castor oil packs-real treatment or quackery?

what I know of castor oil, is anecdotal.It's an extremely effective and extremely foul tasting laxative.
a tblsp was enough to make you "go" for the whole day.i know this, because i spent many moments running away from the dreaded stuff, in my childhood Of course, i do know people that downed whole bottlesfull in order to "keep their insides clean".

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"The good Christian should beware the mathematician and all those who make empty prophecies. The danger already exists that the mathematicians have made a covenant with the devil to darken the spirit and to confine man in the bonds of hell." - St. Augustine