Cold-Pressed Castor Oil: Ricinoleic Acid & Cutaneous Lymphatics

The Heavy Viscous Oil of Traditional Packs

1. Unique Hydroxylated Fatty Acid Architecture: Over $85 - 90\%$ of castor oil consists of ricinoleic acid (12-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid), a unique fatty acid featuring an internal hydroxyl group that gives it high polarity and exceptional viscosity.
2. Prostanoid EP3 Receptor Activation: Pharmacological studies demonstrate that ricinoleic acid selectively activates prostanoid EP3 receptors, stimulating rhythmic contraction of smooth muscle cells in cutaneous and visceral lymphatic vessels, accelerating lymphatic fluid drainage when applied as a warm flannel pack.

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Primary Scientific Citations

1. Tunaru, S., et al. (2012). Castor oil induces laxation and uterus contraction via ricinoleic acid activating prostaglandin EP3 receptors. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(23), 9179-9184.
2. Vieira, C., et al. (2000). Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic systemic inflammation models. European Journal of Pharmacology, 407(1-2), 213-216.