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If there’s one thing I wish more people understood about healing, it’s this: the answers are rarely new.
They’re old. Ancient. Passed down for centuries, quietly tucked away in the toolkits of midwives, herbalists, and grandmothers who healed without hashtags or marketing funnels.
Castor oil is one of those ancient treasures.
It’s not sexy. It doesn’t come in a sleek glass dropper bottle with gold foil branding.
It’s thick, sticky, and smells a little like your great-aunt’s medicine cabinet.
And yet for those who know how to use it castor oil and its humble companion, the castor oil pack, are liquid gold for detox, hormone balance, gut health, trauma release, and even emotional clarity.
This is not just another “put some oil on your skin” blog.
We’re going deep into the science, the history, the spiritual layers, and the practical how-to.
Because if you’re going to use castor oil, I want you to use it well.
1. A Remedy Older Than Modern Medicine
Castor oil comes from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant a tropical perennial native to Africa and India.
It’s been documented in:
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Ancient Egypt: Used for skin health, hair growth, and as part of embalming rituals. Cleopatra reportedly used it to brighten the whites of her eyes.
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Ayurveda: Considered a cleansing, warming oil used for digestive health and as a labor inducer.
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Traditional Chinese Medicine: Applied to dispel “dampness” and move stagnation in the body.
This oil has been around long enough to earn the title of time-tested. Which is more than I can say for most “detox hacks” floating around TikTok.
2. The Science: Why Castor Oil Works
The magic of castor oil lies in its unique fatty acid profile particularly ricinoleic acid, which makes up about 90% of the oil. This rare fatty acid:
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Increases circulation when applied to the skin
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Supports lymphatic drainage (your body’s built-in detox highway)
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Reduces inflammation in tissues
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Stimulates smooth muscle movement (gently waking up sluggish digestion)
In other words: castor oil helps your body move what’s stuck physically and energetically.
3. Physical Healing Benefits
Let’s talk tangible results. When used in castor oil packs, this oil can:
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Boost liver detoxification — Your liver filters toxins 24/7; castor oil packs help it do the job better.
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Improve digestion — Relieves bloating, constipation, and sluggish elimination.
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Balance hormones — Especially supportive for estrogen dominance and PMS symptoms.
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Support fertility — Increases pelvic blood flow and reduces inflammation.
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Reduce pain & inflammation — Great for cramps, joint pain, and sore muscles.
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Clear the skin — By improving liver function and reducing toxic load.
4. Energetic & Emotional Healing
If you’ve worked with me before, you know I don’t separate the physical from the energetic.
Castor oil packs work beautifully for emotional release because they:
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Soften the body — Physically relaxing tense tissues can allow stored emotions to rise.
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Warm & nurture — The heat and oil combination signals safety to the nervous system.
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Open the flow — Just like moving lymph, they help move emotional stagnation.
Many of my clients describe castor oil packs as liquid shadow work.
You lay there, heat on your belly, and suddenly a memory, a truth, or a release you didn’t know you needed comes through.
5. How to Do a Castor Oil Pack (The Right Way)
You’ll need:
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Organic, cold-pressed castor oil
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A piece of flannel or cotton cloth
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A heat source (heating pad or hot water bottle)
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Old towel or shirt (it stains!)
Steps:
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Fold your cloth to fit over the liver area (right side under your ribs) or your lower abdomen.
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Saturate the cloth with castor oil enough to soak it but not dripping.
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Place it on your skin.
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Cover with a clean cloth or plastic wrap.
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Apply gentle heat on top.
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Relax for 45–60 minutes.
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Store the cloth in a glass jar or bag in the fridge between uses (reuse for about a month).
Pro tip: Always support detox by drinking plenty of water and having regular bowel movements you do not want to stir up toxins without a clear exit path.
6. Common Myths & Mistakes
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“You can just rub it on your skin.” You can but a pack + heat makes it exponentially more effective.
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“More is better.” No. Start slow.
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“It’s only for constipation.” Nope it’s a whole-body detox support tool.
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“You have to do it daily.” Consistency matters, but even 2–3x/week can be powerful.
7. Castor Oil as Ceremony
If you’re like me, healing isn’t just mechanical it’s sacred.
Turn your castor oil pack time into a ritual:
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Set an intention before placing the pack (detox, clarity, emotional release).
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Pair with breathwork to move energy.
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Journal after the session what came up, what shifted?
This turns your pack from “a thing you do” into a moment your body, mind, and spirit look forward to.
8. Safety & Precautions
Avoid castor oil packs if you are:
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Pregnant (unless under care of a provider)
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Have open wounds or skin irritation in the area
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Have certain medical conditions affecting the abdomen
Always listen to your body healing is about support, not force.
9. My Experience
When I first started using castor oil packs, I noticed subtle changes at first better digestion, deeper sleep.
Then came the bigger shifts: my cycles regulated, my skin cleared, and unexpectedly I had emotional breakthroughs during sessions.
It was like the oil worked on my physical body while giving my soul a safe place to exhale.
10. The Link to Parasite Cleansing
Here’s the blunt truth:
If you’re doing parasite cleansing without supporting your liver and lymph you’re making your body work way harder than it needs to.
Castor oil packs:
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Warm up and stimulate detox organs before a cleanse
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Keep toxins and die-off moving out instead of recirculating
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Reduce Herxheimer reactions (those nasty detox side effects)
That’s exactly why I recommend castor oil packs before and during a parasite cleanse and why they pair perfectly with the protocol I outline in my Parasite Cleansing Book.
Ready to go deeper?
If you’re serious about parasite cleansing, my book walks you step-by-step through exactly what to do, what to take, and how to avoid the most common (and miserable) mistakes people make when detoxing.
📖 Grab your copy of my Parasite Cleansing Book here and give your body the full, intelligent support it deserves.