How to Detox with Castor Oil Packs
Learn how to make use of castor oil packs for detoxing and weight loss
Detoxing is part of your body’s natural processes. Your liver, kidneys, skin, lungs, stomach, and other organs help your body cleanse itself of toxins, chemicals, and harmful residues.
And while your body does a great job at detoxing, there are times when your primary detoxing organs and functions become overloaded. When this happens, your body’s natural detoxification abilities slow down, causing you to feel sluggish, bloated, and tired.
These are signals you need to take action and give organs like your liver a helping hand with a natural, safe, and healthy detox. Detoxing and cleansing can be as simple as following my natural and safe detox tips and integrating long-used detox traditions such as castor oil packs.
A lot of you have asked me about castor oil packs and how to use them for a safe and natural detox. So, in this blog I explain what a castor oil pack is, how to make a castor oil pack, and how to use castor oil packs for liver detox and weight loss.
Now, I know I can’t always answer all of your questions in one blog post! So, make sure you join the JJ Smith Facebook community page to connect with others who are making their health a priority. Ask questions, share your liver detox experiences, and connect with like-minded people. And be sure to sign up for my mailing list where I share my top tips and advice on liver health, losing belly fat, and natural detoxing.
How Does Detoxing Help You Feel Better?
Detoxing helps you feel better by giving your body a chance to heal and recover from months and years of cumulative stress and high workload. Think of a detox as a chance for your body to hit the reset button.
Your body is smart and is constantly working to keep you healthy and looking great. However, your natural detoxification system does need a helping hand to keep you feeling your best.
This video from Dr. Oz shows you what happens when your liver becomes overworked and how a detox helps you feel better. Watch the video to see what happens when the detoxification process slows down, causing an accumulation of toxins, chemicals, and body fat.
I really want you to understand the importance of detoxification for keeping you healthy and well. To be 100% clear – when your natural detox system slows down, you’re at risk for health complications including fatty liver disease, heart disease, obesity, and high blood sugar.
My goal is to share with you everything I know about safe detoxing, losing weight, and taking care of your health naturally. I urge you to learn about the benefits of alkaline water, how to detox safely, and the connection between food and your liver health.
13 Signs a Detox can Help You Feel Better and Lose Weight
I feel my best when I look my best! And I’m sure this is true for you. My mood is lifted instantly when I put on my favorite skinny jeans and slim-fitting top – I feel ready to take on the world when I look fantastic! I want you to feel like this every single day!
Make sure you know these 13 signs of how a detox can help you feel better and lose weight:
- Digestive problems including gas, bloating, diarrhea or constipation
- Frequent sugar cravings or blood sugar spikes
- Extra weight or belly fat you can’t lose, even with a healthy diet and regular exercise
- Low energy
- Mood swings
- Acne or dry, itchy skin
- Bad breath
- A yellow-coated tongue
- Blotchy skin tone or a flushed facial appearance
- Frequent headaches
- Dark circles under your eyes, even with adequate sleep
- Brain fog or confusion
- Bloating or swollen ankles
There are lots of ways to detox. But I want you to make sure you’re doing it safely and naturally. Do not follow extreme diets which restrict your food or recommend you buy different powders.
The best detox for liver health, weight loss, and overall health integrates healthy living habits with natural detox practices like using castor oil packs or natural liver supplements.
What is a Castor Oil Pack?
A castor oil pack is a piece of cotton or wool flannel soaked in castor oil. This piece of material is applied to your skin to stimulate and support your body’s detoxification process. Castor oil packs are typically placed over the liver, gallbladder, and intestines.
Castor oil is a type of oil made from castor beans and is used as a food supplement and in traditional medicine.
I recommend you use cold pressed, hexane free castor oil in your castor oil packs. Cold pressed, hexane free castor oil has a drawing action, helping to rid your body of toxins and acid build-up.
Castor oil works by moving and increasing blood circulation to the area of the body where the castor oil pack is applied. This natural and traditional medicine approach helps with detoxification, alleviating tension, reducing pain, and inflammation in joints, organs, and tissues. Read this article from Gaia.com to learn more about medical research into castor oil packs and castor oil.
According to Healthline, castor oil packs have a range of uses including:
- Healing skin conditions such as itching, dryness, and soreness from burns and allergic reactions.
- Easing sore joints with the application of warmed castor oil packs over sore and inflamed joints.
- Supporting liver and gallbladder health by aiding your liver in moving particles and cleansing your body.
How to Make a Castor Oil Back
To make a castor oil pack you need the following supplies:
- Cold pressed, hexane free castor oil
- A large piece of unbleached cotton or wool flannel
- A medium-sized bowl
- Scissors
- Tongs
- A garbage bag or small plastic tablecloth
- Ziploc bag
- Heating pad or hot water bottle
To make a castor oil pack, do the following:
- Cut the unbleached cotton or wool flannel into four rectangular pieces measuring 12 inches by 10 inches. If you plan to use the castor oil pack on sore joints or small areas on your body, cut the material into strips or small squares to fit the area.
- Pour the cold pressed, hexane free castor oil into the bowl. The bowl should be large enough to let you soak the material in the castor oil.
- Using the tongs, submerge one piece of material at a time in the castor oil.
- When the material is saturated with castor oil, use the tongs to remove the material and place it on the garbage bag or small plastic tablecloth.
- Layer all of your soaked pieces of material on top of the first piece on the garbage bag or small plastic tablecloth.
- Insert the layered material in your Ziploc bag and squeeze out all excess air.
You have now made a castor oil pack. Next, I want you to learn how easy it is to use your new castor oil pack for detoxing and weight loss.
How to Use a Castor Oil Pack for Detoxing and Weight Loss
Note: castor oil packs should not be applied to broken skin or used during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menstruation. Do not drink castor oil.
To use a castor oil pack, do this:
- Place a large sheet or towel on the floor or on your bed. This is used to protect your furniture from any castor oil pack drips.
- Take off any clothing covering the area on which you want to apply the castor oil pack. For example, to help stimulate the liver, you need to place the castor oil pack on the right side of your abdomen. So, remove your top and underwear (just in case there are leaks).
- Lie down and place a piece of unbleached cotton or wool flannel over your abdomen or other area. Remember your castor oil pack can be used on the abdomen to relieve constipation, digestive disorders, and to support liver health.
- Put the Ziploc bag containing the castor oil pack on the cotton or flannel.
- Put the hot water bottle or heating pad on top of the Ziploc bag.
- Close your eyes and relax for up to one hour. Remove the pack and wipe your skin to remove any castor oil which has dripped onto your skin.
Use the castor oil pack as often as you want.
Please note: always talk to your healthcare practitioner about signs and symptoms of health problems. A castor oil pack is not a replacement for medical care.
I really want you to feel your best inside and out! This is the perfect time to take steps to heal your body, support your liver health, and lose any extra weight and belly fat. I’m here for you!
Subscribe to my mailing list, join the JJ Smith Facebook community, and browse my blog for articles about liver health, safe and natural detoxing, menopause and perimenopause, belly fat, and so much more! I want you to know what I know!
