Castor oil packs have been used as a natural self-care practice to support overall wellness for thousands of years. In fact, the use of applying castor oil to the body topically can be traced back to textbooks in Egypt as early as 1550 B.C.
Castor oil (Ricinus communis) comes from the castor seed which is native to India. It is extremely high in the fatty acid ricinoleic acid (about 90% of the oil), which is thought to be responsible for its wellness-promoting abilities.
Castor oil packs:
create a calming, soothing sensation
support energetic flow to the area
support a natural sense of relaxation
promote feelings of peace, calm and inner balance
Castor oil packs can be placed over a large area from the pelvic bones to the clavicle bones or placed over smaller areas of the body, such as the throat or abdomen.
The many ways people have used Castor Oil Packs include:
Moisturize and hydrate skin
Promotes firmer looking skin
Energizes/refreshes the skin around the eyes
Cleanses/removes dirt, oil and impurities
Creates a soothing sensation, energizes skin
Supports the appearance of stretch marks
Nourishes, hydrates and conditions hair
Enhances the appearance of lashes and brows
Nourishes and hydrates nails
Freshens breath, cleanses teeth and gums
Promotes waking up feeling refreshed
Alleviates temporary discomfort
Supports focused self-care to:
abdominal area
throat area
chest area
joint area
And so much more!!!
If you haven't tried Castor Oil Packs yet, give it a try!
How to use a Castor Oil Pack:
Castor oil packs are very simple to do in the comfort of your own home. You only need a few items to enjoy the relaxation and many benefits of Castor Oil Packs and you most likely already have these items.
You will need the following:
1) First, choose which castor oil pack you would like to use. You can purchase a Castor Oil Pack that ties around you so you can go about your day or sleep in it with little to no mess. In this case, we recommend Queen of Thrones Castor Oil Packs. You can purchase one HERE.
Or, you can choose a do-it-yourself Castor Oil Pack. Make sure to purchase an unbleached, dye free and organic wool or cotton flannel (you can use on old towel or flannel shirt that has been washed in a toxin-free detergent many times as a last resort). Organic cotton or wool flannels can be purchased HERE.
Whichever you choose, can be used up to 2-3 months before changing them out.
2) Secondly, you will need a high-quality Castor Oil (organic, cold-pressed, 100% hexane free). Glass bottles are encouraged, and my personal recommended brands are Queen of Thrones or Heritage. However, others include Banyan Botanicals, NOW, Baar, and Sky Organics - try to get organic. Usually, you can find castor oil at a local health food store OR pharmacy, but we also have it in our Fullscript Online Store.
3) Heating pad or hot water bottle (if you want). It is not necessary for Queen of Thrones packs as they are designed to utilize your own body heat.
4) Glass container with lid to store your castor oil pack after use. I use a glass food storage container for storing the oil-soaked flannel between uses.
5) Old clothes and towels or blankets. Castor oil can stain, so it is preferable to do them naked or in clothes you do not care for anymore.
6) A comfortable place to relax.
Directions:
Once you have your kit together, you’ll see how easy it is. After experiencing the relaxation qualities, it’ll be something you’ll reach for again and again.
If you choose the DIY Castor Oil Pack, make sure to prepare your space first before applying your pack.
1) Prepare your space thoughtfully as Castor Oil will stain. Put an old towel or blanket underneath you, remove clothing that could touch it, or wear clothes you are okay with getting stained (and then wear these clothes each time).
2) Have your book, meditation music, tea/water, or show/movie ready to go.
3) If you choose, plug in your heating pad (or heat your bottle) and place it where you will be laying.
4) Drench your chosen pack/cloth with the castor oil. You can place it in a jar or glass container or on top of a larger old towel, then drizzle some of the castor oil over it until it is moist but isn’t dripping wet. You will want to add 1 tbsp of Castor Oil before each use.
If you use a Queen of Thrones pack (or something like this), then try not to get the edges soaked for less mess and longer use.
If you use a jar or glass container, you can store the pack in that container afterwards. If you decide to reuse the material with the castor oil on it, it is best to store it in the refrigerator or cool dark place, so it doesn’t go rancid.
5) Place the castor oil pack where you would like (most commonly the entire mid-section from clavicle to pelvic bone, ribcage to pelvic bone, throat).
6) Place hot water bottle or heating pad on top if you decide to. You will want to put another old towel or pillowcase between/around the heating pad for protection from the oil (trash bag or saran wrap as a last resort).
7) Relax for preferably an hour with your legs elevated comfortably. If using a Castor Oil Pack that ties around you, you can go about your day or sleep in it for best results.
8) When time is up, gently remove the heating pad and flannel and rub in the excess castor oil if going to sleep. If moving on with your day, wear an old shirt or wipe the excess castor oil off with warm water (can use soap or baking soda for better cleanup). I personally just rub the excess castor oil onto my skin.
Place the castor oil pack in your storage container and make sure to wash other towels/clothes used during your castor oil pack session separately. Never put your actual castor oil pack through the washing machine.
How often can you use a castor oil pack?
For maximum effectiveness, apply at least four consecutive days per week for one full month. Clients who use the pack daily report the most benefits.
For more support or if you lack time throughout the day, I encourage purchasing an actual pack with straps and sleep in it. I have personally done this many times and feel fabulous in the morning.
Once you have experienced the benefits, it is nice to use them once a week to a couple times a month for maintenance. You can always return to them more frequently as needed.
The great thing is that you can do what feels good for you. There are no specific rules to Castor Oil Packs. Your body will usually tell you when you've had enough, and you can skip a day or two between them and still see results.
Remember that you can reuse the pack several times (up to 2-3 months), each time adding more oil as needed to keep the pack saturated.
Enjoy!
~ Queen of thrones castor oil and castor oil packs HERE.
~ Organic Castor oil and wool or cotton flannel HERE.
~ For more FAQs click HERE.
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