F4L Ministries

(submitted by Angie, SA)

 

This oil has regained its popularity recently due to its many health benefits and treatment capacity.  It is believed that most of castor oil's benefits are derived from its high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids.

 

Approximately 90% of its fatty acid content is made up of ricinoleic acid, and it is this aspect that is thought to give the oil its remarkable healing abilities. Ricinoleic acid can be effective in preventing the growth of viruses, bacteria, yeasts and moulds.

 

This oil can be used externally and internally, it depends on the ailment you want to treat.

 

** Shrinks and eliminates fibroid tumours.

** Treats nerves inflammation.

** Very effective remedy for rheumatism, arthritis and gout.

** Helps relieving sore muscles.

** Heal and clear scar tissues.

** When administered in very low dosages, acts as germicidal (natural birth control).

** It can relieve chronic fluid retention.

** Get rid of ringworm.

** Relieve menstruation pain and discomfort.

** Effective in stye treatment.

** Is useful in treating skin diseases and skin ulcers, particularly those which are caused due to bacterial or fungal infections.

** Heals acne.

** Can relieve liver congestion and can remove mucus in the lungs and bowels.

** Treats fungal toenail.

** Studies have approved the use of Castor Oil for skin infections and other skin problems such as sunburn, abrasions, acne, dry skin, boils, warts, stretch marks, liver/age spots, athletes foot and chronic itching and inflamed skin.

** Cold compress in low dosage can help with lactation by increasing milk-flow.

** Natural wrinkles treatment, castor oil is a natural emollient that penetrates the skin and helps stimulate the production of collagen and elastin which can soften and hydrate the skin.

** Treats hair-loss, nourishes hair and prevent the scalp from drying by retaining moisture.

** Castor oil packs soaked through the skin improve the body’s ability to assimilate nutrients, eliminate toxins, and stimulate circulation.

** Castor is known as constipation treatment, it is used as a laxative (better call it purgative). It is thus a very effective treatment in extreme cases of constipation where the bulk laxatives do not work.

** An effective purgative.

** Natural moisturizer.

** Natural anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antioxidant and antiviral.

** Used on burns, wounds to protect them from infections.

 

To make castor oil pack pad: Make a small pad by folding a small piece of unbleached cotton flannelette into 3 or 4 layers.Dip the cotton pad into Castor Oil and place it on to the affected joint or muscle. Cover the pad with a plastic wrap. Place a hot water bottle or heating pad over the plastic wrapped cotton pad. The plastic wrap will prevent the water bottle or heating pad from getting oily. Leave the cotton pad on for 45 minutes to an hour, once per day.

 

CAUTION: Castor oil is usually safe when used in moderation. However, pregnant and lactating women and people with intestinal blockage, acute inflammatory intestinal disease, appendicitis, or abdominal pain should not take Castor Oil without their doctor's approval.

 

NOTE: Consult with your Naturopath before using castor oil internally. A typical recommended dosage for the oil is no more than one-half to one full teaspoon per day.

 

Castor Oil is best purchased from a health food store, look for cold-pressed or cold-processed oil only. The colour of the oil should be a very light or pale yellow.

 

NOTE: F4L Ministries do not necessarily agree with all that is said in these articles, and am placing them so that our readers can have a greater insight in what is going on in the health care arena!

Vegetarians and vegans are usually known for making wise food choices, seeking healthy foods. They, along with other consumers, might be surprised to find out that some seemingly harmless foods actually contain hidden animal ingredients.

Some newer nutrition labeling has helped vegans. For example, if a person looks at the ingredients list of a product, at the end of the list is a summary of sorts that warns people of some of the basic ingredients found in the product, whether or not they are obvious. One such label might read this way: "Contains Wheat, Peanuts, Milk." These labels will alert a vegan immediately that the product contains non-vegan ingredients such as fish, milk, or egg products; consumers will then know to avoid the product. However, this type of labeling is created only to address food allergies, meaning other animal products (such as ingredients derived from beef) and other foods avoided by vegans (such as honey) will not be listed there.

So how do vegetarians and vegans avoid hidden animal products? Fortunately, some companies will label their products as "vegan" when they are, but many companies are not as forthcoming. For example, some store brand cake mixes use beef by-products, and a consumer simply has to read through the list of ingredients. However, there are other hidden animal ingredients found in food that some consumers might not be aware of. Following are just a few.

Gelatin: Some consumers are surprised to discover that gelatin comes from animals and is usually made from various beef and cow parts. That innocent-looking, fruity-tasting dessert is actually mostly animal protein. In addition to gelatin desserts, it is often used in marshmallows, so be sure to read the list of ingredients.

Carmine extract: This seemingly innocent-sounding ingredient is actually made from insects called cochineals. The extract usually adds a reddish color to the food it is in; because it comes from a living creature, vegans will choose not to eat it.

Sugar: Not all sucrose is avoided by vegans, but vegans will make the effort to purchase vegan sugar. Some refined sugars are not vegan, and it's not because they come from an animal product. It's because of the way they are processed. Many sugars are processed through filters made of bone char (that often comes from beef bones). So what's vegan sugar? Vegan sugar is simply a type of sugar that has not passed through a bone char filter. It is not always easy to distinguish vegan sugar from other sugar, but Vegetarian Journal suggests that products labeled "100% Pure Beet Sugar" are definitely vegan and products labeled "100% Pure Cane Sugar" are probably vegan.

This list is by no means complete, but it just goes to show that truth in labeling applies only when a consumer knows what the labeling means. Most products will not tell consumers that gelatin is derived from beef, that carmine extract is derived from insects, or that sugar passes through a beef product. Vegetarians and vegans must be careful consumers, and sometimes that means buying products specifically labeled "vegetarian" or "vegan." More often, though, it means becoming familiar with hidden animal products in foods, and these three are simply a few to be aware of.

Sources:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm079311.htm
http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/question557.htm
http://www.cspinet.org/new/carmine_8_24_98.htm
http://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2007issue4/2007_issue4_sugar.php

 

NOTE: F4L Ministries do not necessarily agree with all that is said in these articles, and am placing them so that our readers can have a greater insight in what is going on in the health care arena!