Ah…the underestimated and underutilized Castor Oil Pack. To be honest, I didn’t even know these existed until I went to the Naturopathic College. I wish I had. In my early 20’s I had a long stint of antibiotic use, being ignorant of the long-term consequences at the time, which put my digestion into an uncontrollable tailspin. To put it in a Coles notes version, I had what is called a pilonidal cyst form on my tailbone. Every flare-up made it so uncomfortable that I could barely move or even sit. Antibiotics were used to impede the infection, but it was recurring. Looking back, if only I knew about the lymphatic system and drainage back then I would have prevented so much of my suffering and possibly even my surgery! Being from a family that did not even know about the existence of Naturopathic Medicine, antibiotics seemed to be the only route available until surgery was finally suggested. The years following featured my digestion taking a severe downturn in function. I could not digest my foods like I was able to prior to that, and found myself constantly bloated, gaining weight easily (when I was quite thin prior to) and being uncomfortable and miserable in my skin. I was not aware of probiotics, hydrotherapy or castor oil packs at the time, the former I will cover in future blogs! When I went to the College, I learned about all of the supportive, healing therapies and tools available that could not only ease my digestive upsets but started to heal my digestion system entirely.

One of the tools that I was soon introduced to was the simple yet effective Castor Oil Pack. Being an extremely busy Naturopathic student, I worked part-time throughout College, I needed a simple and easily usable routine to keep me going, and to heal my digestion at the same time. When I did the packs I made them super simple. Castor oil all over my abdomen, covered with a flannel sheet, used a heated beanie bag and a sheet of plastic on top. I would then snuggle up with a blanket and read, study or do my research. I would do these almost every day during the initial healing phase. Most don’t realize that a portion of the nervous system sits around the solar plexus area, so I found them extremely relaxing and soothing. These packs aided my digestion in ways that nothing else could, other than probiotics! Over the years, I still use them frequently to keep my digestive system healthy and inflammation-free! They also have made my menstruation more manageable with little to no pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties! If you are a patient of mine, you know that I prescribe these packs frequently as I have experienced the magic of these packs myself.

To summarize, benefits of the Castor Oil Pack Include:

• Decreases the inflammation in the area being treated such as the abdomen or the joints
• Relaxes the Nervous System
• Increases circulation to the area it is applied to
• Enhances Immune System Function
• Decreases cramping or menstrual pain due to its detoxification and anti-inflammatory effect
• Decreases bloating and other digestive disturbances

Castor oil packs should not be used during menstruation (only prior to), or in pregnancy (Or if trying to get pregnant ask your Naturopath); the oil should not be taken internally or the packs used unless directed by a medical professional.

If you are interested in how these packs may be of benefit to you or would like to have a digestive assessment; please call my office at 519-954-9168 or email me at info@stephaniefarwellnd.ca!