Have you ever heard of castor oil? It has been used throughout history and is prized for its many healing properties. The Egyptians first used the oil as lamp fuel before discovering all its potential health benefits!
Applied topically to the skin, castor oil can reduce joint pain, muscle pain, and inflammation. [1] It can even support digestion and liver detoxification. [2]
Castor oil packs have also been used to treat constipation. [3] By supporting the lymphatic system and stimulating the liver, kidney, gut, and gallbladder, castor oil packs can encourage gut motility and soften the stool, which makes them a useful remedy for constipation.
I love to use castor oil packs as a gentle, simple, and accessible way to support thyroid health and symptoms of pain at home! They are typically pieces of fabric that have been soaked in castor oil, then applied to specific areas of the body, and secured so that the skin has ample time to absorb the oil (ideally overnight). You can make one at home yourself, but they tend to be messy!
Benefits of Castor Oil Packs
Here are some of the top benefits of castor oil packs:
- Castor oil packs may aid in detoxification by supporting the liver.
- Lymphatic drainage is increased when we wear a castor oil pack, which is another important part of the detoxification process.
- Castor oil packs may support gut health by reducing gut inflammation and supporting gut movement, which helps with digestion, the absorption of nutrients, and better elimination.
- Castor oil packs may support relaxation and help us move into the “rest and digest” state by promoting feel-good hormones like dopamine and oxytocin.
- By supporting detoxification and reducing inflammation, castor oil packs can be incredibly supportive for hormonal balance and helpful for conditions like PCOS, estrogen dominance, and fibroids.
Tips for Using Castor Oil Packs
Using castor oil packs can take some getting used to. Here are some of my top tips to help you get the most out of your castor oil pack:
- Use it daily – Consistency can really amplify the supportive effects of castor oil packs.
- Wear it overnight – You’ll want to wear the pack for at least one hour, but wearing it overnight will give you maximum benefit.
- Wear old clothing – No castor oil pack is foolproof. Wear old clothes you don’t mind staining, and lay on towels that you also don’t mind staining.
- Wear over the liver – This area includes many of the important digestive organs, and of course supports detoxification and lymphatic drainage.
- Add heat – This is optional but can be particularly helpful for period pain, or for those with Hashimoto’s who tend to feel cold. You can use either a hot water bottle or a heating pad over the pack, and you may also try wearing one in the sauna if you’re a sauna user (be mindful of the mess). Avoid using extra heat if you’re constipated.
Takeaway
I hope these tips help!
Have you tried these castor oil packs? I’d love to know how they’ve helped you in your health journey. Let me know in the comments below! 🙂
P.S. You can download a free Thyroid Diet Guide, 10 thyroid-friendly recipes, and the Nutrient Depletions and Digestion chapter of my first book for free by signing up for my newsletter. You will also receive occasional updates about new research, resources, giveaways, and helpful information.
For future updates, make sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest!
References
[1] Vieira C, Evangelista S, Cirillo R, Lippi A, Maggi CA, Manzini S. Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammation. Mediators Inflamm. 2000;9(5):223-228. doi:10.1080/09629350020025737
[2] Alookaran J, Tripp J. Castor Oil. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; November 21, 2022.; Liu J. Pharmacology of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid. J Ethnopharmacol. 1995;49(2):57-68. doi:10.1016/0378-8741(95)90032-2
[3] Arslan GG, Eşer I. An examination of the effect of castor oil packs on constipation in the elderly. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011;17(1):58-62. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.04.004
Great informative articles. I did buy your book last year and what a great resource. Just wondering if using jojoba oil over the thyroid (neck area) is safe, I’ve been using it as an all over body moisturizer.
Regards, Tina
Tina – thank you for following! I’m so glad you are finding my resources helpful. I don’t have any research on jojoba oil for the thyroid. I will add this to my list to look into further.
So you recommend to use it over the liver? Not over the thyroid gland? I am new to hoshimotos and I want to add this into my regiment. I guess if you wear it overnight it is safer around the abdomen than the neck. I have seen neck packs and abdominal packs from queen of the thorns brand…. I just wanted you opinion before I purchase anything.
Katie – thank you for following. At this time I do not have any research on this. In the article above I shared my favorite ways to use it to help support detox.