Castor Oil Pack

Castor oil packs (COPs) are one of the olde worlde treatments that can be easily dismissed as “too simple” but whose benefits can be amazingly profound!

Castor oil is derived from the bean of the castor plant.  When taken internally it acts as a powerful, purgative laxative, and as such has a negative image among people familiar with this effect.  (So please don’t take it internally!)

How Castor Oil Packs Work

When applied topically the oil has the ability to penetrate up to 10cm of tissue.  As it moves through the tissue it causes a very mild irritation – not enough to cause discomfort, but enough to stimulate local circulation and increase blood flow to the area.  Increased circulation means an influx of oxygen and nutrients to the tissue, and improved removal of cellular waste products.

Benefits Of Castor Oil Packs

Applied to the belly “from boobs to pubes” allows the castor oil to improve circulation in and around the liver, small intestines, and large intestines in everyone as well as the uterus and ovaries for those who have a uterus and/or ovaries.

So think digestive help – bloating, constipation, tummy aches, and indigestion.

For female health issues such as PCOS, fibroids, or preconception health care, since COPs help to stimulate circulation, do NOT use over the pelvis during menstruation or pregnant (or potentially pregnant). 

When applied over the front of the neck castor oil benefits the thyroid.

Castor oil is helpful for pain, bruising, and swelling whether that’s an acute injury, or an ongoing concern like osteoarthritis.

For skin care and aesthetics castor oil is applied to:

• the skin as a moisturizer
• the eyebrows and eye lashes to support lustrous growth
• to the entire eye area from lids to under eyes to reduce puffiness and make the eyes glow (I have tried this in the evenings AFTER taking out my contact lenses!)

To Make A Castor Oil Pack

• Make a compress from large square of undyed cotton or wool cloth.  An old pillow case works well. Some companies are now making and selling washable covers.
• Drizzle the compress with ~1Tbsp of castor oil, or massage a handful of oil to the area and cover with the compress.
• Apply the compress to the body, such as over the liver (the right ribcage above the waist), the entire abdomen, neck, or painful joints.
• A second layer of cloth and/or a layer of thin plastic applied over the COP prevents messiness, as does a large, dry towel placed over the plastic.
• A hot water bottle may be used over the compress.   This makes the treatment more soothing and increases the effect of the COP as the heat helps to drive the oil into the body.
• Leave in place for 30-60 min and repeat daily if possible, but even weekly is better than nothing!

Alternately (Dr. Wiley’s preference as it is much tidier AND includes a relaxing bath)…

• Apply ~1Tbsp of castor oil to the part of the body to be treated before getting into a bath.  Since oil and water do not mix, both the heat of the bath and the water itself help to drive the oil into the tissue.
• Relax for 20-40 minutes…
• Enhance the experience further with Epsom salts and/or diluted essential oils in the bath!
• Castor oil can be removed with soap prior to exiting the tub, although it is a thick, tenacious oil so I find it takes a few rounds of soap or shower gel

Considerations

Be sure to choose a castor oil that is specified to be “Cold pressed” or “Expeller pressed”  for best results. Toxic solvents are the last thing you want when taking steps to improve your health!

Consult your ND prior to using COPs, particularly if you have a bleeding disorder, ulcer, or other potentially relevant medical condition.