Have you heard of castor oil packs before? Maybe not? I intro’d the idea of them in my blog; Endometriosis……101. Castor oil packs are 1 of my go-to prescriptions for women that suffer from painful periods or endometriosis, irregular cycles and fertility challenges. Yes, they are a little messy and take some time to get comfortable with the preparation, however I see them work successfully time and time again for a number of these health concerns. Castor oil is made from the seeds of the castor plant. Castor oil packs have been used as a therapy for centuries to promote healing and circulation in the body, particularly the reproductive system. Castor oil packs can stimulate healthy detoxification in the body; in particular the lymphatic system and the liver. Castor oil packs may support ovarian health and are a great way to support a healthy reproductive system, principally in women with endometriosis, painful periods and infertility. Castor oil is a heavy oil and works well topically to draw out toxins – in the liver or in the reproductive organs. A castor oil pack is a cloth soaked in organic castor oil which is placed on the skin with heat to enhance circulation and promote healing of the tissues and organs underneath that area of the skin.

What you’ll Need

• A glass/Pyrex dish
• A non-coloured, organic face cloth
• 500ml organic castor oil
• Old clothes to wear that you don’t mind getting a bit messy
• 2 x old towels

How to Use a Castor Oil Pack

Empty the contents of the organic castor oil into the glass/Pyrex dish and gently warm the castor oil in the oven. Warm only – do not overheat, as it will be placed on the skin. Soak a flannel cloth in the warmed organic castor oil and then place it on the skin. To protect from spills, cover the flannel with a sheet of plastic, and then place a hot water bottle or heating pack over the plastic to heat the pack. Cover everything with a towel and relax for 30-45 minutes.

• The best place to place a castor oil pack for fertility issues is over the lower abdomen
• The best place to place a castor oil pack for detoxification is on your upper right quadrant of your stomach

Step by Step Instructions

• Empty your organic castor oil into the glass or Pyrex dish you have chosen
• Place the dish into the oven on 120 degrees celsius
• Once warm, place the face washer in the container. Soak it in castor oil so that it is saturated, but not dripping
• Place the face washer over the lower abdomen/uterus area (or the upper right quadrant for liver health and detoxification)
• Cover with hot water bottle and an old towel
• Leave it on for 30-45 minutes Rest, meditate or catch up on Netflix while the pack is in place
• After removing the pack, cleanse the area with a solution of water and baking soda
• Store the pack in the covered container in the refrigerator. Each pack may be reused up to 25-30 times.

Caution: Castor oil should not be taken internally. It should not be applied to broken skin. It should never ever be used during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or during menstruation. If you are actively trying to conceive, discontinue use after ovulation has occurred.