Castor Oil Packs for Liver and Digestion Support
Castor oil comes from the castor seed, native to India. It is extremely high in ricinoleic acid, which is thought to be responsible for its health-promoting abilities. I love to suggest the castor oil pack to patients for liver detox or digestion support. It is really good for patients with the MTHFR mutation to do a castor oil pack once a week to keep the liver detoxing well despite the gene mutation.
The idea is to keep castor oil on a piece of cloth on the skin for at least an hour with a heat source to stimulate lymph and liver function. I have had many accounts of patients who noticed better digestion, immediate better sleep, more energy, and clearing of skin symptoms.
NOTE: Check with me or your health care provider before doing a castor oil pack. It should not be used if pregnant.
The beauty of a castor oil pack is by placing it on the right side of the abdomen or the whole abdomen is thought to help support the liver and digestive system. It can also be placed directly on strained joints or muscles to reduce inflammation. (Note: This is not as a substitute for medical care but to speed healing of minor injuries. Also put on the lower abdomen to help with menstrual pain and difficulties.
What It Does
Castor oil packs harness the anti-inflammatory and lymph stimulating benefits of castor oil but allow safer external use. From a 1999 study:
With a minimal 2-hour therapy period, this study found that castor oil packs produced a “significant” temporary increase in the number of T-11 cells that increased over a 7 hour period following treatment and then returned to normal levels within 24 hours later.
The T-11 cell increase represents a general boost in the body’s specific defense status. Lymphocytes actively defend the health of the body by forming antibodies against pathogens and their toxins. T-cell lymphocytes originate from bone marrow and the thymus gland as small lymphocytes that identify and kill viruses, fungi, bacteria, and cancer cells. T-11 cell lymphocytes supply a fundamental antibody capability to keep the specific defense system strong.
In short, castor oil packs have been said to help detoxify the liver naturally, improve lymphatic circulation, and reduce inflammation.
There is some evidence that it can have a suppressive effect on tumors and a positive effect on arthritis.
HOW TO DO A CASTOR OIL PACK
Castor oil packs are simple to do at home and I like them because they require me to be still and relax and read a book for at least an hour (not always easy to accomplish). They can be messy, but with proper preparation are not.
You’ll Need
high-quality castor oil (hexane free)
unbleached and dye free wool or cotton flannel – can be reused up to 30 times
hot water bottle or heating pad
glass container with lid – I use a quart-size mason jar for storing the oil soaked flannel between uses
old clothes, towels and sheets – castor oil does stain!
NOTE: I highly recommend carefully prepping the area where you’ll be doing the castor oil pack to prevent mess. Try using an old shower curtain, covered with a sheet under you to make sure nothing stains. I don’t often have to wash the sheet, and I just fold and store in the bathroom cabinet for the next use.
How to Use a Castor Oil Pack
Cut a large piece of cotton flannel and fold into thirds to make three layers. My original piece was 20 inches by 10 inches and when folded it was roughly 7 inches by 10 inches. Yours could be larger or smaller, depending on where you are planning to place it.
Thoroughly soak (but not completely saturate) the flannel in castor oil. The easiest way I found to do this was to carefully fold the flannel and place in a quart-size mason jar. I then added castor oil about a tablespoon at a time (every 20 minutes or so) to give it time to saturate. I also gently shook the jar between adding more oil so that the oil could reach all parts of the cloth. Ideally, this should be done the day before to give it time to evenly soak. I save the jar since this is where I keep the flannel between uses (it can be used about 30 times).
Carefully remove and unfold the castor oil soaked cloth.
While lying on an old towel or sheet, place the cloth on the desired body part.
Cover with the wrap-around pack or cotton flannel, and place the heating pack on top of this. Less optimally, a plastic grocery bag can be used prevent any oil from getting on the heating pad. A hot water bottle, electric heating pad, or rice heating pad can be used, but hot water bottles and rice packs may need to be reheated several times.
Lie on back with feet elevated (I typically lie on the floor and rest my feet on the couch) and relax for 20 minutes.
Use this time to practice deep breathing, read a book, meditate, or pray (or whatever you find relaxing).
After the desired time, remove the pack and return the flannel to the glass container. Store in fridge.
Use a natural soap or a mix of baking soda and water to remove any castor oil left on the skin.
Relax and rest. Make sure to drink enough water and stay hydrated after doing this to support detox.
OTHER WAYS TO USE CASTOR OIL
Castor oil is handy to have around the house for other uses as well. Use castor oil externally to:
Apply to dry skin, rashes, boils, age spots, warts, and any undesirable skin defects
Treat toenail fungus
Soothe a sprain, injury, or sore joints
Apply to areas of back pain
To cleanse and soothe abdomen when having digestive or reproductive trouble
As a rule of thumb, when trouble begins, apply a series of castor oil packs for 60-90 minutes about 3 times a week for a 3 week period. Consult with a doctor to be exact on how many times a week is good for you.
Have you ever used a castor oil pack? Share your experience below!
Inflammation Relief - A New Supplement
Patients come to Healing Arts with all sorts of health concerns. Headaches, bloating, acne, constipation, insomnia, fatigue, infertility, eczema, brain fog, the list can go on and on. My answer is always the same, muscle test the body to see what toxins the body is holding in order to reduce inflammation. Inflammation in the head is a headache or migraine. Inflammation in the joints is pain. Inflammation in the gut is bloating and so on. The root cause of all dis-ease is inflammation. What we find with the muscle testing is why. Is the reason for the inflammation heavy metals, heavy chemicals, bad flora, parasites, or a food sensitivity? I fell in love with the technique of muscle testing because it is so fast and noninvasive, giving me and my patients answers.
When starting to detox and supporting the body with the right nutrition it takes time to get the inflammation down and yet I want patients to get symptomatic relief as soon as possible and I have noticed throughout the years I would have to give 2-3 different anti-inflammatory supplements to do the job so I decided to make my own supplement, called Inflammation Relief, that contained everything to help lower the inflammation. It contains Curcumin, Pepperine (Black Pepper), Fenugreek, Gotu Kola, Quercitin, Boswelia, Bromelain, and Magnesium lactate.
Curcumin is a well known anti-inflammatory. It is the active ingredient in turmeric and works ten times better with black pepper so add both to your cooking every chance you get or buy in supplement form. Make sure the supplement has black pepper in it too. I do about a teaspoon of turmeric in my superfood protein shake with a pinch of black pepper every morning. Curcumin specifically is great for reducing inflammation in joints, lungs and brain. For the brain it works by encouraging the immune system to send white blood cells called macrophages to the brain in order to destroy any abnormal proteins, restoring proper brain function. Now the reason I added fenugreek to the supplement is because fenugreek helps curcumin absorption into our bodies. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1756464616000426
So black pepper helps curcumin work and fenugreek helps it’s bioavailability.
Magnesium is another great supplement to help with inflammation. Magnesium can help with lots of different things including sleep and bowel movements. It helps with those things because it lowers the inflammation.
Boswelia also known as frankincense is amazing at reducing inflammation especially in joints with cartilage breakdown, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and osteoarthritis (OA). It’s also used to treat symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease and inflammation in the gut in general.
Bromelain is an enzyme find in pineapple that breaks down protein and has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects comparable to NSAIDs. It too can help with bowel inflammation and help boost up the immune system and fight bacterial infections . When the immune system is stronger it can fight or get rid of whatever is causing the inflammation in the first place.
You’ve heard the old saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Today, researchers in the field of antioxidants and the effects of micronutrients are beginning to explain why this old adage is more scientifically true than we may have thought. Apples, as well as many other colorful fruits and vegetables, contain a rich amount of a particularly powerful antioxidant called quercetin. Onions have the highest known quercetin content. Other common foods with significant levels of quercetin include:
• Apples
• Cauliflower
• Grapes
• Nectarines
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Tea
• Tomatoes
Although quercetin is commonly found in many of the foods included in a healthy diet, I use it in this supplement at a therapeutic dosage because it’s such a strong antioxidant.
Quercetin has potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, antiviral, immune-boosting, and other biological properties. Quercetin works in multiple ways to help prevent or alleviate the symptoms of a variety of conditions, including:
• Cancer
• Canker sores
• Heart disease
• Herpes
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Nasal allergy relief
• Respiratory infections
Quercetin’s antioxidant properties also appear to offer sunscreen protection against damage to the skin from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.
Gotu Kola is great for improving circulation which of course, the more blood flow the less inflammation. Studies suggest supplementing with gotu kola may help you improve your blood circulation. A study conducted on 87 participants diagnosed with poor circulation showed noticeable improvement when given 30 to 60 milligrams two times a day for 60 days. Additionally, eight more studies reported gotu kola effectively improved circulation while alleviating poor circulation symptoms, including pain, heaviness in the legs and swelling. Gotu Kola also helps reduce chronic inflammation by triggering antioxidant activity within the body.
So those are the details of why I put those ingredients in my third personally formulated herbal supplement. With the right nutrition the body truly can heal. To purchase the Healing Arts supplement, Inflammation Relief, https://healingartsnyc.com/shop/inflammation-relief
The Health Benefits of Buckwheat
Despite its name buckwheat is not wheat but a nutrient-packed, gluten-free seed that is high in both protein and fiber. Its health benefits include cholesterol-lowering effects, anti-hypertensition effects and improving digestion by reliving constipation.
Buckwheat is usually found as raw “buckwheat groats” or in flour form. Both are highly nutritious staples to keep in your kitchen since there can be used in numerous ways. It's easy to add cooked groats to stews, soups or cold salads. Have a bowl of buckwheat for breakfast instead of oatmeal and use buckwheat flour in muffins and breads. Buckwheat pancakes is one of my favorites!
Buckwheat is Heart Healthy
Buckwheat groats contain high levels of rutin, which is a type of antioxidant. Antioxidants can help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals, which can cause oxidative stress, affecting lipid levels as well as triggering a variety of diseases. One study that evaluated the heart healthy benefits of buckwheat groats, revealed that individuals who consumed 100 grams of buckwheat per day had lower levels of bad LDL-cholesterol levels, and had higher levels of the good HDL-cholesterol levels when compared to individuals who did not regularly consume buckwheat. The fiber and magnesium content in buckwheat groats makes it a good choice for reducing the formation of plaque in the heart, and improving the heart’s ability to pump blood throughout the body.
Digestion
Buckwheat helps in digesting food better because it is rich in fiber which adds bulk to bowel movements. It also helps bowels to move slowly and steadily through the digestive tract, and stimulate peristaltic motion. Fiber also helps to regulate bowel movements and reduce the occurrence of serious gastrointestinal issues, and colon and gastric cancer. It also helps lower the chances of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and diarrhea. Buckwheat’s neutral thermal properties help cleanse the intestines and strengthen them. This improves one’s appetite, and gets rid of dysentery and chronic diarrhea.
Balance blood sugar with buckwheat
The dietary fiber and resistant starches contained in buckwheat groats make them a good choice for diabetics. Since it takes the body a longer time to break down the complex carbohydrate, blood sugar levels rise evenly, preventing drastic spikes in blood sugar. Another compound in buckwheat groats is D-chiro-inositol, which helps to lower elevated glucose levels.
Relief from arthritis with groats
The rutin in buckwheat groats contains anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce the severity of arthritis and other inflammatory disease. One study revealed that a dose of 500 mg/day of flavonoids, such as those found in buckwheat groats, provided relief from arthritis that was more effective than the traditional drugs used to treat the condition.
Buckwheat beauty benefits
Buckwheat groats can help promote strong hair as well as healthy looking skin. Buckwheat contains high levels of B complex vitamins, which, when combined with the rutin contained in buckwheat groats, can help to prevent or reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It also has high amounts of selenium in it which is good for strengthening nails and teeth.
Anemia
Buckwheat is rich in iron, which is instrumental in forming red blood cells. A deficiency of iron leads to anemia, characterized by headaches, fatigue, mental slowness and other serious side-effects.
Blood pressure
Rutin in buckwheat helps cure high blood pressure. Rutin acts as a vasodilator which increases blood flow and reduces the chances of several types of heart problems and stroke.
Immune System Health
Its rich abundance of antioxidants has a great impact on the immune system, thereby protecting the body from disease. Its antioxidant components also eliminate free radicals, like selenium, tocopherols, flavonoids and phenolic acid.
With all its health benefits it's hard to not want to give buckwheat cereal to your babies but wait until he/she is at least eight months old.
I have made buckwheat porridge as a substitute for oatmeal. Buckwheat pancakes are delicious too! So get creative and enjoy buckwheat!
One of my favorite buckwheat recipes is from Detoxinista.com
Easy Vegan Buckwheat Chocolate Chip Cookies
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
The best vegan buckwheat chocolate chip cookies! They are nut-free, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, naturally sweetened, and easy to make.
Ingredients
1 cup light colored buckwheat flour (healthiest is to grind sprouted buckwheat groats)
1/2 cup coconut sugar
1/3 cup melted coconut oil
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (Enjoy Life Foods makes them with cane sugar)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
In a large bowl, stir together the buckwheat flour, coconut sugar, oil, water, vanilla, salt, and baking soda. Then add in the vinegar, which will react with the baking soda to help the cookies rise a bit.
Fold in the chocolate chips, then use a tablespoon to scoop the dough into 12 mounds spaced evenly apart on the lined baking sheet. Flatten each cookie with your hands, as these cookies will only spread slightly. Bake until the edges are firm, about 10 minutes at 350ºF. Let cool at least 10 minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes
If you'd like to replace some of the oil in this recipe, I've successfully made them using 1/4 cup melted coconut oil with 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce. In this case, please omit the water in the recipe. The resulting cookies will be softer due to the applesauce, like a cross between a cookie and a muffin top. If you'd like them to be firmer, place them in the fridge and serve cold.
The Benefits of Oil Pulling
Oil pulling was first introduced in Ayurvedic medicine. I finally decided to blog about it as I ask many of my patients to do it. Whether it's for oral healthcare, digestive health, to clear out the sinuses or an immune system booster I've seen it help many patients in many ways!
Oil pulling as we know it today, was introduced in 1992 by Dr. F. Karach, MD. He claimed that oil pulling could cure a variety of illnesses ranging from heart disease and digestive troubles to hormonal disorders. Dr. Karach’s method of oil pulling emphasis swishing, not gargling, the oil in the mouth. The oil is “worked” in the mouth by swishing and chewing it around the mouth and ‘swizzling’ it (pushing it through the teeth) for a period of 15 to 20 minutes. The best time is in the morning before eating breakfast, but can be done before any meal on an empty stomach.
Oil pulling instructions:
Use 1-1.5 spoonfuls of unrefined, high quality, organic sesame seed oil (non-toasted) and 'swizzle" in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Sesame seed oil is the best oil to swish with. I love using Banyan Daily Swish
Once completed, spit the oil out (we recommend spitting in the trash as it can clog your sink or toilet over time).
Follow it by a thorough mouth rinse with water. Warm water with sea salt is best.
Never swallow the used oil because it is loaded with bacteria, toxins, pus, and mucous. It is a good idea to brush your teeth afterwards to really clean out any leftover toxins and wash the sink afterwards as well if you don't spit it out into the trash.
Benefits:
Strengthens teeth
Can help reverse gingivitis
Prevents tooth decay/whitens teeth
Strengthen immune system
Improve digestion
Reduce skin problems (acne, eczema, psoriasis)
Reduce allergies
Lessen headaches
Help hormonal imbalance
Clear out sinuses
Tips:
Be sure you are using a high quality, organic, non-toasted sesame seed oil.
Set timer for 15-20 minutes because it's going to feel like a long time and I don't want you to guess that it's been 15 minutes when it's only been 5 minutes.
Precaution:
If you are allergic to a particular brand of oil, then change the brand of oil.
DO NOT SWALLOW.
One of the first cleansing symptoms you will experience is an increased flow of mucous from your throat and sinuses. Mucous drainage is one of the body’s methods of removing toxins. While you are oil pulling mucous may build in the back of your throat. You may even have to expel the oil and clear the mucous from your throat before reaching a full 20 minutes. If so, take another spoonful of oil and continue swishing for a full 15-20 minutes.
I usually do oil pulling when I am feeling sick to help clean my lymphatic system and boost the immune system. Your lymph takes about 7 minutes to circulate through the body. It is important to do oil pulling for a minimum of 15 minutes so you can clean out all of the lymph at least twice. But if during the 15 minutes your mouth begins to tire or stomach becomes sensitive start with 5 minutes and work your way up to 15-20 minutes.
Patient Spotlight
It was generous to have one of my patients take the time to write out her healing journey with us. I found it so inspirational that I wanted to share it!
Before: 213 pounds - Age 55
After: 148 pounds - Age 58
My 3 Year Transformational Story with Healing Arts & Nutrition Response Testing
Dr. Armitstead and Nutrition Response Testing has completely transformed and restored my health and my body. After years of energetic, spiritual, emotional healing, I knew it was time to heal the body that had housed so much trauma, pain, fear and grief in its cellular memory manifesting as disease and an aged body. Healing Arts has been my passage back to physical renewal and the embodiment of health - where I am finally balanced in mind, spirit and now body.
I have been a dedicated client to this healing work for almost 3 years, abiding every appointment, every supplement, every nutritional dictate from my body’s own wisdom brought through the intuitive and skillful knowledge of Dr. Armitstead and Nova and Nutrition Response Testing. In these past three years I/we have healed (unspecified) Autoimmune Disease, Crohn's Disease, Chronic Inflammation, Chronic Migraines, Thyroid Nodules/Disease, Nervous System Disorders, Spinal Disease, Digestive Disorders, Chronic Constipation, Joint Pain, Obesity, Menopausal/Post-menopausal symptoms such as vagina dryness and thinning vaginal walls, thinning hair and sexual apathy, painful intercourse and pelvic floor dysfunction.
I have gained a body, organs, blood, heart, hormonal system, nervous system, joints, muscles, sexual organs, hair and skin that radiates the internal well being I have spent years manifesting. I have gained balance and wholeness and a belief in the wisdom of my own body’s genius. I have gained clarity, confidence, energy, wisdom, agelessness, renewed sexuality, and a love of and connection with my body that I had been dissociated with, ashamed of, and felt disdain for. I have gained a dedicated yoga practice and a love of exercising, strength training and recovery methods to care for my body because I love it, not because ‘I have to..’
When I began working with Healing Arts, It was my last hope, I had all but given up - almost buying into the belief that ‘this is just the way it is at age 50+ In post menopause...’. I had all of this light and beauty within me that I feared may be trapped forever beneath a body that had stored so much life: pain, grief, sorrow, limited beliefs, and society’s dictates of what it is to be a woman of a certain age, crying urgently to be healed. Despite having the skills to heal myself energetically/emotionally/spiritually, I didn’t know how to heal my body on my own, and the medical community only offered toxic medications and risky surgeries. I knew I needed help, and Healing Arts was the answer to my soul's calling.
Healing Arts and Nutrition Response Testing is a journey, not a quick fix - it takes dedication, faith, consistency and an unwavering ethic to what your body is asking of you. It demands an interactive approach with self and with the practitioner to take part in and responsibility for your healing. It is so worth the investment (which may at times seem ‘expensive’ but has saved me literally thousands of dollars in medical bills and medications). It is so worth the time, the supplements and the difficult releasing of some of the most addictive foods and substances we ingest in our bodies. It’s a way of life that is so worthy. It is the best gift I have ever given myself - I have lost 65 pounds, lost a dependence on medical doctors, lost a dependence on unhealthy foods and substances, lost low self-esteem and inhibitions and a fear of death and disease and gained so much joy, well-being, fearlessness, hope and possibility, healthy sexual functioning and a love of healthy and nutritious foods and cooking, and most importantly such gratitude and love for my body, it’s wisdom and my health.
I am so grateful for Healing Arts and Dr. Armitstead for helping lead me back to my body and it’s wholeness.
Thank you.
Energy Medicine in a Bottle
Using the concept E=mc2 and energy medicine we can electronically transfer medicinal waves into a tincture made just for you. We can muscle test and create a personalized combination of waves to imprint a tincture with. These medicinal waves are called infocueticals (IC). When we transfer ICs of medicinal substances to the water we create homeopathic dosages - technically there is no active substance present in the IC water, but under the influence of an electromagnetic field with a specific spectrum, the technology makes water molecules organize in a certain way that mimics the energy signature of the original substance. The same thing happens when homeopathic remedies are created. The restructured water can interact with receptors in our body and cause a similar reaction as if it was the substance itself.
I love homeopathy and have used it in my office for 10 years. Now using ICs we can make a homeopathic tincture personalized to you which is the mission of the new Healing Arts Wellness Center. We want to muscle test and make everything as personalized as possible, from the lotion you purchase to the tea you drink, and now homeopathic blends. I also love how it's water based because a lot of homeopathy is alcohol based and patients don't always muscle test for it because of the alcohol content. If you are not able to be muscle tested for a tincture we can make one based on symptoms for you.
The science behind structuring water comes from Dr. Masaru Emoto who was a scientist that discovered that water was a "blueprint for our reality" and not only could it hold a blueprint for medicinal substances but that emotional "energies" and "vibrations" could also change the physical structure of water. Emoto's water crystal experiments consisted of exposing water in glasses to different words, pictures or music, and then freezing and examining the aesthetic properties of the resulting crystals with microscopic photography. Emoto's studies show that water exposed to positive speech and thoughts would result in visually pleasing crystals being formed when that water was frozen, and that negative intention would yield "ugly" frozen crystal formations.
FLASKA makes special glass water bottles that restructure water in 5 minutes. We use Mountain Valley Spring water with this water bottle when making the tincture for you. We truly believe the quality of the water makes a huge difference. You can also purchase a Flaska water bottle at the office. It comes with a sleeve for protection so if you drop the bottle it doesn't break. They are $35 each.
The strength of the effect of the personalized remedy depends on how well the body can actually use or resonate with the information the water is holding, and whether the body has energy to make a change that the water wants. Because it is energy medicine, the effect from ICs might be slower and much lighter, but that is probably why they don't have negative effects. I highly suggest using energy medicine in the form of ICs to help detox, reduce inflammation, support hormones, have better digestion and less pain. The results I'm seeing in the office are amazing and I have loved Dr. Masaru Emoto's work for years and loved finding another application to help my patients get the health they deserve.
$20 for a 4 week supply.
Purchase yours now and let us know in the description what your health concerns are.