This week the ADOFitness trainers will be addressing a natural route to promoting reproductive health Coach Trista discusses the benefits and uses of castor oil packs

Castor oil is derived from the seeds of the castor plant native to India. It has been used in traditional medicine for centuries up to modern day naturopathic medicine. Castor oil is a triglyceride made up of fatty acids with roughly 90% consisting of ricinoleic acid which is found to be the primary healing property when used medicinally.This oil can be used internally or externally. The benefits of utilizing packs are large in comparison to the cost and accessibility. Uses range over a broad list of ailments including infertility/hormone balance, digestive issues, inflammation, and detoxification.
For a woman who is experiencing ammenhoreah, (the absence of a menstrual cycle) there is an underlying imbalance in the body. This can be caused from nutritional deficiencies where there are not enough nutrients to sustain normal endocrine functions, it can be caused by low body fat, and also stress. These disruptions cause our hormones to stall in their intricate messaging system to allow our body to menstruate. The ricinoleic acid in castor oil helps to stimulate and normalize menstrual flow. This also enhances the absorption of fat molecules in the digestive tract which is essential for balancing hormones.Castor oil also aids in improving fertility by stimulating the circulatory system, improved circulation brings fresh oxygenated blood flow through the abdomen and nourishes the reproductive organs helping them to function properly.

It also increases detoxification of the liver. (Quite possibly our hardest working organ) our liver removes excess hormones and sorts through all the “junk” in our system. It is also the source of most of the lymph produced in the body to remove waste/toxins especially in the reproductive organs. Liver health is vital to our lymphatic system. The movement of fresh blood flow also helps to heal any damaged tissues within our reproductive system.

For GI distress and constipation, transdermal absorption can promote blood flow through improved circulation to the intestines. When taken orally, the ricinoleic acid promotes peristalsis which is the muscular contraction of the intestines. Castor oil also has anti inflammatory properties. Poor circulation is often the cause of abdominal inflammation whether from ovarian cysts, blocked Fallopian tubes, uterine fibroids, or intestinal blockages. Instructions and supplies for making a castor oil pack:

1. castor oil (organic hexane free)
2. cotton flannel rag
3. Plastic bag
4. heat source (hot water bottle or heating pad)
Instructions: saturate your rag with the castor oil usually 1/4 cup. Place directly on your abdomen. Place the plastic bag over the top followed by the heating pad. Hold in place for 40-45 minutes. It is best to use castor oil packs 3-4 consecutive nights in a row.