Depending on your age, you may remember castor oil as a supplement that older generations relied upon as a laxative. Spoonfuls would be choked down to quickly encourage elimination. Well, now the oil, which has a rich history dating back to ancient Egypt, is mainly used externally to increase lymphatic circulation, address skin aliments, improve digestion ade in elimination and reduce inflammation.

Castor oil packs have proven to be very effective following visceral massages or in sessions with extremely tender and inflamed tissues. It is extremely beneficial when applied to the right side to reduce liver toxicity. The key, of course, is to know how to apply the pack at home after your massage session for maximum benefit. Keep in mind that castor oil packs should not be applied to broke skin, during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Below are the basic materials and steps:

Three layers of cotton flannel large enough to cover the affected area
* Castor oil
* Plastic wrap cut 1-2″ larger than the flannel (you can cut a plastic bag as an alternative)
* Hot water bottle or hot wet towel (wrung out to reduce dripping)
* Container with lid
* Old clothes and sheets. Castor oil will stain clothing and bedding.

Place the flannel in the container. Soak it in castor oil so that it is saturated, but not dripping. Place the pack over the affected body part. Cover with plastic. Place the hot water bottle over the pack. Leave it on for 30-60 minutes. Rest while the pack is in place. After removing the pack, cleanse the area with a dilute 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.

Castor oils can be found at your local drug or health food store from eight ounce up to gallon containers. If you can’t find it locally, you can always purchase some online.

If you decide to try castor oil packs, be prepared to commit to a series of treatments. It is generally recommended that a castor oil pack be used for 3 to 7 days straight to treat a health condition or for detoxification.


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