Castor Oil Packs: Natural Relief for Inflammation, Pain & Drainage
Castor oil packs have been used for centuries as a gentle yet powerful healing tool in natural medicine. Derived from the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis), castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid—a unique fatty acid known for its anti-inflammatory, circulation-boosting, and detoxifying properties.
When applied topically in the form of a warm pack, the oil penetrates deep into tissues, promoting relaxation, reducing inflammation, and supporting the body's natural healing processes. Castor oil packs provide a gentle way of improving blood flow to the organs in your pelvis and your liver and can be use to soften well-heal scar tissue after surgery. They are incredibly relaxing and a great excuse to lay horizontal!
While castor oil packs are well-known for supporting uterine health—helping with menstrual imbalances, fibroids, endometriosis and pelvic congestion—they’re equally valuable for liver detoxification and lymphatic drainage. The liver is our body’s primary detox organ and castor oil packs stimulate bile flow which acts as a clean up tool. It also reduces the liver's inflammatory markers (CRP) and prevents any further tissue damage caused by medication, alcohol use, metals and pathogens.
Incorporating castor oil packs into your holistic rehab program can help reduce stagnation, encourage better circulation, and support organ function naturally—making them a simple yet deeply nourishing self-care ritual.
Some people like to use them when they have their periods, and others prefer not to but if you have a heavy flow do use with caution.
As with all oils and anything trying new, you should apply a small amount on your skin and wait 24hours to see if you have a negative reason to it before getting fully stuck in.
To make your own DIY castor oil pack, you will need:
A bottle of high-quality cold -pressed organic castor oil
A piece of cotton flannel or muslin baby cloth - it needs to be large enough to cover your lower abdomen when folded in half.
A hot water bottle or heating pad
Another muslin square or small old towel to cover the pack with while you are using it.
An old towel to place underneath you and old clothes to wear as the oil does stain.
A glass container with a lid to soak the flannel in and to store it between uses.
Warning:
The oil does get hot easily and can burn your skin. So the hot water should be warm (80 degrees max) but NOT just-boiled.
The oil is thick and does stain - so have plenty of towels going and use old sheets the first time you do this.
Do not use after ovulation if you are trying to conceive.
Instructions: A short video clip: here
Fold your cloth so it is the size of your lower abdomen
Place your cloth inside your glass container
Pour the castor oil in the jar, soaking the cloth.
Place your old towel on your bed and have your towels at hand
Get your hot water bottle ready (do not pour boiling water into any hot water bottle, it must be 80 degrees and only ¾ quarter full)
Get your relaxing space ready, maybe some nice music, candle light, a book near and most importantly turn your phone off
Lay down on your bed / towel and be comfortable
Carefully remove the cloth from the container, unfold it, and place it across your lower abdomen OR your liver (on your right side rib cage)
The cover the saturated cloth with an old towel
Place the hot water bottle on top of the old towel
Take some deep breaths, relax, meditate, read a book or… fall asleep
Keep the pack on between 30-60mins
When you have finished, remove the saturated cloth back into the glass container. Place the lid on and it can be reused around 30times, though you will need to top it up with oil each time.
Wipe off any excess oil with your towels and relax or go to sleep 🙂
The recommendation is to do the pack three days a week for 3 months and assess if you feel they are helping you.
Get in touch if you tried this and what changes you see in your health!
Navigating Chronic Illness: A Five Stage Journey Through Healing
Navigating Chronic Illness: The 5 stages to wellness
Living with a chronic illness is a journey, and from my experience working with many individuals over the years plus my own long-term health challenges, I have observed a common pattern of emotional and physical healing. People with chronic conditions often move through a series of 5 stages in their recovery and self-management. While each person’s journey is unique, there are five stages that seem to be common in how they unfold.
1. Awareness
The first step in healing is awareness - you cannot change what you are unaware of. When you bring awareness to something - whether it’s a painful body part, a long-standing emotional pattern, or early signs of illness - you start to notice it in a different way. You tap into your intuition, sensing that something doesn’t feel right, and this insight starts creating the foundation for a deeper understanding, and if you are ready to move to the next step - meaningful change.
2. Resistance and Denial
Becoming aware of a chronic condition or injury is often met with resistance, as it can be overwhelming to recognise the magnitude of the issue and so it can lead us into denial. Many people experience a back-and-forth between awareness and denial.
This is perfectly normal, we have all been there. As researcher Brené Brown says: “vulnerability is the source of hope, empathy, accountability and authenticity”. Pausing to acknowledge this vulnerability, even when it is uncomfortable, is a key step towards healing.
3. Acceptance
The next stage is accepting where you are. Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up - it means you release the denial and recognise that something needs to be done. Awareness without acceptance can keep you stuck and frustrated - you might complain about the problem without taking action, this reaction is the uncertainty of how to move forwards. Acceptable allows you to take ownership of your health.
This realisation often brings clarity to start taking control of your own health. You accept the reality of the illness or injury and prepare to take the next steps opening the door to the ultimate goal - change.
4. Understanding and Contemplation
In this stage, you begin to understand how the illness affects your daily life, both physically and mentally. It’s a deeper level of awareness, where you start to connect the dots between you symptoms and their wider effects. This is often a time of knowledge seeking: self - research, joining support groups, getting second opinions and consulting professionals.. Understanding how the illness impacts you holistically is a key part of this phase.
Tip: Consider journaling about how your condition affects different areas of your life. This can help clarify your needs and priorities.
5. Commitment
Here, you decide what you’re realistically able to commit to in terms of managing the illness. This could be weekly physiotherapy sessions, regular mindfulness practice, joining that walking group you have always wanted to try or making dietary changes. The important thing is that your commitment is achievable and sustainable, setting you up for success in the long term.
Small, consistent steps can lead to significant progress, for example:
Committing to 10 minutes of stretches and journaling in the morning.
Scheduling one health - related appointment a month.
Remember, it is about building momentum NOT perfection!
Change
When we think of the concept of “change” we often think of dramatic life events for example a new job, having a baby or catering for an elderly parent. However, deep growth type of change is often subtle. Whether the improvement is 1% or 10%, the fact that you are moving forward is what matters. Progress doesn’t have to be dramatic—it’s about taking consistent, meaningful steps toward better health. Over time these small shifts compound and lead to profound transformation in mind, body and spirit.
The Healing Cycle
This cycle isn’t a one-time process, nor is healing linear. It’s a journey that repeats as new challenges arise and you may find yourself revisiting these stages. This is part of it - so stay with it! You will continue to discover more, develop strength, adapt with resilience, integrate fully and grow continuously.
Navigating chronic illness is difficult, but understanding these stages can help you take control of your healing, one step at a time.
Take a moment to reflect: Where are you on this journey? What small step can you take today to move forward?
Navigating chronic illness is challenging and scary, but understanding these stages can give you a sense of control and hope. As we know the only thing stronger than fear is hope. Progress comes from consistently showing up for yourself, one step at a time.
If you found this helpful, consider getting in touch! Together, we can empower your healing journey.