Signs Your Castor Oil Pack is Working (and What to Expect)

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An in-depth guide to castor oil packs, their reported benefits, and more
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Castor oil packs are reported to be an easy way to improve your health, but how do you know if the one you use is working? Although castor packs don’t have scientifically proven benefits like detoxifying the liver or stimulating your lymphatic system, they might help alleviate constipation symptoms and induce labor in pregnant women who are past their due date. We asked dermatologist Dr. Chloe Goldman about some of the effects of castor oil. Keep reading to learn more.

Things You Should Know

  • Your castor oil pack may be working if you feel less constipation symptoms or if you feel other reported benefits like reduced joint and muscle pain.
  • Although they haven’t been scientifically proven, some people also report that castor oil packs can improve skin health, gut health, and sleep quality.
  • Castor oil has also been proven to be an effective laxative when swallowed. For pregnant women, castor oil can be effective for inducing labor.
Section 1 of 3:

How do you know if a castor oil pack is working?

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  1. Castor oil packs might help you feel better after going to the bathroom, decreasing symptoms of constipation. [1] If you applied a castor oil pack to your abdomen and find that you strain less during bowel movements, it might be a sign that the pack is working.
    • Castor oil can also be effective for pregnant women trying to induce labor after their due date. If your contractions start or become stronger within 24 hours of using castor oil , this could be a sign it’s working. [2]
      • Avoid using castor oil if you’re pregnant and speak with your healthcare provider before using castor oil packs to induce labor. [3]
    • Castor oil packs are unlikely to be harmful, so you can also try to apply castor oil packs to your chest or areas where you experience joint and muscle pain. [4]
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Section 2 of 3:

Benefits of Castor Oil Packs

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  1. Castor oil packs have been proven to help alleviate constipation . [5] Castor oil has also been proven to be an effective laxative when swallowed. [6] Although there aren’t other scientifically proven benefits, some people also believe that they can help:
    • Stimulate your lymphatic system
    • Support liver detoxification and draining into the colon
    • Stimulate the production of lymphocytes (white blood cells)
    • Boost the immune system
    • Improve bowel movements
    • Reduce acne, stretch marks, scarring, rashes, and eczema
    • Reduce arthritis, muscle pain, and inflammation
    • Ease menstrual cramps
    • Support reproductive health
    • Improve gut health
    • Reduce headaches and migraines
    • Shrink thyroid and breast tissue cysts
    • Reduce symptoms of PCOS and shrink uterine fibroids
    • Improves hair health
    • Improves sleep quality
    • Supports weight loss
Section 3 of 3:

How to Use a Castor Oil Pack

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  1. Soak a piece of flannel or thick cotton with organic castor oil . Fold the fabric to a size large enough to cover the area you want to apply the pack to. Castor oil can stain fabric and other materials, so lie on an old towel and wear clothes you don’t mind getting stained.
    • You can also buy a castor oil pack kit and soak the pack in the castor oil provided.
    • Optionally, cover the castor pack with another towel and place a hot water bottle or heating pad on top. [7]
    • Try to avoid applying heat directly to your castor oil pack or placing it in the microwave—this might damage the fabric and hot oil can burn your skin.
    • Before applying castor oil to your skin, dermatologist Dr. Chloe Goldman advises to “be cautious when using it for the first time” and “use it on a small area…because it's possible to have [an allergic] reaction.”
  2. Place the castor oil pack directly on the affected area—most people place it over their entire midsection or under their ribcage on the upper right portion of their abdomen to target the liver and gallbladder. After removing the pack, wipe away excess oil with warm water and baking soda. [8]
    • Adjust your body so that the castor pack stays while you lie down, or use scotch tape or the strap provided to hold it in place.
    • If you buy a castor pack with a strap, you can sleep with it overnight. Place a towel over your sheets and wear clothes that you don’t mind getting stained.
    • Castor oil hasn’t been proven to irritate skin, but people with chemical skin diseases may have a reaction to it. [9]
  3. Put the container in the refrigerator to keep the oil from going bad. [10] Aim to use your castor pack no more than 3 times a week. Apply fresh oil each time you use the pack and replace it every 3 months.
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      Warnings

      • Consider talking with your healthcare provider before using castor oil packs to alleviate medical problems.
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      • Avoid using castor oil if you’re pregnant to prevent it from inducing early labor.
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about skin care, check out our in-depth interview with Chloe Goldman .

      References

      1. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21168117/
      2. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28750937/
      3. ↑ https://www.parents.com/can-castor-oil-induce-labor-safely-7643849
      4. ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/castor-oil
      5. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21168117/
      6. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18080873/
      7. ↑ https://elissapelling.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Castor-Oil-Packs-2019.pdf
      8. ↑ https://elissapelling.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Castor-Oil-Packs-2019.pdf
      9. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18080873/
      1. ↑ https://www.womenshealthnetwork.com/detoxification/how-to-add-a-castor-oil-pack-to-your-liver-detox/

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