Do Essential Oils Treat Thyroid Issues
Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts distilled from plants. Theyre commonly used for relaxation and aromatherapy, but have become popular in recent years as holistic treatments for everything from depression to bacterial infections. Essential oils are also believed by some to provide relief for thyroid conditions.
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that produces and releases hormones. Your thyroid helps regulate your metabolism, your emotions, your brain function, and almost all the other processes in your body. The American Thyroid Association estimates that more than 20 million Americans experience some type of thyroid disease.
There isnt much medical research to show a direct correlation between the use of essential oils and thyroid health. But there is anecdotal evidence, and studies suggest essential oils can help treat symptoms of certain thyroid conditions. Keep reading to find out what we know about using essential oils for a few common thyroid conditions.
How Often Should You Use Castor Oil Packs:
I used them consistently over the course of a few cycles at first and saw incredible changes. These days, I use them when I start to feel a lot of digestive distress, start having painful periods again, or just have a lot of autoimmune disease inflammation.
Typically, for best results, use them every day for 30-60 days, skipping when you are on your period, for a particular ailment. Or, for maintenance, they can be used 1-2 times a week.
The great thing is that you can do what feels good for you. There arent really specific rules to this and because castor oil packs are so gentle and easy, you can decide. If you do start to feel any stomach upset, which is unlikely, you can skip a day between them and still see results.
But, a bit of housekeeping, I am not a doctor. I am a well-researched person who shares what I have learned in the hopes that it might encourage you to find what works for you. Please run any ideas by your trusted medical team if youre being treated for any illness and/or stop immediately if you feel any discomfort in using castor oil packs. Youll need to be your own advocate and take full responsibility for any results of using castor oil packs. I love them and am one of many people who have great results with them and I sincerely hope that is also the case for you, too.
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Have you ever tried castor oil packs? What did you think?
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How To Do A Castor Oil Pack:
Take the organic flannel cloth and completely saturate it in castor oil in a glass baking dish.
Put the saturated cloth in the oven for 20-30 min at 175. You dont want the cloth scalding hot but warm to the touch. Keep an eye on it and test with your finger.
Lay on the waterproof sheet then lay the saturated organic flannel cloth over your abdomen where your liver is.
Cover the cloth with saran wrap and around your body to keep everything in place.
Then place the hot water bottle over the plastic wrap and add a layer of towels over that just to be sure it doesnt get on anything. You dont want to ruin any furniture or clothing.
Relax and let it do its thing. I usually read, scroll Tik Tok or watch a movie while it soaks in.
Start with 10 minutes to be sure you can tolerate it well then work up to at least an hour.
When youre done, put the cloth in a ball jar in the refrigerator until youre ready to use it next time and go take a shower.
Then just repeat the process. You wont need to add a ton of castor oil to the cloth after you initially saturate it the first time. Just add a bit to keep it good and drenched when you reuse it.
After about 30 uses toss the cloth and order a new one.
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Side Effects Of Castor Oil Packs
When taken orally, castor oil may cause violent diarrhea and vomiting. These undesirable side effects disappear when castor oil is applied directly to the skin. To make a pack, simply soak a piece of flannel in castor oil. Place a heating pad over the cloth and apply directly to the desired body part for about one hour. As Dr. Alexander Weil notes, there are no scientific studies proving the efficacy of castor oil packs, but anecdotal evidence abounds. Anyone considering a castor oil pack should consult a doctor or alternative health care practitioner first.
The Benefits Of Using Castor Oil Packs For Your Thyroid
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So What Is Castor Oil
Castor oil comes from the castor seed and is packed with ricinoleic acid . Ricinoleic acid is MVP when it comes to fighting inflammation, gastrointestinal problems and inflammatory dysregulation.
The acid also strengthens your immune system, lymphatic system and is an antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal. Sign me up.
This is important because with a weakened lymphatic system you cant properly detox. Then, with a dysfunctional immune system, you risk being sick often and if left unchecked setting your body up for autoimmunity
Castor Oil Packs Maximize Detoxification
To balance hormones in the body, the system must cleanse optimally. You shouldnt only cleanse in the spring and fall, your goal should be to optimize cleansing daily to reduce your toxic load. Cleansing, otherwise known as depuration, is the ideal daily elimination of metabolites from the processing of toxins via glucuronidation, amino conjugation, sulfation, etc.
In estrogen dominance, an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase that deconjugates estrogens and allows them to recirculate in the body has been shown to be elevated. Castor oils help to lower levels of beta-glucuronidase.
Castor oil has been shown to improve levels of the ever-important cleansing molecule glutathione. Glutathione carries out toxins, byproducts of plastics, BPA and estrogens out of the body.
Since you place the pack under your right ribcage, you are exerting an anti-inflammatory effect on the liver that eases and improves its action. Its so good for your liver that it has been shown to even reduce cholesterol and liver enzymes.
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Materials For A Castor Oil Pack
Castor oil packs are physically and mentally relaxing to do. They cause organs to synchronize their activities. Heres how to use a castor oil pack to overcome anything from gallstones to fibrocystic breasts and infertility:
Incredible Benefits Of Castor Oil Packs & How To Do Them
When I first started using castor oil packs years ago, it wasnt for my autoimmune diseases it was for infertility.
I had multiple miscarriages in the process of having my second child and when I started seeing a fertility acupuncturist, she mentioned that my cycles were all messed up and the miscarriages were a sign of some kind of blockage, either in blood flow, or otherwise, and castor oil packs would help.
At that point, we hadnt seen a reproductive endocrinologist yet, but months later when we did he actually confirmed what the acupuncturist said. I have a rare blood disorder that was contributing to the issue.
Luckily, the castor oil packs, acupuncture and strange Chinese tinctures I drank helped reduce inflammation in my gut, completely fixed my cycles, and increased blood flow.
Ill talk more in future posts about our infertility journey, but today, we are focusing on castor oil packs and the incredible relaxation and health benefits they provide.
Even though we are done growing our family, I have continued to use castor oil packs over the years to help with symptoms related to autoimmune diseases and am a big fan!
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How Can Castor Oil Packs Be Used
Ive been doing castor oil packs for YEARS for my horrendous period cramps. But a few years ago, I had a thyroid nodule appear, so I started doing some research about how to naturally heal your thyroid.
I found out that one of the easiest things that you can do to help heal a thyroid nodule is a castor oil pack on your thyroid! I was skeptical if it would work, but I tried it and the nodule did decrease noticeably on my next thyroid ultrasound, 6 months later.
Another fun fact: liver castor oil packs have also been shown to improve the severity, and possibly the frequency, of those who suffer from migraines! I cant attest to that, because Ive never had a migraine, but I can tell you that my skin did clear up drastically after doing the castor oil packs on my liver this past month! And for period cramps, they have definitely been life-changing for me.
Castor Oil As A Natural Treatment For Gallbladder Problems During Pregnancy
Because pregnant women often suffer the most with gallstones and gallbladder problems during pregnancy, mostly due to the way reproductive hormone levels alter the functioning of the gallbladder, castor oil packs can be miraculously beneficial during gestation. Indeed, for pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum who are having a hard time holding down any food at all, castor oil packs applied daily over the course of time can restore normal gallbladder functioning which, in turn, can significantly reduce morning sickness.
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Castor Oil Packs And Hormones
Rebalancing hormones means keeping skin glowing, mind sharp, and body vital and energized. This is how Castor Oil Packs can help:
- Keep stress hormone cortisol balanced, promote feel-good hormones
- Reset the bodys cleansing mechanisms and high antioxidants
- Keep the bowels moving digestion, assimilation, and elimination
- Help with progesterone production
- Keep inflammation low and alkalization high
- Reset the microbiome, break down biofilm
Heres how these humble, meek, sacred packs accomplish these goals for you.
In this video, Magdalena and I covered the historical use of castor oil and her surprising results using them.
Here are the 5 powerful ways castor oil can support your hormonal balance.
Goitre: How A Healthy Lifestyle And Balanced Diet Can Help Prevent Thyroid Disorder
Iodine deficiency disorder is preventable. Heres how you can prevent it.
Goitre, a health condition caused by iodine deficiency, is prevalent in India and iodine deficiency disorder is one of the main causes of brain damage worldwide, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. The Indian Council of Medical Research also stated in its 2012 report that 350 million people in India continue to be at risk of IDD. However, IDD is preventable. Heres how you can prevent it and all you need to know about the symptoms and causes of goitre, and home remedies to help you if you are suffering from goitre complications.Goitre signs and symptoms
– A most common symptom of goitre is the appearance of swelling in the neck
– tightness in the neck
– weight gain/loss
– dry hair and skin, depression, weakness, joint pain, fatigue, constipation, etc. are the early signs of goitre.
What are the causes of goitre?The common causes of goitre are:
– iodine deficiency
– an overactive thyroid gland
– an underactive thyroid gland
– an inflamed thyroid gland
– growth of fluid-filled nodules or cysts on the gland
– Graves’ disease – an autoimmune disease which causes the thyroid to swell and produce excess hormones or thyroxine .
– Hashimotos disease – an autoimmune condition in which the Thyroid gland is unable to produce enough hormone.
What are the types of goitre?There are different types of goitre:
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As Dr Marisol Says Castor Oil Helps You:
Well show you how to use it to produce more melatonin and reduce high estrogen.
On the beauty front, well help you use it to naturally reduce fine lines and wrinkles and to help your eyelashes and eyebrows grow better.
Immunity is king right now and this is a most holistic way to support your immune system and to help all of your organs communicate more effectively.
Let us help you use castor oil to put your body into healing mode.
Theres a saying that goes:
The doctor dresses the wound and nature heals it.
Whether your wounds are mental, emotional, or physical, this is a safe, easy, convenient tool that can help every human.
Regular Use Of Castor Oil Packs Can Support:
- Improved liver detoxification
- Healthy conversion of T4 to T3
- Regular and healthy bowel movements/function
- Healthy lymphatic flow
- Hormone metabolism and thus menstrual cycle
- Good quality sleep
- Can help to reduce the size of thyroid nodules.
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The Connection Between The Lymphatic System And Hashimotos
The lymphatic system is where your body dumps all your junk. It is the area of the body that removes bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, cell waste, toxins and more. Its a bit like a sewage system.
The lymphatic system doesnt have its own pump system. The lymph is a fluid that contains substances that are too big to get back into the veins. Lymph gets pushed towards the heart when we breathe or move our muscles. As the lymph moves towards the heart, it collects bacteria and waste as it passes through the lymph nodes to filter out. Once the toxins are filtered the lymph travels to one of two lymphatic ducts to transfer into the bloodstream.
Lymphocytes are your immune systems disease-fighting cells. Lymphocytes actively defend the health of the body by forming antibodies against pathogens and their toxins. According to McGarey, when castor oil is absorbed into the skin, it increases your lymphocyte count and thereby the speed at which toxins are removed from your tissues.
A double-blind study, described by Harvey Grady in a report entitled Immunomodulation through Castor Oil Packs published in the Journal of Naturopathic Medicine, confirms Dr. McGareys theory. The study confirmed that a minimal 2-hour duration castor oil pack produced an increase in T-11 lymphocyte cells.
How does this benefit your thyroid?
- Swelling around the thyroid gland
- Reducing the size of thyroid nodules
- Reducing thyroid cysts
Castor Oil Packs Move The Bowels
If youre backed up , which many of you with hormonal problems are, you are recirculating the excess hormones that your body is trying to eliminate. Its like taking 2 steps forward and 3 steps back, overwhelming your poor liver that has to do double duty.
Castor oil packs have shown to be as effective as laxatives because they stimulate the PGE3 receptors of smooth muscles that contract the intestines to move the junk out. They also shift electrolyte balance via stimulation of nitric oxide, a strong antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory of the gut. Castor oil packs can no longer be classified as a mere pack, they are an all-encompassing, health-promoting treatment that anyone can do.
As my mother used to say, better out than in. Always get the junk out.
A clean liver is key to keeping good hormonal balance.
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Here Is A Link To My Favorite Castor Oil Pack Kit: Castor Oil Pack Kit
Instructions for using a castor oil pack:
Place a piece of the wool flannel in a large glass dish.
Saturate the piece of wool flannel with castor oil.
Plug in a heating pad to warm up if you are using one. If you dont have a heating pad you can prepare a hot water bottle.
Lie down and place the saturated wool flannel on your area of concern– i.e. liver, abdomen, etc.
Place a ziploc bag on top of the flannel.
Then place your heating pad or hot water bottle on top of the ziploc bag.
Lastly, put a towel on top of the heating pad.
Continue to lie down like so for 1-2 hours. When the time is up, remove your castor oil pack and wipe off any castor oil on the area with the towel.
Repeat daily or as necessary.
How To Do A Castor Oil Pack Over The Thyroid:
Please note: Its imperative to first do castor oil packs over the liver for several weeks before trying one over the thyroid. Follow the directions below and do a pack over the liver 3-4x a week for 4 weeks. After youve been consistent doing this for 4 weeks, then cut a small rectangle out of the flannel that will fit easily over the front of your neck where your thyroid is located.
1. Drizzle the castor oil over a small rectangular piece of flannel that fits easily over your neck. I keep my flannel in a large glass Tupperware to catch any oil that might drip and then I drizzle the castor oil over the flannel.
3. Fill up your hot water bottle.
4. Set the dish with the flannel, the ziploc bag, and old towel on your nightstand or next to your bed.
5. Lie down and place the cotton flannel over the thyroid. Remember: only do this after youve been consistent with doing a castor oil pack over your liver 3-4x a week for 4 weeks.
6. Put the ziploc bag on top of the flannel. The plastic should not touch your skin.
7. Place one layer of the old towel over the pack.
8. Place the hot water bottle on top of the towel.
9. Lie down and keep the castor oil pack on the thyroid for 15 minutes*. Remove the pack and wipe the area with the old towel to remove any castor oil. Follow with a pack over the liver for 45 minutes.
10. Repeat as necessary.
*If you have been diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism or Graves then its usually best to only do the pack for about 5-10 minutes.
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