Spring Cleaning

Detoxifying and Cleansing with Castor Oil Packs

One avenue for supporting the overall health and balance of the body is to take a cue from the natural cycles of nature. As we move out of the winter months of heavier stews and root veggies, we can move into lighter, spring seasonal vegetables and fruits. This can include lighter meals, quicker cooking methods, and cooking with water. Light steaming or minimal simmering is ideal.

This is the season to bring some attention to the liver-gallbladder system, which supports both body and mind. When the liver is harmonious, we have less stress and tension; we are calmer.

Castor oil hot packs are a wonderful holistic adjunct for supporting health and cleansing, especially for those organ systems found in the belly, our vital center. Some of the many time-tested benefits of castor oil packs may include:

• Relaxing the digestive system and reducing gut inflammation

• Improving lymphatic drainage and detoxifying the liver

• Reducing headaches and migraines

• Strengthening the immune system
  

In my experience, another positive effect has been deeply sleeping through the night, which in turn, benefits my nervous system! It’s simple to do—just apply castor oil to a towel or flannel, and lay it on the area you wish to support. Then put a towel over it, and a hot water bottle over that. You can leave it on for at least 2 hours (perfect during a movie!), but I have always enjoyed keeping it on overnight. Use daily in acute situations, or once a week to a couple times a month for maintenance.

—Roxanne Caswell, Breema Instructor

Join Roxanne and International Breema Center Instructors in Santa Cruz on April 12-14 for a Weekend Workshop focusing on the principle of Firmness and Gentleness. For more online and in-person Breema workshops around the world, please visit Breema.com.