Castor Oil is one of my favourite things. Its like my Naturopathic duct tape - fixes everything...well, almost.
Castor oil has many beneficial properties when used topically. Castor Oil is anti-inflammatory, it improves movement of the lymphatic system, supports detoxification by the liver and stimulates white blood cell production.
Castor oil can be used on the skin to reduce swelling from any cause and can decrease the redness of eczema, rashes and acne. It can also be used over stiff and sore joints to reduce inflammation, decrease pain and improve mobility.
Traditionally, Naturopathic Doctors recommend castor oil packs to be done over the abdomen. In addition to the above benefits, this can also soothe an irritated digestive system, reduce menstrual cramping and support liver function.
To do a castor oil pack.:
1. Take a piece of flannel (or cotton) cloth that measures approximately the size of the abdomen.
2. Soak it in castor oil. The cloth should be saturated but not dripping with oil.
3. Place the cloth over the skin, covering the entire abdomen.
4. Placing a hot water bottle or heating pad over the cloth will aid the absorption of oil into the skin.
5. Relax with the cloth in place for 30-45 min.
6. Remove the cloth and place in a storage container for re-use. The skin should feel moisturized and not oily or greasy.
7. Do castor oil packs daily for maximum benefit. Add castor oil to cloth every couple of days, or as needed.
Note:
Castor oil is a potent laxative and should only be taken orally as directed by a physcian.
Check with your Naturopathic Doctor if you are pregnant or have been diagnosed with abdominal cancer. In these instances, heat should not be used.
Showing posts with label lymphatic system. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lymphatic system. Show all posts
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Organs of Elimination
One way we can all improve our general level of health is by supporting our organs of elimination.
Our primary organs of elimination include the lungs, the skin, the kidneys and the digestive system. Through these four organs we eliminate waste products from our body. From the lungs we eliminate carbon dioxide, from the skin we excrete sweat, urine is voided by the kidneys and stool is eliminated from the digestive system. These are all of the natural and normal ways our body eliminates that which we have no use for: by-products of our metabolism and toxins that we accumulate from our environment through our air, food and water.
Proper elimination is essential for health. When these waste products are not eliminated efficiently from the body, they will accumulate and contribute to ill health. Many common symptoms can be cured by simply supporting our organs of elimination.
To support our kidneys we need to drink an adequate amount of water each day. I recommend drinking half of your body weight(lbs) in ounces. See blog post "Water" for more information.
To support our lungs we need to practice deep breathing. Aim for 100 deep belly breaths over the course of the day.
For the skin we need to promote sweating (think exercise) and allow the skin to breathe by practicing dry skin brushing each day.
For the digestive system we must ensure we are having a minimum of 1 bowel movement each day. Anything less is considered constipation. (see blog post "Improving Bowel Regularity")
One other system that plays a key role in elimination is our lymphatic system. See previous post entitled "The Importance of the Lymphatic System" for more information.
By enhancing the function of our organs of elimination we can more efficiently eliminate the toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis and we can begin to eliminate waste products we have stored in our body. Supporting the function of our lungs, kidneys, skin and digestive tract is paramount to good health.
By improving your body's ability to eliminate you can expect a reduction of symptoms, improved energy levels, enhanced weight loss, a general sense of well-being and prevention of future disease.
Our primary organs of elimination include the lungs, the skin, the kidneys and the digestive system. Through these four organs we eliminate waste products from our body. From the lungs we eliminate carbon dioxide, from the skin we excrete sweat, urine is voided by the kidneys and stool is eliminated from the digestive system. These are all of the natural and normal ways our body eliminates that which we have no use for: by-products of our metabolism and toxins that we accumulate from our environment through our air, food and water.
Proper elimination is essential for health. When these waste products are not eliminated efficiently from the body, they will accumulate and contribute to ill health. Many common symptoms can be cured by simply supporting our organs of elimination.
To support our kidneys we need to drink an adequate amount of water each day. I recommend drinking half of your body weight(lbs) in ounces. See blog post "Water" for more information.
To support our lungs we need to practice deep breathing. Aim for 100 deep belly breaths over the course of the day.
For the skin we need to promote sweating (think exercise) and allow the skin to breathe by practicing dry skin brushing each day.
For the digestive system we must ensure we are having a minimum of 1 bowel movement each day. Anything less is considered constipation. (see blog post "Improving Bowel Regularity")
One other system that plays a key role in elimination is our lymphatic system. See previous post entitled "The Importance of the Lymphatic System" for more information.
By enhancing the function of our organs of elimination we can more efficiently eliminate the toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis and we can begin to eliminate waste products we have stored in our body. Supporting the function of our lungs, kidneys, skin and digestive tract is paramount to good health.
By improving your body's ability to eliminate you can expect a reduction of symptoms, improved energy levels, enhanced weight loss, a general sense of well-being and prevention of future disease.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Rebounding for the Lymphatic System
Rebounding basically means bouncing on a mini trampoline and is an excellent way to improve the movement of the lymphatic system!
Movement of the lymphatic system is important for detoxification and immune system function. By improving lymphatic movement we can improve circulation of the immune system - important for warding off the everyday cold and flu as well as prevention of cancer.
The lymphatic system consists of vessels throughout the body however unlike the vascular system, the lymphatic system lacks a pump and one way valves to control movement. To move the lymphatic system we largely rely on the action of our muscles.
When the muscles of our body contract, they pump the lymphatic vessels and move the lymph fluid throughout the body.
While any type of exercise will improve lymphatic movement, rebounding is known as one of the most effective exercises in accomplishing this.
Try rebounding for 10 minutes each day and incorporate as much arm movement as you can. Aim for small, controlled bounces while swinging the arms as if swimming, doing jumping jacks, boxing, touching your elbows to your knees, etc.
Rebounding for 10 minutes has a cardio effect comparable to jogging for 30 minutes. Additional benefits to rebounding include: weight loss, improved energy levels, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, improved oxygenation of the body and stress reduction.
Movement of the lymphatic system is important for detoxification and immune system function. By improving lymphatic movement we can improve circulation of the immune system - important for warding off the everyday cold and flu as well as prevention of cancer.
The lymphatic system consists of vessels throughout the body however unlike the vascular system, the lymphatic system lacks a pump and one way valves to control movement. To move the lymphatic system we largely rely on the action of our muscles.
When the muscles of our body contract, they pump the lymphatic vessels and move the lymph fluid throughout the body.
While any type of exercise will improve lymphatic movement, rebounding is known as one of the most effective exercises in accomplishing this.
Try rebounding for 10 minutes each day and incorporate as much arm movement as you can. Aim for small, controlled bounces while swinging the arms as if swimming, doing jumping jacks, boxing, touching your elbows to your knees, etc.
Rebounding for 10 minutes has a cardio effect comparable to jogging for 30 minutes. Additional benefits to rebounding include: weight loss, improved energy levels, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, improved oxygenation of the body and stress reduction.
Dry Skin Brushing
The skin is one of our organs of elimination just like the lungs, kidneys and colon. It functions to remove wastes and toxins via sweat.
Dry Skin brushing is one of the ways we can support elimination from the skin. It removes dead skin cells, allowing the skin to breathe and also stimulates lymph and blood circulation.
If the pores of the skin become blocked with millions of dead cells, impurities will remain in the body. The other elimination organs, mainly the kidneys and liver, will have to increase their function to compensate for this and will eventually become overworked.
If toxins and wastes begin to build up in the tissues because the kidneys and the liver cannot cope with the added workload, then sooner or later disease will follow. This is the importance of keeping healthy and well functioning skin.
Dry skin brushing is also useful for stimulating movement of the lymphatic system. All detoxification occurs primarily through the lymph and thus, dry skin brushing can help the body to eliminate wastes and toxins from below the skin’s surface.
Dry skin brushing can change the health of your whole body. Circulation, skin softness and quality, skin infections and irritations, whole body freshness, your level of stimulation, the prevention of colds, and you personal rejuvenation are all areas of improvement you can look for, once you make this a regular habit.
To brush the sk
in, use a natural bristle brush (like a back brush) and start at the soles of the feet and work your way up your legs, your front and your back, brushing as vigorously as you feel able. Then do your hands and up your arms. Always brush towards your heart. Don't do your face, but do include the back of your neck and your scalp. For hygiene reasons you need a separate brush for each member of the family, and of course, you need to wash the brush itself every couple of weeks.
Contrast Showers
Contrast showers are a fantastic way to improve your health and vitality!
Contrast showers are a form of hydrotherapy (healing with water) that promote circulation of the blood as well as the lymphatic system. Overall, contrast showers are a part of building a solid foundation from which health arises. They are a health habit I think everyone should adopt.
They are fantastic for improving circulatory and vascular conditions, immune system function and generalized detoxification. Contrast showers can specifically help with fatigue, varicose veins, and prevention of infections.
Improve your circulation and the function of your immune system by taking a contrast shower every day:
Take your regular warm/hot shower but at the very end, turn the faucet to cool for 30 seconds. The more contrast you can do, the better - but do whatever you can tolerate. You don't have to have it so cold that you're clenching your teeth or cursing me.
or
Alternate a hot shower with cold water sprays throughout. Give yourself a 15-30 second cool blast three times during your shower. Always end your shower on cold.
Trust me, this feels great! And since your circulation has been given a kick start - you warm up much quicker once you get out of the shower.
And...one of the best things about hydrotherapy is that its free!
Contrast showers are a form of hydrotherapy (healing with water) that promote circulation of the blood as well as the lymphatic system. Overall, contrast showers are a part of building a solid foundation from which health arises. They are a health habit I think everyone should adopt.
They are fantastic for improving circulatory and vascular conditions, immune system function and generalized detoxification. Contrast showers can specifically help with fatigue, varicose veins, and prevention of infections.
Improve your circulation and the function of your immune system by taking a contrast shower every day:
Take your regular warm/hot shower but at the very end, turn the faucet to cool for 30 seconds. The more contrast you can do, the better - but do whatever you can tolerate. You don't have to have it so cold that you're clenching your teeth or cursing me.
or
Alternate a hot shower with cold water sprays throughout. Give yourself a 15-30 second cool blast three times during your shower. Always end your shower on cold.
Trust me, this feels great! And since your circulation has been given a kick start - you warm up much quicker once you get out of the shower.
And...one of the best things about hydrotherapy is that its free!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The Importance of the Lymphatic System
The Lymphatic System is an additional circulatory system found throughout the entire body. It is composed of vessels, lymph nodes, lymphatic tissue, and several organs: the spleen, thymus and bone marrow.
The lymphatic system plays a very important part in our immune system function as well generalized detoxification of the body.
The cells of our immune system are produced by the lymphatic organs, are stored in the lymphatic tissue and are circulated throughout the body in lymph fluid. By improving the circulation of the lymphatic system, we can improve the function and circulation of our immune system. This is beneficial in warding off your everyday infections, colds and flus but also extremely important for the prevention of ALL cancers.
Improving circulation of the lymphatic system also supports the body's capacity to detoxify. By-products of our metabolism, toxins, and other wastes accumulate in the fluid surrounding our cells and tissues and the lymphatic system is responsible for mobilizing such waste products for elimination. Impaired movement of the lymphatic system can result in accumulation of these toxins and waste products and over time, can result in disease.
Stimulating lymphatic movement will improve immune system function and the body's ability to detoxify. This is a very important component of health promotion and disease prevention.
Five Fantastic Ways to Increase Lymphatic Circulation
1. Exercise
2. Contrast Showers
3. Dry Skin Brushing
4. Rebounding
5. Deep Breathing
The lymphatic system plays a very important part in our immune system function as well generalized detoxification of the body.
The cells of our immune system are produced by the lymphatic organs, are stored in the lymphatic tissue and are circulated throughout the body in lymph fluid. By improving the circulation of the lymphatic system, we can improve the function and circulation of our immune system. This is beneficial in warding off your everyday infections, colds and flus but also extremely important for the prevention of ALL cancers.
Improving circulation of the lymphatic system also supports the body's capacity to detoxify. By-products of our metabolism, toxins, and other wastes accumulate in the fluid surrounding our cells and tissues and the lymphatic system is responsible for mobilizing such waste products for elimination. Impaired movement of the lymphatic system can result in accumulation of these toxins and waste products and over time, can result in disease.
Stimulating lymphatic movement will improve immune system function and the body's ability to detoxify. This is a very important component of health promotion and disease prevention.
Five Fantastic Ways to Increase Lymphatic Circulation
1. Exercise
2. Contrast Showers
3. Dry Skin Brushing
4. Rebounding
5. Deep Breathing
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