Castor Oil:
The Oil That Heals
Edgar Cayce has been called the father of the modern-day holistic health movement, and his physical readings continue to be studied by physicians to determine it the material given for specific individuals years ago can be used today to help those who suffer from similar conditions. The principles of health and healing in the Edgar Cayce readings are that the balance of body, mind, and soul are so closely intertwined that the dis-ease of any of these three aspects will also affect the other two.
Castor oil is derived from the bean of the Ricinus communis or Palma Christi (palm of Christ) plant, having beautiful large palmate leaves. Through the Cayce readings, it is apparent that the oil of this humble plant is a marvelous source for a multitude of natural remedies. Castor oil is mentioned for use in the form of external oil packs in over 570 health readings. The packs were indicated for use in a wide variety of health situations, from arthritis, to liver and intestinal conditions, to scleroderma. Additionally, castor oil was sometimes recommended for use in massage for various skin disorders, tumors, and breast cancer. Clearly, the beneficial usage of castor oil is wide ranging indeed!
What is a castor oil pack?
The standard castor oil pack is made from several layers of white wool flannel, folded to about the size of a 10” by 14” rectangle. The white wool flannel is then saturated, but not dripping, with cold-pressed castor oil. In many cases, the oil is warmed before use. Basic instructions for making your own castor oil pack and materials source suggestions are attached.
How are castor oil packs used?
Please consult the circulating files and readings for information pertaining to various dis-eases and the recommended treatment applications of castor oil packs. Any of the suggestions from the medical readings should be used under the supervision of a health care professional. Exact placement of the pack on the body, length and duration of treatment time, and use of heat varied in the readings according to the dis-ease being treated.
Usually, the pack is placed on the lower right side of the abdomen, in the area between the lower rib and upper edge of the hipbone. The readings often suggest that the castor oil pack be applied for one hour. A heating pad (as warm as possible) is placed on top of the castor oil pack. A large bath or beach towel is then wrapped around the body, covering the castor oil pack and heating pad. The towel should be pinned securely to hold everything in its place during the treatment.
Afterwards, the skin should be washed off with baking soda and water. Most readings suggest follow-up regimes, such as treatments for three days in a row, then four days off, for three weeks. Then, no treatment is used during the fourth week, but is resumed as before in the fifth week. Some readings also recommend a small dose of olive oil be administered after the treatments.
How can I prevent the castor oil packs from staining my clothing and linens?
Castor oil is highly penetrating. Protect your clothing and bedding from direct contact with the oil with plastic garbage bags, plastic sheeting (such as dry cleaning bags, or old plastic tablecloths or shower curtains). Plastic food wrapping or a large plastic bag may be used to protect your heating pad. Washing soda (sal soda) may be used during laundering to remove some of the accidental castor oil stains on fabric.
How are castor oil packs maintained?
The same castor oil pack may be used again for additional treatments after being re-saturated with oil. The castor oil packs may be stored in a glass jar or sealed in a plastic bag for six months to a year, providing it does not become rancid or soiled. Do not wash the fabric. Simply add more oil if it begins to dry out. It is recommended that the castor oil pack be used and re-used by the same individual, and not shared with others.
How do castor oil packs work?
Why are they so versatile and appropriate for so many different conditions? The readings recommend castor oil packs for such a wide realm of dis-eases that it is truly amazing. How can this be so? Traditional medical science views castor oil primarily as a cathartic agent to be taken orally. The Cayce readings focus upon the external application of castor oil.
Today, we do know that castor oil has a unique chemical profile rich in ricinoleic acid, with an “18 carbon acid having a double bond in the 9-10 position and a hydroxyl group on the 12th carbon. This relationship of hydroxyl group and unsaturation exists only in castor oil.” 1 We do not know exactly how castor oil really works on the body. Cayce’s ability to discern all of the interactions of the body’s systems and any existing imbalances therein was remarkable. Perhaps the wisdom of Cayce’s higher consciousness truly perceived the ability of castor oil in addressing these imbalances.
William McGarey, The Oil That Heals: A Physician’s Successes With Castor Oil Treatments, (Virginia Beach: VA, A.R.E. Press, 1993), p.62.
Creating a Castor Oil Pack
Materials Needed:
Wool flannel cloth: (Cotton flannel may be used if you are allergic to wool.)
Wash and dry the cloth before its initial use to remove any impurities. The size of the cloth needed for use varies. For an abdominal pack constructed for the average person, after folding the cloth several times, the cloth would be about 10” in width to 14” in length. (Refer directly to the readings to determine the number of times the cloth must be folded. Generally, the more heat that is to be applied, the more times the cloth must be folded, thereby requiring more cloth.) You may need two cloths.
Cold-pressed castor oil (one pint)
Plastic sheeting
Potential sources include plastic shower curtains, plastic tablecloths, large garbage bags, recycled dry cleaning bags etc.
Plastic food wrap
Electric heating pad or hot water bottle
Two old towels (These may get stained with castor oil.)
One beach towel or very large bath towel
One regular bath towel
Safety pins (two or more)
Baking Soda
Optional Materials:
Washing soda (sal soda) may be used during laundering to remove some of the accidental castor oil stains on bedclothes
Olive oil (two tablespoons per treatment or as indicated in the readings)
For additional information, please refer to the listing of Edgar Cayce books on health and healing or the circulating files. Circulating files may be purchased directly from the ARE or loaned to members. Consult the supplier’s list for information on obtaining products mentioned in the readings
Directions for Use of Castor Oil Packs:
1. Protect the bed with plastic sheeting. Place the beach towel upon the plastic sheeting.
2. Turn the heating pad on to a medium heat setting. Cover the pad generously with plastic food wrap. Place the flannel on the wrapping and pour castor oil slowly over the cloth, one layer at a time until it becomes well saturated, but not dripping. If there is excess oil, wring it out and return the saturated cloth to the covered heating pad. Heat the castor oil pack on medium heat for about 10 minutes. Do not leave unattended.
3. Place the castor oil pack and plastic food wrap on the body, with the warmed flannel next to the skin, using the directions for position as indicated by the readings. (For example, the readings indicate that the castor oil pack be placed on the right side for intestinal dis-ease and the left side for pancreatic dis-ease.) Place the heating pad on top of the covered castor oil pack.
4. Wrap the smaller towel about the body lengthwise to cover the castor oil pack and heating pad. You may want to use the safety pins to secure everything in its place.
5. The heating pad setting may be increased, but do not heat the pack beyond your comfort level. Do not fall asleep while using the heating pad! Continue the treatment for 1 to 2 hours or as directed by the readings.
¨Do not apply heat if you are experiencing abdominal pain. Seek medical advice for diagnosis of abdominal pain.
¨Heating pads should not be using during pregnancy, during menstrual flow, or if you are experiencing gaseous stomach or intestinal conditions.
6. The skin in the treated area should be cleansed afterwards with a solution of one cup of warm water and one teaspoon of baking soda.
7. Store the castor oil pack in a glass jar or plastic bag between treatments. You may wish to refrigerate the pack.
8. Refer to the specific readings or circulating files for the proper sequence of treatments and whether or not the treatment should be followed with two tablespoons olive oil taken orally.
9. For best results, use the castor oil packs in a quiet relaxed setting without distractions. You may enjoy reading spiritual and uplifting materials. Maintain a meditative, prayerful, and expectant attitude. Keep positive thoughts. 12/30/99
