Castor Oil Packs: My Review of This Practice and Best Tips
Well, I absolutely LOVE castor oil packs. For years, they have been a game-changer for my health and that of my clients, and positively impacted our quality of life. They are very simple to use, easy to add to any routine (you just put it in place and keep doing whatever it is you were doing at home) and quite simply addictive once you see and feel the benefits they bring to your wellbeing.
What is a Castor Oil Pack?
A castor oil pack involves applying castor oil to a piece of organic cotton flannel, typically positioned over the liver, and wearing it for an hour or more. This ritual, dating back centuries and originating from diverse cultural backgrounds, has found its place in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Indian Ayurveda, and modern Naturopathic Medicine.
Castor oil packs can be messy, but they don’t have to be. With the right tool, they are sure to rock your world. I was doubtful at first, so I tried it at home in a very DIY way (a piece of flannel, castor oil and food-grade plastic wrap and hot water bottle on top) but I soon saw the benefits and decided to upgrade my gear. The flannel I was using was a bit scratchy, the oil would leak and go everywhere (be careful it does stain) and I ruined a few sweaters and bed sheets in the process. However, that is all over now that I’ve been using a Castor Oil Pack kit specifically designed for the modern life.
My Favourite Castor Oil Liver Pack Kit
Today, we’re lucky we can get our hands on a two-step Castor Oil Liver Pack Kit. This version eliminates the need for heat, making the ritual less time-consuming and messy. It is really easy to incorporate this self-care practice into your daily routine, as you can use it while cooking, watching TV and even while sleeping (I usually wear it at night, in bed). The one I currently use is from the brand Queens of the Throne (code GUTTALK for 10% off) and I think it is a game-changer.
All you’ve got to do is add the castor oil to the pack (about a tablespoon) to the cotton fabric, wrap it around your body (the belly/pelvis area get the most benefits as this is where most of the visceral organs are) and relax. There are also packs for the thyroid to apply to the neck are, for example.
Benefits Across Body and Mind
For centuries, castor oil packs have been revered for their versatile benefits. Now, the FDA has started a crusade against claims for castor oil and its possible benefits, so it is not possible for me to list them all here…
What I will say is that they are safe and can provide many benefits, for which you can simply test it on yourself. :)
The main contraindication is if you are pregnant. Castor oil packs are not recommended during pregnancy or your menstruation.
Science or Woo Woo?
Now you’re probably thinking, how could a piece of cotton with castor oil on my skin impact my insides?!
I was skeptical too, until I tried it, felt the benefits and discovered that this ritual is clinically practiced and scientifically supported (albeit the studies are limited, and a lot of them were done on mice). While the concept of castor oil packs may seem unconventional or “woo woo”, the clinical practice and presence in studies is noteworthy.
For example, here are a few studies discussing castor oil and its impact on:
I really recommend to consider incorporating the ancient wisdom of castor oil packs into your wellness routine and see for yourself. It won’t break your budget and there is a high likelihood you will feel the difference - I certainly did. You have nothing to lose and all to gain. Now before we get into the most frequent asked questions (below), there’s a couple things I’d like to add.
You can use any castor oil (it doesn’t have to be from a specific brand) but make sure it is organic (for purity reasons) and hexane-free (again, for purity reasons). Your skin will absorb the oil so you want it to be high quality.
You can reuse your castor oil pack many many times and there are a few ways to clean it. I hand wash mine with dish soap and rinse it before popping it into the washing machine in a separate mesh bag (with towels I don’t care too much about, just in case there’s oil left that could transfer). You can also follow the instructions of this video for a few tricks from the creator of the packs herself.
FAQ
Can I just drink the oil or take a castor oil pill?
If you take castor oil orally, it’s a stimulant laxative. Let me be clear: I do not recommend ingesting castor oil. This is often done for relieving constipation, however, a study done in an old age home compared castor oil packs to conventional laxatives and found they were just as effective, but without the harsh urgency to run to the bathroom! I’ll take that over running to the bathroom any day, would you?
Is it messy?
Yes, castor oil is a messy oil that can stain fabrics. The best way to approach it is to work with a Castor Oil Pack that is ready to wear, heatless and LESS-Mess – NO, it is not messless, but it’s less messy than a DIY pack… trust me and my ruined bed sheets, haha! Always wear an old t-shirt over top, just in case.
I’ve heard I have to add heat to it?
If you use the Original Castor Oil Liver Pack from Queens of Thrones, you’ll find that it is made to naturally hold in your own body heat. No need add anything on top.
Could it cause me any problems?
No, although castor oil packs should NOT be used during pregnancy. They are not contraindicated with any medications, and can be safely used with all other conditions. In rare cases, a hypersensitivity reaction to castor oil may occur.
Can I just rub castor oil on my skin?
Simply rubbing castor oil on your belly and throwing an old t-shirt on overtop (also known as the “Lazy Man’s Castor Oil Pack”) only gives you about 50% of the benefits. The castor oil pack is an equally important part of the process because the soft compression of the pack on the skin is what promotes the release of feel-good hormones like oxytocin and dopamine, and helps move your body into the relaxed parasympathetic state.
When will I see the benefits?
Many experience benefits immediately. However, everyone is unique and some may take weeks to notice the benefits. Often when the body is imbalanced it had taken a long time to get this way, so it can also take awhile for the foundation to rebalance.