Do Castor Oil Packs Work for Arthritis?

It hurts when you walk, and your joints crack a joke. I mean… reduced lubrication and increased friction between the joints make a crackling sound that hurts on many levels. This happens due to inflammation of the joints, which we call arthritis. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, and it is highly prevalent, especially in people older than 50 years. Despite this prevalence, there is no cure for arthritis. You only need to manage this condition naturally or conventionally. Yes, I'm talking about castor oil packs that you can incorporate into your daily routine combined with pain and inflammation-mediating medications.

What’s Arthritis? How Does it Affect You?

Arthritis is the swelling and tenderness of one or more joints. It causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and friction in the joints. There are several types of arthritis, such as:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Septic arthritis
• Thumb arthritis
• Gout
• Ankylosing spondylitis

Nevertheless, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout are the most common types of arthritis, RA being the most common autoimmune disease affecting women worldwide. While there is no cure for arthritis, it particularly badly affects a woman's life, making her debilitating and ruining her quality of life.

Therefore, arthritis needs to be managed effectively using natural and conventional therapies. NSAIDs and corticosteroids are fast pain and inflammation-relieving medications. You can combine these medications with physical therapy and natural remedies, such as castor oil packs, which are best for naturally alleviating joint inflammation and pain.

Do Castor Oil Packs Work for Arthritis?

Yes, castor oil packs work great for arthritis. They are effective because of the potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of ricinoleic acid, the active principle in about 92+% of castor oil. When you massage this oil or use it with the packs on your body, the oil's therapeutic ingredients get absorbed into the skin and heal from within.

How Do Castor Oil Packs Work for Arthritis?

The therapeutic benefits of castor oil packs are primarily due to ricinoleic acid, the significant active principle of castor oil. Ricinoleic acid is a potent stimulant, irritant, laxative, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic. Castor oil also contains omega fatty acids and antioxidants such as vitamin E, which offers emollient and detoxification effects.

Anti-inflammatory

Ricinoleic acid inhibits cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 & COX-2), which synthesize prostaglandins that cause inflammation. Inhibition of these enzymes reduces prostaglandin synthesis, thereby mitigating inflammation. Ricinoleic acid also reduces nitric oxide production and suppresses proinflammatory mediators, such as cytokines and chemokines.

Analgesic

Ricinoleic acid activates and then subsequently desensitizes TRPV1 receptors. It also modulates pain-signaling pathways and alters nerve conduction, acting as an analgesic.

How Do You Use Castor Oil Packs for Arthritis?

Follow these simple steps to use COPs effectively and get the best results.

• Wash your hands and unwrap your castor oil pack.
• Pour a tablespoon of castor oil into a bowl and microwave it for a few seconds. Warming the oil before use gives the best results due to enhanced absorption into the skin. You can skip heating the oil if you intend to use a cold pack (that comes with the kit).
• Then, pour this oil on your castor oil pack and wear it around your affected knee, wrist, or ankle.
• Warm the hot pack and put it in the zippered pouch of the castor oil pack (for added warmth). Nevertheless, use it as a cold pack if you have swollen joints. For this, freeze the hot/cold pack and put it in the pouch.
• Wear the COP for 30-60 minutes to effectively mitigate joint pain and inflammation. For the best results, do this therapy 3-4 times weekly for a month or two.

Why Choose The Goodbye Company’s Castor Oil Packs?

The Goodbye Company’s castor oil packs are effective and worth buying for the following reasons:

Butter-soft, organic cotton flannel

The Goodbye Company’s castor oil packs are made with butter-soft, organic cotton flannel. It is breathable, super soft for your delicate skin, and does not cause a rash even after being worn overnight.

Leak-proof outer layer

Outside of the super soft cotton is a polypropylene layer. This fabric lining is added to prevent oil leakage from the cotton layer and keep a mess-free application every time.

Include a hot/cold pack

The Goodbye Company’s unique castor oil pack comes with a hot/cold pack. You can microwave or freeze it to either heat or cool compress your inflamed joints. This best castor oil pack also has a zippered pouch where you can place your hot/cold pack.

Includes a bottle of organic extra virgin, cold-pressed castor oil

Getting a free add-on is like the icing on the cake. The Goodbye Company’s castor oil pack kit not only includes a complimentary hot/cold pack but also comes with a 4 oz bottle of organic, cold-pressed extra virgin castor oil. This oil is 100% pure, extracted from the ripe castor beans of the Ricinus plant. It is enriched with ricinoleic acid, about 92+%, the oil's primary active principle and a potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic.

One-size-fits-all

The Goodbye Company’s castor oil pack is best for you, plus-size or extra-small. This is because the pack has an adjustable strap and a button closure that fits snugly on anybody. The large pack covers the stomach and back, and the smaller pack is ideal for the arm, ankle, and knee.

FAQs

How do you apply castor oil packs to your knees?

You can use ‘castor oil packs for knee arthritis.’ These are super easy to wear around your knees. All you need to do is add a tablespoon of castor oil to the pack (avoid the edges to prevent the mess) and wear it on your knees for 30-60 minutes.

What oils should you avoid for arthritis?

You should avoid corn, sunflower, safflower, soy, and vegetable oil, as these oils contain omega-6 fatty acids. Excess consumption of omega-6 fatty acids can stimulate/trigger the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals that increase joint inflammation and worsen arthritis.

What is the fastest way to treat arthritis?

There is no cure for arthritis. The fastest way to relieve joint pain and inflammation is to use a combination of conventional and natural therapies. You can take medications such as corticosteroids and NSAIDs, which quickly relieve joint pain. Moreover, you can combine physical therapy (to improve motility) and hot and cold packs with medications to quickly reduce joint pain and inflammation.

Can castor oil packs cure arthritis?

Castor oil packs cannot cure arthritis, but they can manage arthritis pain much more effectively. Regular use of castor oil packs mitigates knee pain due to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. One study shows castor oil is as effective as diclofenac sodium in relieving joint pain and inflammation. This is due to ricinoleic acid's remarkable anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties—the primary active principle found in castor oil.

Outlook

Castor oil packs cannot cure arthritis but are one of the best natural therapies for alleviating joint pain and inflammation. These packs are primarily effective for three reasons.

1. Soft compress provided by the cotton flannel.
2. Hot/cold pack for added warmth and comfort.
3. Potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of castor oil.

Use these paks for half an hour, about three to four times weekly, for the best results. Nevertheless, a skin sensitivity test should be taken before beginning this therapy because some people are allergic to castor oil.