Detoxing with Castor Oil: A Beginner's Guide

Like most of you, I had never heard of detoxing with castor oil or a castor oil "pack." I felt pretty overwhelmed with the idea after my doctor mentioned it to me, just because it felt like a lot to have to add another thing to my detox regimen. But, my doctor encouraged me and said that it can really help speed up the detox process, and, I read a lot of good things about it online. I looked everywhere for videos, tutorials, and any information I could find about how and why to do this. I hope that this will help you if you are interested in learning more about castor oil, or, if you are currently using it to help you detox.

So, what is castor oil? And what does it do? Castor oil is derived from the the castor bean and has natural detox properties. It can be used to help reduce inflammation, increase circulation, ease stomach aches and abdominal comfort, relieve pain, and improve liver function. When placed directly over the skin, castor oil can promote healing of underlying tissues and organs and pull toxins directly out of the body. Sounds kind of crazy, right? So far I have done three castor oil treatments, and the only thing I've really noticed is that I usually get a headache after I'm finished with the treatment. Coincidence? Maybe. Or, maybe it is a sign that it's working!

Oh, and...fun fact about castor oil...you can use it topically to help stimulate the growth of eyelashes and eyebrows! I haven't tried this yet, but, it is definitely on my list.

If you want to make a DIY castor oil pack, you will need the following:

• Large cut outs of flannel or cotton (enough for 3 layers/enough to cover the targeted area)

• Pure castor oil (I like the Heritage Store brand)

• Old towel and/or an old T-shirt (the oil can stain clothes and fabrics)

• Heating pad

Alternatively, you can order a castor oil pack on Amazon by clicking this link: https://www.amazon.com/Heritage-Store-Unbleached-Fragrance-Towelettes/dp/B07D2LX5KS/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=castor+oil+pack&qid=1590160638&sr=8-2

Once you have your cotton or flannel ready, pour about a quarter size of oil on to it and place the flannel directly on the targeted area...I have been applying it under my right rib cage near my liver. I like to cover the flannel with a towel and then lay my heating pad directly on top of the towel. The heat will help the oil absorb into the skin. Then, just sit and relax for 20-30 minutes! Once you're finished, you can either let the rest of the oil sink in to the skin, remove the excess oil with a towel or wipe, or take a warm bath or shower. If you decide to order the castor oil kit, it comes with wipes that will help remove the excess oil. You can also reuse the flannel multiple times...just make sure to store it in a bag or container.

It is recommended to do a castor oil treatment for four consecutive days in a row in order to get the most benefit. I have found that it is easier for me to do the treatments at night before I go to sleep. However, you can do whatever is most convenient for you!

It can be tough sometimes to make time to take care of ourselves, but, I have found that each time I have done a castor oil pack, I feel like I am doing something good for myself. We should all be able to sit for 20-30 minutes and relax, right?

If you have had success using castor oil packs as a detox treatment, please comment and let me know!

Also, I just had more blood work done, so I will be updating you on the results of that soon, along with some of my new detox processes.

Hang in there, take care of yourself, and make time for YOU.

Sincerely,

Samantha Nicole