Castor Oil Packs - How To Use Them For Hormones, Detox And More
Have you heard of castor oil packs as a way to support fertility, calm the nervous system and aid in detoxification? This home remedy is one of my personal favourites - it's easy, affordable, and can help with a host of concerns.
What I recommend castor oil packs for
Castor oil packs are one of the tools I recommend regularly for clients. I also love using them personally! Some of the reasons I recommend clients try them include:
Supporting fertility
Cleansing and nourishing the uterus
Supporting bowel motions and relieving constipation
Detoxing and cleansing
Relaxing, self-care and boosting feel-good chemicals such as serotonin
Boosting immune function
So how does a castor oil pack work?
The castor oil helps support detoxification by cleansing deep in the lymph tissues. Applying the heat pack or hot water bottle assists the retinoic acids in the oil to penetrate deep.
Where you place the pack can also influence how it works. For example, you can use it over the gallbladder to encourage cleansing, or your can place it over the uterus for supporting fertility.
Castor oil contains fatty acids that can cause contractions and induce labour when taken internally. It targets the prostaglandin receptors, causing contractions of the uterus. This means two important things:
You should NEVER use castor oil while pregnant
You need to be careful with timing of castor oil packs if you already experience painful periods
However, this effect can also be used to your advantage. For example, it can be used to cleanse a stubborn uterine lining, or it can help after a miscarriage.
It can also potentially aid with hair growth around the eye area. Low prostaglandins have been linked to eyebrow and lash loss. This is why women who take hormonal contraception, are pregnant or in the midst of menopause can lose brow and lash hairs.
Castor oil also has antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial effects. Studies have found that castor oil used on the eyes and lash area can help with blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids).
How to apply castor oil packs
I love the use of castor oil packs for a 2-week period to cleanse and nourish the uterus, bowel and gallbladder. About 10 days for constipation, relieve bloating. Here’s a step-by-step guide for applying a pack:
Apply 1 tablespoon of castor oil on the stomach (or treatment area of choice), then cover with a warm wool flannel. You may prefer to soak the flannel in the castor oil before applying to prevent mess!
Add a heat pack or hot water bottle over the top. If you need, you can add an extra layer between the heat pack and flannel if the pack is too hot
Lie down and relax for 60 minutes – this allows the oil to penetrate the skin and deeply relax you
You can purchase the castor oil and flannel separately, but you can also purchase a castor oil pack that includes everything you need.
How often should you use them?
This depends on what you are looking to manage! Generally, an hour is optimal for daily or regular usage.
To support fertility and uterine health, I recommend using it for one hour per day for 10 days. You want to start it on day 5 of your cycle, and use through until day 15 of your cycle. Apply it to the lower abdominal area, over the uterus and pelvic area. Some notice that this supports libido, as it directs nutrients and energy to the reproductive organs.
Remember to not use it during the heavier part of your cycle, as it can lead to heavier bleeds. You may also notice that your first period after using castor oil may be heavier or expel some old material thanks to the uterine tonic properties.
For immune function and lymphocyte support, research shows 2 hours is sufficient.
For supporting the gallbladder, liver and bowels, you’ll want to apply the pack over the right-hand side of the abdomen (over the liver area) for 60 minutes per day. To treat constipation, use it for 3 days. For liver enzyme support, apply 1hr daily for 2 weeks.