Castor Oil uses

20 Strange but Effective Everyday Uses for Castor Oil

 

If your parents ever gave you castor oil as a child, you know just how unpleasant it can be. What is great about this medicinal concoction is that it is filled with Vitamin E which makes it perfect for a number of things, although taking it orally may not be one of them. It is also filled with proteins, minerals and has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties that make it virtually a cure-all for anything that ails you.

 The taste of castor oil alone is enough to make you ban if from your home forever, but there are a number of seemingly abnormal uses for this medicine that does not require you to taste it. Although it can still be used as a laxative (sparingly of course because it works really well) you don’t necessarily have to put it in your mouth to reap its benefits.

Some pregnant women choose to take castor oil to hurry up their labor, although every doctor in the world recommends against this. Because it works as a laxative, it can actually cause dehydration if you take it without actually needing the laxative effects. Otherwise, there are many different ways that you can put that old castor oil to work and you don’t even need a spoon.

1. Lubricate Scissors

Castor oil makes a wonderful lubricant for scissors. Because it actually can be ingested, it is much better for use on metals that touch food than other lubricants that should never touch your mouth. Just rub a bit on your scissors or other utensils and let it sit for a while and then wipe clean with a paper towel or clean cloth.

2. Soothe Eyes

Castor oil works great to remove tiredness from around your eyes. It works much like petroleum jelly but without the mess. Before you go to bed at night, just rub a little around your eyes and even on your eyelashes. Be careful not to get it in your eyes. It will soak in overnight and leave you looking and feeling a bit more refreshed in the morning.

3. Hair and Scalp Treatment

If you tend to have dry scalp or dandruff, you can rub a little castor oil into your scalp and massage it in to alleviate the flakes and itchiness. Incidentally, the oil works really well as conditioner, too. Just mix 2 teaspoons with an egg white and a teaspoon of glycerin and massage into your wet hair. After a few minutes, rinse with warm water.

4. Arthritis Pain Reliever

Massaging castor oil into achy joints will give you a bit of relief from the pain of arthritis. You can mix castor oil with enough turmeric or cayenne powder to make a paste and then rub it into your joints. Be sure that you don’t get this in your eyes, especially if you choose to use cayenne pepper instead of turmeric.

5. Repeal Moles in the Yard

Moles hate castor oil, probably as much as children do. If moles are tearing up your yard or your garden, must mix ½ cup of castor oil with about 2 gallons of water and pour into the molehills. Note that the castor oil will not kill the little creatures but it will definitely make them start looking for somewhere else to hang out.

6. Healthy Bowels

While you should use caution anytime you actually ingest castor oil (because it works so well as a laxative), mixing just a teaspoon into orange or cranberry juice each morning will keep your bowels working regularly. You can also take a teaspoon if you want to detox your intestines but again, be sure that you limit how much you actually ingest.

7. Perk Up Ferns

If your ferns seem to be a bit less than healthy, a mixture of castor oil will perk them right up. Just combine a tablespoon of the oil with 4 cups of warm water and a tablespoon of baby shampoo. Drip about 3 tablespoons into the dirt around the fern and then follow with regular water.

8. Healthy Skin

You can apply castor oil directly to your skin if you want a more youthful glow. Many people don’t know that this oil is great for eliminating and preventing wrinkles and for pregnant women, castor oil rubbed into the skin can help to improve elasticity and prevent stretch marks caused by pregnancy.

9. Calluses and Corns

Castor oil applied directly to the affected areas can help to relieve calluses that are caused by a number of things. You can also massage a bit of castor oil into corns to help alleviate the pain and swelling that they cause and ultimately make them disappear over time. This takes a few applications but definitely works.

10. Make Hair Grow

If you have balding areas on your scalp, or you just want thicker hair, you can massage a bit of castor oil into the affected area for about 6 minutes every day to promote natural hair growth. This also works on eyebrows so if you want thicker eyebrows, just massage a few drops into your eyebrows for a couple of minutes every day.

11. Repair Split Ends

Another hair benefit of castor oil is its ability to help prevent and repair split ends. Just apply a few drops of the oil directly to the ends of your hair to reduce the amount of breakage that you see. It helps to restore health to your hair and will make it much less brittle so there is less breakage.

12. Healthy Lips

Even though you may not want to have castor oil anywhere near your mouth, it does wonders for dry and cracked lips. In case you didn’t already know, castor oil is actually added to many lip remedies that you buy over the counter. You can simply rub a bit on your lips and it will help to heal cracks and prevent further chapping.

13. Relieve Sore Muscles

Castor oil is wonderful as a general massage oil or you can use it to alleviate sore muscles. Just apply directly to the sore area and then massage for as long as you like. Do the same for general massages. It feels great even if you don’t have sore muscles and the Vitamin E content is great for your skin.

14. Scratches

You can relieve the pain from scratches and other abrasions by using castor oil, too. You don’t have to mix it with anything. Just add a few drops to your scratches and the healthy properties of the oils will begin to heal them, much more quickly than without adding anything. It also works great at curing ringworm and other fungal ailments.

15. Acne Treatment

Castor oil works great as a treatment for deep cystic acne. It helps to decrease the inflammation from the acne and kills bacteria which helps the acne to clear up. It works really quickly, too so put it on before you go to bed and you will notice a drastic improvement when you wake up in the morning.

16. Insomnia Treatment

You can help to cure your sleepless nights with castor oil as well. Just rub a bit on your eyelids before you retire for the night, making sure that you don’t actually get any in your eyes. The castor oil will help to bring about a peaceful night’s sleep and you will wake up refreshed in the morning.

17. Alleviate Colic in Babies

Ok, so you don’t actually give the castor oil to babies who have colic. Instead, warm just a bit by rubbing it in your hands and then gently massage baby’s belly area. This will help to alleviate the pain of gas and other tummy troubles in your infant and help them to sleep without causing any adverse side effects like many over the counter medications.

18. Hemorrhoid Treatment

Castor oil works great on shrinking hemorrhoids and alleviating the pain and itching that they cause. You just have to soak a cotton ball in castor oil and then apply it to your hemorrhoids. Note that this really only works for hemorrhoids that are outside the body. Just leave the cotton ball on your hemorrhoids for about 15 minutes or so and you can do this multiple times each day if needed.

19. Beautiful Nails

Massaging just a small amount of castor oil into your cuticles and on your fingernails each day for a couple of months will give you long, healthy and beautiful nails. You can also use it on your toenails so if you are already getting ready for warmer weather, now is the time to start those pedicures with castor oil.

20. Remove Warts and Skin Tags

Castor oil can be used to remove unsightly warts and skin tags. You just have to apply the oil to the wart or skin tag every day for a few weeks and you should begin to see that mark disappear. Note that this will not work on moles on the skin so make sure you know what you are trying to remove before you begin using it.

Raw food diet for Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Survivor Says Raw Food Diet Helped Her Heal

By Jennifer Lilley

Janette Murray-Wakelin is a breast cancer survivor who credits a raw food diet, meditation, physical activity, and following her intuition for her ability heal. In the early 2000s, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer and told that she had just six months to live, without any guarantees. However, within those same six months, she was given a clean bill of health and also went on to participate in hundreds of marathons in only one year.(1,2) That’s right, in just one year.

She explains that she was offered chemotherapy, but that it “didn’t make sense” to her.(1)

“I was already compromised, so why would I compromise myself further so I’d get another six months of being sick?”(1) Rather than embrace what she calls a “very fear-driven” mindset that many doctors create in such a situation, she shunned their chemo and radiation recommendations in favor of alternative methods that she felt were significantly wiser and healthier choices. “Most people go with what their doctor says because they don’t realize that they can take responsibility and control themselves,” Murray-Wakelin says.(1)


The Decision to Walk Away from Traditional Cancer Treatments
So, without hesitation, she walked away from traditional cancer treatments and started asking herself what she could put in her body to make a difference. What made the most sense to her was to enjoy a diet filled with high-nutrient, living foods.(1)

Australia resident Murray-Wakelin, who was a vegetarian at the time of her diagnosis — something she says worked in her favor, making her better poised to fight her breast cancer and respond to juicing — had always been interested in fitness and health. However, she believes that accidental exposure to high-chemical substances that got on her skin and being in an area where she was exposed to toxic levels of pollution led to her diagnosis.(1)

Upon receiving news of her breast cancer, she immediately immersed herself in research and read up on others who chose to forego traditional cancer treatments. Referring to many books and studies that have a slew of side effects and questionable results listed, she notes that “…the smaller the print got, the more it became obvious that this was not the thing to do.”(1) Instead, she turned to the book The Breuss Cancer Cure by Rudolph Breuss, doing a 42-day juice fast based on its writings.(1)


Healing Foods for Breast Cancer Recovery
For her particular situation, the fast included several healthy foods from the Brassicaceae family such as beet root, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.(1) After 42 days, she added other foods such as carrots and green apple to her juices.
Wheat grass was also a must, helping to rid harmful cells. “Cancer cannot survive in an oxygenated environment, therefore the more oxygen I could pump into the body through exercise, conscious breathing and drinking wheat grass, the better,” she says.(2) She says that the idea was to starve her cancer while at the same time, provide the body with nothing but essential nutrients to keep it going strong.(1)


Why Staying Physically Active Keeps Cancer at Bay
As for fitness, she explains that doctors told her to take it easy and to stop running. “So, the first thing I did,” she says with a laugh, “was increase my distance.”(1) Once again, she stresses the importance of how cancer cells can not thrive in an oxygenated environment, which is why she felt exercising more and not less, was essential.

Just how active has she been?
In 2013, her and her husband ran 365 marathons for 365 consecutive days throughout the year. On January 1, 2014, they ran one more which set a new world record for the most consecutive marathons.(3) By the way, they’re both in their sixties! They say their 100% raw vegan plant-based diet, awareness of sustainability, and faith in human kindness and healing naturally keeps them motivated.(3) Barefoot shoes, they add, help too.

She describes having tons of energy and feeling “fantastic.”(2)
“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that consuming 100% raw food made a huge difference to my recovery time and to my overall healing,” she says.(2) “My diagnosis of cancer and resulting journey to optimum health has been an experience I am truly grateful for. I know for certain that I will continue on the raw path, as I continue to experience more health benefits and an ever-increasing enlightened consciousness. Every day is exciting when you are raw!”

Sources for this article include:
(1) https://www.youtube.com/
(2) http://www.rawcancure.com/
(3) http://www.runningrawaroundaustralia.com/

Charlotte Gerson Interview

Video: Charlotte Gerson Interviewed by Dr. Jameth Sheridan

by The Gerson Institute
Today we have the great pleasure to share with you a previously unreleased interview between Charlotte Gerson and her longtime friend, Dr. Jameth Sheridan from 2013! Since Charlotte is in the midst of a difficult recovery from a broken hip and has settled into a well-deserved retirement, she likely won’t be doing any new interviews anytime soon. So, now is a good time to share some unseen gems from our media archive. 

This interview with Dr. Jameth Sheridan was filmed in 2013 at the Charlotte Gerson Health Restoration Center. Dr. Jameth Sheridan is a naturopath and doctor of holistic medicine who has spent decades researching and promoting holistic medicine, raw foods, superfoods and “hard-core” nutrition. He is the co-founder of HealthForce Nutritionals. He has been a friend of Charlotte’s and a supporter of the Gerson Institute for many years!

In this hour-long video, Charlotte and Jameth cover a wide range of topics related to the Gerson Therapy. In the first half, she gives an overview of the Gerson Therapy and how Dr. Max Gerson developed it. In the second half, they address topics and questions such as:

• Why is the Gerson diet so “low” in protein?
• Can the Gerson Therapy be used for diseases other than cancer?
• Does the sugar in carrot juice feed cancer?
• Why is meat prohibited on the Gerson Therapy?
• What role does body pH play in healing cancer?
• What kinds of fats are permitted on the Gerson Therapy?
• What kinds of exercises can Gerson patients do?

Find out these answers and more in the video below!

For more videos, check out the Gerson Institute’s YouTube channel

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Last month, we shared that Charlotte Gerson is currently staying in a rehabilitation center, recovering from a broken hip. Her rehabilitation has been challenging, and her doctors predict it will still be a few months before she can return home. She is getting lots of rest and relaxation–and a daily dose of love and support from the letters and cards many of you have sent! Your cards have helped raise Charlotte’s spirits and made her feel loved. Thank you so much to everyone who has sent such lovely words of support. If you would like to send Charlotte a card, or missed our last update about Charlotte’s health, click here for more information.

November Conscious Box - Gluten-Free

November Conscious Box 2014 - Gluten-Free

How Does Conscious Box work?

Conscious Box is the best way to discover the most ethical and sustainable products on the planet! Focusing on strict tenets of organic, fair trade, and pure and natural products, each month Conscious Box will introduce you to healthy and honest alternatives for every aspect of your life and for every member of your family. Discover the best natural products, earn points for leaving feedback and reviews, and buy your favorites at incredible discounts!

• Get a variety of unique pure & natural products every month!
• From organic food to vegan beauty products, you’re sure to find new favorites!
• Discover ethical and purpose-driven businesses of all sizes!
• Get content on daily living tips, exciting monthly themes, and creative ways to use your box!
• Easily earn points you can apply to full size products for unbeatable discounts! 

Berry Sleepy Superfood Sleep Supplement

Luminance Skincare Deep Hydration

Vibrant Health Immune Defense

Brightcore Nutrition Sweet Wheat® Supplement

MRM TreLEAFia sweetener

NakedWines.com $100 Wine Voucher (Nov '14)

Own Beauty Anti-Aging Trio

Dr. Schar Honeygrams

Natralia Eczema Care Duo Pack

Back to Nature Juice Pouch

Hero Nutritionals Yummi Bears® Wholefood +Antioxidants Gummy Vitamins

sweetriot Love Bites

 

Coconut Veggie Soup

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons ghee (or olive oil)
1 tsp black mustard seeds
1 tsp jeera seeds
fresh garlic
ginger
1 red onion

1 white onion
1 tomato
green onions
fresh broccoli
fresh cauliflower

1 bunch of fresh asparagus
bunch of fresh spinach  

bunch of celery
bunch of cilantro
4 cups veggie stock  
1 can full fat coconut milk

kale (I used kale I froze from my garden)

1 tablespoon minced garlic 

1 teaspoon dried basil
Himalayan salt (to taste)
hot chillies
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
squirt of sriracha (sadly i was out...but it's a soup essential for me)

Directions:

Chop up all veggies into small or sizable pieces according to preference. Heat up ghee or olive oil in pan, add minced garlic, black mustard seeds, jeera and chopped up onions. 

Saute for about 5 minutes until it the onions start to turn translucent. Add the chopped tomato and mix well for a couple of minutes. Add in the can of  coconut milk. Mix in well and add veggie stock. 

Sprinkle basil into soup and cover pan to bring liquid to a boil (do not over cook).  Before it reaches a boil add in the kale. Once it starts to boil turn heat off. Add the spinach, cilantro, salt, pepper, more basil, and cover for 5 minutes after mixing in well. 

It is now ready to eat!  It pairs great with rice or quinoa (for some protein). It makes for an even more hardy meal, perfect for winter days!

Don't over cook the veggies

Added last

Add the spinach and cilantro after you turn the heat off...then cover for 5 minutes.

Add the spinach and cilantro after you turn the heat off...then cover for 5 minutes.

Ready to serve! This pot lasts at least 2 days of meals.

 I added rice to a serving...for some variety.