Castor Oil Packs; a super cleanse for your body

If you haven’t discovered the incredible benefits of using Castor Oil Packs, we invite you to jump on the bandwagon. This remedy, having been around for centuries, has gained enormous recognition in these last few years and for good reason. Castor oil packs have been used as a natural remedy to promote healing, improve circulation and reduce inflammation for thousands of years. The benefits are many, and the risks are few, making Castor Oil Packs a frequent ritual around here. 

Castor oil is packed with fatty acids, including ricinoleic acid, which is believed to be responsible for many of the oil's therapeutic properties, including its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. Its unique molecular weight allows the oil to penetrate deep into the tissues to activate lymph, increase circulation and reduce inflammation. Castor Oil Packs are basically a super cleanse for your body, as they support and encourage your body’s natural ability to detox and heal itself.

Castor Oil Packs are versatile and can be used on any area in your body needing a little extra detoxification. Queen of Thrones has designed three different packs uniquely to make your experience easy, clean and comfortable. Below, we break down the three different designs we carry in the shop. 

For your Liver:

The liver plays a central role in detoxification by filtering and eliminating toxins from the body. Applying a castor oil pack over the liver promotes circulation in the liver and surrounding organs, decreases inflammation and helps balance hormones. (Goodbye, hot flashes.) Supporting the liver with a castor oil pack is one of the easiest and most effective ways to aid in our overall detoxification process and get the elimination process kick started, which also makes it a perfect tool for constipation or backed up bowels. 

For your Breasts:

Breast cancer, cysts and fibroids on breast tissue and hormone imbalances are common amongst women of all ages. While genetics and age-related changes play a role in these health issues, stress and inflammation can also impact breast health significantly.

In a very basic sense, stress triggers inflammation. Inflammation then results in disruption of hormones putting breast tissue at increased risk. Lymphatic flow is one of the primary activities going on within our breast tissue. When stress and inflammation are put on these areas of the body, lymphatic flow slows resulting in blockages. By implementing the use of a castor oil pack over your breasts, you are supporting your body’s natural detox process, reducing stress on your body and ultimately hormonal balance. 

For your Thyroid:

Your thyroid is located in your neck, where one third of lymph is located. Castor oil packs placed on your thyroid have also been shown to help with swelling around the thyroid, reducing thyroid nodules and cysts. 

Like your liver and other organs, your thyroid operates at its full potential only when you are relaxed and the rest of your body is balanced. So, when you wear your castor oil pack you’re not just supporting your thyroid, you’re supporting other systems and organs as well, because as we know…every system in your body is connected.

Maybe one of the best parts of using a castor oil pack is it is a passive ritual. Put your pack on and enjoy some relaxation with your feet up. Or, thanks the design of the Queen of Thrones packs, you can tie it on and go about your day - while the magic of the castor oil does its thing. No matter how you use your pack, we’re confident you will love the benefits as much as we do! 

Why You Want Microchanneling, not Microneedling

You may have heard all the rage about microchanneling, but are still confused as to how it’s different than microneedling and why it’s touted to be the better treatment. While both techniques have similar working principles and are, in essence, trying to achieve the same results, there are key differences between microchanneling and microneedling that you need to know before you make the investment.

To put it in simple terms, microchanneling is an evolved and improved upon version of microneedling. Microneedling drags on the skin, creating unnecessary microtears and more trauma to your skin. This can result in bleeding, bruising, redness, tightness, itching and peeling and more downtime from your treatment. Sometimes this dragging technique can lead to irreversible damage.

In contrast, microchanneling does not drag on the skin and uses a more advanced, stamping technique that is less invasive. This stamping technique does not create microtears or unnecessary trauma, which results in less discomfort and inflammation, making your downtime very minimal.

Why Microchanneling is Better:

Better Precision and Consistency: Microchanneling utilizes extremely fine needles that are precisely spaced and controlled by a motorized device. This ensures consistent depth and pattern of needle penetration across the treatment area, leaving you with perfectly consistent results throughout.

More Suitable for Sensitive Skin: Microchanneling is often considered more suitable for individuals with sensitive skin or those prone to adverse reactions. Using the stamping technique and given the more controlled nature of microchanneling, it is a gentler option and more appropriate for all skin types.

Minimal Risk of Side Effects: With proper technique and aftercare, microchanneling carries a relatively low risk of side effects such as bleeding, bruising, redness, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that you may experience with microneedling. You may be a little red from your treatment, but pairing the microchanneling with the use of the LED light will help drastically reduce any redness you have.

Better Long-Term Results: Microchanneling tricks your skin into thinking it’s been wounded, creating a cascade of healing such as an increase of collagen and elastin production. In addition, we use a serum which helps stimulate stem cell-derived growth factors, repairing skin at a cellular level. This alone puts sets microchanneling in a class of it’s own.

Overall, microchanneling is a next-gen take on microneedling and presents several advantages, making it the best choice for anyone seeking incredible skin rejuvenation and lasting results.

Spring Cleaning Starts Within

Even though the weather has yet to show for it, we have officially entered the season of Spring. Traditionally, Spring is the season we start cleaning out our closets, opening the windows and dusting off what’s been still and stagnant. In the same manner, we want to think about spring cleaning for our bodies. During the cold, dormant months of winter, our bodies accumulate toxins that get stored in our joints, fascia and other tissues. Spring is a perfect time of year to get our lymphatic system moving and support the detoxification process to move out these toxins.

Let us help you spring clean from within. Below is TB’s Guide to your Spring Revival:

Therapeutic Massage: Hands on bodywork, like Massage Therapy, helps move the lymphatic system, which is one of the best ways to move out toxins and detoxify the body. Consider adding a Dry Brush Add-On to your Massage session to increase the lymphatic flow, while also providing your skin with a full body exfoliation. The Dry Brush is yours to take home to continue this ancient and effective health ritual.

Detox Reflexology: Our Detox Reflexology session is a perfect way to support your body’s reawakening this spring. This customized reflexology session focuses on the lungs, kidneys, colon, liver, and lymphatic system to aid in the detoxification process. In addition, the deep relaxation of a reflexology session naturally activates the body's "relaxation response," thereby increasing circulation to the detoxification systems and boosting their function to an optimal level.

Radiance + Dermaplane Facial: Deeply exfoliate, slough off winter and unveil a brighter, more supple complexion with our Radiance Facial + Dermaplaning. This treatment is perfect for spring, as we drain the lymph in the face, decreasing puffiness, while we increase circulation, focusing on cellular renewal. The addition of the dermaplaning removes accumulated, old skin cells, stimulating new production, leaving you rejuvenated and radiant.

Acupuncture: Get your Liver Qi moving this Spring season with an acupuncture session to focus on the flow of liver and gallbladder energy. By cleansing the liver, we rejuvenate our body and mind, and slow down the aging process. An acupuncture session can best support this process, improve your liver qi energy and promote feelings of joy and peace.

CranioSacral: CranioSacral Therapy works to help reset your nervous system and is a highly effective treatment to move emotions stored deep in our tissues. Old traumas, grief, resentments, fears are all stored in our bodies and can accumulate, creating physical imbalances in the body. A spring tune-up with CranioSacral is an incredible way to create a more harmonious flow in the body, allowing you to move into spring feeling lighter and renewed in your mind, body and spirit.

Support Your Liver for a Joyful Spring

Click image for more tips from our acupuncturist, christina

On March 19th, 2024 we celebrated the Spring Equinox, when we have an equal amount of daylight and darkness, and the official arrival of Spring. With this balance of light and dark, nature is inspiring us to balance our own internal yin and yang. As nature is beginning to reawaken, we are naturally transitioning from our yin (quiet/restorative) energy to a more yang (active/expansive) energy. We may begin to feel these subtle shifts within ourselves.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Spring is associated with the Wood element and the corresponding organs are the Liver and the Gallbladder. These organs focus on cleansing, detoxifying and rejuvenating to ensure optimal physical and emotional health. Spring is thought to be the best time of year to cleanse the body of toxins, as well as old, stored emotions of frustration and anger. 

From a Chinese medicine perspective, the free flow of liver and gallbladder energy is the number one disease preventative. It is best way to guarantee health and harmony. By cleansing the liver, we rejuvenate our body and mind, and slow down the aging process.

Help Keep Your Liver Happy:

Green up your Diet: The liver energy is associated with green, so spring is a great time to think about adding some more green to your diet. Foods such as broccoli, peas, lettuce, and kale all help the liver qi energy flow smoothly and efficiently.

Lemon Water: Sipping lemon water first thing in the morning helps stimulate the liver and begin the detoxification process. This is most helpful upon waking as your body has been busy detoxifying while you’re sleeping. Lemon water first thing helps in our elimination of these toxins and supports optimal liver function.

Move: The liver thrives on exercise as it moves energy around the body and gets our lymphatic system going, which is dependent on movement. Movement becomes more limited during the winter, contracting our muscles, fascia, tendons and ligaments. Stretching and exercise will help release toxins that have become stored in these tissues over the winter months. It’s also a great time of year to receive Detox Reflexology and Therapeutic Massage to increase the movement and purging of these stored toxins.

Practice Forgiveness: The liver energy likes to feel free of resentments and grudges. The spring time is a beautiful season to practice forgiveness and letting go of any burdensome grudges. Keep in mind the Buddhist quote; ‘Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die’. Make yourself and your liver happy and practice releasing any grudges you may hold.

Castor Oil Packs: Castor oils packs are an ancient practice that help reduce inflammation in the liver and improve detoxification and overall liver function. When treating the liver, simply place the pack on the right side of your body, just below your ribs. Castor oil packs are a simple, effective ritual to add to your spring routine to help keep your liver happy.

Acupuncture: Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can work to support and improve your liver qi energy and help treat stress, anger and frustration - all typically associated with liver disharmony. Liver imbalance also shows up as sciatica, migraines, PMS and menstrual issues, frequent sighing, digestive issues. Acupuncture can help restore your balance and get your liver qi energy flowing to promote feelings of joy and peace.

Reflexology for Neuropathy

Neuropathy, a condition characterized by nerve damage, can significantly impact one's quality of life. From tingling sensations to sharp pains, neuropathy symptoms can vary widely, affecting daily activities and overall well-being. Studies have shown that regular reflexology sessions can offer relief from Neuropathy symptoms through increased blood circulation, nerve stimulation and stress reduction. 

Neuropathy refers to a range of conditions that result from damage to the peripheral nerves. These nerves transmit signals between the body and the brain, controlling movement, sensation, and other functions. Common symptoms of neuropathy can include:

• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

• Sharp, shooting pains

• Muscle weakness or paralysis

• Sensitivity to touch

• Loss of coordination and balance

• Burning or stabbing sensations

• Difficulty sleeping due to discomfort

Benefits of Reflexology for Neuropathy:

1. Increased Blood Circulation: By stimulating specific reflex points on the feet, blood flow to the extremities (hands and feet) is improved which may help alleviate symptoms such as numbness and tingling. Improved circulation also facilitates the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to damaged nerves, supporting the healing process.

2. Nerve Stimulation: Reflexology involves applying pressure to nerve-rich areas of the feet, which can help activate the body's neural pathways. This stimulation may help to desensitize hypersensitive nerves commonly associated with neuropathy; reducing pain and discomfort. Reflexology may promote the regeneration of damaged nerves over time, leading to long-term improvements in neuropathic symptoms.

3. Stress Reduction: Chronic pain and discomfort from neuropathy can take a toll on mental and emotional well-being, contributing to stress and anxiety. Reflexology sessions provide a deeply relaxing experience, promoting the release of endorphins and other feel-good hormones that help combat stress. By inducing a state of relaxation, reflexology triggers the parasympathetic nervous system, where all healing takes place.

While you may experience relief from your Neuropathy symptoms after one session, to feel the true impact reflexology can have, it is recommended to commit to a series of sessions; one session a week to begin is ideal. 

Alleviate your symptoms with our Reflexology for Neuropathy Package - 4 consecutive sessions designed to provide relief from pain and numbness while reducing stress to allow your body’s natural healing process to begin. Book your first session below: