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Castor Oil for Arthritis Pain

Using castor oil as treatment for arthritis has been around since Edgar Cayce, the psychic, advocated its use. He pioneered the use of castor packs for healing of arthritis as well as other medical conditions. Castor oil medicinal use dates to ancient Egyptian times, when it was consumed to relieve constipation.

  1. Medicinal Properties

    • Castor oil is made up for 90 percent fatty acid (ricinoleic acid), which is what makes castor oil good for medicinal purposes.

    Techniques

    • Heat 2 or 3 tbsp. of castor oil, dip a cloth into the oil and put the cloth over your inflamed joint to reportedly get immediate relief. You can also treat your arthritis by covering the oiled joint with a towel and then putting a heating pad on top of the towel for 30 to 60 minutes.

    Other Suggestions

    • According to Arthritis.ygoy.com, castor oil can be consumed to provide relief from arthritic pain. Consult with your physician to see if this is an appropriate treatment. If you are given the go-ahead, put 2 tsp. of castor oil in a cup of ginger tea and drink before going to bed. This reportedly relieves joint ailments.

    Considerations

    • Homeremediesweb.com notes that taking castor oil orally is safe if used in moderation. However, an overdose can result in nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramping and pain.

    Additional Benefits

    • Applying castor oil packs to your arthritic joints will increase lymphatic circulation, relax you, reduce inflammation and reduce pain, according to Neurotalk.psychcentral.com.

    Warning

    • If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on your menstrual period do not use castor oil. Do not apply it to ruptured skin.

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