Have you ever heard of a castor oil pack? Used one? I hadn’t until a few years ago and it’s now becoming more of a mainstream topic and recommendation, especially among holistic healthcare providers. And something I started using on a regular basis. It’s natural, non-invasive, and can be done in the comfort of your own home.
I think of castor oil packs as an adjunct therapy. They are meant to be used alongside other treatments and not solely to treat a problem. My biggest recommendation is to use it consistently to get the biggest benefit. Aim for 4-5 times a week and try to get multiple days in a row.
What is a castor oil pack?
A castor oil pack is a castor oil soaked wool or flannel cloth that is applied to the abdomen area (usually) allowing the castor oil to absorb into the skin and left there for 1 hour or so.
What are the benefits of using a castor oil pack?
There are a variety of benefits when it comes to using a castor oil pack. Here are some of the benefits you might see:
Lowers inflammation due to the ricinoleic acid in the oil.
Supports relaxation and calms the nervous system.
Supports mood by stimulating the production of oxytocin and dopamine.
Improves digestion and supports regular bowel movements (which are super important for detoxification!).
Supports detoxification by aiding in the production of glutathione, our master antioxidant.
Improves circulation.
Supports hormone issues like PMS, PMDD, cysts, fibroids, and estrogen dominance.
Why do I typically recommend a castor oil pack?
Many of the clients I see tend to have symptoms of poor detoxification including sensitivity to scents, trouble tolerating supplements or increasing doses, trouble sweating or even high toxin load on a toxin test. This is a time when a castor oil pack can be helpful to increase glutathione production and push gentle detoxification.
I also recommend a castor oil pack for those experiencing hormone symptoms like painful periods, heavy bleeding, PMS, and cysts or fibroids.
General inflammation is another reason I encourage using a castor oil pack. That might look like puffiness and swelling, high hsCRP on labs or autoimmune disease.
I would even recommend it for someone who is struggling to relax at night and fall asleep.
Castor oil packs are a fairly low-cost, low-risk add-on to other things like supplements, diet, and lifestyle.
What do I look for in a castor oil pack?
I highly recommend organic castor oil in a glass bottle. Glass is important as the oil can leach chemicals from the plastic it sits in, which will then transfer once on your skin. You’ll also want a flannel or wool-type cloth.
I am loving Queen of the Thrones castor oil pack options right now. They make it so simple to use, which is what I want more of in my life…simplicity! I recommend starting with a kit, which gives you the organic castor oil in a glass jar and the cloth with ties. They offer the original kit for the liver, one for the pelvis and one for the thyroid. I use the original liver kit and it works really well. You can find that here https://shop.queenofthethrones.com/thyroidnutritionrd (this is an affiliate link) and code THYROIDNUTRITION.RD10 gets you 10% off. Then, you can replace the cloth and the castor oil as needed.
Heritage Store also carries organic castor oil in a glass bottle as well as flannel cloths. When I was using this option, I would cover the cloth with another cloth or with a plastic gallon ziplock baggie to protect my clothing and sheets and then a heating pad.
How can a castor oil pack help my thyroid health?
The Queen of the Thrones actually makes a pack specifically for the thyroid. I have not personally used it but it could be beneficial for those dealing with inflammation of the thyroid or possibly a goiter (enlarged thyroid) or nodule (abnormal growth on the thyroid).
Liver health is really important for thyroid health as that is one of the main sites where the conversion of T4 to T3 takes place. Poor detoxification or an overburdened liver can affect thyroid health. Castor oil packs are a great way to support gentle liver detoxification, which could improve thyroid health.
Whether you’re struggling with a thyroid condition or just want to uplevel your health, using a castor oil pack can provide you additional benefits on top of what you’re already doing. Just like anything else, consistency is key. Just apply and sit back and relax!
If you’re looking for more individualized support with your thyroid, hormones, nagging symptoms or overall health, I’d love to chat! You can schedule a free strategy call to discuss working together 1:1. Lindsay O’Reilly Nutrition offers functional nutrition services to get to the bottom of why you continue to not feel well.
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