CASTOR OIL PACKS

Over my journey to healing my eczema I searched high and low to discover holistic modalities that would assist my natural detoxification pathways. One thing I discovered after spending time with holistic health care professionals and functional medicine testing was my own detox pathways were not working optimally causing my detox organs to be overworking.

Generally speaking when you have a skin condition your detox pathways aren’t working as they should - Your body pushes out the toxic load to the biggest organ, which is your skin. By doing this it will ease the burden prevalent on your detoxification organs as your body tries to balance itself.


One ritual in my health routine is using castor oil packs - the anecdotal benefits and evidence of using castor oil is extensive. Renowned in cultures worldwide for its therapeutic properties and used for centuries as a staple in Ayurvedic medicine - castor oil has gained attention in our modern world for its vast internal and external health benefits. From researching the benefits of castor oil from valued health care professionals and my own personal experiences from using castor oil packs I have listed some of the benefits I have found to be the most effective.

THE MAIN REASONS I PERSONALLY USE CASTOR OIL PACKS

Enhances liver function + detoxification

Our liver is our main detox organ - if it isn’t functioning optimally in can lead to a cascade of chronic inflammation and health problems. When my skin and gut issues were at its worst, my liver was overburdened trying to support my toxic load. Sometimes taking multiple supplements would be too much for my system - so castor oil packs became a weekly routine for assisting my liver and improving overall function.


A study published in the International Journal for Naturopathic Medicine, found that after just two weeks of using castor oil packs, participants had improved immunity markers, liver enzymes, and cholesterol levels - even among the those whose liver and cholesterol enzymes were elevated outside of normal range at the beginning of the study. DR. WILL COLE - https://drwillcole.com/functional-medicine/the-5-science-backed-castor-oil-benefits-you-need-to-know-about

Relieves constipation
Castor oil is known mostly for its laxative properties - although I haven’t personally dabbled in ingesting it for the relief of constipation, I have applied it topically with my castor oil pack overnight when I was really suffering - lets just say the next morning relieved a lot for me and my bowels ha-ha. The reason it assists with constipation is due to the Ricinoleic acid in castor oil which interacts with the receptors in your intestines to stimulate bowel contractions.

Overall through my personal experience everything is interconnected and my bowels were not working like they should when my body was burdened and stressed from an inflamed body, so adding this to my routine eased a lot of discomfort.


Alleviates Chronic Pain - game changer for pre-menstrual cramps
There are studies to prove castor oil applied topically can effectively relieve pain, The Ricinoleic acid - the main component of castor oil has powerful anti-inflammatory properties . When I have had menstrual cramps I have used my castor oil pack with a heat pack for 1hr and the bloating and cramps subsided substantially.

HOW I USE MY CASTOR OIL PACK
My favourite way to use my castor oil is with an organic cotton castor oil pack which are designed to provide targeted support and enhance the absorption to a specific area of the body. Areas I love to use are under my right rib - where my liver sits and the lower abdomen for menstrual cramps or bloating. To be honest the castor oil packs usually fit my whole belly as I have a short torso - so I feel like I almost cover all my abdomen in one go.


STEPS

  1. Soak your pack liberally with castor oil - I either massage my skin on the area that I am placing the pack first or apply a the castor oil directly to the pack. Being a thick oil make sure you’re not wearing your best clothes when doing your pack.

  2. Place the castor oil pack on the right side under your rib where your liver is to assist your detox pathways

  3. Usually, I leave on for around 30mins to 1hr depending on my schedule or how bad I am. However, when I have been really suffering I have slept with it on for 8hrs. Honestly, I have the best bowel movement the next morning and felt so refreshed.

  4. If you are in pain adding a heating pad or warm towel on top can also assist absorption of the castor oil - the pack I have has a little pouch to put a heating pad into.

  5. This is so great to do at night time with your legs up the wall, whilst doing a meditation.

CHOOSING YOUR CASTOR OIL + CASTOR OIL PACK

I’m an advocate for choosing high quality non-toxic formulations - always look for castor oil which is organic and cold-pressed which no other added ingredients - this ensures the purity of potency of the oil for maximum results.

The best castor oil packs are made with organic cotton and non-toxic materials and are specifically designed with adjustable straps for comfort in mind - always an added bonus if they also have a built in pocket to add heating packs/warm towels.

You can find a link to the pack like mine here: Organic Castor Oil Pack

Castor oil is an amazing detoxing ritual I have in my beauty and wellness routine I have found assist’s my body in removing toxins from my system.


LOVE G X 


*Please note this is not medical advice - I have done my own research and discussed with my own health care professionals, working with them to make sure this is right for me.. Always consult your health care provider to see if this is right for you - most warning labels suggest to consult a doctor if you are pregnant as it can induce labor so do your own research if this is a consideration.