Castor oil (Ricinus communis) comes from the castor seed which is native to India. About 90% of the oil is composed of the fatty acid ricinoleic acid, which is thought to be responsible for its health promoting abilities. Castor oil packs have been used for centuries in traditional medicine and natural health practices for their potential therapeutic benefits. Their use can be traced back to medical textbooks in Egypt as early as 1550 B.C. Health Benefits of Castor Oil Packs Studies and personal accounts suggest potentially wide-ranging benefits from castor oil packs, some of which include: Detoxification: Advocates of castor oil packs claim that they can help the body eliminate…