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Castor Oil Packs
Castor Oil Pack Instructions
Castor oil packs are an age-old remedy that has been used for generations due to their numerous benefits. They can help with inflammation, scarring, digestion, menstrual pain, liver detoxification, and body aches. One of the primary uses is for scar tissue treatment and healing, as castor oil helps soften scar tissue, making it more pliable and functional. Functional scar tissue supports the body’s tissues rather than adhering to surrounding areas and restricting movement. A castor oil pack involves applying the oil along with a compress to help drive it deep into the body, targeting specific problem areas.
Using a castor oil pack is becoming increasingly popular, but key principles ensure effectiveness. It’s important to use high-quality castor oil, preferably organic, sold in a dark-tinted glass bottle to prevent rancidity and contamination from microplastics. The compress should be made of organic, undyed linen or wool to avoid driving synthetic dyes into the skin. To prepare the pack, apply a generous amount of castor oil to the cloth—enough to be very damp but not dripping (about ¼ cup). Place the cloth over the desired area, such as the abdomen or liver (right upper quadrant), and secure it with an old shirt or towel. Apply a heating pad or warming bag over the pack and relax for 15 to 60 minutes. The heat helps open pores, allowing deeper penetration of the oil. Afterward, massage any remaining oil into the skin, and store the cloth in an airtight container for reuse (up to five times or one week). For convenience, castor oil pack wraps are available to keep the cloth in place, making it easier to wear the pack for extended periods, including overnight treatments, which are particularly helpful for constipation and organ support.
Dry Skin Brushing
Dry Brushing Instructions
Dry brushing stimulates subcutaneous fluid flow and helps promote blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. As a result, it aids in detoxifying the body. This is why we start on the chest—to open the lymphatic portal, where lymph joins the bloodstream to be processed and eliminated by the body.
Dry brushing can help reduce swelling, stimulate blood flow, and move stagnant fluids through the body. I personally describe dry brushing as a simple way to provide basic lymphatic drainage massage at home. It is particularly beneficial for those experiencing puffiness, swelling, or achy muscles. For women, it can also help alleviate soreness in the breasts and armpits, especially when done at a time when you don’t need to wear a bra afterward. People with diabetes may find it beneficial for increasing blood flow to the extremities, providing neurological stimulation, and reducing nerve pain.
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Magnesium Calming Cream
Imagine an epsom salt bath in a bottle but with extra healing properties added like MSM, Glucosamine, Arnic, and Boswellia. Magnesium calming cream is a smart safe way to target muscle ache and soreness in the body and provide relief. I use it with my clients and myself. I love this brand in particular because of its lack of itch that is so common in most magnesium creams or oils. Many people don’t realize how much your skin breathes and thus absorbs chemicals and nutrients from your environment so putting magnesium on the sore area provides direct and local supplementation versus taking a pill that then has to be sent throughout your body.
Cryoderm Spray and Gel
Cryoderm is my go to for small injuries and inflammation when the skin is not broken. I’ve used this for back aches, neck pain, sprained ankles, and even to manage my injured meniscus pain when out hiking. It is convenient and has never given my skin a reaction unlike other similar products on the market. Ingredients include MSM, Arnica, Boswellia, Ilex, and Menthol. It is great at cooling off the pain and with the other ingredients supporting the soft tissue healing.
Epsom Salt Baths
Epsom salts, composed of magnesium sulfate, dissolve in warm water releasing magnesium ions that are absorbed through the skin during a hot bath. This process can help alleviate muscle pain and reduce inflammation by allowing magnesium to enter the body, which is essential for muscle function and relaxation. The heat from the bath also promotes increased blood circulation, further aiding in the relief of soreness and tension. Combined, these effects can provide a soothing experience, making Epsom salt baths a popular remedy for muscle discomfort and stress relief.