Uses of Castor Oil
Castor oil has been well-known for many of its properties over the years. It is one of the most promising nonedible oil crops that could create a much-needed biodiesel blend. It can also help with the synthesis of certain polymers with their sealing abilities. This viscous fluid is used in lubricants, hydraulics, brake fluid, and even fertilizers. (1)
The question is: what can castor oil offer your beauty and wellness routine?
This ingredient is made by extracting the oil from seeds of the Ricinus Communis plant, more commonly referred to as castor beans. It is then heated to remove the toxic substance ricin so that you can safely use this product at home.
Learning how to do a castor oil pack could be the first step toward improving your skin, hair, menstrual cramps, and more. Before we dive too far into the details of how you can start making and using your own castor oil packs, let’s take a closer look at the potential castor oil pack benefits.
Main Benefits of Castor Oil
Topical application of castor oil can prove to be extremely helpful for many parts of the body, both inside and outside.
1. Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Perhaps first and foremost, many people recognize castor oil for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Scientists attribute these properties to the high content of ricinoleic acid contained within a high-quality bottle of castor oil. According to a 2000 study, researchers found that castor oil might prove to be a new non-pungent anti-inflammatory agent based on their work with guinea pigs. (2)
2. Dry Skin Treatment
Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, castor oil is also very good at treating irritated skin. The thick oil ensures a solid coating that can restore moisture to dry and flaky skin. Most people report that it has humectant properties, drawing moisture into the skin and restoring balance to dry patches.
3. Anti-Microbial Properties
A thick coat of castor oil on the skin is good as more than just moisturizer. Science has shown that this potent oil is antimicrobial as well. (3) If the struggle with your skin is related to a potential bacterial infection, castor oil can help combat the problem. Small amounts of it can be used as a first aid application to keep bacteria from taking over a wound.
4. Circulation Improvements
Castor oil is also thought to improve your overall circulation. Improving the blood flow to certain areas of the body can help with the detox. Many people choose to use their castor oil packs to promote circulation around the liver and other abdominal organs that could use a little extra support.
As you learned in our dry brush blog, you can also designate a brush for ‘wet brushing’- applying castor oil to the skin and then brushing. (Queen of Thrones sells a brush for this.)
5. Immune Support
If your immune system needs a boost, castor oil packs have been shown to increase lymphocyte production and T-cell lymphocyte activity throughout the body. This essentially means that castor oil packs are responsible for initiating the immune response throughout the body. Your immune system will stand stronger against unwanted viruses, bacteria, and possibly even cancer cells. (4)
How to Use Castor Oil Packs
Using castor oil packs is a ridiculously simple concept that requires only a handful of ingredients. Before we get into the details of making your own, it is important to know when and how to utilize these packs.
1. For DETOX Support
This is one of the primary reasons that people turn to castor oil packs. You can detox with a castor oil pack by applying it to your abdomen, over toward the right side above where the liver would be located. If you are attempting to rid your body of toxins, this is a critical step toward health.
2. For Menstrual Support
You might want to use castor oil for heavy menstrual bleeding or excessive cramps. The heat and the improved circulation can often alleviate some of these uncomfortable symptoms of menstruation in a more natural way.
With regular application, you may also find that you can use castor oil for irregular periods. While you will not be able to induce your menstrual cycle through the use of a single castor oil pack, routine application can improve circulation to the reproductive organs. In turn, this could create the ideal scenario for you to use castor oil to get periods more regularly.
3. For Pain Management
In addition, you can apply a castor oil pack to any part of the body that is swollen or painful. Many people with arthritis will apply a castor oil pack over the affected part of their body to find some relief from their symptoms for a little while. The same applies to mild to moderate injuries like sprains.
How to Make a Castor Oil Pack
If you are ready to experience the health benefits of castor oil packs, you need to assemble the necessary components. Some places sell a castor oil pack kit, but you can easily purchase these materials separately. You may even find that you have some of the materials already on hand.
Here are the materials that you need to make your first castor oil pack:
Several layers of flannel to cover the affected area
A high-quality bottle of castor oil
Plastic wrap larger than the flannel by about two inches on all sides
Hot water bottle
Container with a lid that can hold the flannel
An old towel or blanket
How does a castor oil pack work? Well, it takes just a few simple steps.
In order to make your own pack, simply place the flannel into the container and saturate it with castor oil. It should be covered and moist all over without dripping excess oil back into the container.
Prepare the area where you are going to lay by setting out an old towel or a blanket. If castor oil drips beneath you, it will stain so be sure to protect your couch, bed, or chair appropriately.
Place your new castor oil pack over the affected body part that you wish to treat. Cover it with plastic wrap and place the hot water bottle on top. For the next twenty minutes or so, your only job is to lean back and relax. This is a great time to catch up on some reading, to pop in your favorite movie, or to simply meditate for a while.
When you are done, you can clean the skin with a solution of baking soda and water in equal parts. Store the castor oil pack in the container and keep refrigerated. You will be able to reuse this pack multiple times, which is excellent because it does require quite a bit of castor oil to soak the flannel.
Be sure to drink plenty of water to complete the detox process. Try to stick with this routine three or four times each week for optimal results.
Boosting the Benefits
Of course, there are definitely ways you can enhance your experience with these castor oil packs. You can combine essential oils and essential oils for detox. Add a few drops of any of your favorite essential oils to the castor oil-soaked flannel for added benefits, both topically and through aromatherapy.
Outside of using castor oil in a pack form, you can also use it for many other at-home remedies. You can use it for a castor oil hot oil treatment where you work the heated castor oil through your hair from root to tip. Allow it to soak for an hour or overnight and shampoo it out in the morning for long and silky hair. A castor oil hair treatment is a luxurious way to moisturize your hair without the salon expense. Of course, you can also use castor oil for facial hair.
A castor oil skin treatment is another possible use. Applying it to the face in the form of a beauty mask can reduce the appearance and development of acne, moisturize dry areas, and more.
Be aware that many people will attempt to tell you that drinking castor oil benefits the body. While castor oil packs for constipation may help, drinking the liquid on its own could be dangerous. It is not recommended to ingest castor oil because lower-quality oils could contain high amounts of ricin, which is toxic when ingested. Even without this possibility, castor oil can cause some serious digestive issues so taking it internally is generally not recommended.
A Natural Remedy for Detox, Regular Periods, and More
Castor oil is a versatile ingredient that can help you with everything from detoxing your liver to regulating your menstrual cycle and more. Learning how to create these simple castor oil packs at home could be a welcome item in your health and wellness routine. Consider all of the possible benefits that you could experience with the power of this one mighty ingredient.
If you are ready to make your very first castor oil packs, make sure that you are purchasing a high-quality oil that is 100% organic, cold-pressed, and hexane-free.
Have you ever used castor oil? What did you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Bridgit Danner, LAc, FDNP, is an acupuncturist turned functional health coach and has worked with thousands of clients since 2004.
She is the founder of a line of supplements, Functional Detox Products, and the author of The Ultimate Guide to Toxic Mold Recovery: Take Back Your Home Health & Life, available in audiobook, Kindle and paperback on Amazon.