I was first introduced to castor oil when my first child was approaching my due date. Like any mom, I was eager to meet my little one, so I turned to the vast wisdom that is Google to find ways to speed up my body’s natural process of going into labor.
I found many home remedies to induce labor that I tried (walking, spicy food, jumping on a medicine ball, pineapple, dancing, raspberry leaf tea and others). I also found some that I didn’t dare try… especially castor oil! (And I’m glad I didn’t…I’ll tell you why.)
What is castor oil?
castor oil (Ricinus communis) comes from the castor bean seed, native to India. It is extremely high in ricinoleic acid, which is believed to be responsible for its health-promoting abilities. In fact, it was once called christian palm because its leaves resembled the hands of Christ. It is important to note that while castor oil is said to have health benefits, the castor seed itself can be deadly. Internal use of castor oil may be safe, but requires caution.
Used in ancient Japanese healing arts and other ancient cultures, castor oil has a long and distinguished history. One of the oldest medical textbooks in existence, the Ebers Papyrus, mentions that early Egyptians applied castor oil topically as early as 1550 BC.
While it is considered “generally considered safe” by the FDA and is considered approved for internal use up to one tablespoon per day, it can cause extreme digestive upset in some people. I’m not a doctor and I don’t play on the internet, so talk to yours before using castor oil or anything else internally.
Does castor oil really start labor?
Castor oil is sometimes used internally to induce labor, but available research doubts its usefulness. In fact, if taken internally, it can cause severe diarrhea (the idea is that it will also stimulate uterine contractions).
I chose not to try this and would not suggest it as there is evidence that it may increase the baby’s chances of passing meconium before birth. It is also sometimes used to reduce constipation (again with severe diarrhea).
I prefer it for external use and personally wouldn’t use it internally. It’s one of two oils I use in my daily oil cleansing routine, which has greatly improved my skin.
Castor Oil Packets (and Why Make One)
To support my body when I discovered my MTHFR mutation, I decided to try another way to use castor oil: castor oil packs!
What is it?
The idea is to keep castor oil on a cloth on the skin for at least an hour with a heat source to stimulate lymphatic and liver function. Unlike some “detox” methods, this is not said to have negative side effects and there are many accounts of people immediately noticing better sleep, more energy and a disappearance of skin symptoms.
NOTE: Even for external use, I would consult with a doctor or naturopath to make sure this natural remedy is right for you. It should not be used if you are pregnant or have a medical condition. I also test any new oil (or any substance) on a small part of my arm before using it on a larger area of the body.
The beauty of a castor oil packet is that you can place it where the benefits are needed:
- Using it on the right side of the abdomen or the entire abdomen is believed to help strengthen the liver and digestive system. Some gallbladder specialists recommend castor oil packs as part of a holistic regimen.
- Place directly on tight joints or muscles to reduce inflammation. (Note: this is not a substitute for medical care, but rather to speed healing of minor injuries that do not need medical attention)
- Or try it on your lower abdomen to help with menstrual pain and difficulties.
What are you doing
Castor oil packs take advantage of the anti-inflammatory and lymph-stimulating benefits of castor oil, but allow for safer external use. From a 1999 study:
With a minimum therapy period of 2 hours, this study found that castor oil packs produced a “significant” temporary increase in the number of T-11 cells that increased over a 7-hour period after treatment and then decreased again. normal levels within 24 hours. .
The increase in T-11 cells represents a general increase in the specific defense state of the organism. Lymphocytes actively defend the health of the body by forming antibodies against pathogens and their toxins. T cell lymphocytes originate in the bone marrow and thymus as small lymphocytes that identify and kill viruses, fungi, bacteria, and cancer cells. T-11 cell lymphocytes provide critical antibody capacity to keep the specific defense system strong.
In short, castor oil packs are said to help detoxify the liver naturally, support uterine and ovarian health, improve lymphatic circulation, and reduce inflammation.
There are no conclusive studies on the external use of castor oil packs (although there are some preliminaries), but there is a long history of traditional use in many cultures. There is some evidence that it may have a suppressive effect on tumors and a positive effect on arthritis when used externally.
Castor oil packs also provide a moment of quiet relaxation, which comes with its own set of health benefits!
How to make a castor oil pack
Castor oil packs are easy to make at home. I like them because they require you to be still and relaxed for at least an hour. That’s not always easy to achieve! They can be messy, but with proper preparation they are not.
You can also purchase a complete castor oil kit instead of assembling all the items below. See the end of this post to see the ones I’ve tried and like.
You will need
- high quality castor oil (hexane free)
- unbleached, undyed wool or cotton flannel (like this one) – can be reused up to 30 times
- a wrap-around backpack (or a large piece of cotton flannel) or plastic wrap (not best)
- hot water bottle or heating pad
- glass container with lid – I use a quart glass jar to store the oil-soaked flannel between uses
- Old clothes, towels and sheets: castor oil stains!
- patience (the hardest to find!)
NOTE: I highly recommend carefully preparing the area where you will apply the castor oil pack to avoid a mess. Try using an old shower curtain, covered with a sheet underneath to ensure nothing stains. I don’t have to wash the sheet frequently, I just fold it and put it in the bathroom cabinet for the next use.
How to use a castor oil pack
- Cut a large piece of cotton flannel and fold it into thirds to form three layers. My original piece measured 20 x 10 inches and when folded it measured approximately 7 x 10 inches. Yours could be larger or smaller, depending on where you plan to place it.
- Thoroughly soak (but do not completely saturate) the flannel in castor oil. The easiest way I found to do this was to carefully fold the flannel and place it in a quart-sized glass jar. I then added castor oil about a tablespoon at a time (every 20 minutes or so) to give it time to saturate. I also gently shook the jar between adding more oil so the oil could reach all parts of the fabric. Ideally, do this the day before so it has time to soak evenly. I keep the jar since this is where I keep the flannel between uses (it can be used about 30 times).
- Carefully remove and unfold the cloth soaked in castor oil.
- While lying on an old towel or sheet, place the cloth on the desired body part.
- Cover with the wrap bag or cotton flannel and place the warming bag on top. You can also use a plastic bag to prevent oil from coming into contact with the heating pad. A hot water bottle, electric heating pad, or rice heating pad can be used, but hot water bottles and rice packets may need to be reheated several times.
- Lie on your back with your feet elevated (I usually lie on the floor and put my feet on the couch) and relax for 30 to 60 minutes.
- Use this time to practice deep breathing, read a book, meditate, or pray (or anything you find relaxing).
- After the desired time, remove the container and return the flannel to the glass container. Store in the refrigerator.
- Use a natural soap or a mixture of baking soda and water to remove any castor oil left on the skin.
- Relax and rest. Be sure to drink enough water and stay hydrated after doing this to support detoxification.
Where to buy a castor oil kit
You can purchase castor oil kits complete with cotton flannel and a mess-free wrap-around package that eliminates the need for plastic wrap.
- I’ve used this one from Radiant Life with great results (nothing leaked).
- This castor oil kit is similar to Radiant Life in price and quality, but the flannel wrap design is a little more contoured and ties easily.
Other ways to use castor oil
Castor oil is also useful to have at home for other uses. It is rich in fatty acids and contains antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit the body in many ways. Use castor oil externally to:
- Apply to acne, dry skin, rashes, boils, age spots and warts to improve complexion and increase moisture.
- Treat toenail fungus
- Soothe a sprain, injury or joint pain.
- Apply to areas of back pain.
- To clean and calm the abdomen when you have digestive or reproductive problems.
For best results, apply castor oil packs for 60 to 90 minutes as soon as problems begin. Do this about 3 times a week for a period of 3 weeks. Consult a doctor to rule out more serious causes.
This article was medically reviewed by Madiha Saeed, MD, board certified family physician. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you speak with your doctor.
Have you ever used castor oil? I’ll share some of my other favorite uses soon, but share yours below!
