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Healthy Home Economist / Archives / Natural Remedies / How to Make and Use a Castor Oil Pack

How to Make and Use a Castor Oil Pack

by Sarah Pope / Affiliate Links ✔

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Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Castor Oil History and Background
  • Uses for Detoxification and Healing+−
    • Contraindications
  • Poultice Preparation
  • Homemade Castor Oil Pack (Poultice)
  • Alternative Method for Children+−
    • More Information

How to prepare and use a castor oil pack or poultice as a potent tool as part of an effective detoxification regimen especially helpful for the pain and inflammation associated with endometriosis and fibroids.

castor oil pack on a woman's abdomen

The information and recipe below on the history, uses, and method for preparing a castor oil pack is courtesy of Biodynamic Wellness.

Be aware that the brand of castor oil matters! I recommend this vendor as the best on the market.

This traditional, powerful therapy is particularly helpful for those needing a natural remedy for endometriosis or fibroid pain.

Castor Oil History and Background

The castor bean (Oleum ricini) is known principally as a cathartic and extremely strong laxative. Most people are familiar with the use of castor oil orally as a last-ditch option to start labor.

The severe diarrhea which results sometimes can jump-start the labor contractions. However, this usage is not recommended and not at all what castor oil is best for!

A castor oil pack placed over the abdomen, usually with heat applied, is extremely helpful for detoxification and lowering of inflammation.

The oil is absorbed into the lymphatic circulation to provide a soothing, cleansing, and nutritive treatment.

This differs from others types of poultices such as an onion poultice placed on the soles of the feet.

Uses for Detoxification and Healing

The castor oil pack is specific for non-cancerous uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts.

Other conditions that seem to respond well to castor oil pack treatment include headaches, liver disorders, constipation, intestinal disorders, gallbladder inflammation or stones, conditions with poor elimination, night time urinary frequency, and inflamed joints.

Contraindications

Do not use castor oil or a castor oil pack during pregnancy or nursing.

In addition, avoid its use during heavy menstrual flow or the presence of internal bleeding.

Poultice Preparation

Be sure to have these items ready to go before attempting to utilize this therapy.

Castor oil (sources), a sheet of plastic (a cut-up garbage bag is fine), 36″ x 18″ (3 feet by a foot and a half) piece of cotton flannel, hot water bottle, baking soda, and nontoxic pillows are needed on hand before you get started.

castor oil pack
4 from 4 votes
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Homemade Castor Oil Pack (Poultice)

Method for preparing and using a castor oil pack on the abdomen to effectively reduce and heal inflammatory symptoms of all kinds especially endometriosis and fibroids.

Servings 1
Author Sarah Pope

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle castor oil preferably organic
  • 1 flannel sheet note that castor oil stains are permanent
  • 1 sheet plastic garbage bag works well
  • baking soda
  • 1 hot water bottle
  • 1-2 nontoxic pillows optional

Instructions

  1. Fold flannel into 3 layers to fit over entire abdomen. 

  2. Soak flannel with castor oil. Fold flannel in half and strip excess from pack. Unfold.

  3. Lie on your back with your feet elevated (use of a pillow under your knees and feet works well), placing oil-soaked flannel over abdomen, cover with a small sheet of plastic and then an old towel. Place a hot water bottle or heating pad on top.

  4. Leave pack on for 45-60 minutes. Practice relaxation breathing by placing one hand on your diaphragm and the other hand on your lower abdomen. As you breathe in, force your lower abdomen to swell like a balloon. With each breath out, practice relaxing your jaw and shoulders. As you practice more, relax all muscles in your body. You may even fall asleep and wear the pack all night.

  5. To remove the oil, wash with a solution of 2 tablespoons of baking soda to 1-quart water or BioKleen Citrus Soap.

  6. Store the castor pack in the refrigerator in a large zip-lock bag. Add more oil only as needed to keep the pack saturated. Replace the pack after it begins to change color.

  7. For maximum effectiveness, apply the pack as often as possible. At least 4 consecutive days per week for at least 4-6 weeks is optimal. Daily use provides the most beneficial effects.

Alternative Method for Children

Applying the castor oil directly to the abdomen without the flannel pack is the best method for young children.

Then, the sheet of plastic covers the oil soaked skin, with towel on top.

Next apply a hot water bottle or heating pad. It is fine to leave this in place for the entire night and in the morning the castor oil will be totally absorbed through the skin.

Note that castor oil stains are permanent. Hence, use a flannel sheet that is designated specifically for this purpose.

warm castor oil poultice rolled up on a woman's stomach

More Information

7 Ways to Avoid Detox Symptoms on a Cleanse
Detox Baths: Which are Best and for What Ailments
How to Make a Vinegar Compress for Sprains and Bruises
Top 4 Cleansing Myths to Watch Out For
Coffee Enema: Unmatched Detoxification for Health and Recovery
Natural Deworming Methods that are Safe and Effective
How to Gently Detox in Preparation for Pregnancy
Juicing 101: Why Do It, What Juicers are Best, Recipes to Try
Rebounding: A Great Way to Gently Detox
How to Do a Hair Detox and Enjoy Beautiful Locks Naturally

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Category: Detoxification, DIY, Immune support, Natural Remedies
Sarah Pope

Sarah Pope MGA has been a Health and Nutrition Educator since 2002. She is a summa cum laude graduate in Economics from Furman University and holds a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

She is the author of three books: the bestseller Get Your Fats Straight, Traditional Remedies for Modern Families, and Living Green in an Artificial World.

Her four eBooks Good Diet…Bad Diet, Real Food Fermentation, Ketonomics, and Ancestrally Inspired Dairy-Free Recipes are available for complimentary download via Healthy Home Plus.

Her mission is dedicated to helping families effectively incorporate the principles of ancestral diets within the modern household. She is a sought after lecturer around the world for conferences, summits, and podcasts.

Sarah was awarded Activist of the Year in 2010 at the International Wise Traditions Conference, subsequently serving on the Board of Directors of the nutrition nonprofit the Weston A. Price Foundation for seven years.

Her work has been covered by numerous independent and major media including USA Today, ABC, and NBC among many others.

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Reader Interactions

Comments (36)

  1. Karen B

    Oct 14, 2021 at 10:29 pm

    Agree, these are useful. I’ve been using them for decades. And as a pleasant side effect- they help with insomnia!

    Reply
  2. suzanne

    Oct 13, 2021 at 4:29 pm

    5 stars
    So, as mentioned, can curb nightime trips to pee – is there more info? Getting up at night is disruptive for me and then I cannot get back to sleep. Last night I woke up abruptly after 2 to 3 hrs. out of a sound dreamy sleep. I thought surely, I will go right back to sleep. Nope, I was awake for over 2 hrs. I am 70 yrs. old.

    Reply
    • Sarah Pope MGA

      Oct 13, 2021 at 5:24 pm

      I would contact the staff at BiodynamicWellness.com as this is who provided the content for this article.

  3. tahreem

    Nov 5, 2020 at 12:51 am

    Is castor oil safe to utilize while pregnant as well as when nursing?

    Reply
    • Sarah Pope MGA

      Nov 5, 2020 at 8:58 am

      Castor oil is not safe during pregnancy. Remember …. it is used by some midwives to induce labor! Check with your practitioner about your specific situation if you are considering using it while nursing.

  4. Florence

    Sep 6, 2018 at 2:25 am

    Thank you so much for the detailed instruction. I was familiar with idea but lacked enough knowledge (until now 😉 ).

    Reply
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