Category: Resources

In addition to holistic practitioners, several hospitals include castor oil packs as an integrative therapy.

The North Broward Hospital District (Florida - one of the largest systems in the US) utilises castor oil pack therapy for lung cancer patients to decrease the side effects of chemotherapy and aid the lungs in detoxification. The pack is applied with a heat source for 30 minutes or more for 3-4 consecutive days. Hospitals within the NBHD network also use castor oil pack therapy for bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The University of Maryland Medical Center includes castor oil packs in their integrative approach to pelvic inflammatory disease, irritable bowel syndrome, low back pain, kidney stones, and lung cancer.

The Mercy Medical Center (Iowa) endorses castor oil packs for gallbladder disease and congestive heart failure.

Allina Hospitals and Clinics (Minnesota and Wisconsin) recommends castor oil packs for pelvic inflammatory disease.

The Baltimore Washington Medical Center endorses castor oil packs as a treatment for ulcerative colitis and pertussis.

Category: Essential Oils

Lice are expulsed with lavender essential oil while tea tree oil kills them (gasses them). When applied with the viscous castor oil, lice cannot cling to the hair and scalp.

An effective treatment is to apply warmed Palm'Hydra Hair & Scalp to scalp (directions on package). Massage treatment into scalp and cover head with a shower cap for 30 minutes. Rinse and wash*
Treatment should be repeated 2 days later.

All bedding is to be laundered upon discovery of lice. Every morning thereafter (for 7-9 days) pillows and pillow cases should be placed in dryer on high heat for 15 minutes. A nit comb, used morning and evening, will ensure the infestation is over. To the untrained eye, mild dandruff can be mis-identified as lice. A good parent/teacher resource to identify lice.

To sooth isolated itching shake a few drops of pure tea tree oil onto localized area and massage into scalp.

Lice and castor oil


*Washing Head: A tea tree oil shampoo can be used. Best results are obtained when tea tree essential oil is added to 4oz water prior to adding dry Ghassoul to make a wash-paste. Use more water for longer hair.

Category: Applications

Smooth Muscles and Castor Oil

Most people are aware of the value of chiropractic adjustments in hastening recovery from injuries involving pain or spasm in the muscles of the back or neck. It's important to understand, however, that the muscles involved in these painful injuries – skeletal muscles – are only one type of muscle in human anatomy. Another type of muscle – smooth muscle – lines every artery in your body. Like skeletal muscle, smooth muscle is influenced by spinal nerves. Just as vertebral misalignment or restriction (subluxation) can cause painful spasm in skeletal muscle, it's possible they also can cause tension in these smooth muscles. Tension in the smooth muscles lining your arteries can bring about elevated blood pressure or hypertension. Recent research indicates aggravation of hypertension by vertebral subluxation might be much more than just a theoretical possibility.

Charles Masarsky, DC