Why Castor Oil Packs Are Essential For Healing

Castor oil is an oil made from “castor beans” — the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant. Castor oil is commonly used in traditional medicine and as a food supplement. However, I do not recommend using it internally as there are a lot of side effects associated with ingesting castor oil. Especially for pregnant women. However, external Castor Oil Packs are amazing for the body.

What Is A Castor oil Pack?

A castor oil pack is made with dye-free organic wool or flannel cotton. Ideally, you want the material saturated with castor oil (approximately 2 tablespoons) and placed over the area in need of healing. The best way to use the castor oil pack is to wear it overnight while sleeping. The bare minimum would be one hour over the area needing healing.

What Does It Do?

The castor oil pack pulls out toxins in the organs, improves digestion, sleep, and even improves skin health.

Unlike some “detox” methods, castor oil packs have few negative side effects, and there are many health benefits that people notice:

1. Better sleep immediately
2. More energy
3. Clearing of skin symptoms
4. Improved circulation
5. Improved digestion
6. Detox liver
7. Improve uterine and ovarian health
8. Reduce inflammation
9. Improve lymphatic circulation (helps remove toxins from body)

NOTE: Even for external use, I’d consult with a doctor or naturopath to make sure that this natural remedy is OK for you. It should not be used if pregnant or struggling with a medical condition. I also test any new oil (or any substance) on a small part of my arm before using it on a larger area of the body.

Ingredients and supplies

To make your own castor oil pack, you’ll need these items:

• castor oil (organic in an amber bottle) I love Queen of Thrones
• unbleached wool or cotton flannel
• medium container or bowl
• tongs
• scissors
• plastic sheeting, such as a small tablecloth or garbage bag
• Baking soda
• Optional: You can also order a great castor oil pack from Queen of Thrones that ties onto your body nicely

Directions

1. Cut the wool or cotton flannel into rectangular pieces, about 12 inches by 10 inches. You can also cut them into strips or smaller squares depending on where you’ll use them.
2. Use at least three to four pieces of cloth to make a pack.
3. Pour castor oil into the container. You should be able to completely soak a piece of the wool or cotton flannel in the castor oil.
4. Drop one piece of the cloth into the oil until it’s completely soaked.
5. Use the tongs to pick up the cloth in the container. It should be dripping with castor oil.
6. Lay the soaked cloth flat on the plastic sheet.
7. Soak the other two or more pieces of cloth in the same way.
8. Add the oil-soaked cloths flat on top of the first one.
9. Once you’ve soaked and layered each cloth, you’ve made a castor oil pack.
10. Be sure to cover the pack well with plastic and wear old clothes over it as it will stain your clothes.
11. After you remove the castor oil pack, the best way to get the oil off your skin is with 1 tablespoon of baking soda mixed with warm water.

The beauty of a castor oil pack is you can place it where benefits are needed: 

• Using on the right side of the abdomen or the whole abdomen is thought to help support the liver and digestive system. Some gallbladder specialists recommend castor oil packs as part of a holistic regimen.
• Place directly on strained joints or muscles to reduce inflammation. (Note: This is not as a substitute for medical care but to speed healing of minor injuries that don’t need medical attention)
• Or try it on the lower abdomen to help with menstrual pain and menopause symptoms.

What It Does

• Castor oil packs harness the anti-inflammatory and lymph-stimulating benefits of castor oil but allow safer external use. From a 1999 study:
• With a minimal 2-hour therapy period, this study found that castor oil packs produced a “significant” temporary increase in the number of T-11 cells that increased over a 7-hour period following treatment and then returned to normal levels within 24 hours later.

What are T-11 Cells?

• The T-11 cell increase represents a general boost in the body’s specific defense status. Lymphocytes actively defend the health of the body by forming antibodies against pathogens and their toxins. T-cell lymphocytes originate from bone marrow and the thymus gland as small lymphocytes that identify and kill viruses, fungi, bacteria, and cancer cells.
• T-11 cell lymphocytes supply a fundamental antibody capability to keep the specific defense system strong.

Castor oil packs also provide a time of quiet relaxation, which comes with its own set of health benefits! Give it a try, I do it most nights and have noticed a huge difference.