The Gut and the Immune System (and Castor Oil Packs !)

When most people think of their immune system the last thing that comes to mind is the gut ! However, about 70% of the body's immune system is found in the digestive tract!

Our large intestines are inhabited by bacteria often referred to as probiotics (pro=encouraging, biotic=life). These bacteria composed primarily of acidophilus and bifidobacterium species are introduced to our system during the birth process and play a crucial role in our health. Without probiotics, humans would be extremely vulnerable to food borne illnesses, be deficient in key nutrients and vitamins, and have a much weaker immune system in general.

Lifestyle factors play a significant role in determining how friendly our large intestines are to hosting these important bacteria. Eating a diet high in sugar, fat and processed foods prevents them from growing and thriving. Consumption of fibre from fruits, vegetables and whole grains along with lean proteins like fish, chicken and turkey helps to create an environment that promotes the growth of probiotics.  In addition, the frequent use of antibiotics can greatly disturb the probiotic flora in the gut.

Although antibiotics are intended to kill only the bad bacteria, they also affect the good ones.  This is why many people experience diarrhoea and yeast infections when they take antibiotics. As the good probiotic bacteria are killed, bad (pathogenic) organisms like yeast are able to get a foot hold in the system.

Frequent or long term antibiotic use can dramatically alter the gut flora and can be a significant contributing factor to other long term health problems related to immune dysfunction and intestinal conditions.

Protecting the System:

Probiotic bacteria are unique in that they do not cause infection and actually help to prevent infection from other aggressive micro-organisms related to food borne illnesses like salmonella and bacteria associated with traveller’s diarrhoea. When healthy populations of probiotics are present in the large intestine, other bacteria that can potentially make us ill are crowded out, preventing them from causing a major infection. Without them we would be extremely susceptible to food borne infect

GALT

GALT stands for Gut Associated Lymphatic Tissue.  The GALT is a vast network of  several types of lymphoid tissue in the gut that store immune cells, that carry out attacks and defend against pathogens.

Probiotics in our gut are constantly interfacing with the GALT and essentially priming the immune system for contact with other bacteria. They serve as a way for the body to learn how to respond to bacteria without actually having to suffer an infection. This becomes particularly important in young children whose immune system is in constant state of development until about age 7.

Foods like yoghurt are made by using these probiotics (acidophilus and bifidobacterium species) to culture the dairy product. Some residual live organisms are left in the final product and these can help to support healthy bacterial levels in the gut. However, most shop bought dairy products do not contain any live organisms by the time the product hits the shelves. For this reason, taking a high quality probiotic supplement is the best way to guarantee maximum health benefits. 

Castor oil packs and the immune system

One area of the GALT lymphoid tissue referred to above are named ‘Peyer's patches’, which are  aggregations of lymphoid tissue that are usually found in the lowest portion of the small intestine.

Castor oil ?  Isn’t that what they used to give to kids for constipation?  Well, yes – they did – but these days it can help us and our immune systems via topical application !  Castor oil contains a substance called  ricinoleic acid and it is this responsible for castor oil's remarkable healing abilities.

Ricinoleic acid has been shown to be effective in preventing the growth of numerous species of viruses, bacteria, yeasts and moulds.  Castor oil application has been used to successfully treat such things as ringworm, keratoses, skin inflammation, abrasions, fungal-infected finger- and toenails, acne and chronic pruritus (itching). Generally, for these conditions the area involved is simply wrapped in cloth soaked with castor oil each night, or if the area is small enough, a castor oil soaked Band-Aid can be used. (For persistent infections and those finger- and toenails that have discoloured and hardened, a good 10 to 20 minute soak in Epsom salts, prior to applying the castor oil, usually speeds up the healing process.)

I was first introduced to the concept of castor oil packs about 15 years ago, and I have found these fascinating and useful ever since then !  

The theory behind the castor oil packs (and I will explain how to do them down the track .. ) is that the castor oil is absorbed into the body and helps to improve the function of the thymus gland and other areas of the immune system – in particular the Peyer’s patches. 

In studies it has been found that patients using abdominal castor oil packs had significant increases in the production of lymphocytes* compared to increases among those using placebo packs.

*Lymphocytes are the disease-fighting cells of your immune system. They are produced and housed mainly in your lymphatic tissue. This includes the thymus gland, the spleen, the lymph nodes and the lymphatic tissue that lines the small intestine (Peyer's patches)

Castor Oil Packs – how to !

These are one of the most useful methods of using castor oil. Packs are an economical and efficient method of absorbing the ricinoleic acid and other healing components of castor oil directly into body tissues.

To make a castor oil pack you will need the following items: cold pressed castor oil, a heating pack of some description, some plastic or some cling wrap, a flannel and a couple of small towels.

Start by placing your flannel (wash cloth) on top of the piece of plastic or cling wrap (this should be big enough to cover the abdomen) or area being treated.

Apply a good layer of castor oil onto the flannel (about half a cup should do).

This pack can now be placed against the body with the oil-soaked flannel on the skin.  Then apply the heating pack on top of the pack and cover with a big towel to hold it all in place and prevent any spillage onto furnishings !

For general conditions the pack should be placed on the abdomen. (For treating lower back problems, the pack can be placed there.)

The pack should remain in place for at least half to one hour and the temperature of the heating pack should be kept high.

When you remove the pack, the remaining oil can either be massaged into the skin or cleaned off using a little soda water made from 1 quart of warm water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda.

The flannel can be reused if stored properly after removing the pack. Put the flannel in either a plastic bag or air tight container and place it in the refrigerator. Before using it next time let it warm up and always add another 1 or 2 tablespoons of fresh cold pressed castor oil. (After a month of use I would recommend using new flannel.)

Apart from assisting the immune system, castor oil packs may also

- be applied to an area of inflammation or pain, such as in swollen joints, arthritis, bursitis and muscle strains; 

- it may also be applied to the right side of the abdomen to stimulate the liver or used as part of a detox programme;  

- be applied abdomen to relieve constipation and other digestive disorders; 

- be applied to the lower abdomen in cases of menstrual irregularities and uterine and ovarian cysts;

- it may also help to loosen adhesions and scarring after surgery.

Buying Castor Oil

Any oil that enters your body either orally or through the skin should be of the highest quality. Castor oil is no different. Always ensure that you buy cold-pressed castor oil for these purposes.

To be effective, a castor oil pack must be used at least 3 times a week, although 5 times a week is better. In cases of long-term chronic pain, it works best to commit to a 6 week treatment period using a castor oil pack 5 times per week, then as needed for episodes of pain.

Who would have thought this little plant could do so much ?!