The wellness world can be a noisy place, full of fad diets & complicated protocols, which is exactly why I love to break down trending topics in a no-nonsense way.
And today, that topic is castor oil packs.
I chose this particular topic because while castor oil packs have become more popular in recent years, they’re not just another health fad. In fact, castor oil packs have been around for thousands of years, and for good reason. They offer a simple & effective way to eliminate toxins from your body.
Now… I don’t know about you, but I’m always up for some extra help in that department!
When it comes to detoxing, you’ve probably heard about juice cleanses, fasting & maybe even expensive saunas, but what it really boils down to is your liver.
Ready to break it all down, step-by-step?
Let’s dive in!
What The Heck is a Castor Oil Pack?
If you’re not familiar with castor oil itself, it’s a vegetable oil (pressed from the seeds of a castor plant) that people have been using for thousands of years.
A castor oil pack, then, is a traditional natural home remedy (or therapy) that allows you to easily apply castor oil externally to the skin.
It can be used to heal multiple ailments, moisturize the skin and strengthen your immune system!
But today, we’re focusing on how it’s used to support detoxification.
How Does The Liver Support Detox?
Did you know that your liver plays one of the largest roles in detoxification?
This means you could drink all the green juice in the world, but if your liver isn’t functioning at its best, the juice is only going to get you so far.
Please note – I’m not bashing green juices! They’re a healthy beverage and often contain ingredients that support detoxification, like cilantro and leafy greens. But I do want to highlight that a castor oil pack, which focuses on the liver & supporting detoxification systems in the body, can be a more powerful way of eliminating toxins.
The liver helps filter materials that, in a nutshell, do not support your best health. 🙅
Whether it’s alcohol, heavy metals, or other foreign substances, the liver makes sure toxins are removed swiftly & safely. Basically, you can think of your liver as your body’s best friend.
So, it’s easy to understand why it’s crucial that your liver be functioning optimally – so it can do its job of keeping you healthy.
Using Castor Oil Packs For Liver Support.
Now, the question is… how does a castor oil pack support your liver?
Well, remember earlier when I said castor oil is made from a castor seed?
The oil from this plant has a high concentration of ricinoleic acid, which is the golden ingredient that makes castor oil such an amazing remedy.
For starters, this unique fatty acid stimulates liver detoxification processes & supports overall liver function.
Now, let’s look at how to actually use a castor oil pack for liver support.
How to Make & Use a Castor Oil Pack for Detox
You’ll need:
- A bottle of organic castor oil in a glass bottle. (Heritage is a great brand I recommend!)
- A flannel or wool cloth.
- A heating pad, warming pillow, or hot water bottle.
- A towel to lay on.
Step 1. First, make sure to lay down a towel & wear something you don’t mind staining – castor oil will stain!
Step 2. Place your flannel or cloth into a container and drizzle some castor oil onto it. You want the cloth to be covered, but not soaked.
Step 3. Next, lay on your towel (you can be in bed, on the couch, in your favorite chair, or wherever you’re comfortable) and apply the castor-oil-soaked cloth onto your stomach. Be sure it’s covering the area above your right rib cage, as this is where the liver lives.
Step 4. Next, place your warming pillow on top of your stomach. Again, it’s best to put it over the liver if your goal is to support detox.
Step 5. Hang out with your castor oil pack for at least 45-60 minutes. This will give the oil enough time to seep into your body and work its healing powers. 😉
🌟Pro Tip: If you’d rather not create your own castor oil pack at home (& avoid the mess!) consider purchasing a pre-made pack online. I like Queen of Thrones.
Other Ways Castor Oil Packs Promote Detox & Overall Health.
So, I know at the beginning of this article, I was all “detoxing is all about the liver!”.
And don’t worry – I’m not going back on that!
But there are other important detoxification processes in the body that castor oil assists with, and I want to touch on those, too.
#1 Lymphatic Drainage
Just like the detoxification processes in the liver, castor oil also stimulates the lymphatic system, which encourages elimination of toxins & waste. And, stimulating lymphatic drainage also strengthens the immune system, supporting your overall health.
#2 Elimination
Having regular bowel movements is crucial for eliminating waste & toxins from the body. And castor oil causes the muscles in your intestines to contract and push out the stool, making it an ideal home remedy for constipation.
If you’re using a castor oil pack specifically to encourage regular bowel movements, I recommend placing the pack over your abdomen, especially the left-hand side, which focuses on your intestines rather than the liver.
*Important Note: Castor oil is an extremely powerful laxative when taken orally and I do not recommend taking it this way. Speak with your trusted healthcare provider before ingesting even a trace of castor oil.
More Natural Medicines That Support Liver Detox
Now that you understand how to support detoxification with castor oil, I want to tell you about a few of my favorite supplements that would be a great addition to your detox regimen.
- 21-Day Purification Program: This 21-day program includes a variety of supplements, nutritional shakes, and green powders to support detoxification and maintain optimal health.
- LivCo: This herbal supplement is made up of Rosemary, Milk Thistle, & Schisandra which nourishes the liver and provides extra liver cleansing support.
- Livaplex: This supplement provides nutrients your liver needs to efficiently detoxify, supports healthy gallbladder function, and heal from any toxin-related damage.
You can source all of these supplements in our office or, if you’re not close by, just send me an email!
A Staple Home Remedy.
Castor oil packs help to support your overall wellness in so many ways – from eliminating toxins to healing cuts & scrapes. It’s no wonder humans have been using it to prevent illness & promote healing for thousands of years!
I hope you found this helpful & will consider adding castor oil packs to your own at-home wellness repertoire 💪
And as always, I’d love to hear from you! Let me know what questions you have about castor oil packs and/or natural detoxification!