7 Top Best Uses for Castor Oil

7 Top Best Uses for Castor Oil

Top Best Uses for Castor Oil by Queen of the Thrones

7 Top Best Uses for Castor Oil

Written by: Victoria Williams R.H.N. Victoria Williams Director of Operations at Queen of the Thrones Victoria Williams R.H.N.
Victoria is Head of Operations at Queen of the Thrones®. Victoria obtained a Pre-Health Science Certificate with Honours from Georgian College, which ignited her passion for natural wellness and nutrition.
Full bio

Medically reviewed by: Melanie Swackhammer B.A.

Est. reading time: 7 minutes.

Use #6 is our favorite!

Have you been curious about how you can use Castor Oil and/or Castor Oil Packs? Maybe you’ve been told to give them a try from your practitioner but would love to know more.

You see, Castor Oil Packs are a legendary practice that dates back to ancient times. Traditional Chinese medicine, Indian Ayurveda, Ancient Egyptians, and Mediterraneans all used Castor Oil for its rejuvenating health and beauty benefits. Amazing, agreed?

The castor bean plant has even been given the special name of the ‘Palm of Christ’, as Castor Oil is mentioned in the Bible as an anointing oil.

Plus, Castor Oil on its own or on a Castor Oil Pack (more on Castor Oil Packs soon), has been called an absolute game-changer by many who have used them.

Would you love to know 3 tried & true Castor Oil Pack protocols used by practitioners so you can restore your body from the inside out?

But, you might be wondering, “what are the best uses of this oil?” Well, you’re in the right place because this blog will uncover the 7 best uses of Castor Oil (supported by science). You’ll see why and how the topical use of Castor Oil may be your new go-to for your natural wellness routine.

Are you ready?

One of the first and most important functions is that…

#1. Castor Oil supports lymphatic drainage

Did you know that your lymphatic system plays a crucial role in fighting against infections and balancing your fluid levels?

And when your lymphatic system is clogged, like your hair-filled shower drain, your body can’t cleanse properly and you might feel lethargic because your body’s fluids are unbalanced.

This also means you might have too much harmful bacteria, making you feel like you just came off the tilt-o-whirl. Does this sound like you?

So, where does Castor Oil come into play? Well, when applied topically on your skin, Castor Oil works its way into your tissues and stimulates lymphatic drainage via the Peyer’s patches1, a small group of lymphatic tissues.

 

You can further enhance the effect of Castor Oil with a Castor Oil Liver Pack. The compression of the Pack placed over your liver area (over your right rib cage), combined with the movement of your breathing muscles, acts like a pump for your lymphatic system, encouraging lymphatic drainage.2

Plus, you can also enhance lymphatic flow by simply adding a Dry Brush to accompany your Castor Oil Pack practice so you can…

  • Reduce inflammation that’s taking up space in your body.
  • Increase circulation so you can truly reconnect to your body.
  • Engage your lymphatic system and organs to help your body cleanse naturally.

Amazing, right?!

Another wonderful use for Castor Oil is…

#2. Using it as an anti-aging tool

You see, Castor Oil is rich in fatty acids, which contain skin-nourishing nutrients like omega 6 and 9, vitamin E, and polyphenols3,4 like quercetin.

These nutrients have anti-aging5 properties that reduce wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness under the eyes. Sounds wonderful, agreed?

So, you can use a Castor Oil Eye Compress as a vehicle for your Castor Oil to work its anti-aging magic. Plus, the Eye Compress stimulates both the circulatory and lymphatic systems.

Bonus tip: You can also use Castor Oil as an eye makeup remover and a gentle moisturizer.

So, that brings us to our next use for Castor Oil. Are you ready?

#3. You can use Castor Oil for thicker eyelashes and brows

Various factors like stress, bacterial growth, immune reactions, thyroid and hormonal imbalances can cause thinning of eyebrows and eyelashes. Can you relate?

So, regular use of a Castor Oil Eye Compress (while you sleep) can nourish the hair follicles and enhance circulation6. All you need to do is apply Castor Oil to your lashes and brows, and your Eye Compress helps keep the oil from rubbing off. Makes sense, right?

Plus, wearing an Eye Compress7,8,9 to bed helps to naturally balance your sleep hormone, melatonin10,11, so you can sleep deeper. Would you love that?

Queen of the Thrones recommend Castor Oil Packs to sleep well and recharge
So we talked about your brows and lashes, but what about using Castor Oil for the hair on your head? We have all the information you need in this blog post. When used on your scalp, the Castor Oil Hair Growth Kit nourishes, hydrates, and repairs hair deeply from your roots to tips.

So what’s next?

#4. Castor Oil also helps naturally manage inflammation

You may have heard that Castor Oil can be used as a natural anti-inflammatory for your bowels, right? Have you also heard that it can be helpful for inflammation during your period and for inflammation in general?

But how does it work? Well, Castor Oil stimulates the smooth muscles12 of the digestive tract as well as the uterus.

Have you noticed that you poo more often before and during your period? That’s because the same hormones and messengers of the body stimulate your digestive tract to move and your uterus to expel the blood.13

By acting on your smooth muscles, Castor Oil Packs can even help with your cramping.

While we’re on the subject of pain, it’s important to discuss another common cause of pain — inflammation, which can be found all over your body in varying degrees.

Castor Oil Packs are wonderful, natural tools for inflammatory pain.

You see, the unique active component of Castor Oil — ricinoleic acid — is an anti-inflammatory14 and analgesic (pain reliever)15 agent. So, that paired with the gentle compression of your Castor Oil Pack works together so the Castor Oil can permeate deeper into your skin.

Queen of the Castor Oil helps naturally to manage inflammation
You can also use Castor Oil to support arthritis, sore joints, lower back, hip and sciatic pain. Plus, it can be used on your skin as an anti-inflammatory for breakouts/acne and on your gums. Amazing, agreed?

Are you wondering how exactly Castor Oil Packs work and if you can get the same anti-inflammatory benefits from just rubbing Castor Oil on your liver/abdomen? Find out everything you need to know in this blog post.

The best part? Castor Oil not only fights inflammation but also…

#5. Fights unhealthy bacteria and promotes healthy bacteria

You see, a balance between healthy and harmful bacteria is crucial for your skin and scalp health.

So, when applied to the skin, scalp, and mucus membrane, Castor Oil can help to support a healthy microbiome.16,17,18,19

Cleansing your skin with Castor Oil can help balance the bacteria propionibacterium acne,20 which can cause skin breakouts.

When you use Castor Oil on your scalp, it can naturally balance the microbiome of the scalp and may help reduce inflammation of hair follicles and dandruff relief. Amazing, agreed?

And, now, it’s time for our favorite use of Castor Oil. Ready?

#6. Castor Oil + a Castor Oil Pack supports constipation relief

Your digestive system is much more complicated than just the food you eat because your gut is also highly regulated via hormonal and nervous system pathways. In fact, your gut is known as the second brain.

But why? Because it relies on the brain to tell it what to do and is the only organ that can work independently.

This means you could take it out of the body and it’d function entirely on its own. This system is called the enteric nervous system, which dictates what goes on in the gut. How interesting is that!

But, there are only a few ways to engage the gut’s action. The easiest is the tried and true Castor Oil Liver Pack.

Studies have shown that Castor Oil Pack over the liver helps to relieve constipation and improves the smooth muscle function of the digestive tract.21 This allows you to get rid of all the junk in your digestive system and start having regular healthy bowel movements. Sounds wonderful, agreed?

Traditionally, Castor Oil has been recommended by pharmacists to be taken orally as a strong stimulant laxative.21,22

However, Castor Oil Packs have been shown to be just as effective and better tolerated for relieving constipation when applied topically as a gentle Castor Oil Pack, compared to conventional laxatives.

The cherry on top? Castor Oil Packs can also reduce stress23,24,25,26 and support balanced hormones, similar to a weighted blanket, which brings us to the last best use of Castor Oil…

#7. The topical use of Castor Oil supports natural hormone balancing

Do you find it difficult to sleep, feel tired, or have digestion problems?

If yes, it’s likely you have higher stress levels, which ultimately affects your hormones.

The soft compression of your Castor Oil Packs on your skin calms your entire system and stimulates the release of feel-good “love and connection” hormones so you can naturally promote the production of our feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine25, as well as our love and connection hormone, oxytocin.23

Topical use of Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil supports natural hormone balancing

Plus, oxytocin also lowers cortisol (your stress hormone) and balances blood pressure,27 leading to healthy levels of progesterone.

Why does this matter? Well, studies show a connection between higher anxiety levels and high progesterone levels.28

But remember, rest and relaxation take practice when you use Castor Oil consistently. The best part? Your Castor Oil Pack gives your body a chance to practice over and over again, so be gentle with yourself.

But with all practices, it’s as important that when you do it, you make sure to do it with the right ingredients, and as with all natural health products, quality matters.

Especially in this case. The Castor Oil and the material placed against your skin should always be of great quality.

Your checklist for good quality Castor Oil (like Queen of the Thrones®):

  • 100% pure
  • Organic
  • Cold-pressed & extra virgin
  • Hexane-free
  • Bottled in amber glass

Your checklist for a good quality Castor Oil Pack (like Queen of the Thrones®):

  • Organic cotton, wool, or linen touching the skin
  • No synthetic blends or chemically treated materials touching the skin (i.e., velour, bamboo)
  • No uncomfortable belts, buttons, or velcro

So, you see not just Castor Oil, but the Castor Oil Pack is a tried and true self-care tool with anti-aging qualities for both health and beauty since the beginning of humanity.

Try it for yourself to see!

Are you a practitioner, health coach or wellness influencer? If you’re interested in recommending our easy-to-use tools and practically applying them in your health and wellness professional practice, in clinic, or online with the people you serve, you can join now!

Click here for references

1. Holmes GM, Browning KN, Babic T, Fortna SR, Coleman FH, Travagli RA. Vagal afferent fibres determine the oxytocin-induced modulation of gastric tone. J Physiol. 2013 Jun 15;591(12):3081-100. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2013.253732. Epub 2013 Apr 15. PMID: 23587885; PMCID: PMC3832121

2. Moore JE Jr, Bertram CD. Lymphatic System Flows. Annu Rev Fluid Mech. 2018 Jan;50:459-482. doi: 10.1146/annurev-fluid-122316-045259. PMID: 29713107; PMCID: PMC5922450.

3. Marwat SK, Rehman F, Khan EA, Baloch MS, Sadiq M, Ullah I, Javaria S, Shaheen S. Review – Ricinus communis – Ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological activities.Pak J Pharm Sci. 2017 Sep;30(5):1815-1827. PMID: 29084706

4. Patel, V. R., Dumancas, G. G., Viswanath, L. C. K., Maples, R. & Subong, B. J. J. Castor oil: properties, uses, and optimization of processing parameters in commercial production. Lipid Insights 9, 1–12, (2016). PMID: 27656091

5. Mary Fu, BA, MA Jennifer Brusewitz, ND Castor Oil & Age-Related Cataract – A Case for the Therapeutic Order NDNR Posted May 1, 2018 In Anti-Aging

6. Coonen. L.P “Herodotus on Biology”. The Scientific Monthly. Vol. 76. No. 2, 1953. Pp.63-70. JSTOR.

7. Rong-fang Hu, Xiao-ying Jiang, Yi-ming Zeng, Xiao-yang Chen, You-hua Zhang. Effects of earplugs and eye masks on nocturnal sleep, melatonin and cortisol in a simulated intensive care unit environment. Published online 2010 Apr 18. PMID: 20398302

8. Khoddam H, Maddah SA, Rezvani Khorshidi S, Zaman Kamkar M, Modanloo M. The effects of earplugs and eye masks on sleep quality of patients admitted to coronary care units: A randomised clinical trial. J Sleep Res. 2022 Apr;31(2):e13473. doi: 10.1111/jsr.13473. Epub 2021 Sep 12. PMID: 34514653.

9. Miller MA, Renn BN, Chu F, Torrence N. Sleepless in the hospital: A systematic review of non-pharmacological sleep interventions. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2019 Jul-Aug;59:58-66. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2019.05.006. Epub 2019 May 24. PMID: 31170567; PMCID: PMC6620136.

10. Bitar, R.D., Torres-Garza, J.L., Reiter, R.J. and Phillips, W.T. 2021. Neural glymphatic system: Clinical implications and potential importance of melatonin. Melatonin Research. 4, 4 (Dec. 2021), 551-565

11. Li Y, Zhang J, Wan J, Liu A, Sun J. Melatonin regulates Aβ production/clearance balance and Aβ neurotoxicity: A potential therapeutic molecule for Alzheimer’s disease. Biomed Pharmacother. 2020 Dec;132:110887. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110887. Epub 2020 Nov 2. PMID: 33254429.

12. Sorin Tunaru,a Till F. Althoff,a Rolf M. Nüsing,b Martin Diener,c and Stefan Offermannsa,d,1 Castor oil induces laxation and uterus contraction via ricinoleic acid activating prostaglandin EP3 receptors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Jun 5; 109(23): 9179–9184. Published online 2012 May 21. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1201627109 PMID: 22615395

13. Camerino C. The New Frontier in Oxytocin Physiology: The Oxytonic Contraction. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Jul 21;21(14):5144. doi: 10.3390/ijms21145144. PMID: 32708109; PMCID: PMC7404128.

14. Boddu SH1, Alsaab H2, Umar S3, Bonam SP2, Gupta H2, Ahmed S3. Anti-inflammatory effects of a novel ricinoleic acid poloxamer gel system for transdermal delivery. Int J Pharm. 2015 Feb 1;479(1):207-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2014.12.051. Epub 2014 Dec 24.

15. Vieira C et al. .Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammation. Mediators Inflamm. 2000;9(5):223-8. PMID: 11200362.

16. Saxena R, Mittal P, Clavaud C, Dhakan DB, Hegde P, Veeranagaiah MM, Saha S, Souverain L, Roy N, Breton L, Misra N, Sharma VK. Comparison of Healthy and Dandruff Scalp Microbiome Reveals the Role of Commensals in Scalp Health. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2018 Oct 4;8:346. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00346. PMID: 30338244; PMCID: PMC6180232.

17. Andrade IM1, Andrade KM2, Pisani MX1, Silva-Lovato CH1, de Souza RF1, Paranhos Hde F1.Trial of an experimental castor oil solution for cleaning dentures. Braz Dent J. 2014 Jan-Feb;25(1):43-7.

18. Badaró MM, Salles MM, Leite VMF, Arruda CNF, Oliveira VC, Nascimento CD, Souza RF, Paranhos HFO, Silva-Lovato CH. Clinical trial for evaluation of Ricinus communis and sodium hypochlorite as denture cleanser.J Appl Oral Sci. 2017 May-Jun; 25(3):324-334.

19. Salles MM, Badaró MM, Arruda CN, Leite VM, Silva CH, Watanabe E, Oliveira Vde C, Paranhos Hde F. Antimicrobial activity of complete denture cleanser solutions based on sodium hypochlorite and Ricinus communis – a randomized clinical study.J Appl Oral Sci. 2015 Nov-Dec; 23(6):637-42.

20.Orchard A, van Vuuren S. Commercial Essential Oils as Potential Antimicrobials to Treat Skin Diseases. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:4517971. doi: 10.1155/2017/4517971. Epub 2017 May 4. PMID: 28546822; PMCID: PMC5435909.

21. Sorin Tunaru,a Till F. Althoff,a Rolf M. Nüsing,b Martin Diener,c and Stefan Offermannsa,d,1 Castor oil induces laxation and uterus contraction via ricinoleic acid activating prostaglandin EP3 receptorsProc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Jun 5; 109(23): 9179–9184. Published online 2012 May 21. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1201627109PMID: 22615395

22. Arslan GG, Eşer I. An examination of the effect of castor oil packs on constipation in the elderly. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011 Feb;17(1):58-62. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.04.004. Epub 2010 May 18. PMID: 21168117

23. Walker SC1, Trotter PD2, Swaney WT2, Marshall A3, Mcglone FP4. C-tactile afferents: Cutaneous mediators of oxytocin release during affiliative tactile interactions? Neuropeptides. 2017 Aug;64:27-38. doi: 10.1016/j.npep.2017.01.001. Epub 2017 Jan 19. PMID: 28162847

24. Rolls ET et all. Representations of pleasant and painful touch in the human orbitofrontal and cingulate cortices. Cereb Cortex. 2003 Mar;13(3):308-17. PMID: 12571120

25. Francis S, Rolls ET, Bowtell R, McGlone F, O’Doherty J, Browning A, Clare S, Smith E. The representation of pleasant touch in the brain and its relationship with taste and olfactory areas. Neuroreport. 1999 Feb 25;10(3):453-9. PMID: 10208571

26. Löken LS, Wessberg J, Morrison I, McGlone F, Olausson H. Coding of pleasant touch by unmyelinated afferents in humans. Nat Neurosci. 2009 May;12(5):547-8. Epub 2009 Apr 12. PMID: 19363489

27. Uvnas-Moberg K1, Petersson M.[Oxytocin, a mediator of anti-stress, well-being, social interaction, growth and healing]. Z Psychosom Med Psychother. 2005;51(1):57-80. PMID: 15834840

28. Reynolds TA, Makhanova A, Marcinkowska UM, Jasienska G, McNulty JK, Eckel LA, Nikonova L, Maner JK. Progesterone and women’s anxiety across the menstrual cycle. Horm Behav. 2018 Jun;102:34-40. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.04.008. Epub 2018 Apr 24. PMID: 29673619.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including information providers, are those of the respective authors or distributors. Neither Queen of the Thrones® nor any third-party provider of information guarantees the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content. This communication does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Information provided does not replace the advice of your health care practitioner. If you happen to purchase anything we promote, in this or any of our communications, it’s likely Queen of the Thrones® will receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, we only promote content and products that we truly believe in and share with our friends, family and patients. If you ever have a concern with anything we share, please let us know at care@queenofthethrones.com. We want to make sure we are always serving Our Queendom at the highest level.

Sleep troubles: Why It Happens And What You Can Do

Sleep troubles: Why It Happens And What You Can Do

Sleep troubles: Why It Happens And What You Can Do by Queen of the Thrones

Sleep troubles: Why It Happens And What You Can Do

Written by: Melanie Swackhammer Melanie Swackhammer Melanie Swackhammer Copy Manager
Melanie has always had an interest in writing educational content about health and wellness, which originally sparked while working for Diva International Inc., makers of the DivaCup.
Full bio

Medically reviewed by: Victoria Williams R.H.N.

Est. reading time: 5 minutes.

Have you ever asked yourself, “why do I keep having sleep troubles?”

You toss and turn in your bed, waiting for sleep to find you. Or your mind is racing, and it seems impossible for you to sleep. Can you relate?

And the result: daytime drowsiness, fatigue, or lack of concentration. It’s frustrating, right?

Well, you aren’t alone. Millions of people around the globe have trouble going to bed.1 The only silver lining is that it’s possible to promote restful sleep by making small changes or using self-care tools.

And while you’re here, would you love to know how tried and true natural health tools, like Castor Oil Packs can help you sleep well?

This eGuide includes all the details you need!

However, before diving into the tips, let’s understand the importance of sleep.

You see, a peaceful slumber is crucial for your health because it allows your body to rest and repair. Makes sense, agreed?

The time you spend sleeping is also the time you spend cleansing, renewing and recharging. It’s kind of like your cell phone – you have to plug it in every night and let it charge.

Otherwise, it goes into low battery mode; the screen light dims, it moves slowly and maybe it shuts down completely.

Best recommendations of Queen of the Thrones for better sleep

But, a good night’s sleep allows you to bring your 100% fully charged light to the world!

With this in mind, let’s talk about the causes of insomnia and other sleep problems. Are you ready?

Why can’t you sleep?

Having sleeping troubles can be really confusing and frustrating, especially if you don’t know that sleep patterns can differ from person to person.2 But, you’re not alone because sleep problems can easily be put under the same umbrella.

Have you ever heard the saying, ‘march to the beat of your own drum’? Well, you have a unique pattern and rhythm in your bodies that truly march to your own unique beats.3

You see, your body has a set cycle, and many of your functions follow this rhythm.

This is especially true when looking at your:

  • Stools (yes, we’re talking about the good ‘ol number 2)
  • Sleep
  • Stress

So, when thinking about your sleep duration and the quality of your sleep, it makes sense that your sleep patterns are just as unique as you are. Make sense?

Sleeping well is based on balanced hormones and neurotransmitters like melatonin, cortisol, oxytocin, and GABA.4

The timing of how you sleep (or can’t sleep) may actually show you which hormones or neurotransmitters you’re lacking, or have too much of!

Sleep problems and their link to hormone imbalance by Queen of the Thrones

Could your sleep pattern be responsible for why you can’t sleep?

You’re probably familiar with the popular social references of being a ‘night owl’ or ‘morning glory’, right?

You see, we each have naturally ingrained rhythms. Understanding your sleep patterns and your body’s natural rhythm is important because that’s what sets up your body’s ability to cleanse, and the majority of your body’s cleansing happens while you sleep.

So, let’s dive into the 4 types of sleepers.5

Sleeper type # 1: Can’t fall asleep

You try to go to bed, but you toss and turn, unable to fall asleep no matter how late it gets.

Sleeper type # 2: Can’t stay asleep

Sure, you can fall asleep, but somehow you always seem to wake up in the middle of the night to either pee or for no reason at all.

Sleeper type # 3: Tired but wired

Your body feels tired, and you go to bed, but then you toss and turn all night. Annoying, right?

Sleeper type # 4: Overall anxious

So you might be tired, but it’s almost like that tired feeling is completely taken over by your anxiety, and all you can feel is tingling all over and pounding in your chest.

What can you do about your sleep problems?

Do you see yourself in any of these types of sleepers? Start by…
  • Having a consistent daily sleep routine: It’s ideal to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.
  • Being active: Regular exercise supports melatonin production, your sleep hormone.6 It can also sync your other body systems with your circadian rhythm.
  • Avoiding caffeine in the evening: Caffeine is a stimulant that can keep you awake.
  • Limiting screen time: The blue light from your tablet/cellphone alters your melatonin production, disrupting your circadian rhythm.7
  • Wearing a Castor Oil Eye Compress to bed: Using this compress makes you feel relaxed as your Eye Compress gently blocks out distracting lights and makes you feel sleepy because it supports melatonin production.8,9,10
  • Wearing a Castor Oil Pack for Liver: The gentle compression of the cotton flannel compress against your skin has a calming effect on your nervous system which promotes the production of your “feel good” hormones dopamine11,12 and oxytocin.13,14,15
The release of oxytocin creates a feeling of trust and safety in the body and reduces stress.16 This lowers cortisol and allows melatonin to be released and that helps us fall asleep.
Learn about the consequences of bad sleeping with Queen of the Thrones

You see, many factors can affect the natural flow of our bodies, so be gentle with yourself if you feel like your sleep patterns are off. Understanding your unique sleep pattern helps you know why your bodies do what they do.

The good news is, we’ve created a guide for you so you can be on your way to not only understanding your sleep patterns but also knowing about factors affecting your sleep pattern and how you can manage your sleep problems with Castor Oil Packs.

Would you love that?

While you’re still here, would love to start the New Year with a tried & true 7-day food-based, supplement-free cleanse so you can cleanse naturally, sleep better, reduce cravings, and enhance your energy?

Well, the 7-day Genesis Cleanse (a Mediterranean Castor Oil Pack cleanse) is back by popular demand so you can help balance your body, mind & spirit by having the tools you need to guide you on how to cleanse better naturally.

The best part? You’re invited to register for The Genesis Cleanse before registration closes on December 31st!

Would you love to learn more before registration closes?

Are you a practitioner, health coach or wellness influencer? If you’re interested in recommending our easy-to-use tools and practically applying them in your health and wellness professional practice, in clinic, or online with the people you serve, you can join now!

Click here for references

Sleep Foundation. What To Do When You Can’t Sleep. Available from: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/insomnia/treatment/what-do-when-you-cant-sleep on 13 Dec 2022

Jawabri KH, Raja A. Physiology, Sleep Patterns. [Updated 2022 May 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551680/

3. Duboc H, Coffin B, Siproudhis L. Disruption of Circadian Rhythms and Gut Motility: An Overview of Underlying Mechanisms and Associated Pathologies. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2020 May/Jun;54(5):405-414. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000001333. PMID: 32134798; PMCID: PMC7147411.

4. Ono D, Honma KI, Honma S. GABAergic mechanisms in the suprachiasmatic nucleus that influence circadian rhythm. J Neurochem. 2021 Apr;157(1):31-41. doi: 10.1111/jnc.15012. Epub 2020 Jul 3. PMID: 32198942.

5. MedicalNewsToday. What is biphasic and polyphasic sleep? Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319425

6. Kruk J, Aboul-Enein BH, Duchnik E. Exercise-induced oxidative stress and melatonin supplementation: current evidence. J Physiol Sci. 2021 Sep 1;71(1):27. doi: 10.1186/s12576-021-00812-2. PMID: 34470608; PMCID: PMC8409271.

7. Bonmati-Carrion MA, Arguelles-Prieto R, Martinez-Madrid MJ, Reiter R, Hardeland R, Rol MA, Madrid JA. Protecting the melatonin rhythm through circadian healthy light exposure. Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Dec 17;15(12):23448-500. doi: 10.3390/ijms151223448. PMID: 25526564; PMCID: PMC4284776.

8. Miller MA, Renn BN, Chu F, Torrence N. Sleepless in the hospital: A systematic review of non-pharmacological sleep interventions. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2019 Jul-Aug;59:58-66. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2019.05.006. Epub 2019 May 24. PMID: 31170567; PMCID: PMC6620136.

Rong-fang Hu, Xiao-ying Jiang, Yi-ming Zeng, Xiao-yang Chen, You-hua Zhang. Effects of earplugs and eye masks on nocturnal sleep, melatonin and cortisol in a simulated intensive care unit environment. Published online 2010 Apr 18. PMID: 20398302.

10. Khoddam H, Maddah SA, Rezvani Khorshidi S, Zaman Kamkar M, Modanloo M. The effects of earplugs and eye masks on sleep quality of patients admitted to coronary care units: A randomised clinical trial. J Sleep Res. 2022 Apr;31(2):e13473.doi: 10.1111/jsr.13473. Epub 2021 Sep 12. PMID: 34514653.

11. Francis S, Rolls ET, Bowtell R, McGlone F, O’Doherty J, Browning A, Clare S, Smith E. The representation of pleasant touch in the brain and its relationship with taste and olfactory areas. Neuroreport. 1999 Feb 25;10(3):453-9. PMID: 10208571 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10208571

12. Löken LS, Wessberg J, Morrison I, McGlone F, Olausson H. Coding of pleasant touch by unmyelinated afferents in humans. Nat Neurosci. 2009 May;12(5):547-8. Epub 2009 Apr 12. PMID: 19363489

13. Walker SC1, Trotter PD2, Swaney WT2, Marshall A3, Mcglone FP4. C-tactile afferents: Cutaneous mediators of oxytocin release during affiliative tactile interactions? Neuropeptides. 2017 Aug;64:27-38. doi: 10.1016/j.npep.2017.01.001. Epub 2017 Jan 19. PMID: 28162847 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28162847.

14. Rolls ET et all. Representations of pleasant and painful touch in the human orbitofrontal and cingulate cortices. Cereb Cortex. 2003 Mar;13(3):308-17. PMID: 12571120 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12571120

15. Carter CS, Kenkel WM, MacLean EL, Wilson SR, Perkeybile AM, Yee JR, Ferris CF, Nazarloo HP, Porges SW, Davis JM, Connelly JJ, Kingsbury MA. Is Oxytocin “Nature’s Medicine”? Pharmacol Rev. 2020 Oct;72(4):829-861. doi: 10.1124/pr.120.019398. PMID: 32912963; PMCID: PMC7495339.

16. Uvnas-Moberg K1, Petersson M.[Oxytocin, a mediator of anti-stress, well-being, social interaction, growth and healing]. Z Psychosom Med Psychother. 2005;51(1):57-80. PMID: 15834840 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15834840

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including information providers, are those of the respective authors or distributors. Neither Queen of the Thrones® nor any third-party provider of information guarantees the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content. This communication does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Information provided does not replace the advice of your health care practitioner. If you happen to purchase anything we promote, in this or any of our communications, it’s likely Queen of the Thrones® will receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, we only promote content and products that we truly believe in and share with our friends, family and patients. If you ever have a concern with anything we share, please let us know at care@queenofthethrones.com. We want to make sure we are always serving Our Queendom at the highest level.

5 Benefits of Castor Oil for your Hair

5 Benefits of Castor Oil for your Hair

Gluten and dairy sensibilities by Queen of the Thrones

5 Benefits of Castor Oil for your Hair

Written by: Victoria Williams R.H.N. Victoria Williams Director of Operations at Queen of the Thrones Victoria Williams R.H.N.
Victoria is Head of Operations at Queen of the Thrones®. Victoria obtained a Pre-Health Science Certificate with Honours from Georgian College, which ignited her passion for natural wellness and nutrition.
Full bio

Medically reviewed by: Melanie Swackhammer B.A. 

Est. reading time: 7 minutes.

Your natural secret for dull, thinning hair and split ends

Remember hearing the story of Samson in the Bible? When he lost his hair, he lost all of his power. In Native American culture, hair is thought to be an extension of the spirit. Historically, locks of hair were given to lovers as a token of affection or passed down as a family heirloom.

Hair is a significant part of our humanity, which is why problems with our hair can deeply disrupt our well-being. Would you agree?

No wonder there are so many products available in the market to help your hair grow, shine and thrive. Did you know that Castor Oil is known as a tried & true restorative tool for your hair, too?

So, you might be wondering, “how does Castor Oil help to grow hair?”

Well, to truly know if Castor Oil can help your locks, it’s essential to first understand the common reasons for your hair problems.

Common causes for hair loss include:

  1. Hormonal imbalance, thyroid problems, or menopause
  2. Malnourishment or poor nutrient absorption
  3. Stress, immune imbalances, or autoimmune disorders

Can you relate to any of these? You’re in the right place.

Would you love to make the most of Castor Oil for your hair with a tried & true 7 essential oil blend so you can support your hair and scalp?

So, how can Castor Oil help?

Castor Oil has been supporting hair throughout the centuries, from Greek Goddesses to Roman Empresses to Egyptian Queens.

Legend has it, Castor Oil was the beauty secret of the beautiful Queen Cleopatra herself! Amazing, right?

There’s also mention of Castor Oil in the Bible as a divine healing and anointing oil.

Plus, it’s full of hair-loving nutrients like polyphenols, omega fatty acids, and vitamin E1. No wonder this oil has such a rich history.

Now, let’s see what science has to say about Castor Oil, ready?

So, how can Castor Oil help?

You see, Castor Oil is full of hormone-balancing, hair-loving nutrients. It stimulates circulation, balances inflammation, moisturizes the scalp, and SO much more!

1. Supporting a healthy scalp microbiome

Micro….what? No, it’s not gross- stay with me here.

The scalp microbiome is a community of simple organisms that grow on your scalp. Microbiome is a diverse mix of bacteria that work together to manage your scalp health (just like healthy bacteria in your gut). Makes sense, right?

If the delicate balance is thrown off, you can develop unfortunate scalp problems like flaking, itching, and irritation2. Sound familiar?

2. Soothing scalp inflammation

Castor Oil comes from the castor bean, which is rich in ricinoleic acid—a type of fatty acid shown to soothe inflammation.3

Scalp inflammation can result in dryness and flaking. So, by preventing and soothing inflammation, Castor Oil may also reduce flaking.

Plus, Castor Oil is rich in various fatty acids that provide essential proteins and nutrients to hair follicles and prevent hair follicle inflammation.4 Amazing, agreed?

These nutrients and proteins bring us to the next benefit of Castor Oil all about how it can…

3. Nourish your hair

Castor Oil is also rich in antioxidants, which help neutralize the harmful effects of the oxidation caused by free radicals on your hair.5

They also protect hair from ultraviolet rays and sun damage, promote hair growth, and manage frizz.

You see, lack of nutrients can slow down your hair growth and even cause hair loss. However, Castor Oil supports hair nutrition by…

4. Improving circulation to hair follicles

Applying Castor Oil on your scalp promotes nitric oxide, an antioxidant that supports blood circulation.6,7 Better blood flow combined with the penetrability of the fatty acids in Castor Oil may help deliver nourishment to the hair follicles.8 This means stronger strands and less breakage. Sounds wonderful, right?

Better circulation also means that the follicles don’t weaken over time, promoting healthy hair growth.

Loving the benefits so far? Well, adding a Hair Wrap can help enhance the benefits of Castor Oil for your hair. Here’s how it helps…

5. Supporting lymph drainage

Your lymphatic stem cells are grouped in clusters, surrounded by lymphatic vessels.9

Your hair follicles play a role in fluid drainage, and poor drainage may mean less tissue regeneration, and more issues with hair loss or thinning.

The gentle compression of the Castor Oil Hair Wrap helps support lymphatic drainage on the scalp, promoting healthy growth for your hair.

This means less worrying about hair loss, hair thinning, or managing split ends. Would you love that?

As an added bonus, Castor Oil promotes growth and thickness of eyebrows and eyelashes!

Ready to see the magic of Castor Oil on your hair? Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil is 100% pure, organic, extra virgin cold-pressed, hexane-free, and comes in a glass bottle.

And how do you use Castor Oil for your hair? Well, the Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Hair Growth Kit comes with all the tools needed for less mess hair-care.

The best part? Because you’re here now, if you choose to buy the Castor Oil Hair Growth Kit today, you’ll get a second Hair Growth Kit for 50% OFF. Amazing, right?!

There’s more, especially for essential oil lovers. Is this you?

Castor Oil is amazing on its own, but it’s also a wonderful carrier oil for essential oils as its unique molecular structure allows it to carry nutrients deeper into the skin & hair follicles, bringing you even more hair-loving benefits.10

Did you know that essential oils like rosemary and lavender work synergistically to strengthen circulation and enhance your hair growth, while soothing an itchy scalp?

Studies have shown seven essential oils work the best with Castor Oil so you can give yourself a truly restorative hair care experience.11 Would you love to know which 7 essential oils you can use and how to do it?

Hair is a crown that you never take off and needs the royal treatment it deserves so now’s your chance to show your crown some self-care!

Are you a practitioner, health coach or wellness influencer? If you’re interested in recommending our easy-to-use tools and practically applying them in your health and wellness professional practice, in clinic, or online with the people you serve, you can join now!

Click here for references

1. Boddu SH1, Alsaab H2, Umar S3, Bonam SP2, Gupta H2, Ahmed S3. Anti-inflammatory effects of a novel ricinoleic acid poloxamer gel system for transdermal delivery. Int J Pharm. 2015 Feb 1;479(1):207-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2014.12.051. Epub 2014 Dec 24.

2. Vieira C et al. .Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammation. Mediators Inflamm. 2000;9(5):223-8 PMID: 11200362.

3. Marwat SK, Rehman F, Khan EA, Baloch MS, Sadiq M, Ullah I, Javaria S, Shaheen S. Review – Ricinus cmmunis – Ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological activities.Pak J Pharm Sci. 2017 Sep;30(5):1815-1827. PMID: 29084706.

4. Andrade IM1, Andrade KM2, Pisani MX1, Silva-Lovato CH1, de Souza RF1, Paranhos Hde F1.Trial of an experimental castor oil solution for cleaning dentures. Braz Dent J. 2014 Jan-Feb;25(1):43-7.PMID: 24789291.

5. Badaró MM, Salles MM, Leite VMF, Arruda CNF, Oliveira VC, Nascimento CD, Souza RF, Paranhos HFO, Silva-Lovato CH. Clinical trial for evaluation of Ricinus communis and sodium hypochlorite as denture cleanser.J Appl Oral Sci. 2017 May-Jun; 25(3):324-334. PMID: 28678952.

6. Marcela Moreira Salles, Maurício Malheiros Badaró, Carolina Noronha Ferraz de Arruda, Vanessa Maria Fagundes Leite, Cláudia Helena Lovato da Silva, Evandro Watanabe, Viviane de Cássia Oliveira, Helena de Freitas Oliveira Paranhos, Antimicrobial activity of complete denture cleanser solutions based on sodium hypochlorite and Ricinus communis – a randomized clinical study. Randomized Controlled Trial J Appl Oral Sci Nov-Dec 2015;23(6):637-42. doi: 10.1590/1678-775720150204. PMID: 26814466.

7. Salles MM, Badaró MM, Arruda CN, Leite VM, Silva CH, Watanabe E, Oliveira Vde C, Paranhos Hde F. Antimicrobial activity of complete denture cleanser solutions based on sodium hypochlorite and Ricinus communis – a randomized clinical study.J Appl Oral Sci. 2015 Nov-Dec; 23(6):637-42. PMID: 26814466.

8. Mascolo N1, Izzo AA, Autore G, Barbato F, Capasso F.Nitric oxide and castor oil-induced diarrhea.J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1994 Jan;268(1):291-5. PMID: 8301570.

9. Moore JE Jr, Bertram CD. Lymphatic System Flows. Annu Rev Fluid Mech. 2018 Jan;50:459-482. doi: 10.1146/annurev-fluid-122316-045259. PMID: 29713107; PMCID: PMC5922450.

10. Arslan GG, Eşer I. An examination of the effect of castor oil packs on constipation in the elderly. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011 Feb;17(1):58-62. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.04.004. Epub 2010 May 18. PMID: 21168117.

11. Sorin Tunaru,a Till F. Althoff,a Rolf M. Nüsing,b Martin Diener,c and Stefan Offermannsa,d,1 Castor oil induces laxation and uterus contraction via ricinoleic acid activating prostaglandin EP3 receptors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Jun 5; 109(23): 9179–9184. Published online 2012 May 21. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1201627109 PMID: 22615395.

12. Rolls ET et all. Representations of pleasant and painful touch in the human orbitofrontal and cingulate cortices. Cereb Cortex. 2003 Mar;13(3):308-17. PMID: 12571120.

13. Francis S, Rolls ET, Bowtell R, McGlone F, O’Doherty J, Browning A, Clare S, Smith E. The representation of pleasant touch in the brain and its relationship with taste and olfactory areas. Neuroreport. 1999 Feb 25;10(3):453-9. PMID: 10208571.

14. Löken LS, Wessberg J, Morrison I, McGlone F, Olausson H. Coding of pleasant touch by unmyelinated afferents in humans. Nat Neurosci. 2009 May;12(5):547-8. Epub 2009 Apr 12. PMID: 19363489.

15. Walker SC1, Trotter PD2, Swaney WT2, Marshall A3, Mcglone FP4. C-tactile afferents: Cutaneous mediators of oxytocin release during affiliative tactile interactions? Neuropeptides. 2017 Aug;64:27-38. doi: 10.1016/j.npep.2017.01.001. Epub 2017 Jan 19. PMID: 28162847.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including information providers, are those of the respective authors or distributors. Neither Queen of the Thrones® nor any third-party provider of information guarantees the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content. This communication does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Information provided does not replace the advice of your health care practitioner. If you happen to purchase anything we promote, in this or any of our communications, it’s likely Queen of the Thrones® will receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, we only promote content and products that we truly believe in and share with our friends, family and patients. If you ever have a concern with anything we share, please let us know at care@queenofthethrones.com. We want to make sure we are always serving Our Queendom at the highest level.

Wellness buyer beware: Counterfeit Castor Oil Packs are on the rise!

Wellness buyer beware: Counterfeit Castor Oil Packs are on the rise!

Gluten and dairy sensibilities by Queen of the Thrones

Wellness buyer beware: Counterfeit Castor Oil Packs are on the rise!

Written by: Victoria Williams R.H.N. Victoria Williams Director of Operations at Queen of the Thrones Victoria Williams R.H.N.
Victoria is Head of Operations at Queen of the Thrones®. Victoria obtained a Pre-Health Science Certificate with Honours from Georgian College, which ignited her passion for natural wellness and nutrition.
Full bio

Medically reviewed by: Dr. Marisol Teijeiro, N.D. (inactive)

Est. reading time: 6 minutes.

How to spot imitation

Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs before you buy

They say imitation is the best form of flattery. However, flattery quickly turns to concern when imitation Castor Oil Packs put your wellbeing at risk.

You may be a wellness queen with years of experience using Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs – kudos to you!

Or maybe you are testing the waters of your new wellness awakening and you might be wondering “how to avoid a counterfeit Castor Oil Pack?”

Does this sound like you? If so, read on!

Now, before we dive in, we would like to be the first ones to admit that our products are not perfect.

Because when you believe you are perfect, there is no longer room for improvement, agreed?

We pride ourselves on being 100% transparent so our customers will both trust us and are able to make informed purchasing decisions.

Why the Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack is not perfect:

  • The outer less-mess layer is polyurethane (PUL) that is heat-bonded (a cleaner alternative to chemical-bonding) to an additional layer of organic cotton flannel. Polyurethane is the material used in reusable baby diapers, and is considered one of the healthiest plastics, but still a plastic nonetheless. This protective layer is what makes the pack less-mess, more convenient, and helps increase compliance.
  • The straps are made from nylon, also a type of plastic. These were changed from our previous organic cotton elastic straps due to customer feedback that the straps weren’t stretchy enough and uncomfortably dug into the skin. Now they are softer, stretchier, and the pack is comfortable enough to sleep in.

Our promise to you:

We are consistently innovating our products based on customer feedback and striving for the cleanest materials presently available on the market while being transparent about our manufacturing processes and materials standards.

Our aim is to create a product that bridges time-honored ancient cleansing, drainage and detox practices with modern day convenience.

Would you love to know what to look for when you’re reading labels of the things you wear? ? Get your FREE ‘buyer beware’ checklist below!

You may already know that Queen of the Thrones® products are designed by a naturopathic doctor with over a decade in clinical practice. She discovered the scientifically supported, game-changing, and easy way to make this ancient self-care practice a part of your modern routine.

With this practice gaining in popularity, there are unfortunately some imitation Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs on the market.

This is why we want to educate and empower you on how to spot phonies from the real deal so you can feel good about your self-care practice. Because your wellness is a top priority.

Because imitations can be dangerous…

Imitation brands made with cheap, synthetic and chemically treated fabrics are often blended with what sounds like healthy fabrics. They may label it as organic even though they may not be (also known as greenwashing).

Unfortunately, we can all be fooled into purchasing a less-than-premium product if we don’t know what to look for. Sometimes, there can be misleading advertising claims often copying the marketing from wellness leaders, like Queen of the Thrones®.

See the screenshot below taken from amazon.com of another Castor Oil Pack company that imitates the Queen of the Thrones® design.

Their image is almost an exact copy of Queen of the Thrones®, but the pack is placed on the wrong side of the body, a tell-tale sign they may not have an understanding of how Castor Oil Packs work. But, thankfully you do!

Your help is needed so we can put an end to Queen of the Thrones® imitations so we can all feel better. Because here you are, trying to do something really good for your health, and it’s worrisome as a consumer to be fooled by marketing if the pack is placed on the wrong side of the body, perhaps the materials it’s made from should be questioned too. Agreed?

Imagine, if they don’t even know what side of the body to put the pack on, it’s highly likely they don’t know the right types of materials that are a ‘must’ when doing a wellness-promoting pack.

Companies may make substitutions for cheaper materials thinking that’s what you want. Lack of knowledge on their part could lead to a less-than-healthy pack, that may do the very opposite of what they are promised to do.

The less expensive alternative ends up being more expensive in the end. So instead of balancing your hormones and detoxifying your liver, with these imitation packs you may be adding to your toxic load! Not good, right?

This is called a RETOX rather than DETOX!

We understand that with all great things there will always be a few bad apples in the bunch who will try to make a quick buck with poor quality products that don’t have your well-being in mind, only their bottom line.

So how do we prevent you, the trusting and innocent wellness consumer, to avoid being cheated into buying something that isn’t Queen of the Thrones®?

Get your FREE ‘buyer beware’ checklist below!

5 ways to spot a FAKE or IMITATION Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack or Castor Oil product

1. Synthetic materials

Many imitation packs are made with synthetic fabrics and materials that contain chemicals (endocrine disruptors) which may interfere with the natural function of your hormones!

Beware of “organic bamboo” and other materials like cotton velour that are most often blended with plastic fibers or highly processed with chemicals.

 

Some may even have regulatory symbols stating that they are “healthy”. But the definition of healthy may be very different for manufacturers compared to natural wellness practitioners. They are on totally different planets!

2. The words eco-friendly”, “green”, and “natural” – do not always mean health-friendly.

Yes, we want to help the environment and be eco-friendly, but not everything that is good for the environment is good for your health.

This is a great example of the marketing tactic mentioned earlier called ”greenwashing”.

3. Castor Oil found in plastic bottles.

Castor Oil is known as the best carrier oil, but not when it’s bottled in plastic, the oil can get contaminated by the container. Unless it’s packaged in glass, it’s likely not the best quality.

4. Check the Castor Oil label for “expeller pressed”, “cold-pressed”, “hexane-free” and “100% pure”.

Cold-pressed means the nutrients are maintained instead of being separated from the bean with chemicals (like hexane). It’s simply pressed mechanically and as pure as can be. Clearly the best option for your health.

5. Prices that are too good to be true.

Everyone understands that “you get what you pay for” with quality products, right? If the price is lower than the brands that you know and trust, there’s a reason for it.

6 ways to spot AUTHENTIC Queen of the Thrones® products:

1. The Label

Every Queen of the Thrones® product has a fabric label with our logo, website, and registration number on it.

2. The Material

Every Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack is made with organic cotton flannel that touches the skin directly and manufactured with the cleanest standards possible.

For hygienic reasons we suggest replacing your compress approximately every 2 months.

Note: Bamboo material will feel extremely soft to the touch because it’s been broken down with chemicals that may not wash out completely. In addition, pthalates are often used to make the material softer.

3. The Oil

Castor Oil is a premier carrier oil that can permeate deeply through the upper layers of your skin. Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil is always 100% pure, certified organic, hexane-free, extra virgin and expeller-pressed.

4. The Bottle

Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil is always bottled in glass to avoid the potential of chemicals from plastic bottles contaminating the oil.

5. The Face Behind the Brand

All Queen of the Thrones® products are designed by a naturopathic doctor and homotoxicologist with a designation in environmental medicine, who created these packs for her patients, her family, and her wellness practice.

Most of these companies aren’t birthed in the natural wellness industry – they’re materials or textiles suppliers who hopped on the bandwagon.

6. Testimonials

Look for the “Verified Buyer” badge on product reviews. Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs have been used in clinical practices for years and have recieved tens of thousands of reviews from people who have experienced benefits.

Would you love to know what to look for and what to avoid when you’re shopping?

What can you do about your digestion problems?

Queen of the Thrones® Triple Purity Promise

Queen of the Thrones® is consistently innovating our products based on customer feedback and striving for the cleanest materials presently available on the market while being transparent about our manufacturing processes and materials standards.

Our aim is to create a product that bridges time-honored ancient cleansing, drainage and detox practices with modern day convenience.

As a result, we have built a loyal customer base who trust the brand, delivering to you the Triple Purity Promise:

  • Professional Customer Support
  • Practitioner Endorsements
  • Premium & Pure as Possible

 

When in doubt, you will always be in good hands and may reach out to our customer support team at: care@queenofthethrones.com

The team will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Here’s to smart shopping, to a healthy lifestyle, and to you!

Are you a practitioner, health coach or wellness influencer? If you’re interested in recommending our easy-to-use tools and practically applying them in your health and wellness professional practice, in clinic, or online with the people you serve, you can join now!

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers, information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including information providers, are those of the respective authors or distributors. Neither Queen of the Thrones® nor any third-party provider of information guarantees the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content. This communication does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Information provided does not replace the advice of your health care practitioner. If you happen to purchase anything we promote, in this or any of our communications, it’s likely Queen of the Thrones® will receive some kind of affiliate compensation. Still, we only promote content and products that we truly believe in and share with our friends, family and patients. If you ever have a concern with anything we share, please let us know at care@queenofthethrones.com. We want to make sure we are always serving Our Queendom at the highest level.

How to know if you’re sensitive to gluten or dairy?

How to know if you’re sensitive to gluten or dairy?

Gluten and dairy sensibilities by Queen of the Thrones

How to know if you’re sensitive to gluten or dairy?

Written by: Victoria Williams R.H.N. Victoria Williams Director of Operations at Queen of the Thrones Victoria Williams R.H.N.
Victoria is Head of Operations at Queen of the Thrones®. Victoria obtained a Pre-Health Science Certificate with Honours from Georgian College, which ignited her passion for natural wellness and nutrition.
Full bio

Medically reviewed by: Melanie Swackhammer B.A. 

Est. reading time: 7 minutes.

The clue to having gut glue

Having frequent digestive problems means not knowing when it will strike. During an important work presentation, a first date, or at the movies. Can you relate?

You’re at the mercy of loose stools, constipation, painful gas or bloating. And these symptoms might especially come after specific food items, unfortunately, many of which are your favorite, including pizza, fettuccine alfredo, or grilled cheese. This may make you wonder if gluten and dairy are the cause of your stomach problems?

Well, it might not be that one or the other is causing problems. It’s more so the combination of gluten with dairy.

You see, studies have shown that poor food combining can produce fermentation, indigestion, putrefaction, gas and bloating! 1

Like consuming dairy with wheat, this combination could create, what I like to call, “gut glue”! Yes, you read that right… gut GLUE!

Frequent consumption of these food combinations may result in exhausting and frustrating problems.

The good news: knowing what to have or avoid can allow you to feel fresh and be healthy even after consuming your favorite food items.

While you’re here, would you love to know how you can use Castor Oil Packs to support your gut health, and ease digestive problems?

Before we talk about gut glue, I would love to discuss a bit about gluten and dairy on their own.

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a protein commonly found in barley, wheat, and rye.

If you have tried gluten-free cookies, you know they are typically drier and crumble easily.

This is because gluten protein provides the elasticity associated with pasta and baked products.

And these gluten-free products are becoming increasingly popular, as the media has made many believe that this protein is bad for your health. Sound familiar?

But before getting on the gluten-free bandwagon, let’s understand whether it’s really all bad.

Gluten isn’t all bad

Frankly, what thoughts come to your mind when you think about gluten?

For most, it is sticky bowels or bloating, agreed?

However, it’s essential to understand that humans have been consuming gluten as long as the discovery of bread. It’s a great source of soluble fiber, protein, and other nutrients.

 

 

Let’s get scienc-y for a minute.

Your digestive system produces the enzyme protease, which breaks down proteins. But this enzyme can’t entirely break down gluten, and undigested gluten moves through your bowels.

Most people can manage undigested gluten.

So, the nutrients from gluten are beneficial for those who can tolerate it.

Studies have linked consumption of whole grains to lower risk of stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. The participants of the study daily consumed two to three servings of grains daily, including wheat.2

Moreover, gluten also acts as a prebiotic, supporting the growth of “good” bacteria in your body. It can also help imbalance of bad and good bacteria associated with gut dysbiosis.

What about dairy?

Eating dairy products is the easiest way to get vitamin D, calcium, and proteins needed for the healthy heart, bones, and muscles.

It helps maintain bone density and reduces the risk of fractures.

Studies have even suggested that the right kind of dairy may prevent heart disease.3

So, why is there so much discussion about dairy-free foods?

Well, similar to gluten, your digestive system releases the enzyme lactase to digest sugar in dairy products called lactose.

If you have a problem producing lactase, you probably have symptoms of lactose intolerance, including stomach pain, diarrhea, bloating, and nausea. Makes sense, agreed?

Moreover, evidence suggests that dairy products may improve body composition by reducing waist circumference and fat composition.4

A review of 25 studies also found that various types of yogurt were linked to the lower risk of metabolic syndrome risk factors, such as obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.5

With this in mind, let’s understand more about gut glue.

What about dairy?

My best and favorite example of this is how glue is made.

White school glue, if you didn’t know, is actually edible. You can essentially make it at home with milk, flour, and baking soda, and then the ingredient that is the pièce de résistance is vinegar.

This combination is basically what happens in your belly, when you combine bread (flour) with cheese (dairy/milk) and you swallow it down into your stomach that contains your stomach acid (like vinegar, because it’s acidic!) and bicarbonate (like baking soda).6

Guess what, you’ve got glue in your belly!

So imagine what your gut is like, if you are consuming glue.

Let’s talk anatomy for a second. Ready?

Your small intestine is lined by finger-like projections called villi, that help you absorb nutrients from your food.

Gut glue could cause these projections to get stuck together and reduce your ability to properly digest your food!

In addition, because the carbohydrates and protein don’t digest well together, you get this glue moving all along your digestive tract.

All in all, it’s rarely only one thing that is causing discomfort. It is often multifactorial and there are many contributing factors and culprits.

 

This is simply an example where combining gluten and dairy together may not be ideal for digestion (they also happen to be some of the most common food sensitivities and allergies that people deal with).

This is not it.

According to the traditional Ayurveda medicine, excessive amounts of proteins, carbohydrates and fats should not be taken together as this leads to a feeling of heaviness in the stomach.7

Plus, milk is considered as a complete food.

It contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, proteins, good fats, amino acids, calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, lactose, and all nutrients necessary for a healthy body.

That is why in Ayurveda it has been advised not to take wheat products with milk.

What can you do about your digestion problems?

When we choose nourishing food combinations, time our meals accordingly, and create healthy habits like proper chewing, we reduce the chances of these uncomfortable, and sometimes painful symptoms.

Plus, adding the practice of Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs after your meal may further help with inflammation regulation and help to improve liver detoxification, lymphatic drainage and colon cleansing, which means less digestive problems. Amazing, right?

Would you love to know how Castor Oil Packs work and how they can support your gut health?

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