I first discovered castor oil packs from a nutrition practitioner and hormone specialist a few years ago. She was raving about castor oil pack benefits and how incredible it can be for your hormone health. At the time, I was getting off of the birth control pill. I was looking for natural ways to get my cycle back on track and regular. 

Castor oil is a type of vegetable oil that’s made from castor beans. It’s made from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant. It’s been used over thousands of years for various health purposes. Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, which is the main fatty acid in the oil and has multiple health benefits. 

A castor oil pack is essentially a cotton flannel lightly soaked in castor oil and worn over your liver multiple times per week. Below, I’ve rounded up the TK best castor oil pack benefits that you can expect from this ancient practice.   

5 Castor Oil Pack Benefits

Relieve constipation

There has not been a huge amount of studies done about how castor oil packs can help relieve constipation. However, there was one study done in 2011 on elderly folks who suffered from constipation. It was proven that castor oil packs may help relieve symptoms of constipation. 

So how does it work? Essentially, the fatty acid in castor oil, ricinoleic acid, binds to receptors on the smooth muscle cells of your intestines and can cause those muscles to contract and push out your stool. Kind of similar to how your average drugstore laxative works. 

Without getting into too much detail, I have definitely noticed a difference in my own bowel movements after using a castor oil pack overnight. I believe that regular use of a castor oil pack (2-3 nights per week) might help relieve symptoms of constipation, if that’s something you struggle with. 

Relieve menstrual cramps 

The benefits of castor oil are wide—relieving period cramps are one of them. I couldn’t find any scientific studies to confirm that castor oil packs help relieve menstrual cramps. But there has been anecdotal evidence. One theory behind this idea that castor oil packs can help with cramps is that they can promote blood flow. By helping your body promote blood flow, it may help create a healthier endometrium lining. If you have a healthy uterus, the lining will shed more easily and the menstruation process won’t be as painful. 

Detoxify your liver

It’s insane how much your liver has to work to help keep your body in balance. Your liver works to store vitamins and minerals, metabolize fats, balance your blood sugar, and so much more. It also is our body’s biggest detoxifier. Your liver filters everything from food, alcohol, medication, beauty products, and more. 

When absorbed through the skin, castor oil packs may help speed up the removal of toxins in your liver. It can help decongest the liver and basically allow the organ to function at its best. 

Relieve joint pain

Because of its high concentration of ricinoleic acid, castor oil has some pretty great anti-inflammatory properties. Ricinoleic acid can increase circulation in the body while decreasing inflammation, too. 

Some studies have shown that when applied topically, castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties and can relieve pain and swelling on joints, sprains, muscle tension, menstrual cramps, and arthritis. 

Encourages deep sleep

Again, inflammation can cause a number of issues in the body, including lack of sleep. Some studies have suggested that folks with inflammatory immune system disorders have a higher risk of conditions such as insomnia disorder. By using a castor oil pack to decrease inflammation in the body, you might get a more restful night sleep.  

How To Use Castor Oil Packs

Buy castor oil pack kits

When I first began using castor oil packs, I tried to make my own at home. I bought a wool flannel, applied castor oil, then tried to wrap it around my stomach using plastic wrap. It was a pain in the ass, got too messy, and the plastic wrap was anything but comfortable. After doing some research online, I discovered the Queen of Thrones Castor Oil Pack for Liver. It’s made with mostly organic cotton flannel. It features stretchy ties that make it super easy to wrap it around your stomach. It’s very comfortable and makes the whole process just a lot easier. 

I use the Heritage Store Castor Oil and pour 1-2 tablespoons on the Queen of Thrones Castor Oil Pack a few nights per week. One of the downsides of the Queen of Thrones Castor Oil Pack for Liver is that it costs $46 per pack. It’s definitely on the pricier side. In my opinion, the extra cost is worth the hassle-free experience with this product. I would much rather pay more than deal with continuously buying wool and plastic wrap. I can usually get my castor oil pack to last for a few months. Because of that, so I think it’s worth the price if you use it often!

Apply the right amount of castor oil

I made the mistake of absolutely dousing a wool flannel in castor oil the first time I tried a castor oil pack on my liver. It was messy as hell, got all over my clothes, and was generally a giant fail. Castor oil is a really thick oil. Because it’s so thick, you would think that you need to douse your castor oil pack with a bunch of it, but it’s best if you only apply about 1-2 tablespoons of castor oil in the middle of your pack. 

You don’t need a lot to effectively treat your liver. Also, I suggest not applying it to the outside corners of your pack as it could potentially get onto your clothes. 

Leave it on overnight

Some people like to leave their castor oil pack on for about 30-60 minutes under a heating pad, hot water bottle, or other heat source. They will listen to a podcast or do work at their desk while wearing their castor oil pack. Others prefer to leave them on overnight without a heating pad. I like to leave mine on overnight, sometimes with a heating pad and sometimes not. 

Wear clothing you don’t mind ruining

If you wear your castor oil pack correctly, you won’t ruin your clothes. But if you apply too much castor oil or apply it to the outside corners of your castor oil pack, you might not be so lucky. I usually like to wear mine overnight, and will opt for pajama bottoms and a top that I don’t mind ruining if something were to happen. They are usually my period/ratty/back-up pajamas (I know all my ladies reading this have at least one!). 

Shower in the morning or get wipes

After I take off my castor oil pack in the morning, I can sometimes feel a very slight residue of castor oil on my stomach. Usually, I like to shower it off in the AM, or get body wipes and wipe my stomach down before putting my clothes on for the day. 

Interested in learning more about ancient health practices for your skin and general well-being? Be sure to check out my blog post about my gua sha routine. 

Disclaimer: The content provided on The Daley Dose is for educational purposes only. I am not a doctor and cannot give medical advice. Please speak with your doctor or a healthcare professional for any questions you have about castor oil pack benefits. Do not use castor oil packs during pregnancy.

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