Empowering Endometriosis Self-Care with Castor Oil Packs

Empowering Endometriosis Self-Care with Castor Oil Packs

Empowering Endometriosis Self Care with Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil

Empowering Endometriosis Self-Care with Castor Oil Packs

Written by: Heather Tanti R.P.N (non-practicing)

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

Est. reading time: 12 minutes

In the quiet corners of countless lives, a silent struggle unfolds, one that often goes unnoticed—the battle against endometriosis. It’s the kind of pain that isn’t just physical; it’s emotional, mental, and sometimes even spiritual. It’s the ache that keeps you up at night, the discomfort that impacts your every movement, and the invisible weight that seems to crush your spirit on the toughest days.

Living with endometriosis isn’t just about enduring the physical symptoms; it’s about navigating a maze of uncertainty, frustration, and often, loneliness. It’s about struggling to explain to others why simple tasks sometimes feel like climbing mountains. It’s about battling against the stigma that surrounds “invisible illnesses” and the disbelief that often greets our pain.

Facts about endometriosis by Queen of the Thrones

Yet, amidst the struggles and the tears, there’s a resilience that burns bright within each of us. It’s the resilience that gets us out of bed on the darkest days, that pushes us to seek answers even when the medical system fails us, and that reminds us that we are more than our pain.

Beyond the medical approach lies a natural self-care support; a comforting approach to the struggles faced with endometriosis– Castor Oil Packs.

Journey with us as we explore the ups and downs of endometriosis, and how the nurturing touch of Castor Oil Packs may help support the symptoms that often weigh you down.

What is endometriosis?

Chances are you, or someone close to you has been diagnosed with endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a condition that typically affects teenagers and women of reproductive age. It involves the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, often leading to persistent pelvic pain and fertility problems.

Diagnosing endometriosis can be slow because there’s no clear and easy way to confirm it without invasive methods. Symptoms vary, making it tough to pinpoint. Treatment usually involves using hormones and pain relievers, but they don’t always work well since endometriosis often comes back.1

What is endometriosis by Queen of the Thrones
Around 10% to 15% of women in their reproductive years are believed to have endometriosis, but this number goes up significantly to about 70% in women experiencing chronic pelvic pain.

In the U.S., a recent survey found that 11.2% of women aged 18 to 45 hospitalized for issues related to the genital and urinary system were diagnosed with endometriosis. Additionally, about 10.3% of women who had gynecologic surgeries were found to have endometriosis.2

Now that we understand what endometriosis is and how common it is among women, let’s dive deeper into the signs and symptoms that often accompany this complex condition.

What is thoracic endometriosis?

Thoracic endometriosis syndrome involves the presence of endometrial tissue in or around the lungs. 

It includes four specific clinical conditions:

    • Catamenial pneumothorax
    • Catamenial hemothorax
    • Hemoptysis
    • Pulmonary nodules

This syndrome is rare and complex, and clinicians frequently face challenges in diagnosing it, leading to delayed or overlooked cases. Such delays can contribute to recurrent hospitalizations and other complications.3

Symptoms of endometriosis?

As we peel back the layers of endometriosis, we uncover not just a medical diagnosis, but a relentless storm of symptoms that can wreak havoc on every aspect of life. It’s like being caught in a whirlwind of pain, uncertainty, and frustration, where every day feels like a battle against your own body.

From the relentless pelvic pain that feels like a dagger twisting in your gut to the fatigue that weighs you down like an anchor, the symptoms of endometriosis are more than just physical; they’re a constant reminder of the silent struggle raging within.

But it’s not just the pain that defines endometriosis; it’s the invisible symptoms too—the anxiety that clenches your chest, the depression that clouds your mind, and the isolation that wraps around you like a suffocating blanket. It’s the endless doctor’s appointments, the countless medications, and the never-ending search for relief that can leave you feeling lost and alone.

Endometriosis symptoms can be grouped into three categories:

1. Menstrual dysfunction

2. Ovulatory dysfunction

3. Reproductive dysfunction 

Problems with periods, like pelvic pain, painful periods, and pain during sex, are common signs of menstrual dysfunction. In younger patients with these issues, endometriosis is often found to be the cause, especially if the doctor sees unusual lesions. 

Symptoms of Endometriosis by Queens of the Thrones
Ovulatory dysfunction connected to endometriosis involves issues such as not ovulating, spotting before periods, problems in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, and something called LUF syndrome (Luteinised unruptured follicle syndrome).4

But endometriosis symptoms often go beyond the pelvic area, and can impact your entire body, including back pain, and constant lower abdominal pain often connected to bladder filling and going to the bathroom.5

The relentless struggles with endometriosis symptoms can profoundly impact every facet of one’s life. The constant pain, ranging from menstrual discomfort to persistent abdominal and back pain, becomes an unwelcome companion in daily activities. Intimate moments turn into sources of anxiety and discomfort, and even routine activities like using the bathroom become painful episodes. 

The irregular menstrual cycles and fertility challenges add emotional strain, while chronic fatigue casts a heavy shadow on daily energy levels.

If you’re nodding your head relating to these symptoms, you’re not alone

Stages of endometriosis

Stages of Endometriosis by Queen of the Thrones
Let’s dive into understanding the stages of endometriosis—a roadmap that sheds light on the progression and severity of this complex condition. Just as each individual’s experience with endometriosis is unique, so too are the stages that characterize its impact on the body.

The American Fertility Society uses a scoring system to classify endometriosis into four stages, ranging from Stage I (minimal) to Stage IV (severe). This classification is determined by the location and size of the lesions observed during surgical procedures.6

Endometriosis diagnosis

Endometriosis is a prevalent condition, yet its diagnosis is often delayed by 8-12 years due to the diverse range of symptoms. Currently, laparoscopy stands as the gold standard for diagnosis, but exploring less invasive methods could potentially reduce the time it takes to identify the condition.

Using less invasive tests like imaging, genetic tests, biomarkers, or miRNAs could be the key to making the diagnosis of endometriosis less intrusive. Research suggests that different methods may contribute differently to the diagnosis, depending on the type of endometriosis. For instance, transvaginal ultrasound is good at detecting endometriomas but not superficial/peritoneal endometriosis

While various non-invasive tests show promise in diagnosing this complex condition, further research is needed before they become part of routine clinical care.7

So you see, getting to the bottom of endometriosis often feels like putting together a puzzle, except that puzzle can look different for everyone.

Endometriosis diagnosis by Queen of the Thrones

Endometriosis and treatment

When it comes to dealing with endometriosis, the current medical game plan is more about managing the condition than waving a magic cure wand. 

The good news is, many women do find relief and better control of their symptoms with medical treatments. But here’s the catch – these treatments might bring some not-so-fun side effects and can be a bit heavy on the wallet. Plus, once you hit pause on the meds, symptoms often make a comeback. 

So, it’s a bit like a balancing act between finding relief and dealing with the trade-offs of the treatment journey.8

Some of these medical treatment approaches include:

  • Hormone therapy: One of the most effective ways to manage pain from endometriosis is often through hormonal drugs, regardless of the type of endometriosis (whether it’s in the ovaries, deep, or superficial). Medications like gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs and oral antagonists work by causing a kind of induced menopause, which helps lessen painful periods (dysmenorrhea) and other pain symptoms.9
  • Pain medications: As per the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are included in the initial pain management approach, and often include Ibuprofen, naproxen, or metamizole as suitable pain relievers.10
  • Surgical treatments: Surgical treatment for endometriosis aims to completely remove all lesions in a single procedure, offering promising long-term results for pelvic pain, recurrence, and fertility, while preserving organ functionality. The decision between surgery and medical therapy depends on factors like pregnancy plans, treatment effectiveness, potential complications, pain type and intensity, and the location/severity of the disease.11
Endometriosis treatments by Queen of the Thrones

While the above medical treatments may bring relief in the battle with endometriosis, what about natural ways to treat endometriosis?

Natural help for endometriosis

These days there is growing interest in natural ways to help support the symptoms of endometriosis, this is mainly due to the side-effects that traditional medical approaches bring in the search for relief.

Complementary and alternative medicine treatments include various options like herbal remedies, acupuncture, microwave therapy, and Chinese herb enemas. These methods are believed to help ease period pain, shrink masses in the pelvic area, and improve the chances of getting pregnant, all with fewer side effects compared to hormonal or surgical treatments.12

Beyond the medicinal approach lies lifestyle approaches to supporting endometriosis symptoms, including dietary supplements.

Dietary supplements like vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, omega 3, propolis, quercetin, curcumin, N-acetylcysteine, probiotics, resveratrol, alpha lipoic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCg), are thought to have properties that can help reduce inflammation, fight oxidation, slow cell growth, and support the immune system.13

So, what exactly is a good diet when it comes to endometriosis support? Best practices involve:

  1. Following a nutrient-rich diet: Eating a diet of healthy fats, hearty proteins, and heaps of vegetables that are high in micronutrients and fiber may help reduce inflammation in the body.14

     

  2.  Adding in anti-inflammatory herbs and spices: Spices and herbs like turmeric, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, cacao, dark chocolate, chamomile, mint, and others are rich in anti-inflammatory properties. They help alleviate pain and symptoms linked with endometriosis.15

     

  3. Avoiding caffeine, sugar and gluten: Excessive intake of these substances may influence blood sugar levels, potentially causing hormonal imbalances. Caffeine can affect your liver function, impacting the body’s natural detoxification process and contributing to estrogen buildup, potentially worsening symptoms.16

    4. Supporting your gut health: Taking steps to nurture your gut, such as incorporating anti-inflammatory foods (especially cruciferous vegetables, known for aiding in the removal of excess estrogen that may disrupt hormones and worsen symptoms), including probiotics in your diet, and steering clear of inflammatory foods and triggers, can help contribute to managing endometriosis.17
Queen of the Thrones good diet for endometriosis

Here’s a lunch/dinner recipe idea to get you started!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup quinoa (uncooked)
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, spinach)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
  • 1 tablespoon tamari
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

  1.  Cook quinoa according to package instructions.
  2. In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Add mixed vegetables to the pan and stir-fry until they are tender yet crisp.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together tamari (or soy sauce), sesame oil, rice vinegar, and maple syrup (or honey).
  5. Pour the sauce over the vegetables, stirring to coat evenly. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
  6. Add cooked quinoa to the pan, mixing well with the vegetables and sauce.
  7. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the stir-fry for added crunch (optional).
  8. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve warm.

This quinoa and vegetable stir-fry is not only delicious but also incorporates anti-inflammatory foods, supporting your journey in managing endometriosis.

Castor Oil Packs and endometriosis

Now that we’ve touched on the medical and alternative approaches to symptom support, let’s explore endometriosis self-care with Castor Oil Packs as a natural approach to your wellness.

Castor Oil Packs—a natural remedy with a rich history dating back centuries. 

Traditionally, using Castor Oil Packs involved a messy and somewhat complex process. However, modern advancements have transformed this ancient practice into a convenient and user-friendly experience. 

Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs have been designed to support your self-care and wellness with ease and simplicity. So, let’s explore the benefits of Castor Oil Packs and discover how they can help enhance your well-being and support your self-care with endometriosis.

When it comes to naturally supporting your body through the ups and downs of endometriosis, Queen of the Thrones® offers a wide range of Castor Oil Packs to bring you the self-care you deserve.

Queen of the Thrones® Pelvis & Hips Castor Oil Pack

Conditions that Queen of the Thrones® Pelvis & Hips Castor Oil Pack support

The pain, cramping and inflammation associated with endometriosis can really impact the quality of life women experience, agreed? Besides pain relievers like naproxen, ibuprofen etc. a naturally comforting approach can be used with the Queen of the Thrones® Pelvis & Hips Castor Oil Pack.

This self-care gem is like a warm, comforting hug for your pelvic area, and feels like a cozy weighted blanket.

The best part? When combined with organic Golden Castor Oil, you’re creating a self-care practice that goes beyond the surface, bringing you the benefits of Castor Oil and gentle compression from your pack.

Pelvis and Hips Castor Oil Pack clickable button
Why does compression matter? Gentle compression from the pack against your skin is thought to help stimulate receptors linked to the nervous system, triggering the activation of the vagus nerve and encouraging the release of oxytocin (the love and connection hormone).18 19

Moreover, the indulgent sensation of Castor Oil on your skin may contribute to supporting dopamine levels, potentially supporting a sense of satisfaction.20 In the context of managing endometriosis symptoms, this luxurious experience can be a comforting addition, offering relief and enhancing your well-being.

Sounds good, agreed? Get your Pelvis & Hips Castor Oil Pack Now!

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.

 

Gut glue junction by Queen of the Thrones

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?

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. Cömert ED, Gökmen V. Effect of food combinations and their co-digestion on total antioxidant capacity under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Curr Res Food Sci. 2022 Feb 17;5:414-422. doi: 10.1016/j.crfs.2022.02.008. PMID: 35243354; PMCID: PMC8866489.

2. Ye EQ, Chacko SA, Chou EL, Kugizaki M, Liu S. Greater whole-grain intake is associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and weight gain. J Nutr. 2012 Jul;142(7):1304-13. doi: 10.3945/jn.111.155325. Epub 2012 May 30. Erratum in: J Nutr. 2013 Sep;143(9):1524. PMID: 22649266; PMCID: PMC6498460.

3. Lordan R, Tsoupras A, Mitra B, Zabetakis I. Dairy Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: Do We Really Need to be Concerned? Foods. 2018 Mar 1;7(3):29. doi: 10.3390/foods7030029. PMID: 29494487; PMCID: PMC5867544.

4. Abargouei AS, Janghorbani M, Salehi-Marzijarani M, Esmaillzadeh A. Effect of dairy consumption on weight and body composition in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Int J Obes (Lond). 2012 Dec;36(12):1485-93. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2011.269. Epub 2012 Jan 17. PMID: 22249225.

5. Khorraminezhad L, Rudkowska I. Effect of Yogurt Consumption on Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors: a Narrative Review. Curr Nutr Rep. 2021 Mar;10(1):83-92. doi: 10.1007/s13668-020-00344-y. Epub 2021 Jan 6. PMID: 33405074.

6. G. Lynn Carlson. A New approach to the baking soda-vinegar reaction. J. Chem. Educ., 1990, 67 (7), p 597 DOI: 10.1021/ed067p597. Publication Date: July 1990

7. Sabnis M. Viruddha Ahara: A critical view. Ayu. 2012 Jul;33(3):332-6. doi: 10.4103/0974-8520.108817. PMID: 23723637; PMCID: PMC3665091.

How do Castor Oil Packs work?

How do Castor Oil Packs work?

Learn with Queen of the Thrones How Castor Oil Packs Work and how they help you to improve your health

How do Castor Oil Packs work?

Written by: Victoria Williams R.H.N.
Medically reviewed by: Melanie Swackhammer B.A.

Est. reading time: 9 minutes.

As a health care practitioner, you may have prescribed the traditional treatment method of castor oil packs for liver detox, lymphatic drainage or colon cleansing, right?

You did this by saturating an old cloth with castor oil and applying that gooey mess to various parts of the body because you know of the great health benefits that this treatment method offers. Can you relate?

And, if you’re like me, you stopped prescribing the old way of applying castor oil packs because that 12-step method was too messy, too complicated and your patients just didn’t comply to it. And I don’t blame them, do you?

Or maybe you had your patients do it the “lazy way” by simply just rubbing on the castor oil and then having them wear an old t-shirt. Sound familiar?

But, with the application of just the castor oil without the castor oil pack, we only get half of the benefits

Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil plus the pack help you you to obtain better health results

How do Castor Oil Packs work for lymphatic drainage and cleansing?

Firstly, it’s mechanical, with the compression of the pack placed over the liver (slightly covering the lower free ribs under your right rib cage), in combination with the movement of your breathing muscles, this serves to act like a pump to your lymphatic system encouraging lymphatic drainage1. Amazing, agreed? Secondly, it’s 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, gallbladder2 and more. Thirdly, it’s a combination of both mechanical and neurological because the Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack stimulates the body’s skin receptors which stimulate the natural oxytocin3 feedback loop activating the vagus nerve, shifting the body into a rest and digest state where liver detox is optimized.
Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil Packs Help you to activate the Vagus Nerve feedback
It’s this direct effect of the castor oil pack compress that stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system4-5-6. Amazing, right? Plus, the penetration of the castor oil into the tissues stimulates lymphatic drainage and reduces inflammation via the Peyer’s patches7. With no pack, castor oil will not penetrate as deeply and would act much more like a skin emollient, so the full range of benefits of the oil cannot be reaped.

Why is it important for castor oil to be in glass?

Lipotoxicity is why it is imperative to use castor oil that has only been contained in a glass bottle rather than in plastic8-9-10. You see, castor oil is the master carrier oil, due to its structure and the molecular weight of ricinoleic acid11. And because of this amazing capability of transporting and transferring substances into the body, it is of the utmost importance to only use a high-quality oil that is organic, extra-virgin, cold-pressed, hexane-free and in glass. And I am sure we are both on the same page when it comes to ensuring our prescriptions and protocols – like the application of Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs coming from a plastic-free environment – are helpful for our patients and ourselves, and not a harmful endocrine disruptive burden. Would you agree?

Why you need to replace your Castor Oil Pack?

Pouring a fresh coat of castor oil onto the Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack with each application is an important part of the protocol, as is replacing your castor oil pack. Why? Well simply because we are unsure where the castor oil and toxins it collects eliminate through the body, or back into the pack through the skin. A study compared oral castor oil metabolites and the metabolites produced with the castor oil pack and no castor oil metabolites were produced with the castor oil pack12. This suggests that either the castor oil wasn’t absorbed or that the metabolites came out another way, perhaps via the skin into the pack. So, to prevent possible reabsorption of any toxins that are being pulled out by castor oil, use a fresh coat of oil on every application and replace the pack every 3 months.
Plus, when it comes to fertility, it is especially important to ensure that your liver pack is placed only on the liver, the pelvic pack only on the pelvis over top of the uterus and ovaries, and the thyroid pack only on the thyroid. This is to avoid any possible transfer of toxins from organ to organ. Makes sense, right?

Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs – the game changer

With the application of this new and easy way of an old traditional method, with Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs in your practice, your patients, in most cases, will come back to you in follow-ups feeling better – because they can easily comply – and can safely be used with any other prescriptions that you recommend. Plus, with regular practice your patients will train their body to respond better to stress, as well as naturally liver detox, lymphatic drain and colon cleanse with the support from their Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs. Then what happens is we begin to start…
Improve Parasympathetic Tone with Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil Packs

You see, this is what makes Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs so unique and game-changing.

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.

Click here for references

1. 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.

2. Sikandar S, Dickenson AH. Visceral pain: the ins and outs, the ups and downs. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care. 2012 Mar;6(1):17-26. doi: 10.1097/SPC.0b013e32834f6ec9. PMID: 22246042; PMCID: PMC3272481.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Kim H1, Oh S1, Gye MC1, Shin I1,2. Comparative toxicological evaluation of nonylphenol and nonylphenol polyethoxylates using human keratinocytes. Drug Chem Toxicol. 2018 Oct;41(4):486-491. doi: 10.1080/01480545.2017.1391829. Epub 2017 Nov 10.

9. Amar SK1, Goyal S2, Srivastav AK3, Chopra D3, Ray RS2. Combined effect of Benzophenone-2 and ultraviolet radiation promote photogenotoxicity and photocytotoxicity in human keratinocytes. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2018 Jun;95:298-306. doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2018.04.003. Epub 2018 Apr 4.

10. Hafezi SA1, Abdel-Rahman WM1. The Endocrine Disruptor Bisphenol A (BPA) Exerts a Wide Range of Effects in Carcinogenesis and Response to Therapy. Curr Mol Pharmacol. 2019 Mar 6. doi: 10.2174/1874467212666190306164507.

11. 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].

12. Alves SP, Araujo CM, Queiroga RC, Madruga MS, Parente MOM, Medeiros AN, Bessa RJB. New insights on the metabolism of ricinoleic acid in ruminants. J Dairy Sci. 2017 Oct;100(10):8018-8032. doi: 10.3168/jds.2017-13117. Epub 2017 Aug 10. PMID: 28803011.

Does the Moon make your Hormones go Crazy?

Does the Moon make your Hormones go Crazy?

Does the Moon make your Hormones go Crazy by Queen of the Thrones

Does the Moon make your Hormones go Crazy?

Written by: Melanie Swackhammer B.A.
Medically reviewed by: Marisol Teijeiro N.D. (inactive) and Victoria Williams R.H.N.

Est. reading time: 13 minutes.

Mother Nature’s Medicine: The Moon, Menstruation, Seed Cycling & Castor Oil Packs

Have you ever wondered if the full moon is controlling everything from your sleeping patterns to how irritable you feel when you’re stuck in traffic? Is the moon like a puppet master directing your every move? It’s possible, right?

In case you didn’t know, it’s no coincidence that your menstrual cycle is the same number of days, as the days on the calendar, as is the full rotation of the moon around the earth.

Everything is interconnected and the moon is controlling much more than you think. Makes sense, agreed? You’re in the right place because we’re going to discuss how the moon cycles impact your hormones and help you discover the pros and cons of seed cycling for hormone imbalance.

Beyond the days of your monthly menstrual cycle, it has an impact on every aspect of your physiology, not only your hormones.

It’s most notable in your moods and key symptoms of unbalanced hormones, your problems with your period and infertility, and even your low levels of the nightime hormone melatonin, affecting how well you sleep1.

Mother Nature’s Medicine: Seed Cycling and your period problems.

You see, mother nature carries many secrets up her sleeves on how to work with the moon cycle, for your menstrual problems.

Eating seeds is one way, in what is known as the practice of seed cycling, and is said to possibly support healthier periods cycles.

However, another easier, often better tolerated alternative for those who can’t eat seeds frequently and repetitively, as required in seed cycling, is ” Single” Seed Cycling done with Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs.

The Difference between Seed Cycling and “Single” Seed Cycling

Seeds can cause digestive distress agravating hormonal problems according to Queen of the Thrones®

The traditional seed cycling protocol alternates what seeds to eat at different times of the month according to your hormones and the moon: flax, pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds.

One downfall for many women with hormonal problems is that these seeds can cause digestive distress when repeatedly consumed, creating a leaky gut or aggravating a pre-existing condition.

Additionally, it can become a hassle preparing the seeds, coordinating when to eat each kind, and finding new recipes to keep things exciting. Many often start this protocol with the best of intentions but give up shortly after starting. Sound familiar?

“Single” Seed Cycling, on the other hand, soothes digestive distress and is simply less hassle, by using Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs for Liver , instead of eating seeds.

“Single” Seed Cycling is supportive of healing from the outside in.

Therefore, it’s a great alternative if you’re tired of taking so many supplements and would rather do a self-care practice as easy as wearing a Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack for Liver or using the Queen of the Thrones® Hormone Balance & Detox Kit, on a different part of the body, at different times of the month according to the moon cycles.

Plus, there’s an additional bonus with “Single” Seed Cycling with Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs.

You see, because there are many more benefits with using Castor Oil Packs, which are a traditional therapy that have been used as a healing practice since the beginning of time, first with the Egyptians and even the father of medicine, Hippocrates.

The benefits of these Castor Oil Packs, beyond supporting hormone cycling include, but are not limited to supporting:

    • Improved bowel movements3 and better absorption4
    • Reduced core inflammation4
    • Liver detox6 and microbiome gut health7-8-9-10
    • Enhanced relaxation and better sleep11-12-13-14

Sounds good, am I right? It’s clearly a natural choice that’s so much easier to do, with so many benefits. Makes sense, agreed?

 

Single Seed Cycling and Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs help you balance your hormones

Mother Nature’s Medicine: Chronobiology for your menstrual cycle

It’s nice to have options and tools to support the optimization of your period and hormone balance, that work with the rhythms and cycles of nature, right? This is a branch of medicine known as chronobiology.15

So, since we are biological beings, these practices aren’t simple folklore, but show clinical practice evidence that we are affected by the moon. Plus, this is one of many ways our bodies keep time.

We may not be as intensely possessed by the moon as say a werewolf, but hey, we all have our hormonal moments now, don’t we? Some of us do become rabid beasts at that time of the month when the moon is shining bright, right?

Think of it like this: You’ve had a bad day, you look at the calendar and you see it’s a full moon. Is it a coincidence?

Maybe, maybe not.

Queen of the Thrones Castor Oil Packs support hormone balance to avoid hormones balances to prevent hirsutism(1)

What’s the research about the moon, seed cycling & hormones?

Preliminary research is in the works, one study of interest done at old age homes couldn’t find a connection between weird mood changes and the full moon.16

However, it was done with an elderly population in an old age home, at a time in life when hormone levels are at their lowest. With moods and the moon being highly interconnected to your hormones17, not the best people to study to find the truth. Agreed?

So if one study that may have not had the best methodology says it’s not connected, it doesn’t mean it’s hocus pocus. It just means we need more research or clinical practice.

Clinical experience: The moon, hormones & seed cycling

Just ask any nurse who has worked an emergency shift on a full moon, they will give you their side of story, usually including how crazy and full of patients the hospital can get on those crazy full moon eve’s.

It’s enough to make sure you look at the calendar for where the moon cycle is at before booking an important procedure or going under the knife! Agreed?

You see, what I love about research is that it can come in the forms of clinical study, but also from a clinical practitioner’s perspective through patient observation.

The traditional seed cycling protocol, along with the easier reinvented “Single” Seed Cycling was developed along these lines, from functional integrative medicine practices and health and wellness coaches, much like yourself.

Double blind placebo by Queen of the Thrones

Even though these protocols have little scientific research, as in double blind placebo controlled studies, the gold standard in medicine. The lack of this research doesn’t make it wrong, it just hasn’t been studied that way yet, and may very well never be studied that way for various reasons, two of which I’ll discuss here.

Mother nature only likes to be tested in her natural environment

The most important one being that mother nature isn’t the type to be put into a box and given only 2 variables to work with.

Mother nature is a product of her environment, and as such, there are millions of variables at play in the environment, the temperature, the wind, the sunlight, the food and nourishment, the exercise, the practices, the social contact, and the list goes on and on.

So, this makes it hard to study scientifically, especially using a double blind placebo scientific method. There are simply too many variables to test in nature and natural environments. Makes sense, right?

Mother nature doesn’t have deep pockets to pay for studies

The lack of funding for studies such as these impacts the understanding of the true effect of this practice. Deep pockets like those in the pharmaceutical industry fund studies that go towards new drugs, not natural medicine protocols.

Moreover, what we do know helps illuminate our choices of care in integrative and functional medicine settings.

As a practitioner, when you’re prescribing protocols like seed cycling, it’s often a combination of an in depth understanding of physiology of how the body works from a “functional” perspective”, as well as the knowledge of the ingredients used, such as flax seed, well known for its effects in hormonal health.18

Combining these, along with clinical observation and experience of the practical use of mother nature’s tools, like the traditional seed cycling protocol or “Single” Seed Cycling, using Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs, are both ethical protocols because they’re not likely to cause harm and may even provide benefit beyond what is hypothesized.

Except in the case of traditional seed cycling. Although seed cycling is one of the most highly popularized natural food and lifestyle-based practices for hormone balance, it has the worst compliance.

Your Hormonal Health benefits from the Single Seed Cycling and Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs

But why?

Well, because of digestive disturbances from repetitively eating the seeds and the hassle of preparation, seed cycling has the worst compliance. Makes sense, agreed?

The “Single” Seed Cycling protocol with Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs is an easier, often better tolerated alternative that overcomes these objections.

Seed cycling’s goal: Naturally balance your hormones with the moon.

So, if you want a clearer understanding of your physiology, simply start by tracking what you see in your monthly fluctuations.

I’m sure you’ve already noticed how some weeks of your monthly cycle you feel much different than others, am I right?

Some weeks you feel bloated and tired, while others have you experiencing hormonal fluctuations that leave you crying, craving, or wanting more of your partner or yourself, and then the next moment you’re completely withdrawn. Can you relate?

Find out with Queen of the Thrones how Castor Oil Packs and seed cycling help to balance your hormones

You see, hormonal balance is when you experience less ups and downs over your monthly moon guided period cycle. Makes sense, agreed?

It’s time to understand…

  1. Why your body does what it does.
  2. What role the moon plays in your monthly menstrual cycle and your hormone unbalance.
  3. An extra tool you should have in your self care tool box to support your hormonal balance.

Would you love that?

“Single” Seed Cycling protocol with Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Packs is a simple way for you to support your hormones so you can align with the moon and mother nature, the easy way.

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. 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.

2. Strowig T, Henao-Mejia J, Elinav E, Flavell R. Inflammasomes in health and disease. Nature. 2012 Jan 18;481(7381):278-86. doi: 10.1038/nature10759. PMID: 22258606.

3. 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

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. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

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. 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.

16. Cohen-Mansfield J, Marx MS, Werner P. Full moon: does it influence agitated nursing home residents? J Clin Psychol. 1989 Jul;45(4):611-4. Doi: 10.1002/1097-4679(198907)45:4<611::aid-jclp2270450417>3.0.co;2-f. PMID: 2768501.

17. Albert K, Pruessner J, Newhouse P. Estradiol levels modulate brain activity and negative responses to psychosocial stress across the menstrual cycle. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2015 Sep;59:14-24. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.04.022. Epub 2015 May 7. PMID: 26123902; PMCID: PMC4492530.

18. Phipps WR, Martini MC, Lampe JW, Slavin JL, Kurzer MS. Effect of flax seed ingestion on the menstrual cycle. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1993 Nov;77(5):1215-9. doi: 10.1210/jcem.77.5.8077314. PMID: 8077314.

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