt for eye irritations, in India and China for the induction of childbirth and in Rome Greece and Southern Europe as a laxative.
Studies have found that Castor oil packs increase the number of total lymphocytes and an increase in the number of T- cells within a 24 hour period following the treatment. In short, it general boosts the body's defense statues since lymphocytes defend the by forming antibodies against pathogens and their toxins. T-cells identify and kill viruses, fungi, bacteria and cancer cells. Castor oil packs have also been found to increase the healing of sustained injuries where the skin is not broken.
My client's acupuncturist recommended to her to try castor oil packs to help healing her sustained knee injury. And here is how you would go about it:
Take a cloth and wet it with hot water. Pour the castor oil in the cloth so that it is soaked, but not dripping with oil. Place it to the area where you experience pain. You can wrap cellophane around it to keep it in place, and to prevent it from dripping over your bed sheets. It would be best would be to do this before bedtime and to leave it on for 6 to 7 hours.
Yet, before you start with any treatment, please check in with your health care practitioner to clarify what kind of injuries you might have sustained.
Stefan Aschan is a leading expert on lifestyle, health and fitness who has helped more than 30,000 people get fit through advice on nutrition, fitness and lifestyle changes. For your free "How to live 100 years in perfect health" report and the must read "updates and solution" newsletter on how to have 10 times more success, stay on top of your goals, and accomplish the change of body and appearance, go here.