Why Do You Feel Hungover After Just One Drink?

Why Do You Feel Hungover After Just One Drink?

Hungover Without Drinking Alcohol by Queen of the Thornes

Why Do You Feel Hungover After Just One Drink?

Written by: Dr. Marisol Teijeiro N.D. (Inactive)

Medically reviewed by: Victoria Williams R.H.N.  &  Joanna Teljeur

Est. reading time: 7 minutes

Here’s why sugar overgrowth in your gut contributes to hangover symptoms and what you can do to help restore balance in your gut microbiome.

I had one drink last night, and I woke up with a cluster headache, foggy brain and feeling like total sh*t. All from just one drink? One drink! What’s up with that?! This never used to happen to my body before. I mean come on… It was just ONE drink!!! Has this ever happened to you

Why do I get hangover symptoms without drinking?

So you go out and you don’t even drink alcohol, but you wake up the next morning feeling hungover. How can this be, right? It makes absolutely NO SENSE, agreed?

Actually, and to be honest, it makes perfect sense, because I’ve seen this so often in clinical practice, and I’ve experienced it myself as well. So, I’m going to explain to you why you get a hangover after just one drink or even without drinking at all – and what you can do about it.

We don’t often realize these little signs and what they tell us about our bodies. If you know me, you know I love educating about poop, but there are so many more clues about what our body says about us. This “alcohol-less hangover” is one of them, and it actually shows a lot about what is going on in our gut.

What does a one drink hangover tell you about your gut? 

One hint? It has everything to do with your microbiome! So, read on to learn more.

Whenever you are afflicted by hangover symptoms, think of them like the drama in a Mexican telenovela. The symptoms of a hangover add turmoil, turbulence, and some painful excitement to our lives. You know, like the drama you talk about with your friends – the kind you try to figure out like a detective. You see, these hangover symptoms are the tune our basic biochemistry is singing. And for some, this singing is getting pretty loud and cacophonous which is basically an expression of our bodies in distress.

Feeling hungover after minimal amounts of alcohol or food is clearly not the norm, but when it becomes your norm, it gives us valuable information about WHY your biochemical song is out of tune.

How does sugar overgrowth affect your hangover symptoms?

Well, it all comes down to this. Any food or drink that you ingest eventually turns into one basic molecule, and that molecule is sugar.

Starches, alcohol, fruits, and vegetables all become instant forms of sugar for our bodies. Fats and proteins on the other hand, need to be modified into a different form before they can serve as an energy source, and that takes a lot longer.

Think of it like this: Alcohol, sugary pop, pastries, fruits, and certain foods like high starch breads, and basically anything that has sugar in it… is already sugar in your intestines.

And it’s important to remember that when you eat, your gut bacteria eats too!

What causes sugar fermentation and yeast overgrowth?

Your body, and especially your gut, is the home for trillions of  bacteria and yeasts that all feed on the foodstuff that we ingest.

Eight things that cause candida by Queen of the Thrones

Yeast, otherwise known as Candida albicans, can overgrow quite easily. If you have a history of taking antibiotics, birth control pills, or if you have estrogen dominance, you’re already at a higher risk for Candida overgrowth. Hmm, sounds like almost every woman that I know! Is this you too? 

So, these critters are all hanging around in the closed system known as your gut microbiome.  Now, if you’ve ever baked bread, you know that something dramatic happens when you pour sugar into a bowl with water and yeast.

What happens?  

You get a mini explosion as the yeast gobbles up the sugar. And when you leave the sugar and yeast long enough, you get fermentation. You know how the dough rises because of the yeast? That’s the same thing that happens in your belly (think bloating). 

But, in your gut microbiome fermentation creates alcohol and acetyl aldehydes that inhibit your body’s ability to detoxify and cleanse. In short, it creates the dreaded symptoms of a hangover! 

How to stop Candida overgrowth?

When you have a big buildup of yeast in your body, you are already what I like to call your very own “personal alcohol factory”, A.K.A. Super Fermenter (insert your name here). So, if you have hangover symptoms after just one drink, you’re feeling crummy because you’re already producing your own alcohol internally, and then by drinking alcohol or consuming high sugar food/drinks, your gut microbiome quickly creates more alcohol and pushes you over the edge! Believe it or not, it’s like drinking two bottles of wine, all on your own!

Basically, we are all one big biochemical factory. So, what do you do to cleanse the Candida? Well, you can start by:

  • Taking a good-quality probiotic supplement
  • Eating a low sugar, low starch diet – similar to the Paleo Diet
  • Avoiding alcohol until you get things under control

And now for my secret weapon when it comes to yeast overgrowth in the gut… the Castor Oil Pack.

It’s always about working on your microbiome, the bacteria and yeast balance in your body. Yeast grows in a gut environment that is hospitable to it. If you have slow moving intestines, low nutrient levels, high inflammation, stress and bad bacteria, your gut microbiome is becoming a comfy cozy home for yeast to set up shop.

But there is hope! Castor Oil Packs works on all of these factors to help make our gut an inhospitable place for yeasts to grow. Bye-bye one drink hangovers!

Four ways to help candida by Queen of the Thrones

How do Castor Oil Packs help balance the microbiome and support a hangover?

Have you ever heard your parents or grandparents talk about using Castor Oil as a laxative? Well, it’s true! When you drink it, it works really well as a very strong stimulant laxative, which is exactly why I don’t recommend drinking it to my patients.

But when you use Castor Oil with a less-mess Castor Oil Pack, the experience is all together different!

Castor Oil Packs may help support colon cleansing, constipation, and better bowel movements

A study was done in an old age home where the researchers compared Castor Oil Packs to conventional laxatives. Lo and behold, Castor Oil Packs were shown to be just as effective for constipation as oral laxatives but without cramping and the intense urgency to run to the bathroom1.

Better still, Castor Oil contains ricinoleic acid which has been shown to support peristalsis of the smooth muscle of the digestive tract2. In other words, Castor Oil Packs worn on your abdominal area may help support your intestines as they move waste through your system. And this is exactly what you want for better cleansing, better detox, and as a result, a more balanced microbiome.

And if that isn’t convincing enough, some recent research in periodontal medicine has shown that Castor Oil is one of the only natural substances that can break down biofilm3,4,5 – a protective layer created by bad bacteria that prevents you from killing it. What does this mean? Basically, you can only do a true Candida cleanse if you can get through the protective biofilm of the yeast… and a natural way to do this may be with Castor Oil.

In short, Castor Oil Packs may help support balance in your gut microbiome. Pretty amazing, agreed?

Castor Oil Packs may help support your gut nutrient balance

OK, so Castor Oil is a heavy hitter when it comes to nutrients. It’s a thick, rich oil replete with Omega 6 and 9, vitamin E and polyphenols6 and may also promote and preserve the antioxidants nitric oxide7 and glutathione8. So you might be wondering why this matters?

Here’s the deal – nitric oxide which has been shown to reduce Candida albicans9 while your body’s top-dog antioxidant, glutathione is essential for detoxification and cleansing.

When you wear a Castor Oil Pack with 100% pure, certified organic, extra virgin and hexane-free Castor Oil bottled in amber glass, you may help support better gut nutrient levels.

And in case I haven’t already mentioned it, Castor Oil is also an amazing carrier oil. It has the ability to penetrate the skin deeply and may carry nutrients across your skin barrier – allowing them to absorb deeper. And in this case, Castor Oil worn on your skin over your liver area in a Castor Oil Pack, may help support the absorption of these vital nutrients into your digestive tract.

Bottom line: Castor Oil Packs may help support a better balance in your gut. Brilliant, don’t you think?

Castor Oil Packs may help support inflammation balance

Remember how I said that Castor Oil contains ricinoleic acid? Well, to be more specific, Castor Oil contains 90% ricinoleic acid. This is an amazing asset, because in an animal study, ricinoleic acid has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties via reduction of substance P10

What is substance P? Well, without going into an entire biochemistry lesson, substance P is a mediator of pain. When you reduce substance P, you reduce pain. It’s that simple. 

Castor Oil may also help support PGE3 (prostaglandin E3), which creates a similar result in the body that happens when you take fish oils. Basically, Castor Oil has been shown to have anti-inflammatory11 properties, and when you wear Castor Oil Packs, you may help support a better balanced environment for your gut microbiome. And a balanced gut environment is a happy place for GOOD bacteria to thrive.

Castor Oil Packs may help support stress balance

You might be wondering if you can enjoy all these benefits by just rubbing Castor Oil on your skin. Is this you?

Well, this is where the compress part of Castor Oil Packs come into play.

You see, the gentle compression of the pack on your body may help move you into a relaxed state12, and support your love and connection hormone, oxytocin13. If you’ve ever used a weighted blanket then you know exactly what I mean. The only difference is that Castor Oil Packs are like a micro version of a weighted blanket, but they may still provide that comfy, cozy, and RELAXING sensation.

Basically, oxytocin helps balance cortisol14 (the stress hormone). So when you have more oxytocin, you can naturally shift more easily into the relaxed state. But this can’t be achieved with Castor Oil alone. The pack is a must!

But that’s not the only benefit. Castor Oil Packs are made with soft organic cotton flannel, and that luxurious feeling combined with the warm oil on the skin may activate the pleasure centers in your brain15,16, and help support dopamine production – a feel-good hormone that helps you feel satisfied.

Castor Oil Packs may help to get rid of bad bacteria

So, now we know that hangover symptoms are a reflection of gut health and Candida (or yeast) overgrowth, let’s break down how Castor Oil Packs affect the bad bacteria in your gut.

When bad bacteria is present and flourishing in your gut, yeast sneaks in and has a blow-out party. And that party, my friends, is Candida overgrowth. So when this happens, the bad bacteria create this mucus-like film around themselves called biofilm for protection.

Not many substances are able to break down this yucky layer, but fortunately, Castor Oil is one of them3, 4, 5! And if you want to balance your gut microbiome, stop yeast overgrowth, and subsequently mitigate hangover symptoms, you’ve got to break through that biofilm as the first order of business!

So, in a nutshell, balance can be achieved in your microbiome. And when you achieve this balance, you will stop having one-drink-hangovers AND the factors that caused the yeast in the first place, like loss of good bacteria from antibiotics or estrogen dominance, may also improve! Fantastic, right?

So what’s the best thing for hangover symptoms?

Well my friends, if you’re feeling hungover with any of these symptoms…

  • A cluster or migraine headache that feels like you spent all night banging your head against a wall
  • Lethargy so bad it feels you’re carrying the world on your shoulders and can barely move
  • Dark circles under your eyes that would win in the raccoon category at your local beastly pageant
  • An extra foggy brain after only one drink (or none!)

…don’t be dismayed

There really is a natural biological cause. Truly! It’s not your fault, and there really is something that you can do about it!

Get started with your very own super easy, less-mess Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack.

It’s time to support your biology so you can feel better, live your best life, feel freer, and have fun! So there you go, with regular practice, over time, it is POSSIBLE to reset your gut!

Natural recipe for a hangover 

While you’re working towards better microbiome balance, you might find some hangover relief with this very easy recipe that can help replenish your electrolytes – hangover or not! One of the benefits of this recipe is that you’ll be able to support your fluid balance after drinking alcohol, after exercising, or even after being sick! 

You see, electrolytes are essential minerals that your body needs to function properly. When you replenish your electrolytes, your gut, muscles, and nerve function will all be on the receiving end of something wonderful! Besides that, it’s just delicious and refreshing! 

A Natural Electrolyte Remedy

Prep time: 2 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups sparkling water
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • Pinch of Himalayan salt
  • Dash of cayenne pepper (optional) 

Directions:

  1. Pour 1.5 cups of sparkling water into a glass.
    2. Then add the juice of ½ a lemon.
    3. Add Himalayan salt, and the cayenne pepper (optional). Stir and enjoy!

Conclusion

So, the next time you feel those dreaded hangover symptoms after having only one drink, remember that your discomfort is actually your body telling you it’s a little off balance and that your gut microbiome is in need of a little TLC. 

In the meantime, you can start working towards better microbiome balance today by wearing your Castor Oil Pack regularly. 

Don’t forget to share this with your friends on social media, through email and to like us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to learn more about  joining the movement so that we can all have an improvement!

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. 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.  
  2. 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 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22615395
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Holm T, Brøgger-Jensen MR, Johnson L, Kessel L.Glutathione preservation during storage of rat lenses in optisol-GS and castor oil. PLoS One. 2013 Nov 19;8(11):e79620. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079620. eCollection 2013.
  9. Stasko N1, McHale K2, Hollenbach SJ2, Martin M2, Doxey R2. Nitric Oxide-Releasing Macromolecule Exhibits Broad-Spectrum Antifungal Activity and Utility as a Topical Treatment for Superficial Fungal Infections. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2018 Jun 26;62(7). pii: e01026-17. doi: 10.1128/AAC.01026-17. Print 2018 Jul.
  10. Vieira C et al. .Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammation. Mediators Inflamm. 2000;9(5):223-8
  11.  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. PMID: 25542985 
  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.
  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.
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19363489

 

What Is A Castor Oil Pack & Why Do It?

What Is A Castor Oil Pack & Why Do It?

What Is A Castor Oil Pack and Why Do It?

What Is A Castor Oil Pack & Why Do It?

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 Complete Guide On How To Do A Castor Oil Pack

Are you wondering what to expect after using the Castor Oil Pack for Liver?

Or, are you curious to know more about the Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack before you add it to your daily self-care routine?

Is this you? This blog discusses everything you need to know about Castor Oil and Castor Oil Packs and how the two work together to support both your liver and overall wellness.

So, what is a Castor Oil Pack?

Castor Oil Packs are an ancient self-care practice and foundation of naturopathic and functional medicine popularized in the early 1900s by Edgar Cayce.

This traditional natural wellness practice involves applying Castor Oil to a cotton compress and wearing it on the body (typically over the liver) to support liver detox, deeper sleep, less stress, better bowel movements, and more.

The Castor Oil Pack lost its appeal because of its messy and time-consuming nature and difficulty accessing quality organic materials. Makes sense, agreed?”

So, we made this practice easy for the 21st century with the Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack for Liver, a tried and true modernized Castor Oil Pack that’s heatless, less-mess, and easy to use.

Would you love to know 3 vital body functions you can support with Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs?

Well, we have an Infographic for you that explains the 3 key benefits of Castor Oil Packs, loved and recommended by wellness practitioners.

With consistent use, Castor Oil Packs can support your body from the outside in. So much so that many people who love and use Castor Oil Packs think of it as a game changer.

Queen of the Thrones happy customer testimony

Where to wear your Castor Oil Pack?

Castor Oil Packs can be worn all over the body from your thyroid, your tummy, your pelvic area, your joints, and even your eyes – but they are thought to have the most systemic benefit when worn over the liver area. This is because the liver area is where the regulatory systems of your body all intersect and interconnect (your hormonal, immune, nervous and digestive systems). Many people assume that you need to wear your Liver Pack right on your liver to get the benefits. Is this you too? However, this is not the case. Anatomically, the liver is located near the top of your right ribcage under the right breast. It would be a little difficult to wear your pack there, agreed? 
Liver location in the body by Queen of the Thrones

The ideal placement for your Castor Oil Pack is your liver area, over top of the dermatomes connected to your liver.

You see, the anti-inflammatory component of Castor Oil called ricinoleic acid1 permeates the epidermis because of its molecular weight, this is where your circulatory and lymphatic vessels lie. And when placed over your liver area, these Packs activate the somatic and visceral reflexes (response to a stimulus) supporting the activity of internal detox and cleansing organs like the liver, kidney, gut, gallbladder, and more.

So, this is why it’s ideal to wear the Pack over your liver area, below your ribs on the right side of your body. This covers your T5-T12 dermatomes which support the gallbladder, liver, diaphragm, stomach, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, small intestine, appendix, adrenals, uterus and colon.  

How to use your Castor Oil Liver Pack?

It’s as easy as following the two-step process so you can support your body from the outside in.

Step One: Apply 1 tbsp of Organic Castor Oil to the soft organic cotton flannel side of your Pack. 

*Always add your Organic Castor Oil to the middle of the pack to help keep the oil from the seams, as the Pack is not 100% impermeable.

Dermatomes of the Body Supported by The Castor Oil Pack for Liver

Step Two: Place the soft cotton flannel side of your Castor Oil Pack over your liver area (under your right rib cage) and tie it in place with the soft, stretchy, adjustable straps.

*Remember: Castor Oil WILL STAIN clothing & bed sheets so take extra care when preparing your Pack. Of course, you can always wear an old t-shirt over your Pack just in case.

With regular practice, you will train your body to respond better to stress. Amazing, agreed? 

And the best part…

You can wear your Pack for one hour before bed, and even better, wear your Pack overnight to help you cleanse while you sleep.

You see, your body naturally cleanses when you’re sleeping. So, by wearing your Castor Oil Liver Pack overnight you’re supporting natural liver detoxification, lymphatic drainage2, and colon cleansing3,14

Learn how to use Castor oil Packs for liver designed by Queen of the Thrones

How do Castor Oil Packs support your liver?

Castor Oil is a unique vegetable oil derived from the castor bean. It contains 90% ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid structure strikingly similar to that of prostaglandin E1. In simple terms, it is a strong anti-inflammatory4 agent in our body. Here’s how it works… Mechanical: The compression of your Castor Oil Pack placed over the liver (slightly covering the lower free ribs under your right rib cage), combined with the movement of your breathing muscles, serves like a pump to your lymphatic system, encouraging lymphatic drainage2. Amazing, agreed? Neurological: When placed on specific dermatomes, this activates the somatic visceral reflexes triggering the activity of internal detox and cleansing organs like the liver, kidney, gut, gallbladder, and more. A combination of both mechanical and neurological: The Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack stimulates the body’s skin receptors that stimulate the natural oxytocin5 feedback loop activating the vagus nerve, shifting the body into the ‘rest and digest’ state where liver detox is optimized. This gentle compression of the Castor Oil Pack stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system6,7,8. Amazing, right?
Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil OAcks supports detox and digestion

 You can learn more about the 3 vital body functions you can support with Castor Oil Packs in your FREE infographic.

What are the key benefits of Castor Oil Liver Packs?

First, let’s look at the most important function of your Castor Oil Pack, which is to help…

1. Balance inflammation

Did you know that inflammation is part of your body’s process of fighting against things that harm it (like infections) in an attempt to heal and protect itself?

So, when something damages your cells, your body releases chemicals that trigger an inflammatory response from your immune system10. It’s a natural process, but inflammation is often out of control in today’s modern world.

When you are inflamed, your body is acidic. However, the enzymes in your body don’t function properly in an acidic environment, as they require an alkaline environment11

Inflammation is like fire, and what does a firefighter do to put out a fire? They put water on it. Central abdominal bloating and weight gain are often caused because our body sends water to the site of inflammation to ‘put out the fire’. Makes sense, agreed?

So, since Castor Oil contains ricinoleic acid, a natural anti-inflammatory1-4, it may support the natural reduction of water retention and swelling.

Castor Oil also supports detox by helping to…

2. Preserve glutathione status

Glu…tat…what?

Well, glutathione is the master detoxification agent of the body12. But, unfortunately, it can quickly be depleted mainly because of chronic diseases, including autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. 

Studies on rats have shown that Castor Oil is supportive of preserving glutathione levels13.  You see, glutathione is an antioxidant that pulls toxins out of your body, and that’s why we get depleted so quickly. 

Castor Oil also supports the elimination of waste from your body by…

3. Help move your bowels

lOne of the major processes of your body is your bowel movements. If you can’t eliminate (a.k.a go to the bathroom), you self-intoxicate.

Remember those anti-inflammatory prostaglandins that Castor Oil mimics? Well, these are the same ones that attach to the receptors of smooth muscle14 in the body, namely your gut and uterus.

So, this physical smooth muscle function moves things out of the body, and your Castor Oil Liver Pack helps stimulate it3,14 so you can go to the bathroom naturally and rid yourself of feeling backed up. Sounds wonderful, agreed?

Lastly, Castor Oil aids in maintaining your general wellness by helping your body…

4. Microbiome balance

The microbiome and bacteria in your gut are a mix of good and bad bugs. The balance of the two influences your well-being. So, when the balance is off, you feel unwell. Makes sense, right? Biofilm is a big bad barrier that bad bacteria can produce in the microbiome. It keeps the bad bugs in and the good bugs out. Unfortunately, this causes severe stress on the body, inhibiting cleansing and detoxification. Castor Oil is one of the only natural substances that can breakdown biofilm15,16,17, allowing your body to maintain a balanced ecology (environment). 
Smart Bowel movements with Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil Packs

In combination with a good diet, adequate fluid intake (water/tea), flow (urine, poop) mindset, and exercise, Castor Oil Packs are one of the cornerstones to supporting your bowels.

All in all, starting with your tried and true Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack for Liver, you will be able to support… 

  • Gentle liver detox
  • Colon cleansing3,14
  • Lymphatic drainage2

However, not all Castor Oil Packs are made equal.

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

  • 100% pure
  • Organic
  • 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

Try it for yourself to see!

You can also learn more about the best practices for your Castor Oil Pack with your FREE infographic. Would you love that?

Common questions

1. Why do I have to replace it after two months of regular use?

The traditional way of doing Castor Oil Packs was to use the SAME compress over and over and over. This was okay, before the industrial revolution when our environment wasn’t as toxic.

We now know that the increasing environmental toxicity impacts wellness. This is why it’s important to add fresh oil every time and replace your pack every 2 months for ease of use, comfort, and sanitation.
 

2. Why can’t I just drink Castor Oil or rub it on my skin?

Castor Oil orally is a stimulant laxative that causes cramping and makes you poop. Simply rubbing it on your skin and wearing a T-shirt overtop only gives you about 50% of the benefits. You need the pack to help move your body into a relaxed state via gentle compression to support liver detox, lymphatic drainage, and colon cleansing.

 

3. Why can’t I use organic bamboo or any old cloth?

ONLY use organic cotton, wool or linen! Other materials like ‘organic’ bamboo are highly processed with chemicals. Old clothing may be made with harmful dyes, bleach, and flame retardants that you don’t want to absorb into your body.

4. What if I’m on medications, hormone replacement therapy, birth control pills, IUDs, or supplements?

Castor Oil Packs are safely combined with any medication and supplement and may even help them work better. There are no known contraindications or interactions with medication, and they are safe to use with hormone replacements, TTC medicines, birth control pills, and IUDs.

5. Isn’t it messy?

That’s why we created this LESS-mess pack. It’s not entirely messless, but LESS messy than a DIY pack. Castor Oil does stain, so always wear an old T-shirt.

6. Don’t I have to add heat?

Extra heat isn’t necessary because it’s engineered to hold in your body heat naturally.

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. 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”
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. 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
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
10. Chen L, Deng H, Cui H, Fang J, Zuo Z, Deng J, Li Y, Wang X, Zhao L. Inflammatory responses and inflammation-associated diseases in organs. Oncotarget. 2017 Dec 14;9(6):7204-7218. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.23208. PMID: 29467962; PMCID: PMC5805548.
11. Hopkins E, Sanvictores T, Sharma S. Physiology, Acid Base Balance. [Updated 2022 Sep 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-.
12. Silvagno F, Vernone A, Pescarmona GP. The Role of Glutathione in Protecting against the Severe Inflammatory Response Triggered by COVID-19. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020 Jul 16;9(7):624. doi: 10.3390/antiox9070624. PMID: 32708578; PMCID: PMC7402141.
13. Holm T, Brøgger-Jensen MR, Johnson L, Kessel L.Glutathione preservation during storage of rat lenses in optisol-GS and castor oil. PLoS One. 2013 Nov 19;8(11):e79620. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079620. eCollection 2013. PMID: 24260265
14. 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
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.

 

    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.

    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 Lymphatic Lymphatic 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.

    Here’s why you should detox using Castor Oil Packs.

    Here’s why you should detox using Castor Oil Packs.

    What are the Benefits of Detoxing with Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs

    Here’s why you should detox using Castor Oil Packs.

    Written by: Brianna Salerno, Holistic Lifestyle Coach & Queen of the Thrones® Affiliate
    Medically reviewed by: Melanie Swackhammer B.A.

    Est. reading time: 9 minutes.

    First thing’s first, let’s answer one question…

    Are die-off symptoms during a cleanse or detox normal?

    It’s possible, but doesn’t have to be normal. Are you wondering what I mean by that?

    Well, if you have ever felt worse during a cleanse or detox, with symptoms like:

    • More than your normal constipation
    • Feeling even more exhausted with little to no energy to do the simplest things…

    These are only two of the many common examples of die-off symptoms that can be experienced during a cleanse and detox.

    And they aren’t exactly NORMAL. You see, you don’t need to experience die-off symptoms during a cleanse and detox to be successful, like some practitioners say.

    I know, sometimes these symptoms make you doubt the effectiveness of a cleanse and detox that you may have started, agreed? I know it did for me.

    And that’s why I’m here with you now so we can discuss die-off symptoms of cleanses and detoxes so you can avoid experiencing them.

    Why does this matter? Well, you don’t want to feel so bad that you wished you never started a cleanse or a detox, am I right?

    Even though you’ve been told it’s normal to feel worse before you feel better, it doesn’t have to be that way.

    If this is or isn’t your first time hearing about die-off symptoms, either way, there’s hope.

    And this is why you want to to keep reading this blog BEFORE you start your next cleanse or detox.

    You see, knowledge is power when it comes to die-off symptoms of a cleanse and detox. Because, you don’t want them to prevent you from doing the best foundational health-promoting practice.

    All you need is a ready-to-wear, easy, ancient health practice to support your cleanse and detox.

    Did you know Castor Oil Packs can help alleviate your die-off symptoms and actually help enhance your detox? Would you love to know how?

    Castor Oil Packs can support you during a candida cleanse.

    May I share my story with you about how I found relief from my terrible die-off symptoms by trying out a Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Liver Pack for Liver

    My name is Brianna Salerno, I’m a Holistic Health Coach and owner of Blessed Holistic Life who encourages regular parasite and candida cleanses for clients with gut inflammation to improve their gut health.

    Personally, I have done multiple cleanses and detoxes just like you, and have often struggled through the die-off phase.

     

    Unfortunately, sometimes detoxing may result in some pretty uncomfortably painful die-off symptoms. Have you been there before?

    So, I understand your pain, my friend, because this was me too but thankfully, I finally found the relief I was needing when I had tried out the Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack, which helped me relieve my terrible die-off symptoms.

    But, you might be wondering…

    What are Die-off Symptoms of Parasite and Candida Cleanses?

    The symptoms you may experience as I did before I found the Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack for Liver were:

    • Headaches
    • Bloating
    • Nausea
    • Constipation
    • Diarrhea
    • Fatigue
    • Gas
    • Sinus Problems
    • Skin rashes
    • Insomnia
    • Aches and Pain

     

    Honestly, on my last parasite and candida cleanse I started to get desperate as I was gaining weight and was bloated 24/7. Something had to give. Luckily I was scrolling on Instagram when I saw a Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack for Liver with a caption saying “how to help bloat.”

    So, I immediately ordered and prayed for relief.

    It only took one night with my new Castor Oil Pack practice to see results and I was hooked! Amazing, agreed?

    Improve sleep, bloat & constipation with Castor Oil Packs!

    I bought the organic ready-to-wear, less-mess Queen of Thrones® Cleanse-While-You-Sleep Castor Oil Pack Bundle that comes with the Queen of Thrones® Castor Oil Pack.

    The pack felt so soft against my skin because it’s made of organic flannel. The best part? It’s so easy to use – just two easy steps.

    Step 1: I poured the oil on the cloth and then came step 2, which meant wrapping it around my stomach and went to sleep.

    Not only did I sleep AMAZING, I woke up with no bloat and immediately went to the bathroom! I couldn’t believe it! I tried again and the same thing happened! I was HOOKED.

    I felt lighter and had way more energy too! It felt like all the toxins I was releasing were finally leaving my body and helping my gut inflammation. Sounds simply wonderful, agreed?

    How does a Castor Oil Pack for Liver work?

    The body naturally cleanses and detoxes when in a relaxed state. Wearing a Castor Oil Pack topically over the liver or pelvic regions shifts the body into the relaxed parasympathetic state2-3-4 because we’re often living in a stressed state.

    So, that’s why it’s hard for our bodies to detoxify.

    Die-off symptoms are simply our body’s attempt during a detox of what needs to come out, but because of overwhelmed systems, it can’t do its job. Makes sense, right?

    So, supporting healthy functions of cleansing and detoxification by shifting the body into a relaxed state supports the moving of the bowels5-6 and enhances liver detox and reduces gut inflammation.1

    This helps our body to help get rid of the toxins released during a detox or cleanse. Promoting good energy, and relieving constipation5-6 and bloating.

    Castor Oil Packs: The benefits beyond cleansing & detox

    Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs helps:

    • Increase lymphatic circulation7
    • Reduce core inflammation1
    • Stress LESS and sleep better2-3-4
    • Relieve constipation & enhance digestion5-6
    • Balance your microbiome8-9-10-11

    So, if you would love to experience an easy detoxing cleanse without dreaded die-off symptoms, simply adopt a cleanse and detox practice by wearing a Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack for Liver nightly and let your body easily reset itself. Yes, it really is that easy!

    Brianna Salerno is a holistic lifestyle coach and clean beauty blogger. She has a holistic lifestyle blog where she shares the best clean non-toxic brands. She is passionate about helping others and is a huge advocate for detoxing.

    To learn more about cleansing and detoxification, this is for you.

    Are you a practitioner, health coach or wellness influencer? If you’re interested in…

    • Recommending our easy-to-use tools to the people you serve.
    • Practically applying them in your health and wellness professional practice in clinic or online.
    • Or becoming a Wholesale Partner

    Contact us at: royalty@queenofthethrones.com

    Click here for references

    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.

    What Is A Castor Oil Pack & Why Do It?

    Can I do a Castor Oil Pack without the pack / compress?

    Can I do a Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil Pack without the pack compress

    Can I do a Castor Oil Pack without the pack / compress?

    Written by: Heather Tanti RPN (non-practicing)
    Medically reviewed by: Marisol Teijeiro N.D. (inactive) & Melanie Swackhammer B.A.

    Est. reading time: 10 minutes.

    So, you’ve heard of Castor Oil Packs because you’ve been prescribed them from your Naturopathic Doctor, Functional Medicine Practitioner, or maybe you’ve heard about them from your favorite natural health influencer, right?

    You love the idea of them because of all the amazing benefits, like…

    • Improved bowel movements1and better absorption2
    • Reduced core inflammation3
    • Liver detox4 and microbiome gut health5-6-7-8
    • Enhanced relaxation and better sleep9-10-11-12

    While an interesting protocol, seed cycling for hormone imbalance requires the patient to ingest seeds like flax, pumpkin, sesame and sunflower on specific weeks of their cycle.

    BUT you can’t help but think to yourself… “Do I need the compress for Castor Oil Packs?”

    The doctor dresses the wound and the nature heals it by Queen of the Thrones

    “Why can’t I just rub Castor Oil on my stomach, throw an old t-shirt on, and call it a day?”

    Call it a pack, a compress, or a wrap, either way, if you want the benefit of the Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack for Liver Kit or Castor Oil Pack for Fertility, you need it to get the job done properly.

    Sounds like I’m trying to sell you something, agreed? Well, you are right, essentially.

    I’m selling you on the benefits of this ancient health practice, and doing it the right way as it was intended, thankfully now with some easy tools created by a Naturopathic Doctor, for herself, her patients and her practice, to help her patients comply and get the results they were looking for.

    You see, with the nightly repetition of your Castor Oil Pack, the oil is only 50% of the treatment effect, the main purpose isn’t necessarily the oil, although most people think that it is.

    Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil Packs reduce inflammation from the outside in

    The oil is supportive to reduce inflammation from the outside in, but what supports the body most is actually the use of the compress with the health-promoting action of CASTOR OIL.

    Together, castor oil and the compress, pack or wrap, as people call it, have been used for centuries, and has since established its place in medicine.

    But, like everything…

    A Castor Oil Pack treatment must be done the right way, using the right tools.

    It’s become a habit to skip a step, and to simply rub or roll on the Castor Oil over the liver, belly or pelvic region, or wherever else you may use the pack. Although this does provide benefit, we are missing the effect from the compress. Think of it like one large physiological bandage for your liver, pelvic region or belly.

    The effect of a bandage is to draw the attention of the nervous system, by stimulation of the skin receptors, c-tactile receptors as well as others. This nervous system stimulation through the skin, actually acts as an escape button, to shift the body into the parasympathetic relaxed state,13-14-15-16 activating the Vagus nerve.

     

    In addition, the pack keeps in heat, which, based on the principle of hydrotherapy, supports circulation and increases blood flow. With this comes nutrients and healing factors.

    Plus, the pressure of the pack supports deeper permeation of the oil, which already is able to permeate the dermis, unlike other oils, so true activity can be realized.

    Loving what you’re reading?

    When Castor Oil is simply applied topically, without the pack, it’s as simple as a skin emollient.

    This is why one cannot do what has been called the ‘ lazy mans’ Castor Oil Pack’, which is the practice of just applying oil to your skin and skipping the compress altogether.

    You might be wondering, why does the compress matter this much?

    Well, worn nightly as a compress, your Queen of the Thrones ® Castor Oil Pack has parasympathetic promoting effects, according to dermatological scientific research on neuro reaction to material softness and oil sensations on skin.17-18

    In turn, this supports a shift into the parasympathetic nervous system, rest, digest and detox state, which is key to improving hormone imbalances and gut health. Sounds amazing, agreed?

    Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil Pack help you to rest digest and detox

    Applying Castor Oil topically to your skin with your Castor Oil Pack compress, allows it to work from the outside IN.

    But how does your Castor Oil Pack practice do this?

    You see, Castor Oil is known as a carrier oil, meaning, due to its molecular weight of ricinoleic acid19 (the major triglyceride chain making up approximately 90% of Castor Oil), it is effective topically, and only requires a minimal daily dosage.

    It takes less than 2 tablespoons of Castor Oil placed on the pack at night, and much stays on the flannel, making it much less messy, and more convenient than traditional Castor Oil treatments. Amazing, agreed?

    Repetitive nightly practice is like the training of the olympian athlete. Stay with me here.

    The more you repeat it, the more your body can naturally bring on the relaxed state and shift from the sympathetic stressed state of hormonal imbalance, leaky gut and metabolic syndrome, to a calm, balanced parasympathetic state, all due to nightly application.

    In chronobiology medicine, this is known as entrainement.20-21

    Our bodies are entrained by 2 factors:

    1. An internal genetic body clock
    2. An external zeitgeber
    Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil Pack naturally bring on your body to a relaxed state

    What we are not too busy to do is easily place a Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack on the liver or pelvic region, before bed.

    You, my friend, for your patients, clients or yourself can achieve this with practice, repetition and habit creation!

    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. Holm T, Brøgger-Jensen MR, Johnson L, Kessel L.Glutathione preservation during storage of rat lenses in opti-sol-GS and castor oil. PLoS One. 2013 Nov 19;8(11):e79620. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079620. eCollection 2013. PMID: 24260265

    2. 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.

    3. 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.

    4. Holm T, Brøgger-Jensen MR, Johnson L, Kessel L.Glutathione preservation during storage of rat lenses in opti-sol-GS and castor oil. PLoS One. 2013 Nov 19;8(11):e79620. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079620. eCollection 2013. PMID: 24260265.

    5. 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

    6. 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

    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. 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.

    9. 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.

    10. 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.

    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.

    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. 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.

    16. 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 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19363489.

    17. 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.

    18. 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 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19363489.

    19. PubChem [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), National Center for Biotechnology Information; 2004-. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 643684, Ricinoleic acid; [cited 2022 Mar. 31].

    20. Golombek DA, Rosenstein RE. Physiology of circadian entrainment. Physiol Rev. 2010 Jul;90(3):1063-102. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00009.2009. PMID: 20664079.

    21. Kronfeld-Schor N, Dominoni D, de la Iglesia H, Levy O, Herzog ED, Dayan T, Helfrich-Forster C. Chronobiology by moonlight. Proc Biol Sci. 2013 Jul 3;280(1765):20123088. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2012.3088. PMID: 23825199; PMCID: PMC3712431.

    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.