How to make and do a castor oil pack

What you will need:

Castor Oil – Preferably Paraben Free

Cotton or Wool Flannel Cloth (Castor oil pack Kit)

Hot H2O Bottle (You can use an electric heating pad, but it would be better if you use a hot water bottle)

BPA and PVC Free Saran Wrap

2 Towels

At Sprouts or Wholefoods, you can purchase castor oil and wool flannel cloth. Or you can purchase cotton flannel cloth (much softer) at JoAnn’s Fabric Store. You can purchase a hot water bottle at CVS or Rite Aid.

Caution: Castor oil can stain, so wear old clothes and use old towels. Read Contraindications prior to doing a castor oil pack.

Directions for first time castor oil pack:

• Heat water for Hot H2O bottle

• Cut the cotton or wool flannel cloth to size of area you’re going to treat

• Cut a piece of Saran wrap bigger than the wool flannel cloth

• Put the cotton or wool flannel cloth on Saran wrap and liberally pour castor oil on it

• The cloth does not need to be dripping, but nicely saturated

• Pour hot water ( I usually boil water in a kettle) into hot water bottle

• You can warm up the castor oil pack by placing the pack (saran wrap side down on the bottle) onto the hot water bottle for about 1-2 minutes before you place it on your abdominal area. WARNING: May be very HOT. Test heat of cloth before putting it on your skin.

• You may want to put one towel underneath you in case the castor oil drips.

• After testing the heat of the cloth, place the castor oil pack (CLOTH part down) on the area you want to treat. For menstrual or reproductive issues, place cloth right above pubic bone and below the belly button.

• Wrap hot water bottle in a towel and place on top of castor oil pack

• Note that the Saran wrap keeps the heat in so the castor oil can soak into the abdominal area and start to break down blockages and congestion, and protects the heating unit. It is also very soothing and nurturing.

• If you have some congestion/blockages, I would use the castor pack for 20 mins/day. If you have a lot of congestion/blockages/scar tissue, I would start with doing the castor oil pack AT LEAST 30 mins/day. PLEASE take this time to relax, be gentle with yourself, clear your mind, and fill yourself with lots of love, relaxing thoughts and healing energy!

• After the castor oil pack session, remove castor oil pack and store it in a glass container with a lid. You do not need to refrigerate the pack. You can leave it on your nightstand and keep reusing the pack.

• If you have been shown how to do your Self-Care, this is a good time to do it. Otherwise, you can just wipe the excess oil off and relax into a deep slumber, if you choose to do it at night time.

• You can keep re-using the pack until it gets dry. If you notice there is no castor oil left on your skin, then it is time to put more castor oil on it. Keep an eye out that your pack doesn’t start to get rancid or moldy, if it does, it’s time to get a new one.

Directions for RE-USE of castor oil pack:

• Heat water for Hot H2O bottle

• Cut a piece of Saran wrap bigger that the wool flannel cloth

• Find your castor oil pack.

• Pour hot water ( I usually boil water in a kettle) into hot water bottle

• You can warm up the castor oil pack by placing the saran wrap on the hot water bottle and placing the pack on top of the saran wrap on the hot water bottle for about 1-2 minutes before you place it on your abdominal area. WARNING: May be very HOT. Test heat of cloth before putting in on your skin.

• After testing the heat of the cloth, place the castor oil pack (CLOTH part down on skin) on the area you want to treat. For menstrual or reproductive issues, place cloth right above pubic bone and below the belly button.

• Wrap hot water bottle in a towel and place on top of castor oil pack

• Note that the Saran wrap keeps the heat in so the castor oil can soak into the abdominal area and start to break down blockages and congestion, and protects the heating unit. It is also very soothing and nurturing.

• If you have some congestion/blockages, I would use the castor pack for 20 mins/day. If you have a lot of congestion/blockages/scar tissue, I would start with doing the castor oil pack AT LEAST 30 mins/day. PLEASE take this time to meditate or relax, be gentle with yourself, clear your mind, and fill yourself with lots of love, relaxing thoughts and healing energy!

Contraindications:

• Do not use the pack during times of heavy bleeding, gaseous stomach, intestinal conditions, or during pregnancy. Consult with your health care provider.

• If you are trying to get pregnant naturally, only use castor oil pack from the last day of your period until you ovulate. Stop at first signs of ovulation.

• If you are doing an IUI or IVF, do not use the pack after you start taking follicle stimulating drugs. Consult with your Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy™ (ATMAT) practitioner or health care provider prior to doing castor oil packs.

Please Note:

• You may see changes in your bowel movements. Please do not be alarmed if you are having more bowel movements. This is a good thing. Your body is cleansing. If you have diarrhea for 1 day, that is okay too. If it continues beyond that, then try lessening the time for a few days. If it continues beyond, discontinue the packs and contact your health care professional.

• You may see some changes in your menstrual cycle. You may see more clots or tissue come out and it is okay. This is a good thing. Your body is cleansing.

• You may see some changes in your mood. You may have the need to express stored feelings. Again, this is a good thing. Allow yourself to feel them, express them, process them, and then let them go.

• On rare occasions a rash can occur at the site. To avoid this you can wash the oil off after your treatment with a weak solution of 1 Tbsp baking soda to one cup of warm water.