Castor Oil Pack Benefits + How To Make & Use Them
Castor oil packs have been used for centuries as a natural remedy to promote healing and wellness. Keep reading to discover all the amazing benefits of castor oil packs, as well as how to make and use them!
Castor oil is incredibly healing, and castor oil packs are a great way to enhance your overall health.
Castor oil packs have an array of amazing benefits, and they are also extremely affordable, easy to make, and safe to use.
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What is Castor Oil?
Castor oil comes from the seeds of the castor plant (Ricinus communis). It is 100% all natural, odorless, and it has a very thick consistency.
Castor oil has been used for thousands of years for medicinal and beauty purposes.
You can click here to learn more about the history of castor oil.
What is a Castor Oil Pack?
A castor oil pack is simply a piece of cloth that is soaked in castor oil and applied to the skin. The castor oil pack is typically applied to specific parts of the body.
The liver, thyroid, and breasts are common areas where castor oil packs can be applied. However, a castor oil pack can be applied anywhere. It just depends on the issue you are trying to resolve.
Castor oil is very thick and kind of messy. It can also stain fabrics. The pack keeps the castor oil from spreading everywhere and making a mess.
How Does a Castor Oil Pack Work?
The primary fatty acid in castor oil is ricinoleic acid. Ricinoleic acid is extremely moisturizing and also has healing properties. It allows castor oil to be easily absorbed by the skin.
Ricinoleic acid in castor oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. These properties are one of the main reasons castor oil packs are so beneficial.
Also, the compression of the pack allows the oil to penetrate deeper into the skin.
Castor Oil Pack Benefits
Castor oil packs have many different benefits. With that being said, many are anecdotal. Below are some potential benefits of castor oil packs.
1. Relieves Constipation & Improves Digestion
Castor oil packs can stimulate the bowels and relieve constipation. The ricinoleic acid in castor oil is believed to activate the EP3 prostanoid receptor on the muscle cells of the intestines.
This causes muscle contractions to help waste move through the intestines.
Castor oil packs can also stimulate other organs in the digestive system, which can help improve digestion.
To relieve constipation or improve digestion, apply the castor oil pack to the abdominal area.
2. Supports Liver Function
The liver is the body’s largest organ and has many different functions. Some of the major ones are balancing hormones, filtering toxins, storing vitamins and minerals, and more!
Applying a castor oil pack over the liver can help support liver function by increasing blood flow to the liver area.
Improving liver function is one of the best things you can do to improve your overall wellness.
However, it is important to remember that your detox pathways must be working properly before stimulating the body’s natural detoxification processes.
This means having regular bowel movements, drinking lots of mineral-rich water, moving your body, sweating, etc. Basically, anything that you can do to ensure that those pathways are open and ready to expel the toxins efficiently.
3. Alleviates Joint Pain
Castor oil packs can help to relieve joint pain. This is believed to be due to the anti-inflammatory properties of ricinoleic acid.
To alleviate joint pain, apply the castor oil pack wherever you are experiencing pain.
4. Increases Lymphatic Drainage
Castor oil packs are believed to improve the flow of lymph, which is the fluid that carries waste products away from tissues and into the bloodstream for elimination.
Applying a castor oil pack to the abdomen is a great way to increase lymphatic drainage.
But once again, before stimulating lymphatic drainage, make sure your drainage/detox pathways are functioning optimally.
5. Ease Menstrual Cramps
Castor oil packs are very well known for alleviating menstrual cramps. This is also believed to be due to the anti-inflammatory properties of ricinoleic acid.
Simply apply the castor oil pack over the lower abdomen to ease menstrual cramps.
However, I do not recommend doing this if it is your first time using a castor oil pack. Castor oil may be able to stimulate uterine contractions, which may cause severe cramping during your period.
If you are new to castor oil packs, I recommend applying one over your liver during the follicular phase. Do this a few times before attempting to use it during your period.
6. Improve Fertility
Castor oil packs can help to improve fertility by improving blood flow to the uterus. When blood flow is increased to the uterus, it can help to increase the uterine lining.
With that being said, if you are trying to conceive, only use castor oil packs during your period and the follicular phase of your cycle. Do not use it during your fertility window or luteal phase.
It is believed that castor oil can possibly stimulate uterine contractions and cause a miscarriage.
To use castor oil packs to boost fertility, apply the pack over the uterus area.
7. Reduces Inflammation
The ricinoleic acid in castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which means it can reduce inflammation. It is just that simple.
To reduce inflammation, apply the castor oil pack to the area of the body where inflammation is present.
8. Breaks Down Cysts
It is currently unknown how exactly castor oil packs can break down cysts, but there is an immense amount of anecdotal evidence—not just cysts but also nodules, fibroids, and scar tissue.
Although no studies have been done to confirm castor oil’s ability to do this or explain how it does this, it is most likely due to the anti-inflammatory properties of castor oil and its ability to enhance the detoxification and natural healing mechanisms in the body.
To use a castor oil pack for this purpose, apply it wherever you are experiencing these types of issues. The pack can be applied over the ovaries for ovarian cysts, the thyroid for thyroid nodules, the uterus for fibroids, etc.
How to Make a Castor Oil Pack
To make a castor oil pack, you will need the following supplies.
Wool or Cotton Flannel
You will need a piece of wool or cotton flannel. Only use 100% wool or 100% cotton. Synthetic fabrics like polyester contain toxic chemicals that you absolutely do not want to absorb into your skin.
The piece of fabric should be around 10×12 inches.
Castor Oil
Of course, you will need castor oil. Only use organic, cold-pressed, hexane-free castor oil. Once again, this will be absorbed into the body by the skin, so the castor oil needs to be high-quality, and not all castor oils are created equal.
This is my go-to castor oil for castor oil packs. I also use this one and this one from time to time.
Plastic Wrap or Ace Bandage
Plastic wrap or an ace bandage is needed to wrap around the castor oil-soaked piece of cloth to keep it in place and to prevent the castor oil from getting on your clothes or blankets.
It also assists with compression, which allows the oil to penetrate deeper into the skin.
Those are the three things you will need to make a castor oil pack. Below are several other recommended items for using one.
Heating Pad or Hot Water Bottle
This is optional, but a heating pad or hot water bottle can be applied over the castor oil pack to assist with absorption. Plus, it can feel really good if you are using a castor oil pack for pain-related purposes.
Old Towel
Castor oil can be very messy, and it can stain, so if you plan to use a castor oil pack while lying on the couch or in bed, I highly recommend placing an old towel underneath you.
This will prevent the castor oil from getting on the couch or bedding.
If you do not want to make your own castor oil pack you can purchase a ready-made castor oil pack instead. This is the one that I own, and it makes using a castor oil pack much more convenient and less messy!
If you purchase a ready-made castor oil pack, you may only need the heating pad or hot water bottle from the supply list above.
As I already mentioned, it is not 100% necessary, but it can assist with absorption and feel really good if you are using a castor oil pack for pain-related purposes.
How to Use a Castor Oil Pack
Below are step-by-step directions for using a homemade castor oil pack and also a ready-made castor oil pack.
Homemade Castor Oil Pack
If you decide to use a homemade castor oil pack, follow the step-by-step directions below.
- Lay the piece of wool or cotton down flat
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of castor oil to the middle of the piece of fabric
- Blot the castor oil around to evenly distribute it (avoid the edges)
- Place the pack around the area you choose with the oil side down
- Wrap the pack with plastic wrap or an ace bandage
- Place a heating pad or hot water bottle over the pack (optional)
Ready Made Castor Oil Pack
If you decide to use a ready-made castor oil pack, follow the step-by-step directions below.
- Lay the castor oil pack down flat with the cotton side facing up
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of castor oil to the middle of the pack
- Blot the castor oil around to evenly distribute it (avoid the edges)
- Place the pack around the area you choose with the oil side down
- Tie in place
- Place a heating pad or hot water bottle over the pack (optional)
Castor oil packs should be left on for at least 45 minutes. The longer they are left on, the better. You can leave it on for several hours or even overnight.
However, I only recommend leaving the castor oil pack on overnight if you have used castor oil packs before and haven’t had any adverse reactions.
Castor Oil Pack Tips
You can also apply castor oil directly to the skin first and then wrap it with the pack rather than applying it directly to the pack. Either method works just fine.
Also, be sure to wear old clothes you are okay with getting stained, just in case.
If you are using the castor oil pack for general wellness and don’t have a specific issue you are trying to address, I recommend placing it over the liver area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Do You Put Castor Oil Packs?
Castor oil packs can be applied anywhere. It all depends on the issue you are trying to resolve. If you are trying to improve liver function, apply it over the liver. If trying to break down ovarian cysts, apply it over the ovaries.
I recommend reading through the list of benefits, finding the benefit you are most interested in, and applying the castor oil pack to the recommended area.
Does Castor Oil Draw Out Toxins?
Castor oil does not “draw” out toxins exactly. Instead, it supports and enhances the body’s natural detoxification processes.
How Often Should You Use Castor Oil Packs?
How often you should use a castor oil pack depends on its purpose.
For acute conditions, you may want to use it daily until the issue is resolved. For general wellness, you may want to use it twice a week or even daily.
No matter what condition you use a castor oil pack for, I always recommend starting slow. Maybe once or twice a week for 30-45 minutes each time.
Monitor how you feel after each application. If you are not experiencing any adverse reactions, you can gradually increase the duration and frequency.
Can You Leave a Castor Oil Pack on All Night?
Yes, you can leave a castor oil pack on all night. I have done it many, many times. However, I only recommend doing that if you have used castor oil packs before and haven’t had any adverse reactions.
How to Know if a Castor Oil Pack is Working?
There is no specific way to determine if a castor oil pack is working; it is somewhat subjective.
It depends on the specific issues being addressed and on personal experience. However, symptom relief would be a pretty obvious indicator that it is working.
Also, you may notice a warming sensation in the area where the castor oil pack is applied. This could indicate improved blood flow and circulation to the area.
But honestly, consistency is key. You may or may not notice anything at first. That doesn’t mean the castor oil pack is not working. Once again, it depends on the issue being addressed.
If you are trying to relieve constipation, you may have a bowel movement within hours of applying the castor oil pack. On the other hand, improved fertility or liver function may take months of continued use to experience the benefits.
When to Not Use Castor Oil Packs
As I mentioned before, it is believed that castor oil can possibly stimulate uterine contractions and cause a miscarriage.
So you should never, ever use a castor oil pack during pregnancy or your fertility window or luteal phase if you are trying to conceive.
Castor oil packs can be very beneficial for breastfeeding moms, but since there have been no studies done on any possible effects this might have on the breastfeeding baby, I recommend talking to your doctor before doing so.
Lastly, as I have already mentioned, if you have never used a castor oil pack before, I do not recommend using one for the first time during your period.
Because castor oil may be able to stimulate uterine contractions, this may cause severe cramping during your period.
But if you have been using castor oil packs regularly while not on your period, you would probably not have any issue with using one while on your period.
How To Store a Castor Oil Pack
To ensure a long life for your castor oil pack, store it in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight.
Ready-made castor oil packs often come with a bag to store the pack. Mason jars or glass storage containers are great places to store homemade castor oil packs.
Can I Reuse Castor Oil Packs?
Castor oil packs can be reused many, many times. You may find that the more you use them, the less castor oil you need to apply to them because the pack will become completely saturated over time.
With that said, eventually, it will need to be replaced. There is not really an exact amount of times that you can use it before it needs to be replaced. Just use your best judgment.
This applies to both homemade castor oil packs and ready-made castor oil packs.
Should I Wash My Castor Oil Pack?
You can wash a homemade castor oil pack if you want to, but keep in mind it is not really necessary unless it has been used an excessive amount of times.
To wash, use an all-natural dish soap and hand wash it in the sink. Wring it out well and hang dry it.
I do not recommend washing it in the washing machine because the castor oil can stain other fabrics it may come into contact with, and even if you wash it alone, castor oil residue may be left behind in the washing machine.
When it comes to washing a ready-made castor oil pack, I recommend following the manufacturer’s directions. Some ready-made packs are not supposed to be washed because doing so can damage them.
Final Thoughts
I hope this provides you with all the information you need to successfully use a castor oil pack and reap its benefits without making a mess and staining your clothes and sheets.
Let me know if you have any questions or comments!
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