During my elimination diet to treat leaky gut syndrome, my ND recommended that I try castor oil packs, which can add to the detoxification efforts and improve digestion. I’m not sure of the science, but I can attest to the fact that it seemed to help with my overall plan. Plus … it feels lovely and relaxing.
To use castor oil to improve digestion –
- Put a clean cotton cloth into a freezer bag, saturate it with pure castor oil, seal the bag and work it through really well
- Before bedtime, place the cloth on your bare belly, cover it with a piece of plastic (a shopping bag works fine), place a hot water bottle or heating pad on top, and cover with a towel
- Then relax for 30-60 minutes. Repeat 3-4 evenings a week, preferably in a row. Re-saturate the cloth with fresh castor oil as needed.
I looked forward to this ritual and found it a comfortable, cozy way to wrap up a busy day. The time can be used for meditation, listening to music, catching up on podcasts / reading, or simply relaxing.
A few tips to get the most out of your castor oil packs:
- Castor oil is gooey and it stains, so use old cloths and towels.
- A warm soothing shower feels great after using the castor oil pack, and helps to remove the oil so your bedding isn’t stained.
- The same cloth can be re-saturated and used until you notice any discoloration, usually in 3-6 weeks. Discard the bag / cloth, and start with fresh supplies.