How to Make and Use a Castor Oil Pack

Castor Oil Packs—An Effective Home Remedy 

A warm castor oil pack is an ancient and effective treatment for a wide variety of health conditions. Applied externally, a pack increases lymphocyte (disease-fighting cell) production and thereby boosts immunity. (1) This aids in more efficient removal of toxins. The oil is derived from the seed of castor plants which are a common decorative plant.

Below you’ll find directions to use a castor oil pack plus a list of what it will help, but first, here’s a way to understand how it works. The common cause of health issues is energy gone awry and can be likened to a traffic jam. Remove the one stalled car and traffic then freely flows. Think of a castor oil pack as unscrambling blocked energy. As it gently brings your body back to homeostasis, your symptoms resolve. 

The benefits of using this traditional remedy can be phenomenal. Unlike a fast-acting drug, a castor oil pack has no negative side effects; though it does require some repetition and patience. In terms of Five Element medicine, use of a castor oil pack benefits both the large and small intestine (Metal and Fire Elements respectively) and the liver (Wood Element).

Castor Oil Packs Act as a Specific Remedy for:

Non-cancerous uterine fibroids
Ovarian cysts

Castor Oil Packs Reduce the Following Conditions:

Allergies
Bursitis
Constipation
Headaches
Hypothyroidism
Inflammation
Intestinal issues
Liver and gallbladder disorders
Menstrual irregularities
Pain
Skin problems
Strained joints or muscles
Swelling

Five Element Medicine and Castor Oil Packs

Castor oil packs are beneficial for imbalances in all five of the Elements: Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire. For allergies, intestinal and menstural issues, apply to the lower abdomen. For liver and gall bladder, apply to the liver area. For swelling, tumors, skin problems or pain, apply directly on the problem area.

Getting Started with a Castor Oil Pack Routine

To test for allergies, first rub a few drops of castor oil into your skin and wait for one day. If you have no adverse reaction to the oil, proceed. Allow 15 to 20 minutes for your first application. If you are extremely sensitive, your symptoms initially may increase in which case wait until your symptoms subside. Then repeat and gradually increase the amount of time you use the pack. As a longer application is more healing, increase your sessions to an hour or more. Many people find it convenient to sleep with a pack rather than carving out treatment time during the day.

For most conditions, including allergies and headaches, place the pack over the lower abdomen. For liver and gallbladder issues, place it along the right side of the abdomen. For bursitis, hypothyroidism, skin problems, strained joints or muscles, and swelling, place it on the afflicted area. Fold the flannel so that it will cover the area to be treated.

Castor Oil Pack Equipment and Ingredients

100% wool or cotton flannel, approximately 18 inches x 24 inches
Organic castor oil, cold-pressed
Large bowl
Plastic wrap or a plastic bag to cover the flannel pack, or a reusable pack (like this)
Hot water bottle or electric heating pad
Baking soda
Wide-mouthed pint glass jar for flannel storage

Place the flannel in a large bowl and add just enough oil, about 1/4 cup, to saturate the cloth; rubbing the flannel together helps distribute the oil. (Avoid using excess oil which might then leak onto your clothing.) If using the pack on your abdomen, warm it, as it’s not advisable to place a cold pack on this region. Bring the saturated pack to body temperature or a little warmer by placing it on a plastic covered heating pad for a few minutes or by warming it in a pan, on the stovetop, turning as necessary. Microwaving it is not recommended.

Fold the cloth to fit the designated application area. Place the pack on your dry, bare skin and cover it with plastic, plastic wrap, or use a reusable pack. Apply the hot water bottle or electric heating pad. Now stretch out and relax while the castor oil goes to work.

When finished, remove any residual oil by rubbing a teaspoon baking soda over the treated area and then wash with soap and water. Fold the used flannel pack and store it in a pint glass jar. For your next application, add 1-2 teaspoons fresh castor oil (excessive oil is apt to leak out). Should the pack become rancid smelling or discolor from the toxins that your body releases, wash the flannel with a strong detergent and then reuse. The flannel is typically good for 30 or more uses before it needs washing. It is not necessary to refrigerate the cloth between uses, as castor oil naturally resists rancidity.

Repeat for three to five more days. Then take a few days off. Repeat the cycle. Or you may pulse the treatments with one day on and one day off.

Admittedly, oil stains and can be messy. If you use plastic wrap or a plastic bag between the pack itself and your clothing, wear old clothing. Better yet, use a castor oil pack that nicely contains the oil. I’ve tried several different pack holders and found that this economical and well designed handmade reusable pack is the most effective.

Contraindications: Castor oil and castor oil packs are is not to be used during pregnancy, heavy menstrual flow or the presence of internal bleeding or a recent injury.

1.Naturopathic Doctor News and Review, May 5, 2015, accessed on April 8, 2017