I’m a big fan of castor oil packs. If you’ve never tried one, you might want to look up “Edgar Cayce castor oil pack” online—plenty of people are still discovering this simple practice decades after Cayce first recommended it in the 1930s. Not many give him the credit he deserves these days, but his advice has held up remarkably well.
Castor oil packs are one of the most helpful non-invasive things you can do for your health. They’re messy, no question. But the results some people report border on the miraculous. I used them regularly in my 30s and 40s, especially when the seasons changed, just as Cayce suggested. Most often I placed them on the lower abdomen to support digestion and gentle detox. I’ve also used them on injured areas—sometimes just by slathering on the oil, wrapping with flannel, covering with plastic, and calling it done. That simpler version worked for me too.
What You’ll Need
- Flannel cloth (Cayce preferred wool, but cotton works fine and is much easier to find)
- Castor oil (any pure castor oil will do; I like cold-pressed from the health-food store, often the Heritage Store brand)
- A heating pad set on low.
- Plastic sheeting or a garbage bag, plus an old towel (trust me on this)
How to Do a Castor Oil Pack
Protect your space first. Lay a big garbage bag or soft plastic sheet where you’ll be sitting or lying, then put an old thick beach towel on top. Castor oil does not come out of upholstery easily, so a recliner with your feet up is ideal—just protect it well.
Soak a piece of flannel in castor oil. You can oil the skin first, place the cloth on top, and carefully pour a little more oil until the cloth is saturated. (Keep paper towels and hand sanitizer nearby—drips happen.) Cover with another towel, then place the heating pad on low heat. Thirty minutes is the minimum; an hour is even better.
When you’re finished, store the used pack in the fridge (I wrap mine in plastic wrap or an extra-large Ziploc bag, then put that inside another bag). It’s reusable. Next time, just let it come to room temperature (don’t microwave it), add a little fresh oil to the skin if needed, and reapply with the heating pad.
Cayce claimed castor oil is the only oil that penetrates all nine layers of the skin and reaches deeper tissues. Most oils stop after two or three layers and then travel through the capillaries. That deeper reach is why the packs are worth the fuss, especially for joints, bones, or soft-tissue support.
The Simple Version
Once you’ve done the full setup once, it becomes almost effortless:
- Place an oil-soaked flannel on your lower abdomen (or wherever you need it).
- Cover with a heating pad on low.
- Relax for 30–60 minutes.
That’s it. The extra steps about plastic, towels, and storage are just so you don’t ruin your clothes or furniture the way I did the first few times.
In ancient times, castor oil was called Palma Christi—the Palm of Christ—because people recognized how powerfully healing it could be. I still reach for a pack whenever I don’t feel well. It’s simple, it’s effective, and once you get the hang of containing the mess, it’s one of the most useful tools in the alternative-health toolkit.
Give it a try. Your body just might thank you.
Betty Hall
