Surprising Castor Oil Pack Benefits

Whether you’re struggling with constipation (again), working through ovarian cysts, releasing uterine fibroids, or searching for repair after cesarean section, or cleansing and restoring your uterus after an STI, castor oil packs have something for you.

And that my friend, isn’t even the beginning of the list of benefits. Before I dazzle you with the incredible power of castor oil packs, I need to reveal the #1 complaint people have about them.

For maximum benefits, your castor oil pack should rest on your body for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Most of the womben I know don’t have that kind of time to devote to themselves. Actually, scratch that… They DO, but they don’t prioritize themselves.

Instead, they’re sweating through their t-shirts, trying frantically to please everyone else. At the end of the day, they have very little left.

That’s why we’ve been working behind the scenes for over a YEAR to totally uplevel our virtual membership..

I present to you, Wise Womben Circle.

Imagine gathering twice a month with the intention to prioritize yourself and fill yourself up. It’s almost as good as flourless chocolate cake on the first day of your period. Almost.

If rituals (like castor oil packs) and gathering in ceremony sounds like something that would fill up your cup, click here to join the waitlist. You can also click that fancy button below and add your name there too.

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Now that the shameless plug for our vibrant virtual membership is out of the way, let me give you the 411 on castor oil packs.

If you’re looking for the recipe for how to make your own castor oil pack, click here to go to that part of the blog.

Made from oil of castor bean or ricinus communis, the power of castor oil packs to nourish, restore, and repair always amazes me.

It’s no wonder their use has been recorded in ancient India, China, Rome, Africa, Persia, Southern Europe, the Americas, and Egypt where castor bean seeds believed to be 4,000 year old have been found in ancient tombs. Known to the Romans as palma christi (hands of Christ), the use of castor oil is recorded in the Bible as the magical oil Christ used to anoint himself and his followers.

You name it, castor oil packs can probably help.

Here’s a list of conditions that castor oil packs have been recorded as being beneficial for:

• Ovarian cysts
• Endometriosis
• Pelvic pain
• Uterine fibroids
• Fibrous, painful breast tissue
• Cesarean scar tissue healing (after scar is completely healed)
• Scar tissue in egg tubes or uterus from STIs
• Constipation (I even used castor oil packs when my daughter was constipated as an infant – worked like a charm)
• Joint pain and minor sprains that don’t require medical attention
• Liver detoxification
• Inflammatory conditions
• Menstrual cramps
• Energetic and emotional stagnation in the pelvic organs

Please note: Used as a traditional remedy for inducing labor, castor oil packs have been shown to cause uterine contractions. Because of this, castor oil packs should NOT be used during pregnancy unless under the care of an experienced midwife or physician. For more info on internal castor oil use to induce labor (a technique with debated efficacy used often by midwives and birth workers), click here.

Even with the long history of recorded use of castor oil packs, consult with an experienced herbalist or naturopath to determine whether or not this at-home remedy is right for you.

Castor oil packs also have recorded benefits to the lymphatic and immune systems. The 1998 study shares the following:

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.

The secret to the pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effects of castor oil is because of its chemistry. Made up of almost 90% of ricinoleic acid, castor oil has the ability to relax soft muscle tissue (like the uterus) and increase circulation to the area it’s placed on.

And that’s one of the coolest things about castor oil packs, the area that you place the pack (i.e. uterus, breasts, or liver) is the area that receives the benefits.

But my FAVORITE part about castor oil packs is that they’re relatively inexpensive to try and easy to make. It’s not uncommon to feel benefits like better elimination (poop!), deeper sleep, or more resilience to stress after your first pack.

How to make your own castor oil pack

Every practitioner has a slightly different way to do this, below is the method I’ve configured after years of using castor oil packs regularly. We receive a small amount of compensation for the affiliate links you click on below.

Quick note: ALWAYS do a spot check with any oil you use before rubbing it in large amounts on your body. Take a small amount of castor oil and rub it into your underarm and wait 10 – 15 minutes to see if there’s any allergic reaction. If there is, do not proceed.

Ingredients Needed

1. High-quality organic castor oil that is hexane free, this one will work.
2. Wool flannel or cotton flannel. Both work well, but I personally feel that the wool absorbs more of the oil, which is a good thing. The choice depends on which one you are more comfortable with on your skin and/or if you have allergies.
3. Tin foil (for oven method)
4. Access to an oven to heat the pack OR a hot water bottle to place over the pack.
5. Towel to lay underneath you while you rest and/or sleep.
6. Sheets that you don’t care much about.
7. Plastic saran wrap.

Quick note: Consider what area of the body you’re hoping to support. Womb? Breasts? Liver? The place you place your pack will impact the size of the flannel you use.

The flannel should cover the entire area that you’re intending to support. The measurements below are for you for a castor oil pack placed on the womb.

For oven method

I learned this method from Susun Weed. I like it because it adds a good amount of heat in the beginning of the pack, which always helps me relax and allows the oil to penetrate into the body quickly.

1. Cut three layers of your wool or cotton flannel 12’’ by 12’’ inches.
2. Preheat the oven to 350F.
3. Place flannel on a sheet of tinfoil and cover completely with castor oil.
4. Wrap flannel in tin foil and place in the warm oven for 5 minutes or until warm.
5. In the meantime, set up the space where you’ll be laying down with the pack and cover with a towel and/or lay down sheets that you don’t care much about (avoid washing your towel or sheets with any other items as castor oil doesn’t come out of fabric easily).
6. Take flannel and tinfoil out of the oven and place on your desired area, in this case, your womb.
7. Take saran wrap and, you guessed it, wrap it around the castor oil pack a few times so that it’s snug, secure in place, and holds in any possible leaks (please note, leaks still may happen, hence the presence of the towel and/or sheets).
8. Leave the pack on for at least 1 hour. Bonus points if you put it on overnight and sleep with it.

Hot water bottle method

This method uses the constant, low grade heat of a hot water bottle to slowly coax tissues open and bring castor oil deeper.

1. Cut three layers of your wool or cotton flannel 12’’ by 12’’ inches.
2. Boil 2 – 3 cups of water for your hot water bottle.
3. In the meantime, set up the space where you’ll be laying down with the pack and cover with a towel and/or lay down sheets that you don’t care much about (avoid washing your towel or sheets with any other items as castor oil doesn’t come out of fabric easily).
4. Pour hot water into your hot water bottle.
5. Completely cover flannel with castor oil.
6. Place the castor oil pack on desired area, in this case, the womb.
7. Take saran wrap and, you guessed it, wrap it around the castor oil pack a few times so that it’s snug, secure in place, and holds in any possible leaks (please note, leaks still may happen, hence the presence of the towel and/or sheets).
8. Place hot water bottle over the castor oil pack.
9. Leave the pack on for at least 1 hour. Bonus points if you put it on overnight and sleep with it.

It should be noted that whether you choose to use heat or not, castor oil packs without heat are incredible, too.

Castor Oil Pack FAQ

How often should I use castor oil packs?

Frequency of use depends on your intention for using castor oil packs. Edgar Cayce who contributed to the popularization of castor oil packs recommended using them four days on, three days off. Other teachers, like Susun Weed, recommend using them 5 – 7 times a week when dealing with a chronic issue like fibroids or cysts. As always, listen to your body and consult an experienced health practitioner who can give you one on one guidance.

Can I reuse my castor oil pack?

If you have a chronic disease or are detoxing, it’s not recommended to reuse a castor oil pack because of the toxins released during the process. If you are generally healthy, it is possible to reuse them one time – but listen to your intuition. Whenever I have reused them, I always feel it is much less potent and I can feel the energy that I released in my last pack seeping into my body once again if its reused.

Can castor oil packs be used post-partum?

Yes, castor oil packs for post-partum healing can be helpful, but the use is dependent on your intention, as well as your current state of health. There are times when castor oil packs might be too detoxifying for you (and especially on the liver), just after birth or after a difficult birth. Please check with a practitioner and take a look at your personal health history before use.

Can castor oil packs be used while breastfeeding?

I personally have used castor oil packs on my breasts while breastfeeding! Please check in with your doctor, especially while nursing.

Can castor oil packs help with clogged milk ducts?

We recommend applying a hot compress over any blockage in your breasts to improve circulation, followed by a gentle self-breast massage while the area is still warm.

Can I just drink castor oil instead?

Drinking castor oil will give strong laxative effects. Applying castor oil packs topically provides the anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving effects of its ricinoleic acid.

If you want to learn more practices like these that feel tangible and easily accessible, then I invite you to join us inside Wise Womben Circle. Can’t wait to see you inside.

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