Last Updated on August 24, 2026 by Carrie Korem, FNTP
There are many benefits of a castor oil pack and it’s one of my favorite economical ways to gently detox the body. I personally used them on my liver and thyroid when I was recovering from Hashimoto’s disease, and I recommend them to my Nutritional Therapy clients often. Let’s walk through the benefits of a castor oil pack and how to make and use them.
What does a castor oil pack actually do?
Lymphatic congestion is a major factor leading to inflammation and disease. Lymphocytes are your immune system’s disease-fighting cells and are produced and stored mainly in your lymphatic tissue (thymus gland, spleen, and lymph nodes). Hundreds of miles of lymphatic tubules allow waste to be collected from your tissues and transported to your blood for elimination, a process referred to as lymphatic drainage.
When your lymphatic system is not working properly, waste and toxins can build up and make you sick.
This is where castor oil comes in.
When castor oil is absorbed through your skin (according to Cayce and McGarey) your lymphocyte count increases. Increased lymphocytes speed up the removal of toxins from your tissues, which promotes healing.
What can castor oil packs be helpful for?
- Liver disorders
- Thyroid cysts and nodules
- Non-cancerous uterine fibroids
- Ovarian cysts
- Constipation
- Gallbladder inflammation or stones
- Inflamed joints
- Lymphatic drainage
- Conditions with poor elimination
- Headaches and migraines
- Cysts in the breast tissue
- General liver detoxification
- Lung infections
- To support the immune system during a cold or flu
Here are some examples of the benefits of a castor oil pack:
- If you are under-converting T4 to T3, daily castor oil packs over the liver can help increase this conversion.
- To help reduce cysts or nodules, you can place a castor oil pack over the thyroid for 15 minutes a day.
- To reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines, you can do a castor oil pack over the liver once daily for one month and see if this makes a difference.
- For congested lymph nodes (under the arms, on the neck, etc.) do a castor oil pack directly over the area of concern.
- To support the immune system.
- Do a castor oil pack over the entire abdomen daily to help ease constipation.
- To support the liver, (along with a nutrient-dense diet) do a castor oil pack over the liver daily.
A castor oil pack is very easy and only requires a few supplies. The castor oil and cotton flannel last for many, many months, so don’t worry about running out any time soon.
Here’s what you need to make a castor oil pack:
1. A bottle of organic castor oil. I recommend Heritage Store Castor Oil
2. A piece of organic cotton flannel
3. A heating pad or hot water bottle
4. A large gallon-size ziploc bag
5. An old towel (castor oil permanently stains, so it’s best to use an old towel)
How to do a castor oil pack:
1. Place the piece of flannel in a large glass dish (glass Tupperware works great!).
2. Drizzle castor oil over the flannel until it’s saturated.
3. Plug in the heating pad next to your bed and turn it on to medium or fill up your hot water bottle.
4. Set the dish with the flannel, the ziploc bag, and old towel on your nightstand or next to the bed.
5. Lie down and place the cotton flannel on the area of concern. For example: the liver, thyroid, breast, joint, etc.
6. Put the ziploc bag on top of the flannel.
7. Place the heating pad or hot water bottle on top of the ziploc and flannel.
8. Place the old towel on top of the heating pad.
9. Lie down and keep the castor oil pack on for about 1 hour. Then remove the pack and wipe the area with the old towel to remove any castor oil.
10. When starting out, it can be good to do a liver pack 3x a week.
Castor Oil Pack for Liver
Once you have the items you need to do a castor oil pack, it’s best to first start by doing them over the liver. In my practice, I’ve found it’s best to to do a castor oil pack for the liver three times a week for about a month to start seeing good benefits.
After doing the packs over the liver consistently for a month, then you can move start to do them over different parts of the body like the thyroid, ovaries, uterus, breasts, knees, etc.
How to tell if a castor oil pack is working
Sometimes you can tell immediately if a castor oil pack is working, but the benefits are usually seen over time.
I recommend keeping track of the symptoms you are experiencing before you start doing castor oil packs is a good way to track. Every week, write down your current symptoms and compare to the previous week.
Is it OK to wear a castor oil pack every night?
It’s best to first start doing a castor oil pack over your liver three times a week and then work up from there. Doing them too often, right out of the gate, can sometimes result in negative symptoms such as nausea, rashes, nightmares, redness or loose stools.
It’s very important to not sleep with a castor oil pack. After about an hour, you run the risk of the castor oil pulling toxins out of the skin (which then get into the cotton flannel), or it can also push the body too hard and you can experience negative symptoms. I’ve received so many emails and DMs from people saying they had terrible symptoms when they wore it overnight.
It’s best to wear it for about 45 minutes to an hour.
FAQ
When is a castor oil pack not recommended?
It’s not recommended to do a castor oil pack over the abdomen if you have an IUD because it could cause the IUD to dislodge or release excess copper into the system. It’s also not recommended when pregnant, breastfeeding, during menses, if there is internal bleeding, or if you struggle with IBS, Colitis, or diarrhea.
Can I use a castor oil pack over the thyroid?
Yes, I walk through that step-by-step, here.
How do you store a castor oil pack?
I recommend storing it in a glass Tupperware or some other kind of glass or ceramic dish.
How many times can I use the cotton flannel?
You reuse the flannel over and over. If it starts to discolor or have an off smell, then it’s best to replace it. You can usually use one piece of flannel for about 9 months.
Do I wash the flannel after each use?
No. You won’t be able to get the castor oil out of the flannel, so it’s best to not try and wash it. As long as the flannel has been on clean skin, then using it over and over is fine.
What does it mean if I get a rash near my liver when I do a castor oil pack?
This can be a sign of an allergy or a sign that the liver is being pushed a bit too hard. If you have a reaction, I recommend wiping off the castor oil and taking steps to support your liver naturally for about 4 weeks and then trying a pack again.
If you find you have an allergy to castor oil, then do not do another castor oil pack. And, of course, always consult with your practitioner.
What does it mean if I do a castor oil pack over my thyroid and it gets red, itches or I get a rash?
If you do a castor oil pack over your thyroid and you get any kind of rash, this can be a sign that your liver needs some additional support. I recommend doing a castor oil pack over the liver for 3-4 weeks, and then doing the castor oil pack again over the part of the body that was reacting (like the thyroid, abdomen, etc.) and see if there is still a reaction. If you keep having a negative reaction, always consult with your practitioner.
Can children do castor oil packs?
They are very gentle and can often be used for children ages around 3 and up. A castor oil pack for about 20 minutes over the abdomen can be helpful. And, of course, always consult with their pediatrician before starting any kind of natural therapy like castor oil packs.
How can I learn more about the steps I can take for thyroid disease?
I have four fantastic options for you!
- To download my 50 of my top tips to support the thyroid naturally, tap here. I’ll also send you an educational email every few days to help you learn how to support your body naturally.
- If you’d like to learn from first steps you can take to help support your thyroid, check out my class, “5 Keys to Thyroid Hormone Balance”. It’s just 45 minutes and I promise you’ll learn something new!
- If you’re looking for a step-by-step plan for thyroid disease that truly works (no more piecing together info!), check out my 90-Day Thyroid Reset Program.
- Book a consult with me for one-on-one help. Here’s info about what working with me looks like.
Note: This post was originally published on May 21, 2014 and updated on August 24, 2026.
I really appreciate your wisdom on detoxing and the autoimmune tips you’re sharing on your FB page. Thank you so much! I look forward to reading more in your upcoming post on the importance of detoxing.
How can using the castor oil for Fatty liver•• alcoholic•
Thank you so much! Great info, my mom has breast cancer at 86 years young and I know detoxing the blood and building the immune system, will help her go through chemo.
Is it safe to do a Castro oil pack for Morton’s neuroma?
Thank you for advising on the IUD, since I’ve got one. But I’ve got Fatty liver disease, Constipation & Thyroid Nodules. Can I still use a Pack somewhere, to help these issues. Also, have had blood clots & on blood thinners. But have leg, feet & ankles swelling. Also have bad bunions & thumb won’t bend w/out extreme pain. Steriod shot didn’t help. Thanks so much!
Legally, I can’t give personal health advice unless you’re a client. I recommend asking your practitioner what’s best.
Hi there, why exactly should this be avoided while breastfeeding? Is there a specific reason?
Detox is never recommended when pregnant or nursing because toxins that are being released could be harmful to the baby.
Typically, if a person was hypothyroid … How many months should liver pack usage continue for, if done 3 to 4 times per week?
It really depends on the symptoms you are having and what your goals are.
Goal is for liver congestion, and to aid increase T4 to T3 conversion.
In general, doing them 3-4x a week alongside the other tools needed to support the liver can be very helpful!
Thankyou great info
Can you tell me why this would not be recommended for those with IBS? I struggle with sibo, tried it once and I had a lot of bloating and discomfort afterwards.
Can cancer patients use the castor oil compresses? Specifically:
Lung cancer..stable
Cancer of lymph nodes, one swelled in groin.
Prostate issues.no cancer.
Patient receives chemo every 3 wks now
All cancer is stable except lymh nodes
Thank you for your answer.
In general yes, but of course, always ask your practitioner what’s best for you.
Just curious castor oil should be used on clean skin nothing on like lotion etc to avoid absorption into our bodies so using the plastic between the heat and the cloth would be a concern as it would pull from the plastic into the cloth and castor oil into our bodies…?
Question: where exactly do you place the flannel? Upper or lower abdomen or somewhere in the middle.?
You place it on the upper right abdomen (over the liver).
Can it be ingested old school?
If you’re looking to detox the liver and lymphatic system, then it’s best to do the packs and not drink the castor oil.
Why are you saying this. Cant you do both?– the packs and drink it??
This post is about using castor oil packs topically, not ingesting it. If you’d like to ingest it, I’d talk to your practitioner about the proper dosage.
Getting supplies to start liver detox. Should I start every other day and increase yo daily? How long before labs might improve. Is 30 days to soon? Is bit more like 90 days? Want to know how long to wait before blood work is done? Excited to see results glad I found you. On Thyroid med tried increasing dose per physician I could not tolerate it. I had Lyme diesease then resulted in seizures uncontrollable. Brian surgery seizure while having wards resulting in my right hippocampus removed. Finally found someone to put me on thyroid meds. I’m allergic to everything. Dairy gluten detergents chocolate outdoor allergies contact dermatitis. Now increased weight 100 plus weight gain. Fatty liver stage 3 liver function. I believe this will help me immensely. Seizure free. Took myself off all medications. Vitiamins and minimal medications.should I do blood work 3 months or 6 months after starting packs 3x week increase to daily. Your input appreciated
I’m glad you’re taking so many positive steps to support your body! Legally, I can’t give you personal advice about your health and/or what you should do unless you’re a client. If you’d like to book a consult, you can give our office a call. Biodynamic Wellness 858.259.6000
Have you ever looked into Field Control Therapy? It is the future of medicine. Hope that helps! Blessings!
From my research, the inability to increase thyroid meds has to do with adrenals not being properly supported and ferritin levels are not adequate. This was/is the case for me. Since the naturally dessicated wasn’t helping at levels I was taking and I could not increase without my tinnitus shooting up and and getting heart palps (similar to hypERthyroid symptoms) every single time. So I just completely stopped taking all thyroid meds. Not that I am saying you should do the same.
I just started this protocol with Carrie/Deliciously Organic online so we’ll see how it goes.
Hi,
I am in a similar situation where I have stopped taking my thyroid meds. I am wondering if you have been able to start feeling better and what has helped?
Oh no, Sherry! I hate to hear it affected your tinnitus. I have very bad tinnitus and I’d hate to think about anything making it even worse! Ugh.
tinnitus and heart palps…oh my goodness I had no idea this was associated with thyroid and adrenal gland! I see your post was from 2020, has anything worked to correct your issues, I would love to know what you tried!
I’m not a medical practitioner or expert at all, but I’d consult the attending physician before taking myself off of all meds giving your med history as described above. Medications can be very taxing on the liver, so I’d suggest that as long as you don’t have any allergic reactions, the castor oil packs would definitely be very beneficial! Taking a lot of medicines, especially lifelong or for extended care can cause cirrhosis of the liver… castor oil packs can help to clean and heal the liver preventing future complications.
Good luck and best wishes and healing to you👍🏼
Can I use castor oil on my lymphatic glands ?
Yes
Will the castor oils help gallbladder flow?is it allowed to do during fasting?
I had a retired breast implant silicone?what should I detox and how
Thank you for this information. Can using these packs cause gurgling belly? I did one, skipped a day and then did 2 days in a row. Today I am so gassy. (TMI but the truth!)
Thanks in advance and happy holidays!
I’m not familiar with that symptom. Hope you’re feeling better!
what oil is good for itch or pubic rash called Intergio
i have bleeding for 2months now from fibroids..why exactly can’t you use the castor oil pack when bleeding? I don’t know what else to do to stop this bleeding frenzy!!
hi im from the Philippines!
I have a non toxic goiter is this advisable? Thank you so much! 😍
Where can I safely place a castor oil pack on my body if I have an IUD? Thanks for all this info!
I would consult with your practitioner about the safety of using a castor oil pack when you have an IUD. It’s not recommended to use them when one has an IUD because it could cause it to possibly dislodge.
If I am doing a infrared sauna, do I still have put the oil in cloth or can I apply straight to the skin?
What TEMPERATURE SHOULD I USE THE HEATING PAD TO DETOX THE LIVER?
THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME.
I usually set it to medium.
I have nodules on my thyroid and one hot nodule (none are cancerous) but I don’t have any of the systems of hyperthyroid. I can I put the castor oil packs on my thyroid with the nodules being there? I eat clean and I am not on any medicine for my thyroid yet. Get ultrasound every year and check blood work every 4 to 6 months.
Very nice post , I have a question when to eat before or after how many hours doing this process
Can I use this for my adrenal gland nodule ?
It’s worth a try! I do recommend always doing a pack over the liver for 45 minutes after doing it over another part of the body. And, of course, talk to your practitioner about what’s best for you.
I am going to try this asap! Thank you 🙏 Where is best to start flannel
Placement for hashimotos? Eg thyroid, liver, abdomen?
I’d start with the liver
Wow this is so crazy! Thank you for the tip!
Should castor oil packs over the liver be done daily for 3-4 weeks, or once weekly? The article wasn’t clear to me. Thanks so much!
I have had Multiple Myeloma for four years. Is it advisable for me to do the castor oil detox? I am 80 years old and am only doing alternative therapies, such as IV Vitamin C, occasional Ozone and a number of supplements given by my doctor. I tried the mainstream ‘treatment’ in August of last year and nearly died. I had severe edema and breathing problems, plus I developed Atrial Fibrilation. I was in the hospital for a week, the first day in ICU. Fortunately, my heart is back in sinus rythum. Beside the cancer, I have no major problems.
I appreciated this new, at least for me, information on the benefits of castor oil. They say that in the old days, it was the “go to” medicine for children. My question is about frequency for the procedure you recommended . You said, “repeat as necessary”. If I was doing this for my for my fibroids, how often would you suggest, weekly , monthly?
“For maximum effectiveness, apply the pack as often as possible- at least 4 consecutive days per week for at least 4-6 weeks. Daily use provides the most beneficial effects.” And check out this link for more info: http://www.biodynamicwellness.com/RESOURCES/CASTOR_OIL_PACK.pdf
This is great, Thanks for the tip
I have always wanted to try Castor Oil but I was hesitant at first because I was not sure how effective it is but reading various resources has finally convinced me to try the product, in fact, it’s my first day today. Wish me luck! 🙂
Thanks again for another great step by step in the detox world. This is some great info and I can;t wait to share this!
Would this be safe for a 6 yr old? My son has a lot of gut issues that go along with his autism & I was wondering if this would help him.
Have you heard of Natasha mcbride and her gut and psychology syndrome? Innovative to say the least
I have! My daughter did the gaps diet a few years ago to clear up some tummy issues. Natasha is a brilliant woman!
what oil is good for type 2 diabetes and can you by these oils in stores.
I have an allergy to wool, could a piece of cotton flannel be used instead?
I haven’t tried it, but I don’t see why that wouldn’t work.
You absolutely can use cotton – in fact they sell castor oil cotton pads on Amazon,. It’s where I get mine. 🙂
Thanks Jayne!
I also read that you can apply the castor oil right on your skin and put a bag over it, then the heating pad and a towel
this is how I do it.
After using the pack for 4- 6 weeks, how long of a break do you take before starting it again?
Does anyome know how many times a year one should do this cleanse?
From my understanding, you can do this as often as you like. I usually do them at least 2x a week.
Sorry for any duplicate messages, I’m not sure what has posted….
Hi! Thanks so much for the article! I’ve been doing this castor oil packs over my liver, once or twice a week, and storing the cloth in a glass mason jar in the fridge between uses. It’s been a month now and the cloth is still loaded w castor oil. How long would you continue using the flannel before tossing it? Or would you just wash it, then start fresh with new castor oil soaking? Thank you 🙏
You can use it for about 9 months or so before needing to replace it.
Is this safe for kids?
From my understanding, yes. My friend who is a nutritional therapy practitioner, has a son who is going through chemo (he’s 3) and she uses the castor oil packs on his liver to help his body detox. She talks about using this remedy in her May 12th post: http://seasonjohnson.blogspot.com
My nutritionist recommended castor oil packs for my 7-year old who had surgery when she was 3 for a duplicative ureter. Because of that, she often gets constipated. One go with the castor oil pack and she’s back on track. It’s amazing and quite safe so long as you purchase a good quality castor oil and ensure it’s fresh. Rancid castor oil is not good but I imagine it will smell very bad if that ever happens.
I’m so glad they have helped! I switch out the pack every 6 months or so (I’ve never had it go rancid). I usually just throw it away.
Thanks for the quick response! So if you keep the same pack, do you mean you reuse the same soaked cloth so you don’t have to start over with a fresh cloth each time? Do you just store it in a baggie and reuse, adding new castor oil only when needed?
Yes! My nutritionist told me to use it until it starts to smell. I know that sounds odd, but that’s a good way to know it’s time to change. I keep it in a glass dish. It’s way easier than a ziplock since the oil is so sticky.
Thanks so much for the info. How long do you recommend to take the packs for thyroid nodules? You described 15 min. each time but how often? Every day, three times a day? Once a week?
And for how long? Weeks, months?
Thanks!
In general, I recommend doing them a few times a week over the thyroid, but ONLY after you’ve been doing them diligently 3-4x a week over the liver for at least 1 month.
Does it matter what side you lay on?
No, it doesn’t matter. I lie on my back when doing a castor oil pack.
Good Day! Can I lie flat on my stomach instead of my back? Thanks!
It’s best to lay on your back so you don’t get the castor oil all over the bed or whatever you’re lying on.
Hello, can I store the castor oil pack for several uses? How many uses?
I store it in a glass Tupperware dish. You can use it over and over until the flannel begins to look dirty. I often use it for at least 6 months before needing to change the flannel.
Can a castor oil pack be placed on the spleen
Yes!
This may seem like a stupid question…but doesn’t all the castor oil drip all over the bed sheets and all over your clothes? Am I reading the instructions incorrectly? Thank you!
It doesn’t drip because the wool absorbs the oil, but you def. want to wear old clothes and use an old towel to protect your bed.
I’m so thankful I found this! I am going to try this immediately.
the way I use mine is plastic wrap or a gallon size baggie cut open to make one long piece . a puppy training pad to catch any drips and one of those waist trimmers that wraps around u and attaches with velcro .. it works good and the puppy pad catches any drips so there is no mess .. I place the plastic on the heating pad along with the castor oil flannel and heat it up ..I then place the soaked warmed flannel on my right side where my liver is then place the puppy pad over that then wrap the waist trimmer around it to hold it in place while I get up and do my business.sometimes I omit the trimmer and just lay there with the heating pad on but the waist trimmer helps to hold in body heat to it works good for me ..hope this helps ..
Thanks for the tip…not sure what a waist trimmer is exactly.
Thanks for your helpful hints. I believe without a doubt that if the liver is polluted you have ill health. God has led me to this remedy 3 times this month, and I believe this is where He wants me to get my healing from. Old school castor oil, been around for years.
I have hashimotos and heavy metal issues and am on natural thyroid and dmsa
Since doing the castor packs for a few weeks, I am starting to feel hyper, is this normal? Should I continue this?
Can you tell me how you deal with the old packs? Do you wash and reuse them or throw them away? They’re so greasy I’m never sure how to deal with the used cloth.
Thanks!
Is this safe while breastfeeding? I have a 5 month old. Thanks!
I also am wondering if this is safe for little ones while breastfeeding. I recently heard that breastfeeding is one of the best ways to detox. (It was said in a jokingly-like way, but with all seriousness to the fact that toxins come through breastmilk according to most recent studies. 🙁 ) Does doing castor oil packs allow/cause toxins to exit the body in the same way that other detox measures would (meaning possibly through breastmilk)? Does anyone know?
I’ve heard that it’s not safe to do castor oil packs when breastfeeding.
Got it.
Thank you so much for your reply and for your incredibly helpful, fun blog as well!
My last reading was tsh 40.61 and my free t4 12.3 so many problems
Hello Carrie,
Thank you for great info. I would like to try this for my husband, and I have a question about heating pad.
Could I use this one?
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/cara-reg-moist-dry-heating-pad-with-select-heat-and-lcd-switch-display/1016468460?Keyword=heating+pad
If so, do I choose dry or moist heat? Also, which temperature should I pick? Sorry to have so many questions, but my husband has been dealing with sinus problems for year and a half, now it is accompanied by swollen neck glands. He can’t taste anything, and nothing seems to help. We try avoiding dairy, nothing, parasite cleanse, nothing, essential oil, nothing. Doctor prescribed corticosteroids nasal spray, but that didn’t help and only cause side effect, so he stopped using it. The other thing we tried was nasal rinse (with salt), which helps a little, but not significantly. Now we stopped eating grains and followed your advice about inflammation (I went to your webinar, so grateful for it), which seemed to help amazingly at first, but now it is back where it was. He is stuffed up, he feel like he has something in his nose, he can’t smell or taste,his neck glands are swollen, etc. And he is quite frustrated, of course. We eat real food only, fermented food, take cod liver, probiotics, and all the usual health steps.
He is going to see another doctor soon, but I desperately want to find something that would help him in the meantime and provide some relief.
Thank you for all your help (and sorry for such a long comment),
Viktoria
I’ve read that you could put castor oil packs on your throat for your thyroid. What do you think?
I’ve used them on my thyroid and had great results!
Thanks for the reply, Carrie! Did you use them exactly as on your belly, warm? And again, I guess it wouldn’t be such a good idea with an acutely inflamed thyroid, right?
Yes, I use it warm on my thyroid. It’s not the most comfortable, but worth it! 🙂 If I had an inflamed thyroid, I would try the castor oil packs. I would try it for just 15 minutes at a time at first. (please remember, I’m not a medical doctor, so it’s always good to check with them…and this isn’t intended for medical advice). When I was really sick, I could only handle about 30 minutes of the castor oil pack being on my thyroid. Then I switched it to my liver. After about a month of doing this, I was then able to increase the amount of time it was on my thyroid. Season Johnson, NTP and good friend of mine uses the castor oil packs for her son who has cancer. You could also ask her what her thoughts are on this. Here’s her Instagram page: http://www.instagram.com/seasonjohnson (her feed is a fantastic one to follow!) You might also want to look into essential oils for the thyroid. My favorite blend that I use everyday (on my feet) is frankincense, basil, myrrh, and lemongrass. Here’s more info about oils: https://deliciouslyorganic.net/do-essential-oils-really-work/
Thanks, Carrie, for your advice – I appreciate it as lot!
How is the oil treatment helping your thyroid on the bottom of your feet? Do you do before bed etc… I appreciate all your help
YES, I would love to know more about the essential oils or castor oil on the bottom of the feet. My mother used to put vicks on the bottom of our feet and then put thick white socks on them before we would go to bed when we had a cold in the winter. I’m curios about this now. I’m tired of my thyroid and liver ruling my life!
Hello, can I use packs if I’m diagnosed with lung cancer and hepatitis acute (large sized liver).
Waiting for response pls.
They are considered safe, but I recommend also asking your practitioner what’s best for you.
Sorry, another question: what do you recommend when there is an inflamed thyroid which is making problems? I do have such an inflamed thyroid at the moment and it feels like a massive soar throat. Any ideas?
Carrie I love the info on detoxifying the liver. I’ve also read about dry skin brushing but have never done it. It is exactly what is sounds like? You actually brush your skin, when dry, with a brush? What kind of brush is best? Do you brush your whole body? Thank you for all the valuable information!
Here’s a post with all of the answers for you! 🙂 https://deliciouslyorganic.net/try-dry-brushing/
Hi carrie,I love the info but what I dont understand is the castol oil pack on thyroid.is it just to put the cotton on the neck or the cotton and the heat pad? Thanks
You do a pack on the neck the same as you would for the liver. I recommend cutting a small piece of the cotton flannel to fit over the thyroid to make it easier.
Thank you,
This is amazingly helpful 🙂
So I didn’t do as hearty a research as I should have prior to doing a castor oil pack and I am a nursing mother. How long does this detox last and when should I or can I resume nursing?
I found your article about a year ago while dealing with chronic pain from post surgical hernia. Doctors were suggesting that I go back to into surgery to get rid of the hernia but I wouldn’t hear of it and sought natural alternatives. After religiously using the castor oil press for about 2 months, the pain totally subsided and I haven’t felt it since then. It’s indeed a wonder therapy. Thanks so much for sharing this article.
I’m so glad to hear you’re feeling better! Thank you for sharing!
I understand the castor oil treatment pack four to five times a week for four to six weeks..when do I start again or do I ???? I have thyroidisum hypo and extreme constipation. .
have there been any reports of detox symptoms after packing the liver area?
Sometimes people experience a rash, but this is usually a healing reaction.
Carrie, I’ve done castor oil packs on my liver several times during the past year, but haven’t noticed any benefits yet. I did them a few times per week for the first several months, then just occasionally after that. Haven’t done one now for a couple months because they don’t seem to do anything, and it takes time that I’ve been using for other stuff, like learning to use essential oils (which I signed up under you with Doterra in June) and cooking with more organic foods & trying to get decent quality sleep, along with keeping up with my normal responsibilities. I’ve been using the oils daily since June (including your suggested oils for thyroid), but haven’t noticed any benefits from them either. (I have Hashi’s & Celiac, & lots of fatigue & aches & pains, including in my liver area, & also tinnitus, & toe nail fungus, & so much more. Grrrr… What should I be expecting to happen from castor oil packs? How long before people get results with these alternative therapies? Is there such a thing as people that these things don’t work for? The only doc I can go to is a regular MD, & she doesn’t have answers for me. There isn’t a functional doc where I live, so I’m pretty much trying to figure this out on my own. Thanks for anything helpful you might suggest.
It’s important to remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Using diet, lifestyle, sleep, and other alternative methods takes time. It took a long time for your body to get where it’s at, and it takes perseverance and time to heal. I know it can be frustrating! It took me 9 months of being on a super strict, grain-free/nutrient-dense diet until I saw my hives disappear. Talk about frustrating! One thing you might want to look at is dropping all grains and adding more healthy saturated fats to your diet. You might already be doing this, but I thought I’d suggest it.
The castor oil packs will gently help the liver detox, which in turn can help the adrenals, thyroid, and other systems begin to calm down and begin the healing process. I would keep with it, and maybe look for a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner to work with. They work long-distance with clients and could help you find a more customized plan.
Hello, My son has eczema. What type of diet, supplements do you recommend for him to heal? he is currently treating a leaky gut and yeast. but I am looking for a maintenance program after he heals. I understand he needs his liver functioning at its best so I would like to know what diet helps the liver the most. Thanks
It’s hard to say without knowing his full health history. If you’d like personalized help, I recommend giving our office, Biodynamic Wellness, a call to book a consult. Here’s the phone number: 858.259.6000
I just started with a functional medicine doctor in another state and had my first visit via video! Dr Peter Kan (Arizona) ordered labs and had the test sent to me to collect which I sent back via FedEx. I’m awaiting the results and a plan. They have been very responsive, emailing me back daily is not more often when I email them! Excited about the ability to “see” such a renown doc ! Looking forward to healing!
I have been using castor oil packs about 3 times a week for my liver. I have autoimmune hepatitis and need all the detoxing i can get. This treatment makes me feel good. I have also seen a decrease in my lab numbers which is great!
How often do you use the cod liver oil pack?
You can use them daily, but I’d at least try using them 2-3 times per week.
Hi, can my partner who has metastasis in the liver do the castor oil packs? We did it once and he felt ok. Thank you.
Yes, castor oil packs are very helpful for various liver conditions.
I had my surgery last week (on General Anestecia) and am looking forward to do Castor oil detox of liver. Wanted to know if it’s safe after GA and how many times in a week would you suggest the same?
As long as the incision isn’t anywhere near the liver, it would be safe to use the castor oil packs as soon as you’re ready to do so. I would also talk to your doctor if you have any concerns. I hope you have a speedy recovery! 🙂
Thank you so much for this information. I have been dealing with un-diagnosed symptoms, i.e. elevated liver enzymes, eczema and abdominal pain and bloating for a while now. I had my gallbladder removed about 9 years ago and feel like I’m having some issues related to no longer having that. I’ve seen a few doctors with no diagnosis yet. I’m hoping this will help with the nausea, bloating, pain and weight gain. I’ve also got Hashimoto’s and am going through menopause, so you can imagine what a mess I am right now. Please let me know what other detox practices you would recommend for me. Thanks again. 🙂
I’m so sorry to hear of your symptoms, but I’m glad you’re finding some information to help you. 🙂 I would also read this article about adrenal fatigue and see which steps you can follow. Negative symptoms from menopause often happen becuase the adrenals are fatigued (which is very common now-a-days), so I think you’ll find some helpful info here: https://deliciouslyorganic.net/20-steps-heal-adrenal-fatigue/
I have been taking a low dose of NatureThroid for about 2 years and I follow a gluten free diet. I have recently been through a ton of stress and have developed a dark blotchy pigmentation on my neck. My doctor does not know what it is. It looks really looks terrible and I am worried it will not go away. I don’t know what to do. I have had it now for 2 months.
I’m so sorry to hear of your health situation. Have you given castor oil packs a try? You could also try avoiding all grains and sugars for a few weeks and see if that helps. Other than that, it’s hard to give advice without knowing your full health history. But, if you’d like to book a consult with me, you can call our office, Biodynamic Wellness, at 858.259.6000
You say cotton flannel but I’ve read a couple of times wool. Would flannel from a craft store work or is the piece of ‘flannel’ thick? Which ordinary flannel is not.
You can use organic wool, but it tends to be very itchy and uncomfortable. A thick piece of organic flannel is a much better option.
Are castor oil treatments also of value for someone with Hyperthyroid (not Graves)?
Definitely!
Hi Carrie, what about someone with Graves, how does that work if we are over converting T3/T4?
So you have low FT4 and high FT3? If so, I would stick to the instructions I have, but only do the pack over the thyroid for 10 minutes at a time.
Carrie,
Thank you for this information but I have a question….at the end of your article you stated –
*Do not do a castor oil pack if you have an IUD, during menses, or when pregnant or breastfeeding.
My daughter (who has lyme disease) was encouraged by her doctor to use the castor oil pack to further enhance liver detoxification, however she currently has an IUD in place as a help for an incredibly heavy menstrual flow…(the IUD has helped that problem tremendously).
Why would a castor oil pack not be recommended for someone who has an IUD? or why not use during menstrual cycle? Some sources I have read state these packs can really help relieve menstrual cramping.
Thanks for any help!
Most IUDs contain copper and there is a risk of the castor oil pack drawing out excess copper into the system. And, you don’t want to do a castor oil pack during menses because it can cause excess bleeding.
I see this post is old but once you use it how does the toxins exist the body?
Like with a coffee enema it all comes out.
How does it come out with castor oil packs?
They leave via the liver and lymphatic system.
You also stated that if a rash occurs, to use for 3-4 weeks then resume or continue the treatments. Did you mean to discontinue use, for 3-4 weeks, then resume treatment? Thx Carrie!
For example, if you’re doing a castor oil pack on the thyroid, lower abdomen, etc. and get some sort of rash, then stop doing the castor oil pack on that specific area and do the pack over the liver for 3-4 weeks, then resume doing it over the area of concern.
This answer may be obvious but Do you put the flannel directly on the skin?
Yes. 🙂
Great article! Just a quick question, you mentioned cysts. What about pilar cysts? Would it help those!!
I’ve never heard of castor oil packs being used for that, but it doesn’t hurt to give it a try!
Can a breastfeeding mom do this?
As I mention in the post, I don’t recommend this for pregnant or breastfeeding moms. Best to wait. 🙂
Just wondering if you could tell me if castor oil packs is safe to use over titanium staples. I have had major abdomen surgery with mesh and 83 titanium staples and wish to try them as I have very low cortisol levels and adrenal fatigue.
Hmmm…my gut tells me that might not be a good idea as you wouldn’t want it to leach the titanium into the system. While this treatment is great for liver detoxification, it won’t tackle adrenal fatigue. For tips on adrenal fatigue, this article will help: https://deliciouslyorganic.net/20-steps-heal-adrenal-fatigue/
How many times a day can we use a castrol oil pack per day or what is recommended for lymnode activity from breast cancer. God bless you thank you for your responce
Using a castor oil pack daily is very beneficial.
Can I use Astor oil pack on all areas (except lower abdomen) eg liver during pregnancy. Thanks
I don’t recommend using castor oil packs during pregnancy.
Thanks for the information about Castor Oil Packs. I do have one question. How do you clean the castor oil off your skin or do you just wipe off any excess and let the rest soak in naturally? I’ve noticed that it leaves a heavy oily feeling on the skin that just washing with soap and water doesn’t seem to remove.
Thanks
I use an old towel to wipe off any excess. Then the any remaining soaks into the skin.
Now if someone is using this for headaches/migraines, where do you recommend placing the pack? I assumes it’s safe to do the lymph node drainage technique as you normally would with the castor oil as massage oil, but wondering about using the pack specifically for migraines. Thanks!
For migraines, it’s helpful to do the packs over the liver several times a week (or daily if you have the time!). Here’s more info about migraines – https://deliciouslyorganic.net/prevent-migraines-headaches-naturally/
Can you so castor oil packs for ovarian cysts?
Also, is it common for castor oil packs over the liver to make the liver enzymes elevated?
Yes, they can be used over the ovaries, and of course, talk to your doctor about the best course of action for you. I’ve never heard of the packs causing elevated liver enzymes.
Hello, why is not recommended for people who has colitis or IBS? Thank you!
It could increase loose bowel movements.
Hello and thank you for this article. Can you please share any references for scientific studies that support your claims about castor oil packs helping these three things: convert T4-T3, reduce nodules, reduce migraine headaches? My husband is a physician and would love to hear about the basis for these claims of important benefits. Thanks in advance for your time!
I don’t have references for scientific studies that prove how castor oil helps with those things specifically, but here is how we’ve made the connection at our practice. Castor oil packs help gently detoxify the liver, and most of the conversion of fT4 – fT3 happens in the liver. So, when you support the liver, you will often see the conversion increase. For migraines – as I discuss in the article I linked to, migraines are often linked to liver congestion. So when you take steps to support the liver, you’ll often see migraines dissipate. As for nodules and cysts, we’ve seen in our practice that the combination of the right nutrients in the body combined with castor oil packs over the thyroid helps reduce nodules and cysts. Our clients have had the nodule or cyst reduction confirmed by their doctors. As I’m sure you know, you can’t patent a natural substance, so there aren’t many studies on traditional therapies such as castor oil packs, but I hope we will see more studies proving their benefits in the future!
Thank you for the article! I have now been on castor packs for liver and thyroid for two days and had turned very sniffly and continue to sneeze all day. Is there a possibility a body is getting rid off toxins this way? Or would this indicate a gentle castor oil allergy?
It’s possible, but without knowing your full health history it’s hard to know. I recommend talking to your doctor.
Hi,
How long does it take to start experiencing the benefits? I’ve started using castor oil packs for digestive issues and major bloating. I’m on day 5 and haven’t seen too much of a difference yet. Was wondering how long it usually takes for people to notice a big difference?
Thanks!
It depends on what else you are doing in your protocol to help with your digestive issues. This is a tool to use alongside those things. Here’s an article that might help:https://deliciouslyorganic.net/why-stomach-acid-is-good-for-you-increase-naturally/
Thank you for your blog and all of the information you share with people like me who are trying to find our way through thyroid issues. Without this blog I’d be lost. You’ve connected so many of the dots regarding why I’m experiencing so many symptoms I have from anxiety to acid reflux.
So far I’ve done one castor oil liver detox. I left the pad on medium for about 45 minutes. Afterwards I tasted oil in my mouth. It wasn’t unpleasant or a lot but there was definitely an oily taste in my mouth. Has anyone else experienced this? Is this normal?
I’m so glad you’ve found the info on my site helpful! I’ve never heard of that side effect. Very interesting!
To put the packs on your joint pain how often do I need to do this per day,do I do this every day?
Daily is usually ok for most.
I followed your directions and did a liver pack this weekend, I’ve noticed a slight pain in the area of my liver off and on since I did the liver pack. Nothing too painful just a slight discomfort. Is this normal?
I haven’t heard of that symptom, but if you’re experiencing any negative symptoms, I recommend talking to your doctor.
HI there, I was so happy to find this site, I’m interested in doing a castor oil pack for liver detox, but was excited to see it can be used for the thyroid as well! my question is, I dont have organic cotton felt laying around, could I use a cottn towel instead? or maybe some cotton gauze?
thanks! have a great day!
It’s best to use flannel. A cotton towel won’t hold in the castor oil like the flannel will and it can become very cumbersome and messy. 🙂
Hi! i am a total believer of Castor Oil Packs, id love some scientific references though, i am a health practitioner and get that question often. Ive done my research but would love your resources. Thank You!
If you tap on the links within the article, you can read more about the science behind the castor oil packs.
Do I have to use a plastic ziplock bag? Could I just use a towel or something else instead? It seem odd to put heat on plastic.
You need something that will block the castor oil from seeping onto the towel. You could use a couple of towels, but keep in mind they will all get very stained and start to become saturated with the oil as well.
Hi! Do you know if Black Jamaican Castor Oil can be used? From what I can find, the only difference is the beans are roasted before turning them into oil, so it’s darker. I was not sure if that ash would cause issues when used as a pack? I cannot find any information about this online. Thank you for your time and great content!
I’m not sure. I don’t know the smoking point of castor beans, so I don’t know if roasting them would oxidize them and the oil.
I’m trying the caster oil pack for severe constipation as I have hypothyroidism. How many
Times a week and how long do I do these for me a couple of weeks, months?
Legally, I can’t give personal health advice, so I recommend asking your practitioner.
Hi! Do you suggest the Palma Christi castor oil or just regular organic castor oil for the packs? Is there a difference between the two?
Thank you!
I recommend using the castor oil and flannel that I linked to in the post above.
Hello Carrie
Very interesting read about Castor oil packs and how to use them.
I have a question please:
Do I need to apply fresh castor oil before every application? If no, do I ever need to reapply more castor oil to the flannel?
Thank you
Yasmin
Yes, you drizzle some fresh castor oil over the cloth each time you do a pack.
Hi, I’ve used castor oil pack to remove breast cysts. I put it on my liver today. I felt nausea not long after.
I haven’t applied heat yet. Is nausea an ok sign? What’s your opinion of nausea with castor oil packs?
Thank you for this post.
This can be a side effect and a sign that the liver needs more support. Taking a few weeks to support the liver and then trying again can be a good idea.
Pyrex, not Tupperware. Tupperware does not make anything glass.
I want more info on castor oil packs and curing thyroid disease
They don’t cure thyroid disease, but here is some info: https://deliciouslyorganic.net/how-to-use-castor-oil-packs-for-the-thyroid/
Can you use the castor oil to detox your gut as well?