Your body is a pretty amazing place. While you’re going about your day, it’s working hard to keep everything running smoothly.

Unfortunately, in today’s world, the body often has to work a little harder than it’s designed to do – especially in the digestion and detoxification department.

Many people are dealing with poor gut health brought on by an inflammatory diet, alcohol, medications and exposure to environmental toxins. On the detoxification front, our body’s main filtration organ, the liver, gets inundated with toxins and chemicals in our food, water and personal care products.

These two areas of the body, the digestive system and liver, work together to help flush out waste, toxins and excess hormones. The liver filters and the colon expels it. When one or both are struggling, it impairs effective detoxification and can lead to higher levels of toxins and hormones in the body.

The result? A whole number of issues – including hormonal imbalances, increased inflammation, low energy, fatigue, and acne.

For our clients in The Clear Skin Solution, we include lifestyle practices in their acne-clearing protocols to help naturally support their detoxification organs. Castor oil packs are one of our favourites as it helps ease constipation, stimulate liver and lymph detoxification and ease period pain.

You can find premade kits (like the ones available from Queen of Thrones) or purchase the items individually. Organic castor oil can be found at most health food stores or from many online retailers.

What is Castor Oil?

Castor oil has been used since ancient times in Egypt, China and India. It was made into compresses and poultices as well as used in anointing ceremonies. Derived from castor seeds, it’s a very thick oil that can be used topically and internally.

Castor oil has natural antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties as well as promotes wound healing. You can use it as a spot treatment on acne, too.

It also has high levels of the rare compound called ricinoleic acid that acts as a skin-conditioning agent. This is why it’s used extensively in personal care products.

Check out my DIY Deep Conditioning Hair Mask with Castor Oil or Oil Cleansing for Clear Glowing Skin.

What Are Castor Oil Packs?

Traditionally, a castor oil pack is a combination of the oil and a piece of fabric (usually flannel or cotton) that is applied over the liver. The pack is worn for a minimum of one hour. It can be used on other parts of the body, as well. For example, over the throat for thyroid health, over the chest for respiratory support, or over the abdomen for digestion or period pain.

There are many different uses for castor oil packs, including:

• Liver detoxication
• Stimulation of lymphatic fluid
• Digestive issues (constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, IBS, indigestion, gastritis)
• Hormonal imbalances (PCOS, endometriosis, estrogen dominance, menopause
• Regulating periods
• Ease pain associated with endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids.
• Thyroid health (including nodules and Hashi’s)
• Inflammation and muscle/joint pain.
• Stress and anxiety reduction
• Insomnia

How to Use Castor Oil Packs

Castor oil packs can be used to help support your body's detoxification pathways as well as digestion and hormonal health.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Author: Katie Stewart

Ingredients

• Soft clean, thick material like organic flannel or cotton
• Castor oil
• Hot water bottle
• Old towel

Instructions

• Fold piece of flannel to size of abdomen. Pour about 2 tbsp. of castor oil over – just enough to saturate (should feel like suede).
• Get your hot water bottle or heating pad ready.
• Once you lie down, place your saturated flannel over the affected area of your body.
• Cover the pack with an old thin towel (to protect from staining).
• Place the hot water bottle over the pack and let it sit for at least 45 to 60 minutes. During this time, you can rest or read a book.
• When the time is up, remove the pack and clean the area with water and a bit of baking soda if needed.
• Keep castor pack in a glass mason jar for next use. Apply more castor oil as needed.

Notes

Do not use castor oil packs while pregnant. Queen of Thrones makes a great castor oil pack kit that does not require the use of a hot water bottle.