How Castor Oil Can Improve Your Hormone Health
In the quest for a balanced and healthy life, finding simple yet effective solutions can make a world of difference. Enter castor oil packs—a natural remedy that holds the potential to positively impact hormone health. Let's explore the benefits of castor oil packs and how they may become your new go-to for supporting hormonal balance.
What are castor oil packs?
Castor oil packs are a simple and affordable home remedy involving the topical application of castor oil to the skin. These packs are commonly used over the abdominal area, where many vital organs, including the liver, reside.
How do they benefit hormone health?
Detoxification Magic: Castor oil is like a superhero for detoxification. When applied to the skin, it penetrates deep into the tissues, encouraging the body to flush out toxins. By doing so, it indirectly supports hormone balance by reducing the body's overall toxic load.
Liver Love: Your liver is a hormone-processing powerhouse. Castor oil packs, when placed over the liver area, can give your liver a boost. This helps it function more efficiently, supporting the balance of hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
Soothing Inflammation: Inflammation is like static in the communication system of your hormones. Castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties, and when applied topically, it can help calm things down. This reduction in inflammation may contribute to a more harmonious hormonal environment.
Chill Pill for Stress: Stress can throw your hormones for a loop, especially cortisol. The calming effect of castor oil packs may help in reducing stress levels, positively influencing cortisol and promoting a more balanced hormonal state.
Boosting Circulation: Good blood circulation is vital for hormone transport. By promoting blood flow to specific areas, castor oil packs may facilitate the smooth movement of hormones, aiding in their efficient distribution.
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How do I use a castor oil pack?
And now let’s demistify this Castor Oil Pack thing! I promise it sounds way more daunting that it actually is. I personally love the Castor Oil Kit from Queen of Thrones because it makes it so easy to get started.
You get your high quality, hexane free castor oil in a dark amber glass bottle as well as a ready made pack! While you can make your own if you would like, this kit makes it so much easier (and less messy) to get started.
Just by using this link and entering the code CECILYANDREWS10 you will get 10% off your Castor Oil Pack!
Step 1: Prep Your Pack
Lay out your pack (or organic cotton fabric if you are making your own) with the fabric side UP and the shiny side DOWN. This fabric portion is what will go against your skin. Next pour 1-2 tbsp of castor oil in the very center of the pack.
You want to try and keep the castor oil pretty central on the pack - it will absorb and spread outwards over the fabric. With time the fabric will become more and more saturated so you may find that after a few times of using it, you need less castor oil. Keeping it more central on the fabric will also keep this as mess free as possible. If the white elastic bands start to get saturated with castor oil, this can start to bleed onto the clothes you are wearing leaving an oil stain.
Step 2: Put on the Right Clothes
I have a specific “Castor Oil Pack Outfit” that I wear just the be sure that I don’t ruin my favorite shirt. Like I said, castor oil can stain fabrics and oil stains are just the worst, so better safe than sorry!
Step 3: Find your Liver
Your liver is located underneath your right rib cage. This is where you will place the center of the castor oil pack that has all the castor oil on it. Then wrap the stretchy bands around you to firmly secure your castor oil pack to your abdomen. If you are making your own castor oil pack, you can use a belt, like the belt from a robe or something similar, to secure the pack to you.
Step 4: Kick Back and Relax!
That’s right, kick back and relax for anywhere from 2-4 hours. For a first session I do recommend keeping it to about 2 hours just to see how you react. Some people can start to feel increased detox symptoms so best not to go overboard your first session. Once you have done a few sessions you can also wear your castor oil pack overnight.
Common FAQs
When should I do castor oil packs?
While you can do them anytime of day, I recommend doing castor oil packs in the evening before bed as part of your night time routine. Because castor oil packs promote the parasympathetic nervous system and can reduce cortisol levels, it can really help promote a better night sleep.
How often should I use castor oil packs?
I recommend using castor oil packs 2-4 times per week. Starting with just 2 sessions per week until you know how your body tolerates them is a great place to begin. From there you can increase your session. Some people do enjoy using them daily but I find that you don’t have to use them daily to see the benefits from them!
It can be particularly helpful to increase your sessions during your luteal phase, or the weeks between ovulation and the start of your period. During this phase your liver is working hard to detox excess estrogen and giving it a little extra boost can be helpful in reducing PMS symptoms, painful cramps, and balance out heavy cycles.
Is there anytime I should NOT use them?
It is best not to use castor oil packs while on your period. Because castor oil can push detoxification, it is possible that it could increase bleeding which may not be good. Do your research on this and find what you feel comfortable with. I typically recommend just taking the week off!
You do not want to use castor oil pack when you are pregnant or if you could be pregnant. Because castor oil pushes detox, it could cause an early miscarriage.
Contact me if you have questions about using a castor oil pack to improve your hormones!