What is a castor oil pack?

The Healing Ritual Every Mom Should Know

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If you’ve ever felt like your child’s symptoms (or your own) are a mystery no one can explain…

Or if you’ve tried all the creams, diets, and supplements, but something still feels “off”…

Let me introduce you to one of my favorite ancient rituals for gentle detox and deep healing—for both kids and adults.

A castor oil pack is a powerful DIY therapy where castor oil is applied to the skin using a soft cloth—typically over the liver. The goal is to activate healing by stimulating the lymphatic drainage process – hence the position over the liver.

Why is it called a “pack” you ask?

Honestly, no one really knows. The term caught on in the 1930s and it’s sort of used as a verb – castor oil “packing.” So if you’re confused when you go to buy a castor oil kit and the clock is called a “pack” when it really is more of a “pad” – join the club.

The point is, a castor oil pack is gentle, inexpensive, and surprisingly effective. The pad itself if just a way to make the whole experience less messy.

Why I Recommend It (Mom to Mom)

The most common root cause of illness I see is a toxic body burden.

Meaning, the body is full to the brim with exposures and waste. When this happens, the cells end up swimming in dirty water because the liver can’t keep up with flushing it out.

So how can a topical oil help with that?

I used to think it sounded a little too “woo.”

Until I tried it…and woke up brighter and more refreshed the next day.

Then I asked my patients to try it, and they were reporting all sorts of improvements in their children like less constipation, fewer allergic reactions, and improved cognitive function.

For something so simple, it’s incredibly impactful.

Castor oil has unique properties that stimulate movement. Like that feeling when your favorite song comes on the radio and you can’t help but dance?

That’s how the liver feels when castor oil comes around. The process kickstarts stagnant drainage pathways.

It’s a game changer.

What You’ll Need

I used to teach my patients how to DIY this with flannel and plastic wrap (yikes). Don’t judge, that’s all we had available in 2017 when I was in ND school.

Thank goodness some naturopaths made a career out of developing a better way to pack!

This is my go reusable kit—it’s less mess, heatless, and 100x more practical for busy moms.

What’s in the kit:

Queen of the Thrones® Castor Oil Pack – organic cotton sherpa inner layer, non-toxic outer layer, adjustable straps
Queen of the Thrones® Organic Castor Oil (16.9 oz) – cold-pressed, hexane-free, bottled in glass

I’m not exaggerating when I say this is the one product I tell every mom to keep in the house.

It’s better than other products on the market because it’s made with pure materials. You don’t want to make the mistake of getting toxified while you’re trying to detoxify.

The straps are long for a reason – so you can choose where you want to tie them. I like to sleep with my pack on, so I wrap it around and tie it so the knot is on my stomach since I’m a side or back sleeper.

What Does It Help With?

It’s really not fair of you to ask this – the possibilities are limitless. When we’re emptying the bottom of a clogged funnel, everything upstream from that will be impacted.

But, just so you have an idea, these are the common situations that make me think, “YES! Let’s do castor oil packs.”

✅ Constipation, bloating, abdominal discomfort
✅ Hormone imbalances (PMS, PCOS, menopause)
✅ Insomnia, 3am wakeups you just can’t help
✅ Skin issues for toddlers and up (eczema, rashes)
✅ Joint pain
✅ Frequently getting ill
✅ Irritability, tantrums
✅ Stress, ADHD, sensory overwhelm

And yes—they’re safe for kids too. Castor oil packs aren’t one of those things that are unsafe. They’re just really hard to do on a child under age 3.

Where to Place It

Traditionally, castor oil packs are placed over the liver area (upper right abdomen). If you make a fist and hold it at the border of your right rib cage, that’s about the area of the liver.

This is where the magic happens for most detox, digestion, and hormone support.

But they can also be used:

Over the lower belly (reproductive health)
Over joints or inflamed areas
On the abdomen (gut healing)

I even apply castor oil to my undereyes and wear a sleep mask to bed to help reduce under eye circles. (it works!)

How to Use It (No Mess, Promise)

Apply 1–2 tsp of castor oil to the center of the cloth (avoid seams).
Place over the liver area, soft side down.
Tie in place with the attached straps.
Wear for 45–60 minutes (evenings are ideal, or overnight).
Repeat 3–5x per week for best results.

👉 Pro tip: Do this during story time or while watching a show with your little one. It becomes a soothing ritual for you both.

Once you consider yourself in health maintenance mode, you can reduce frequency to 1-2 times per month. Or in times of need such as a night where you drink alcohol 😜

Is It Safe?

Yes—for most people. But please note:

Do not use if you’re pregnant. This is not the right time to activate detox.
Always supervise children while wearing the pack (due to straps)
If you’ve had major GI surgery or suspect bowel obstruction, consult your provider

What About Kids?

Yes, yes, YES.

I recommend castor oil packs for children dealing with:

Chronic constipation
Candida overgrowth (sugar cravings, rashes, brain fog)
Skin issues
Behavioral or sleep struggles
Immune reactivity after vaccines
PANDAS/PANS, neuroinflammation
General “can’t sit still, can’t wind down” chaos

How to use with kids:

Use the kid pack so it fits their small belly
Apply 1 tsp castor oil
Strap over liver for 30–45 minutes
Pair it with calming time (reading, snuggles)

If it’s appropriate for your child’s age, you can add a heat pack over the top to add to the calming experience and help them sit quietly a bit longer.

But Can’t I Just Rub the Oil On?

You can—but that only gives about 50% of the benefits.

The light compression of the pack is what encourages oxytocin and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activation. That’s the real magic.

That said, I’ve seen parents rub a bit on their constipated infant’s belly and get great results.

Bonus Benefits No One Talks About

Here’s what else moms report after consistent use:

More regular BMs
Easier periods
Less anxiety
Better sleep (for both mom + child)
Feeling in control of their family’s healing journey

Honestly? It feels like something clicks back into place.

What Kind of Castor Oil Should I Use?

I suggest you look for:

✅ 100% pure
✅ Cold-pressed
✅ Hexane-free
✅ Bottled in glass (not plastic)

I trust this one right here.

Your Next Step

If you’re reading this and thinking: This sounds simple enough. Should I try it?
My answer is: Absolutely.

Sometimes the healing our family needs doesn’t come in a prescription bottle—it comes from an ancient ritual that invites the body to heal itself.

➡️ Click here to get the kit I recommend
You’ll be glad you did.

And if you’re ready to go even deeper…

Learn My Full Healing Framework

Castor oil packs are just one part of my full healing system. If detox is what you’re looking for, check out my Vaccine Detox Workshop. Contrary to the name, t’s a process to support detox from many things, not just vaccines.

It’s self-paced, mom-friendly, and designed for easy action.

If you’re the DIY type? You’ll love it.

🎥 Learn more here → Vaccine Detox Workshop

What is a castor oil pack?

The Healing Ritual Every Mom Should Know