Castor oil is a fascinating medicine that has been used for thousands of years. It is made from the seeds of the castor plant (Ricinus communis, pictured above). This plant has a long history of use throughout the world for a wide variety of conditions, from arthritis, to sciatica and cancer. It is antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal. Castor oil is mildly toxic when used internally, as it irritates the small intestine and produces a strong laxative effect. I am personally not a fan of using castor oil internally, but many people swear by it. The oil can be massaged on various parts of the body to improve circulation to the area, strengthen the lymphatic system, reduce scarring, and is also soothing & nourishing for dry/damanged skin & hair.
But what I am most interested in is how castor oil can be used to enhance fertility, improve natural detoxification, and even balance hormones. You may have heard of a castor oil pack, which is a topical application of an oil-soaked piece of cloth on the skin over an organ, which is then heated for a time. I absolutely love this method of using castor oil! The packs are a very safe and very effective method of addressing a number of health issues, and in particular women’s reproductive health.
I want to share with you the many benefits of this method, and explain how you can easily make castor oil packs yourself at home!
What are the benefits of castor oil packs?
Castor oil packs can play a major role in healing a number of conditions. The main places on the body where they are used are: over the liver & gallbladder, over the lower abdomen, on the breast, and over the kidneys.
Used over the liver & gallbladder, they can:
- Improve circulation to these organs
- Enhance detoxification pathways (read this post for more on detoxification)
- Reduce gallbladder inflammation & gall stones
- Stimulate the lymphatic system
- Stimulate bile flow, which aids in digestion and helps prevent constipation
Used over the abdomen / reproductive organs, they can:
- Improve circulation to the reproductive organs
- Help shrink & eliminate ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis
- Help dissolve pelvic adhesions and scaring
- Reduce menstrual cramps
- Clear blocked fallopian tubes
- Stimulate the lymphatic system
- Energize the intestines and support healthy bowel movements
- Increase lymphocyte production, which supports a strong immune system
Castor oil packs can also be used on the breasts to help with cystic breasts, cyclical breast pain, and over-engorgement from nursing. You can apply oil directly to the breast, apply deep massage all along the breast and into the armpit (where the lymph of the breast extends) before applying the pack. Please note that if you use castor oil on your breasts while breastfeeding, you must thoroughly clean the area with soap before nursing again as ingestion of castor oil would be toxic to your child.
The packs can also be used over the kidneys, as I mentioned above, but I have no direct experience with this use, so I will not comment on it in this article.
What you will need
- High quality organic castor oil. I recommend this brand, because not only is it organic but it comes in a glass bottle, which is ideal.
- Wool or cotton flannel, which you will soak in the oil. You can buy packages made specifically for castor oil application, such as this one, which is an organic cotton flannel. Although flannel is ideal, you could also use a cotton rag, or an old shirt if you are on a tight budget. You will want to cut a piece of the flannel to size, depending on where you will be applying it. Generally, a 8″x8″ piece will suffice.
- A source of heat for your castor oil pack. I recommend using a heating pad filled with natural materials that you can heat in the stove or microwave. You can also use a hot water bottle. Do not use an electric heating pad.
- A plastic sheet to place between the soaked piece of flannel and your heat source, because castor oil can be quite messy. This can be a simple plastic shopping bag, a ziploc bag or a piece of plastic wrap.
- A towel
- A glass jar. You can place your soaked piece of flannel into it after you are done. You can place the jar in the fridge when you are done, as this piece can be re-used several times.
Instructions to make a castor oil pack
Before using a castor oil pack, test your sensitivity to the oil by rubbing a little bit of the oil on the skin of your arm. Wait an hour to ensure that you are not sensitive or allergic to the oil. Reactions are fairly rare, but some people with many food and/or chemical sensitivities could react to castor oil.
1. Gather all your supplies and chose a quiet location where you will be able to lie down without interruptions for 30 to 60 minutes.
2. Place some castor oil onto your piece of flannel and work it in. Add as much as is necessary to saturate the piece completely. Be careful during this process, as castor oil can stain fabric. If you are re-using a piece that had previously been soaked, allow it to warm to room temperature, and add a bit more castor oil to it.
3. Place the piece of soaked flannel on the piece of plastic and set aside.
4. Apply some castor oil directly to the skin on the area you have chosen to work with and massage it in.
5. Place the piece of flannel on your skin, covered with the plastic. Place the heating pad over the plastic, and place the towel on top of everything to insulate the heat.
6. Lay down and enjoy the soothing castor oil pack for 30-60 minutes (longer is better).
7. When you are done, carefully remove the towel, heating pad and plastic. The piece of plastic can be discarded, or kept for future use. Place the soaked piece of flannel into your glass jar and put it in the refrigerator, so that you may reuse it.
8. Wash off the castor oil from your skin with a gentle soap.
How often should you do castor oil packs?
For general reproductive health & fertility, you can use castor oil packs every other day throughout your entire menstrual cycle, but should stop while you are bleeding.
If currently trying to conceive, you would only want to do the packs during the first half of your cycle. My recommended schedule is to do them on cycle days 6 through 10 – so 4 days in a row. Since most women ovulate between days 12 and 16, following this schedule will ensure that you are done before ovulation.
If you bleed heavily or have flooding menses, I recommend following the protocol above and not doing the packs during the second half of the cycle, and never while bleeding.
For specific conditions like ovarian cysts and fibroids, you can use castor oil packs daily, but I do recommend stopping during menstruation. Because these treatments can produce a significant detoxification effect, it is good to take breaks.
If you have very light & short periods (for example, only 2 days of red bleeding), or have several days of brown spotting before or after real bleeding… then I recommend doing packs throughout the cycle, every other day, and then every day while you are bleeding. This will help your uterus contract and release more efficiently. Be aware that using castor oil packs while bleeding could increase the flow of your blood, and you may even experience more and/or bigger clots than usual. Do not be alarmed, this means your body is releasing old blood and tissue that needed to come out, it means the packs are working! Of course, use your judgement, and if bleeding seems excessive (for example, needing to change pads every hour) stop using the packs altogether. This is unlikely, but some women could experience a stronger effect from using the packs during their periods.
For detoxification or digestion, you can use the packs every other day for general support. For acute situations, such as wanting to address constipation or a spastic gall bladder, you can use the packs for 3-4 days in a row, stop for a day to assess improvement, and repeat if necessary.
For breast pain, castor oil packs can be used several days in a row until breasts feel less tender. If the pain is cyclical, use as soon as the discomfort presents itself, and combine castor oil pack treatments with self-massage.
A few words of caution
It is very important to drink a lot of water for the 24h following the application of a castor oil pack, as their use can release a lot of toxins that will need to be flushed out of your system. Ideally, while self-treating with castor oil packs, support your natural detoxification pathways using the recommendations I outline in my article “Improve natural detoxification to support hormonal health”.
Castor oil packs are generally considered very safe, but they are contraindicated in a few situations. They should never be used by pregnant women, or by anyone with cancerous fibroids, ovarian tumors or breast tumors, unless under the supervision of a physician. They are also contraindicated for use over the abdomen for women who have an IUD (intra-uterine device).
The information contained in this article is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases or conditions. This information is shared for educational purposes only.
I didn’t know Castor oil packs are contraindicated with an IUD- can you explain more. Thanks!
Hi Katinka,
This is my personal opinion. I always err on the side of caution with any kind of treatment for the reproductive organs when there is an IUD in place. Since castor oil packs can stimulate the uterus, there could theoretically be a risk of it increasing the chances of the IUD being expelled by the body. For this reason, I advise against it.
Kathryn
I had an ovarian cyst for which I had undergone laproscopy to remove it,during the surgery it was found that my fallopian rubes are blocked on both d sides.
So Ivf will b d only option to concive
After dat I had 2 failed ivf cycles
I am trying to concive, please help me
Please contact me if you would like to work with me privately. I would be honored to help you on your journey to conception.
Kathryn
I am also trying to conceive but the doctors said both of my fallopian tubes are blocked so now I am trying the castor oil packs.
Hi Kathryn I am ttc and my husband had a varicacelle procedure for higher DNA damage of sperm. Do you suggest my husband use the Castro oil on his testicles as my sister in law that uses Castro oil a lot suggested but I wanted to check as I thought you don’t add heat to testicles?
Thank
Hi Shannon,
I would not use castor oil packs on the testicles, even without heat.
Kathryn
I have essure place only in my left tube since 2012, I now desire for it to be removed because I want to have a baby, the doctor’s keep telling me you can’t have it reverse, They tell me I have to do IVF, which I’m not looking to do…. I have been using the castor oil packs to see if maybe it will break up some of the scar tissue around the essure so I can become pregnant…… Do you think this can help me?
Hi Robbin,
Although castor oil packs have been known to reduce or eliminate fallopian tube blockages and scar tissue, Essure is a different situation. Because it is a device that is inside your fallopian tube, the body’s innate ability to heal scar tissue will not be activated because the device is still in place, causing ongoing inflammation. I do not have any direct experience with Essure, and as a precautionary measure, I would advise you against continuing the use castor oil packs.
Kathryn
I had ensure reversed 1/8/16 and I’m currently ttc now. Ask your dr could he or she remove essure from your tube and start Castrol oil packs afterwards.
Try serrinpeptaids it eats scar tissue .and fibrin
Thank you for such an informative article about castor oil packs. I used them to get rid of a pilonidal cyst on my tailbone that I had since my teenage years! We are trying to conceive and I have a fibroid issue as well as a past with endometriosis, so I am glad to hear that good old castor oil could help since I have already had it heal me in the past.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Cicely. Castor oil is an incredible remedy. I hope it can help you on your journey to health and healing!
Hello,
I am experiencing short period since last year and these past few months I read some articles about castor oil. Regarding the application of this pack, you’ve mentioned that we should doing the packs “throughout the cycle”…
Can you explain further regarding the throughout the cycle? As I understand, If my period start on Jan 1, i will have until Jan 4 period right? so is it mean that i should perform the pack from Jan 1 up to Jan 4 – every other day?
Please clarify….
Thank you,
Sheryl
Hi Sheryl,
When I talk about a cycle, I am referring to the entire menstrual cycle, which averages 28-30 days for most women – I am not referring to menstruation. It is a misnomer to refer to menstruation as a cycle. So in my article, I am saying that you can use castor oil packs throughout your entire cycle, but I mention that it is best NOT to use them while you are bleeding. I hope that answers your question!
Kathryn
Under the heading light or short periods it say to use while you are bleeding and be aware of heavier blood flow. Are you saying this is incorrect?
Hi Chanel,
For some women who have very light menstruation, increasing the blood flow may be something that we want to do. Which is why in those situations steaming may be recommended while bleeding. However, I also throw in a word of caution so that women are not surprised if they experience heavier bleeding, or more clots, etc. Just so woman know hat to expect.
Kathryn
I am ttc but also have very light periods. Can I use the Castor oil pack during my period/bleeding and continue it up until ovulation if I am trying to conceive? I know I am not stop from ovulation through the end of my cycle. I want to increase my bleeding but I am still TTC. Thank you
Hi Annie,
I think it is likely safe for you to try the castor oil packs during your menstruation. Since this is your first time trying them, I would advise to try a few days in a row while bleeding, and then stop. I would recommend against using the castor oil packs every day between bleeding and ovulation right away. I think starting off with a few days and seeing how you react is a safer place to start. Or, doing 2-3 days while bleeding, then stopping for several days, and then doing another few days around day 9 or so of your cycle. Unless you know with certainty which day you are ovulating, it is best not to use the packs past day 11 or 12.
In general, for women with very light and short bleeding, there is also a hormonal component to the lining of the uterus not thickening enough during the cycle. So addressing that would be important too.
Kathryn
Small typo: I realize I stop the Castro oil pack ones ovulation is occurring. Thank you very much have a beautiful day
Hi i want to concieve can i use castor oil pack gonna help me
I have hydrosalpinx, will this help?
Hi Sara,
Yes, absolutely! Castor oil packs could absolutely help, especially if combined with abdominal massage.
Kathryn
I am 44 and also have hydrosalpinx. Is it ok to do the castor oil pack every day (apart from when bleeding) if not trying to conceive at the moment?
Should the massage be done before and/or after the pack?
Do you have anything on video on how to best perform the massage? Many thanks! 🙂
Hi Alicia,
I do not have any videos made on self-massage or castor oil packs. You may be able to find some on YouTube though.
As for the frequency of treatment, I recommend starting with just a few days and then seeing how you feel, taking a few days off, before starting again. Alternating days is a good idea. I tend to recommend starting slow. I rarely advise people to do treatments every single day. I cannot give more precise advice without knowing more about you.
Kathryn
Why is it bad to use them while bleeding? I understand it will cause a heavier flow but wouldn’t you want all tha blood to come out?
Hi Hayley,
It isn’t so much that using castor oil packs during menstrution is bad or always contraindicated, but in my opinion they should be used with caution during bleeding. They can indeed be indicated for certain situations, when a woman appears to not be shedding all her uterine lining easily, or if she has very light menstruations, things like that. My general recommendation is that women be cautious, because for some women an increase in the flow of their blood could be problematic.
Kathryn
I’ve been doing castor oil for 2mths now. You said dont use it during ovulation? Also my periods use to be 7 -8 days long and lately have only been 2-3days long.. Should i go ahead and use the castor oil on my period as well. Im trying to get pregnant but have scar tissue on my tubes
Hi Heather,
Without knowing more about your health and how often you have been doing castor oil packs for the last 2 months, it is tough for me to say why your bleeding has shortened so much. That seems odd to me, and I would recommend against stopping the castor oil packs until you can figure out what might be going on.
If women are actively trying to conceive I recommend that they only do castor oil packs in the days between the end of their bleeding and ovulation. I cannot say if you should use castor oil packs while bleeding because I do not know your situation. Please contact me if you would like to talk and I can help you privately.
Kathryn
Kathryn,
I am 29 and have just learnes through an hsg that both my Fallopian tubes are blocked just to give you some history I have never had an STD when I was 16 I did learn that I had cyst and was placed on birth control until I was 20 so I don’t know how the blocked tubes came about .I was told IVF is my only option to have children. I cried for days until I said no I am going to do some research which I found taking Wobenzym N and Serrapeptase can help with scar tissue. And as of today I am starting my castor oil pack will all these natural remedies but unblock my Fallopian tubes?
P.S. what is the expected blockage clearing time of from ur experience how long does it take for women who used castor oil pack to clear Fallopian tubes
Hi Tukayra,
I am sorry to hear that you found out your fallopian tubes are blocked. Castor oil packs are definitely at the top of the list of natural therapies I use for those kinds of situations. They would be most effective if used alongside herbal medicine, and possibly dietary & lifestyle changes as well. I do believe it is most likely possible for you to unblock them naturally, but without knowing more about your overall health it is difficult for me to say how long it might take. I would be happy to work with you one on one to help guide you on your journey to natural pregnancy. Feel free to email me so we can talk about it more!
Kathryn
Kathryn
Hi Tukayra,
How did you go with the serrapeptase and wobensym n and the castor packs? Sorry to ask but I am considering going on them so just wanted to know how you went. thanks in advance.
Thanks so much . For this article , God bless you .
Hi there! Great informative article. I was wondering if you have ever heard of this happening? I used castor oil packs for 3 days straight and i got my period a week early (after the 3rd day of use) and I had stronger cramps than normal. I am wondering if the castor oil encouraged the uterus to clear our earlier than normal? I was taking homeopathic progesterone at the same time, so i dont know if that had something to do with this? I do normally have some mid cycle bleeding, as well as vulvodynia and that is why I wanted to try castor oil packs…. to possibly normalize the reproductive system. Any advice?
Thanks!!
Hi Kristine,
Sounds like it is quite possible that the castor oil packs encouraged your uterus to empty early. Progesterone-type supplements should technically help lengthen the cycle, not shorten it. But without knowing more about what your cycles are usually like and knowing more about your mid-cycle bleeding it is tough to say exactly what is going on. Feel free to send me an email if you would like to discuss this further.
Kathryn
I tested positive in opk we bd a few tines and i don’t know if the castor oil packs will stop implantation or cause anything that will prevent pregnancy. Can i/ should i still do the packs on cd 20…
Hi Majesty,
If you are actively trying to conceive, I do not recommend using castor oil packs after ovulation.
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn, if actively trying to conceive how long after ovulation should you wait to use castor oil packs or how many days past fertility window
Hi Mallory,
If you are trying to conceive, you should NOT use castor oil packs after you have ovulated / after your fertility window as it could potentially interfere with the implantation process. You should only use them before ovulation.
Kathryn
Hi.m 24.since puberty my periods were always quite normal like evry 29-30 days for 4 days and then light spotting. But since last year my periods are fr 2 full days and on 3 rd day half it stops but spotting continues till on and off till 5th day. I hv pcos. Please cud u help me out wd some natural remedies.
Sonali,
I would be happy to work with you privately, you can read more about scheduling a consultation with me by clicking here.
Kathryn
My dr told me I had a 1% chance on having kids and that my tubes are blocked.I tried the castor oil treatment and on day two I started bleeding, which is to early cause I’m on bc shot and I’m not due for a period until January. Could the castor oil treatment cause my period to come on early?
Hi Armenia,
I think it is possible that the castor oil packs caused you to bleed early. Are you planning to start trying to conceive after this last round of shots? Feel free to contact me privately if you’d like to discuss natural ways to increase your chances of natural conception.
Kathryn
my dr. told me that i have ovarian cyst on my right ovary, possible fibroid on left tube and possible endometriosis. I am scheduled to have a laparoscopy mid January next year. I got scared when heard these issues from her, so i did my research and found out some natural remedies like the castor oil pack, acupressure, dietary change (i’ve switched to organic and gluten free diet).
I dont know if i’d still wanna do the surgery or should i give these natural remedies a try for maybe 2-3 months and see if there would be changes. I need your advise. Thank you
Hi Lani,
Without knowing more about you I would say experimenting with natural therapies for a few months before making a final decision about laposorcopy or other surgeries is a good idea. I think you would get a lot out of working directly with someone who could help you tailor a program for you on this journey to healing naturally and avoiding surgery. You can contact me if you’d like to know more about how I could help you achieve that goal.
Kathryn
Hi i am Cathy have uterine fibroid with a very big belly I heard about the Castrol pack an strated it a week now and I am seeing some improvement so far
Hi Cathy,
I am glad you are seeing improvements. If your fibroids are large enough that it is causing your abdomen to be distended, castor oil packs may help but I would recommend finding someone to work with you to address the root cause in a multi layered approach. Contact me if you would like more information!
Kathryn
What other ways would help with very large fibroid? Do you mean herbs? Heard underlying issue is the imbalance (dominance) of estrogen v progesterone.
Hi,
There are many different ways to approach healing and shrinking a large fibroid. You are right that hormonal imbalances are usually involved, especially estrogen dominance. So working on balancing hormones is important. I also look to improving pelvic circulation, with herbs, as well as other therapies. There is also an emotional component to fibroids in my opinion, and this is something I usually discuss with my clients.
Kathryn
Hi, can you explain why it would be bad to use castor oil for ovarian tumors? I either have a cyst or a tumor and my doctors appontment to find out isn’t unti next week. Would it be ok to use castor oil packs if i’m not sure?
Hi Brenda,
They are considered contraindicated with tumors because it is believed that the stimulating effect of a castor oil pack can potentially stimulate the growth of the tumor, especially if it is cancerous. I always tend to err on the side of caution, so I would recommend waiting to find out what is going on at your next doctor’s appointment. I hope all goes well.
Kathryn
hi, is cyst different from tumor?
Hi Marilou,
Yes the two are different.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/expert-answers/tumor/faq-20057829
Kathryn
After one day of castor oil pack acc. I get dark periods flourlike does this mean my tubes are cleaning? Av bn doing cast.pack for the last 3 months cause of my painfull periods and ovarian cysts. The cysts are cleared bt pregnancy is yet to occur. Ill just continue coz the cysts are gone as for pregnancy what else should i do plz help?
Hi Josephine,
Please send me an email if you would like to discuss your situation in more details. I would be happy to work 1-on-1 with you to help you conceive naturally.
Kathryn
hi
after 6 years of marriage not conceive. I want to know that could I conceive naturally. pls email me all the natural ways. I have endometriosis cyst and swelling in fellopean tubes. pls let me know the natural procedure.
Soni,
Please consider booking a consultation with me so that I can learn more about you and guide you on your journey to conception.
Kathryn
Hi,I’m 34 and awaiting icsi treatment, starting fertility drugs in march,would u recommend castor oil packs pre and post bleed up until I start my medication,or can I continue on during them? 23 to 25 day cycle only proper dark red bleed 2 or 3 days Max,but its slow during those days but suffer from heavy unexpected floods,then several days brown spotting? I am fertile,unfortunately partner isnt, thanks
Hi Lindsay,
I have many questions and comments based on the information you shared. It sounds like there is a possibility of some imbalances that could be preventing you from conceiving as well – very short cycles can be linked to reduced quality of ovulation and/or luteal phase defect. I would also be concerned about your unexplained flooding. Without knowing more about what you mean by unexpected, such as how often it happens, and how long it lasts, it is difficult for me to say that castor oil packs are 100% safe for you to do. They very well could be, but there is also a possibility that it could increase flooding. Please consider booking a consultation with me.
Kathryn
Hello . I am 41 years old trying to have another baby. I have been trying since I was 35 years old but have had miscarriages @ 6 to 7 weeks. I recently started taking several herbal teas and started castro oil packs . I don not want to give up after fertility doctors telling me that the quality of my eggs are no good and my FSH level is high. Any recomendations you can share?
Hi Alicia,
Depending on how high your FSH is, there are herbs that can help normalize FSH and that may be able to help increase your chances of conception, as well as carrying a pregnancy to term. It is near impossible for me to make specific recommendations without knowing more about you and your history. I would be happy to work with you privately to help you along your journey. Click here to read more about booking a consultation with me.
Kathryn
Hi. Iam 28 trying to conceive actively but i have 2 cm cyst in left ovary. Seeing your article i am thinking you have answer to my every question.i have ordered castor oil to use a as a pack how much time it will take to clear my cyst. Also iam on metformin since nov15. Plz advice
I am on the same boat but I have a 5 cm cyst on my last ovary. Has the Metformin helped to reduce the cyst size? And has the casot oil packs helped? I’ve been using them every day for 2 weeks now.
Advice/suggestions would be SO greatly appreciated. Thanks!
-Kimberly
Hi Kimberly,
I am not familiar with Metformin generally reducing cyst size. Castor oil packs can certainly help, but without knowing more about your situation I cannot say whether that would be enough or not. If you would like personalized suggestions, please consider working with me, click here to find out more.
Kathryn
Hello Kathryn,
I just found this castor oil pack method. My question is will it have any effect for ‘cleaning’ the uterus(I also have only 2 days of moderate bleeding than 2-3 days brown spotting) if I only start it now when my period is due in about 3 days, and doing it throughout the bleeding? I don’t want to do a full cycle as next cycle I will start the preparation for IVF(male factor infertility and immune issues with me) which means I will get intralipids infusion every 2 weeks and it regulates the immune system, but castor oil has it’s own effect on the immune system and I don’t want to mix these two methods. So should I do the packs or if I don’t do it for a whole cycle it wont have probably any positive effects? Or I should just do it until my infusions as it won’t hurt? 🙂 Thank in advance, Eszter
Hi Eszter,
Using castor oil packs only a few times would still be helpful. It is safe for you to try this cycle, before you start the IVF protocol. Without knowing more about your specific situation and your IVF protocol, I cannot comment about whether or not you should continue the castor oil therapy beyond this month.
Kathryn
Hello Kathryn!
We are trying to convince, yesterday we had follicular study on the day 13, usg shows tiny follicles, which means follicles are not matured to ovulate eggs, should my use castor oil in this stage ,i mean on day14 and above when we are trying to conceive? will it help to increase the size of the follicles? Plz suggest me to use castor oil or not , when we trying to conceive?
Thanx
Hi Twinkle Virk,
My general recommendation is to stop doing castor oil packs after days 13-14 during cycles where one is actively trying to conceive. Without knowing more about you or your cycles, it is difficult to say what might be going on. It could be that you are someone that simply tends to ovulate later in your cycle, or it could be that you will not ovulate this cycle. Whichever scenario it is, I feel it is unlikely that castor oil packs would affect when or if you ovulate. More information needs to be gathered about your health and your cycles in order to determine what is going on, and what the best course of action might be. Please contact me directly to discuss further.
Kathryn
Hi
My name is Kavitha 33years old .got married 3years back .1week before I come to know that I have subserousal fibroid in right side of my uterus the size will be 4.1 * 3.8 cms
Is this curable using Castro pack?how many days to take to shrink fibroid
Please reply me am really scared about my fibroid
And I don’t have kids still now
Hi Kavitha,
Castor oil packs can help but you will likely need a multi-faceted approach to address fibroids. Please contact me directly if you would like to work with me privately.
Kathryn
I have had essure for 8years. I want to have a baby with my fiance. We have done research and read blogs and trying to gather as much information as possible. Will the serrapeptase and castor oil help me? Essure reversal is expensive and I have tried getting help from my doctors. I need more information because I really want this.
Hi Sharron,
This is a complex situation to answer in this setting. Serrapeptase and castor oil packs could likely help you, but without knowing more about you I cannot say if that would be enough, or what decisions you should make about reversing Essure. Please contact me directly if you would like to work with me, I would be happy to assist you on your journey to conception.
Kathryn
hi, thank you for responding. I have regular periods and my overall health is great. Like i mentioned before, ihave had these implants in me for 8 years. I was wondering if the serrapeptase and the castor oil packs would remove the scar tissue and reopen my fallopian tubes. I have yet yo read about a situation like mine. Thank you for any information you provide.
Have you gotten a response if it will work? I am in the same situation!
Lisa,
I did not speak privately to Sharron. I have not personally worked with any women that had the Essure. So i can only share from my experience with similar situations. I think castor oil packs could definitely help but I do not think they alone would be likely to completely open up fallopian tubes. It would all depend on the specific situation and the woman’s overall health, etc.
Kathryn
Hello, my name is Charlene. My husband and I have been married for 9 years. We tried IVF a few years back but it was not successful. Afterwords I learned that I had a blocked tube and started seeing a hormonal specialist to learn that my estrogen was way too high and progesterone was extremely low. I took a supplement, homeopathic, progesterone for a couple of years and then I started bleeding every two weeks (sorry tmi). I had a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy completed and it confirmed that I did not have endometriosis. Needless to say I am no longer on the progesterone. My new doctor is checking my levels and has prescribes bcp for about 3 months to help rebuild my uterine lining since it is weak and I have a continual spotting. I found the article on the castor oil pack and was wondering if I could use it along with the bcp?
Thanks!!
Hi Charlene,
As a general rule, castor oil packs would not be contraindicated for use while taking hormonal contraceptives. However, you mention that you have continual spotting, and it is possible that castor oil packs could increase bleeding. It really depends on the cause of the spotting, too. Please contact me directly if you would like more personalized advice for your situation, I cannot truly say what is best for your unique situation without knowing more about you.
Kathryn
hi. after my failed iui yesterday started the brown spot and doctor examined me today saying that i have cyst bec of clomid. so now she told me to wait for the result of blood test. Do you think castor oil pack is effective for me to try as it is herbal and helps in reducing the cyst.? next month my doc said we can try to do iii during normal cycle. But i want the cyst to reduce fast. Pls advise is Castor oil is good.Thanks
Hi Zoraida,
Sorry to hear that your IUI did not go as planned. Maybe you could wait until you start your next cycle and do a few days of castor oil packs before ovulation / before IUI if you are doing another one. Be sure not to do them after ovulation.
Kathryn
Hii Kathryn,i have a 40 days cycle, am ttc and i usually ovulate around day 25/26,can I use castor oil without heat on my abdomen like two days before i ovulate ?thanks
Hi Joyce,
Castor oil by itself would definitely be safe to use in the days leading up to ovulation.
Kathryn
They found a 2.6 cyst on my right ovary..i used castor oil packs for 2 months.. Had my other ultra sound and the cyst was 4cm 😖 imso depress and sad . Dont know why it didnt work for me
Hi Mariel,
I am sorry to hear that your cyst grew. Although castor oil packs can help with issues like cysts, I generally recommend that women use a multi-faceted approach to healing – castor oil packs are only one piece of the puzzle. Although I can’t say what may be going on in your situation, it is possible that the cyst would have grown regardless of whether or not you used castor oil. Please contact me if you would like to discuss holistic ways to treat ovarian cysts.
Kathryn
Hello, I have been TTC for a year now. I have one child who is 10. I have PCOS and am wondering if castor oil packs can assist with ovulation and or conceiving. I am 37 years old.
Hi Shin,
If you are not ovulating, it is unlikely that castor oil packs alone will help you ovulate regularly. But they can be a worthwhile therapy as part of a bigger picture of improving fertility.
Kathryn
Hi. I’m 41 and been TTC for over 6 years. Three failed IVFs and one failed AI. Diagnosed with fallopian tubes/uterine scar tissue, fallopian tubes mucous blockage, pelvic cysts, low progesterone, and adenomyosis. Taking maca root and vitex supplements off and on for about 8 months. Now experiencing more cramps and bleeding from the adenomyosis. Just started using the castor oil packs for about 2 weeks now and having spotting. Is this normal for the castor oil packs? Does this mean it’s working? Why can’t castor oil packs be used after ovulation? Just curious. How many castor oil applications does it take before noticing results?
Hi Sonja,
Spotting could possibly be caused by the castor oil packs – they are known to increase circulation in the pelvis, which can cause sightly heavier bleeding and/or spotting. This is not necessarily a bad sign, but I cannot say with certainty since I do not know you. If you read my article again, you will notice that I recommend against castor oil packs during the luteal phase (after ovulation) specifically for women who are currently trying to conceive. It is simply a precaution so that the therapy does not interfere with implantation. If a woman is not trying to conceive and there is no possibility of pregnancy, castor oil packs can be used throughout the entire cycle.
Kathryn
I had an Adiana implant ( silicone with scar tissue surrounding) on the advice of my doctor it causes headaches, cramps and hair thinning. A nightmare. I am TTC I have had an assessment I have excellent egg health normal hormone balance. I am wanting to combine enzyme therapy and castor oil packs to conceive have you had experience where scar tissue can be released around this silicone ?
Hi Hbeth,
I do not have direct experience with the Adiana implant. However, what I know about fallopian tube scar tissue and inflammation leads me to believe that it would be possible to reverse the effects. Enzyme therapy and castor oil packs would surely help. I would highly recommend finding someone who offer Mayan Abdominal massage therapy as well.
Kathryn
Thank you !
Can castor oil treat asherman’s syndrome. If yes, how long go I have to use it to see improvement
Hi Joy,
Although castor oil packs can be very helpful for a condition like ahserman’s syndrome, I have not seen it be resolved with castor oil packs alone. I believe that a multi-faceted approach is needed – including abdominal massage, possibly other types of body work, herbal and dietary therapies as well.
Kathryn
Hello. I have 2 or 3 castor oil massage treatments and bleeding lightly for some days now. What is this blood ? Increased circulation or is it a signal that the treatment is working??
Hi Stella,
It is near impossible for me to say what is going on without knowing anything about you. Some women with issues like endometriosis report spotting after castor oil pack use. It is likely due to increased circulation. If you were my client, I could assess the situation and give you better information about whether or not this bleeding may be a good sign. But if you are concerned and this type of bleeding (mid-cycle) is very unusual for you, it is best to discontinue the castor oil packs for the time being.
Kathryn
Hello! I have been experiencing post partum hair loss & had remembered reading about castor oil being good for hair regrowth, so I applied a mix of warmed coconut oil & castor oil to my scalp for four hours. I didn’t realize that it would be such a detoxing agent until after the fact. I am strictly breastfeeding my 6.5 month old baby girl. After four hours I washed my hair & later that evening I had a large bowel movement (@ the time I didn’t think about the castor oil) & figured that it was something I ate.. -SORRY FOR THE TMI- Then two days later I started a very heavy flow period & my throat (lymph nodes area) was tender, almost like when I’m getting sick. I am still breastfeeding & I had no idea that this oil treatment for my hair would cause these side effects. My worry is my daughter. Did I push a bunch of toxins into my breastmilk? or screw up my hormones so now I’ll be cycling through my menstruation earlier than I would have if I didn’t use castor oil? Also, I was wondering about using castor oil for my daughters cradle cap. I’m trying to find a way to eliminate the scaly buildup without her losing her hair. Is castor oil ok to use on her? I’m afraid of using it now. Thank you for your input!
I would like to add that I’ve had the copper IUD in since December (6 wks PP) & haven’t experienced a full period as of yet since I gave birth in October. I’ve had slight spotting randomly, but nothing like this until I used the castor oil two days ago. I don’t want this to effect my breastfeeding & am worried that I’ve messed up my hormones.
Hi Adeline,
It seems unlikely to me that castor oil used externally only once, on your scalp, would cause everything you are describing. You could be especialy sensitive to it, but it could also be an odd coincidence. I have not come across such a reaction from a single external use of castor oil.
Although castor oil’s detoxing effect can have an impact on hormones, it does not in-of-itself impact hormone production. It is unlikely that you caused yourself or your baby any kind of damage. Please do not worry.
As for using castor oil on your daughter’s cradle cap, my understanding is that this condition is linked to yeast, and has an internal cause. For most children, using only oils externally is generally not enough to get rid of it permanently. Many moms report success from using coconut oil, which would be a gentler and safer option than castor oil.
Kathryn
Kathryn,
Thank you for getting back to me!
Are there any online links to what you’ve learned of cradle cap? Or would you share your sources? I’m not finding much online that isn’t redundant & would greatly appreciate more info if you’re willing to share! : ) Thanks again for the reassurance..! I’m sure I sound kinda crazy.. Haha. I just freaked a little when my body had such significant changes so soon after the one thing I did differently. It’s nice to have a source like yourself to communicate to though, so thank you again.. Google is evil in its own way..! Haha.
Just learning about this castor oil packs, will be trying it out. Can men also use? For low sperm count?
Veronica,
No! Castor oil packs should not be used by men for this purpose. Men produce sperm in their testicles, which hang outside of the body to allow them to be at a cooler temperature than the rest of the body. Sperm need cooler temperature to be produced successfully. So introducing heat via something like a castor oil pack would actually have negative effects. It is for this reason that you might hear people recommend that men do not use saunas or hot tubs too much while they are trying to conceive.
There are many other things, via nutrition and herbs, that can help men increase their sperm count and overall fertility. Although I specialize with women’s health, I also work with couples and with men. Please contact me if you’d like to chat more.
Kathryn
Thanks Kathryn for your wonderful work. Can I combine vaginal steam and the castor oil pack for endometriosis?
Veronica,
Absolutely!! Both can be done concurrently. Be aware that this can increase the heaviness of your menstrual flow. I recommend starting small, such as doing a few days of each earlier in the cycle, and waiting until your next menstruation to gauge if things have changed, how you feel, etc. And then go from there. Doing both throughout the entire cycle can be very beneficial as well. But only do so if there is no possibility of pregnancy.
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn,
I have an Endometriotic cyst of 5.2 * 3.9 cm and I am trying to conceive as well. How should I use Castor Oil Pack in that case.
Hi Priyanka,
Unless you take a break from trying to conceive, you will only want to use castor oil packs during the first 12 days or so of your cycle. Wait until you are done bleeding, and do a few consecutive days of castor oil packs.
Kathryn
I tried using a Castor OIl pack on my ovaries last month. I have regular periods every 28-30 days. I was only doing it more for mental health as one side of my ovaries tends to cause more isssues mentally. I used it and my cycle came as normal but it was light and only lasted 3-4 days instead of my normal 7. I ovulated earlier (with ovulation pain) and then started my next cycle 10 days sooner. The only thing I did different was the Castor Oil pack. Can you explain why this would happen. I have never had this happen in my cycle and I am 35.
Carissa,
Are you saying that you did castor oil packs, that cycle you had a light period, and then the following cycle you ovulated early, and the following period came 10 days early? It is possible that this is your body’s way to reset, and this was needed. Seeing a change in bleeding patterns or in the cycles isn’t necessarily a negative thing. But without knowing more about you, about your reasons for doing the castor oil packs, etc it is difficult for me to analyze the situation. Fee free to contact me directly if you would like to discuss this further.
Kathryn
I’m trying to conceive and just finished my ovulation I put some castor oil in my hair does that affect me since I dint put on my abdominal area?
Why I’m asking is because I have developed diahorrea kindly guide me thanks
Lindah,
Castor oil does get absorbed through the skin but is not known to generally have an effect on the digestive system unless ingested. It might be a weird coincidence, or you might be very sensitive to it. But that seems unlikely.
Kathryn
Hi my name is Mia just have surgery a few weeks ago got diagnosed with endometriosis. I started using castor oil treatment how long does it take to see the full effect?
Hi Mia,
Unfortunately, it is impossible for me to say. It is such an individual thing, it depends on your health, what type of endometriosis you have, etc. We also need to qualify what “full effect” means. For endometriosis, vaginal steams can be helpful, but I recommend that they be combined with herbal and dietary therapy to get to the root cause of the endometriosis. Please contact me if you would like to discuss this further.
Kathryn
I had a tubal reversal, ttc for 15 months with three miscarriages. Had hsg done that showed one tube blocked near the ovary and one near uterus (the ovary on that side sends to have attached itself in weird spot near the fallopian tube). I tried ivf and it failed, all my blood work came out normal….anyway would castor oil work for either of my tubes? I’m also taking serrapaptese
Hi Mayra,
Castor oil packs have been known to help clear our tubal blockages. Combining this therapy with an herbal and dietary protocol is ideal.
Kathryn
m 50 and had menopause since last 3-4 years and hv adnexa multiple nabothian cysts and endometrial det. 6.0 mm in this condition can I try this cater oil pack ?
Hi Chitra,
Unfortunately without knowing more about you and your health I cannot say whether or not castor oil packs would be an appropriate therapy for you.
Kathryn
Where exactly should the the pack be placed for reproductive organs?
Hi Kaitlin,
Place the pack on the center of your lower abdomen, just an inch or so above your pubic hair line. This will allow it to cover both your uterus and your ovaries.
Kathryn
Good day how soon after your period finished can I use the Castor Oil Pack, and for how long should I use it for?
Hi Cece,
As I mention in my article, some women can do the packs while they are bleeding if they have very light menstruation. Generally though, I recommend starting the day after bleeding has ended. How long you can use it for really depends on your situation. When first starting out, doing castor oil packs 2-3 days in a row is a good place to start, to see how you feel and if there are any changes afterward.
Kathryn
I am about to start a further round of IVF, during my last cycle I had issues with my uterine lining meaning my cycle was cancelled (I had not had issues previously). My drug protocol has been altered to help but I have been looking into alternative remedies and have read castor oil packs can help? If this is indeed true are they any risks? if it is safe what would you recommend as to when and how often to use them. Many thanks.
Hi Kay,
Castor oil packs are very safe, they increase circulation in the lower abdomen and the reproductive organs which can be very helpful for a number of situations and conditions. There are recommendations for frequency of use in my article.
The contraindications are few. Some women with heavy menstrual bleeding should use caution when using it as it can potentially increase bleeding. That’s the main one I worry about. Women with high blood pressure should use caution as well.
Kathryn
How much is the castor oil and how can i get it . I did HSG and found I have hydrosalpinx in one tube but the other tube had some adhesions but there was profuse free spills of contrast dye. I also did hormonal test and found my prolactine is high at 40 I was placed on many antibiotics and bromocriptine
Hi Stella,
You can click on the link in the article to purchase castor oil. It is generally found in most health food stores, and places like Whole Foods Market.
Castor oil can help with tubal issues. Addressing your elevated prolactin will be important as well. Don’t hesitate to contact me privately if you would like further assistance on your healing journey.
Kathryn
I was just informed that I have a small cyst on my breast. The doctor told me it was malignant, however it is a little uncomfortable. I was wondering if I could use the castor oil packs for this purpose. Also, I have silicone breast implants and want to know if this is safe for me to do.
Thanks.
Hi Laura,
Castor oil packs should not be used on malignant or cancerous tumors. If it is NOT malignant and is a benign cyst, then castor oil packs and gentle massage may be able to help a lot.
Kathryn
Hi Kathyrne, trust you are doing good . Im really impressed the way you are attending all cases. Well let me share my problemvhere. I have pcod and i have done ivf n freezed all my embryos cos my utrine lining is very thin. Pls help me can using the caster oil pack help my endometrium to grow. Thanks
Hi Neha,
Castor oil pack can help increase blood flow to your pelvis which can help with your lining. However, inadequate uterine lining is usually rooted in a hormonal imbalance, so further work is likely necessary for you to get to the root cause of this issue. Please contact me if you would like my assistance to address this issue.
Kathryn
Hi
I visited my Dr today for check up 3 months ago she told me I had cysts in both of my ovaries and today she said that she is seeing a tumor between the ovary and the uteres and now has sent me to do another ultrasond by a specialist.
can I use the castor oil pack to reduce this tumor?
at the moment also im drinking evening primsore oil and borage oil organic apple cider vinegar and eating 1 garlic in the morning
Hi Marcia,
Without knowing more about your situation I would advise you not to do castor oil packs until there is more clarity about what kind of tumor you are dealing with. Benign tumors like fibroids can benefit from castor oil therapy, but I was taught that it is best to avoid the packs with a cancerous tumor as the increased blood flow could potentially feed the tumor.
Kathryn
Hi, I recently went through ivf which unfortunately failed I am now awaiting my second fresh cycle. My period hasn’t arrived so my clinic has put me on the pill for 21 days to try and encourage a bleed so I can start again. Is it ok to use a castor oil pack while On the pill?
Hi Kate,
Yes it is safe to use the castor oil packs on your abdomen while on the pill.
Kathryn
hi kathryn
I am 30 and i have adenomyosis
i am not take a surgery yet and i am trying conceive.
I have a castor oil pack , so my case can use castor oil ? does it work for my case and how can i do now ?
thanks
Hi Jenny,
Castor oil packs can be helpful for adenomyosis, but it would be best to combine that therapy with other healing modalities such as the internal use of herbs, dietary changes and massage. Castor oil packs alone will not address the root cause of the adenomyosis.
Kathryn
Thanks for the info. I have PCOS and also plan on doing self fertility massage. Can I do the packs and massage on same day, if so which first? If I do decided to take fertility meds and injectiables, can I still do the castor oil packs at the same time before ovulation? Thanks for your time.
Hi Jen,
I think doing self-massage after the castor oil packs would be very beneficial. Those two therapies go well together. Castor oil packs are also safe to continue using on your abdomen before ovulation while doing injectables.
Kathryn
Good evening Kathryn, I have been TTC ing for 2 years now, I have 2 kids but want another child, have seen my gyno on the issue, we have done various tests…hormonal, sperm and hsg, they all came out clean except for hsg. The test showed that I have endometrial adhession. Can castor oil pack help me.
Hi Tina,
Castor oil packs can help with adhesions, but generally I find that a multi layered approach is more effective to address the root cause of the adhesions. I generally look to combine therapies, like abdominal massage, herbal medicines as well as dietary changes. Hi Kimberly,
I am not familiar with Metformin generally reducing cyst size. Castor oil packs can certainly help, but without knowing more about your situation I cannot say whether that would be enough or not. If you would like personalized suggestions, please consider working with me, click here to find out more.
Kathryn
Hello. I am in the process of doing my first IUI. i was on clomid CD3-CD7 100mg (1 in the morning 1 at night). I love caster oil pacs and was concerned with the side effects of clomid thinning my uterus. I’m not sure if I did the right thing but on CD6 about an hour after taking 50mg of clomid at night I did a 30 minute caster oil pac one hot water bottle over my liver and one hot water bottle over my uterus. I was wondering if I could of hurt my ovaries? I was feeling a pressure and cramping before and it almost seemed soothing at the time of applying the pac but since that night I haven’t felt the slightest bit of cramping in my ovaries… Could I of messed things up? I did however, after the treatment experience excruciating gas pains and and emptied out my colon profusely… I suppose thats a good thing. Today is CD8 no more meds. I want to do caster pac tonight & tomorrow night then the next day we see the doctor to do ultrasound and measure lining and look at follicles. My big question is what are the side effects of doing caster oil pac while taking clomid… The doctor said that shouldn’t matter but also never heard of caster oil pacs. thank you 🙂
Jenger,
it should be fine to do the castor oil packs at the same time as clomid, but it can be quite stimulating. I personally might not recommend it to a client I was working with. It could potentially cause more stimulation to the ovaries, which clomid is already very stimulating. I see that you left this comment almost a month ago… Did you conceive that cycle?
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn,
I’m 44 and have been diagnosed with a 6cm ovarian cyst. This came after 3 months of no bleeding and a blood test showing elevated oestrogen.
Subsequently I started bleeding just after seeing my dr, and lightly spotted for 2 weeks, and have now been bleeding quite heavily for 7 days. I’ve been taking vitex for 4 days now trying to normalise my hormones. It is believed I am entering early menopause.
I’ve done 2 castor oil packs, but it has increased the bkeeding and clots quite substantially. I have had fairly moderate pain, but 12 hours after the first pack I had the worst pain ever, and nearly went to er. But it has actually been significantly better since.
I think I should stop the castor oil packs until the bleeding stops, but I also think it is helping cleanse the toxins that (I feel) caused the cyst. I do not want surgery, I had 2 cysts surgically removed in my 20s. So I am on the fence. Do you have any advice on stopping the flow, or should I see it as necessary to cleanse? Should I stop the castor oil, though I feel it is helping?
Any advice is greatly welcomed 🙂
Hi Johanna,
I would advise against using the castor oil packs until your situation calms down a little bit, and certainly wait until the bleeding stops. Without knowing more about your situation, I cannot give much advice beyond this. Hi Kimberly,
I am not familiar with Metformin generally reducing cyst size. Castor oil packs can certainly help, but without knowing more about your situation I cannot say whether that would be enough or not. If you would like personalized suggestions, please consider working with me, click here to find out more.
Kathryn
Kathryn, is it safe to do castor oil packs after menstruation and before ovulation at the same time as taking Clomid (days 5-9 of cycle) to induce ovulation, if trying to conceive?
Nicole,
I don’t feel that this is necessarily contraindicated, but I would say that it would depend on the woman and her health, it might not be my first choice to do the two at the same time. Castor oil packs are quite stimulating, and so is clomid.
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn,
I’ve been told I have both my fallopian tubes are blocked. I’m taking Serrapeptase and I’ve done the castor oil pack every other day since my period ended (i.e. current cycle). I’ve read that one of the possible side effects of Castor Oil is disturbances or discomfort in the stomach and I’ve experienced this in the last couple of days. Since I only placed this on my abdomen and didn’t ingest it, is it possible that I could still experience this side effect? Could the pack be the cause or could it be something else? If it is, can I continue with the packs or it is advisable to stop?
Thanks so much for the article and your advise.
Mary-Ann
Hi Mary-Ann,
I have heard of women having mild digestive upset from external use of castor oil but it is fairly rare. If you mean discomfort in your actual stomach, I think it is unlikely that it is caused by the castor oil packs, but without knowing more about you and your health it is difficult for me to say for sure what could be going on. Hi Kimberly,
I am not familiar with Metformin generally reducing cyst size. Castor oil packs can certainly help, but without knowing more about your situation I cannot say whether that would be enough or not. If you would like personalized suggestions, please consider working with me, click here to find out more.
Kathryn
Hello,
I recently started to use Castor oil packs as advised by my accupuncturist. I have been trying to conceive over the past two years. Last year I got pregnant but miscarried at 12 weeks. Prior to getting pregnant I was told I potentially had PCOS due to annoreha, I hadn’t had a period in approximately a yr. I conceived by taking Clomid without a period. Since the miscarriage I have had 1 period in April and non since. I have been told it’s due to the thin lining on my uterus. I have been using Castor oil packs for the last 2.5 weeks, this week I felt really crampy and bloated as if I were going to get a period. Still nothing. My BBT suggests that I should be on my period. I am also on a handful of natural vitamins. Any suggestions? Sorry so long, just frustrated as I am on my 3rd fertility dr and now seeing a fertility accupuncturist.
Hi Stephanie,
I apologize for the late response, your comment got buried for some reason. Sorry you are dealing with the frustration of amenorrhea. I have many suggestions for situations like yours, but ultimately what will work really depends on your unique situation. Please contact me if you would like my assistance on improving your fertility naturally and bringing your cycles back.
Kathryn
Hi, Kath!
Am si glad i came accross this!
Am undergoing IVF. Just had my eggs collected and freeze through stimulation process making use of gonal-f. Am done with it and my doctor says i need to rest for one cycle before egg transfer bec the medicine usually thins the lining of the uterus… However, i have hyrosalphnx and usually my period is so light and i wanted to make sure that my uterus will shed every toxins and clots prior to transfer. In short, i want it clean.
So, is it safe for me to use daily for this cycle then stop after my period is done to allow growth for thicker lining till my next cycle in due time for egg transfer.
Appreciate your help very much!
Hi Abigail,
I feel that using castor oil packs throughout your rest cycle would be safe. However, I would advise against doing it every single day, simply because this is a new therapy for you and your body is going through a lot recovering from the stim. I think a safer approach may be to do a few days of packs followed by a few days off, and then stopping when bleeding starts.
Best of luck,
Kathryn
I am 37 diagnosed with hydrosyphinx. Undergone 2 surgeries had 5 failed IVF .I have been doing fertility massage there is a lot of watery noise on my right fallopian tube, why
Hi Oghogho,
I am unable to explain what may be going on with you without knowing much more about your health and history. Please contact me if you would like to work with me privately.
Kathryn
Hi..im jessica..i had done laparoscopy surgery due to ectopic pregnancy about 3month ago and my left tubal are remove.i want to try concieve again naturally by castor oil pack therapy.it is safe for me to do this therapy?thanks.
Hi Jessica,
If 3 months have passed since your surgery, then you can go ahead and use castor oil packs.
Kathryn
I’m from the Philippines i just want to ask how much is the castor oil pack’s for wants to conceive I’m trying to get pregnant.pls help hope to hear from you soon thank you
Hi Kathryn,
I saw an article about using castor oil packs. The article had said they could be used for an hour daily for the first 12 days of your cycle & then if you were trying to conceive, it was best to not use them for the balance of your cycle. I did exactly that, I could definitely feel some weird sensations whilst I had the packs on.
On day 13 of my cycle I experienced these weird twinges, then days 14 – 18 I had a number of odd sensations in my lower abdomen, one day it felt like air trapped, the next it felt like a mild pinprick, then mild cramps.
Have you heard of other people using the castor oil packs that have experienced this? I’m wondering if it’s perhaps because the packs have improved my circulation or what? I’m not worried, just interested 🙂
Thanks so much,
Michelle
Forgot to say I’m on day 19 of my cycle 🙂
Hi Michelle,
I myself have experienced similar things, as have women I know. It can indeed be due to increased circulation, and it isn’t rare to have a bit of spotting or unusual bleeding as the uterus may have old lining it wants to release.
Kathryn
hi…im 32 and been diagnosed 3 months ago with endo in my right ovary by my ob, after my period i started doing castor oil pack for 3 consecutive nights and after it i bleed for 5 days, i beleived it is because of the castor oil pack.since then i did castor oil pack 3 consecutive nights in a week for 3 months. i got my follow up check up last week and as a result my endo had minimal increase for about 4mm in size. .is it ok to still continue doing castor oil pack for another 3 months or so? couz my ob want me to have a surgery but i refused couz i think 3cm endo is not that so serious to have a surgery. i found castor oil pack very benefecial in my part because some symptoms are gone such as pain and crapms before and after period. though the endo didnt shirnk. and also i changed my diet to vegan. other think is that my husbnd and i been trying to concieve..how long should i continue doing castor oil pack?
Hi Abeja,
It is difficult to say how long castor oil pack therapy would take to resolve your issues, or if it would be enough on it’s own. Usually in situations like yours, approaching the issue from several angles at once is more effective, such as looking at diet & lifestyle, and using herbal medicines. Contact me if you’d like to discuss this in more details.
Kathryn
thanks alot for the respond 😊
Hello Kathryn,
My dr discover a cyst on one of my ovaries and their suggestion is surgery but i want to try a natural approach to get rid of the cyst. How many times should I do the castro pack a week? I’m very busy and probably can do it 3 times a week. Is this enough?
Hi Kittina,
The answer depends on a few factors, like what your overall health is, how big the cyst is, what your symptoms have been. Doing castor oil packs 3 times a week could be very helpful, combining it with other therapies would be a good idea too – such as consuming herbal medicines, abdominal massage, and acupuncture.
Kathryn
Hi Kittina,
Tough to say without knowing more about your situation. Contact me if you would like assitance in addressing the cyst without surgery.
Kathryn
Hi i am 35 year old . I have two daughters.i am on ttc last 5 years.i have reguler period.hormon reports are normal.my dr suggest me clomid.i am 4 month on clomid.today my 3rd day of cycle .can i use castor oil with this treatment .ans me thx
Hi Sam,
You could technically use castor oil packs during the first half of your cycle if you are taking Clomid. However, since there is already a risk of hyper-stimulation with taking Clomid, I personally wouldn’t stimulate the ovaries any more during a Clomid cycle.
There may be an underlying issues preventing you from conceiving that is not showing up in bloodwork. Contact me if you would like to improve your fertility naturally.
Kathryn
Thx for reply.today is my 12th day of cycle.i am seeing brownish mucus yesterday and today .is t because of castor oil pack.plz help me why i am not conceicing???
Hello Kathryn. I am 39 years old I have been told I have PCOS and have tried 4 rounds of IUI with no success. Does PCOS mean you only produce a quality egg every 3 or 4 months? I have been doing fertility accupuncture for about 4 months. Is it okay to do a pack daily for every day of the month except while bleeding? Do you suggest 1 hour a day or longer? Also why is it recommended not to use an elrctric heating pad? Thank you!
I also noticed you mention herbal treatments and i meant to ask what types of herbs you typically suggest for fertilty?
Hi Tracy,
PCOS manifests in many different ways, and has a wide range of effects on fertility. The quality of the egg is indeed sometimes affected, as is quality of the lining of the uterus, and the quality of the cervical fluid. Without knowing more about your specific situation, I can’t say how often you might be releasing a “quality egg”. Even with a good strong egg, there are many other factors that will affect whether conception occurs or not.
I don’t recommend doing castor oil packs every single day, I find it to be too much for most people, especially if they are not doing so under the supervision of an experienced practitioner. I would recommend starting with doing a few days in a row, then taking a break for a few days, and repeating. 1 hour is quite long, 30 minutes is sufficient generally. As for electric pads, they produce EMFs that are harmful and therefore should not be applied directly over sensitive organs.
Kathryn
Hello, I want to do castor oil packs for a fibroid, but I read somewhere that you should not do them when you have high blood pressure, do you know if this is true? I am taking a medicine prescribed by my doctor. Thanks for your help.
Hi Jilma,
I think the caution comes from the heat of the pack. I think doing an abdominal castor oil pack should be safe. Try doing a somewhat short session, like 15 minutes, and see how you feel. Wait a few days to repeat. Listen to your body.
Kathryn
Hiya!! This blog is full of such amazing information. Thank you. You said the caster oil packs can be used on athritis. I’m 29 and i have severe osteo athritis in my right knee. Does the caster pack help with osteo athritis?
Hi Haylee,
Not so much the castor oil packs, but just the oil itself rubbed on problematic joints can be really beneficial!
Kathryn
Can I do castor oil pack few hours after doing hsg test?
Hi Sam,
Personally I would wait a couple of days to give your body some rest time.
Kathryn
Thanks so much Kathryn for your article. I was diagnosed with peritubal and perifimbrial adhesion, can castor oil pack help me? I have the Jamaican black castor oil at home.
Ada,
Yes, castor oil packs can help with adhesions.
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn, very interesting reading through your blog. I have cysts and fibroids in addition to other issues( MRI done yesterday revealed left knee bruising and kidney ailment from fibroid or cyst intrusion(my interpretation from reading report..consult with my doctor for more accurate and specific details re kidney issue will come later) I’m 70 years of age and obviously not interested in conceiving or having surgery because I prefer natural means and hope to have further consult with you later. But now I have started CO packs about 4 or 5 days ago and have concerns about why plastic wraps of some sort are recommended to assist when EMFS which cause exocitogins (pardon please the misspelling). I notice you don’t recommend use of electric heating pads(which I use but not plastic wraps) for same reason, which is good. But don’t hot water bottles which are also plastic, of course, release the same. I’ve read before that plastic naturally releases EMFS which also stimulate fibroid growth. I may be getting the EMFS confused with exocitogins, but point being that some type of toxin will be released. So, Kathryn, can you tell me now, how does one addressing fibroid shrinkage get around use of plastics? Just wondering. Looking forward to your answer..thanks much and God bless you and yours.
Hi Shelley,
Those are excellent questions, thank you for leaving a comment. First off, I want to share that I think castor oil packs can indeed be very helpful for both fibroids and cysts, but I never approach those issues with just one therapy. I find that castor oil packs are more effective if they are combined with working on the root cause of the issues, which generally involves dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as herbal medicine. The approach varies depending on a woman’s unique constitution. If you would like to work with me, please send me an email directly, I would be honored to help you.
As for your concern regarding plastic, I agree that using plastic against the skin is not ideal. Castor oil stains very easily and plastic wraps or bags are by far the simplest way to protect your heating pack/bag from getting covered in oil. An old piece of cloth could work technically, but then it would likely absorb oil away from the felt or fabric you are using for the pack. I will give this more thought though and seek to come up with a good alternative.
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn,
I am priyanka . I have PCOD and my right tube is blocked.My Dr did my laproscopy surgery in April 2016 from that time I am trying to conceive. Last month my Dr did ultrasound and told me that again I have PCOD.
In article you have mentioned that we should stop using pack in the ovalution period .
Can you please advise when we can start using the pack again .
Hi Priyanka,
The recommendation against using castor oil packs around the time of ovulation has to do with women who are actively trying to conceive. If one is making love regularly and trying to get pregnant, then you would want to avoid castor oil packs from the time you think you ovulated to the end of your cycle, that is, until you bleed. If you are not actively trying to conceive and there is no chance of pregnancy, then castor oil packs can be continued throughout your whole cycle.
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn. I started castor oil packs 3 days ago. 2 years ago i had a surgery for an ovarian cyst. And i don’t have right ovary anymore. Left ovary works but the tube is stucked behind the uterus so I cant get pregnant natural. I had an ivf on june which was positive but miscarried on August (11weeks+3days). During that pregnancy I had blood clots every day. Now i’m about to do the second ivf. Do u think these packs will help not to have blood clots on pregnancy? I’m so scared, just don’t want to go through to another miscarriage. Thank u.
Hi Ina,
I am sorry to hear about your recent loss. Although castor oil packs can help with circulation, it is unlikely that on it’s own it would necessarily prevent blood clots. Those could be a side effect of the medications used in IVF.
Kathryn
Great article. It´s not the first time that I read about castor oil pack being helpful for fibroids. I will look into that and might publish an article on my page. Thanks so much, Lisa
Hi Lisa,
I think that castor oil packs can indeed play a wonderful role on a woman’s journey to healing fibroids. I think they are especially helpful for women that have smaller fibroids. Please do share if you write an article on the topic, I would like to read it. And feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
Kathryn
Hi again, thank you so much for the reply. I will reach out to you and let you know when the article is published. Talk soon, Lisa
Hi Kathryn,
I finished the post and send you the link via the contact form. Let me know what you think.
Lisa
Thanks Kathryn for helping sufferers like us.
I am unmarried 37 year old woman suffering from endometriosis and adenomyosis. I have bulky uterus with choclate cyst in ovaries and fibroids in wall of uterus and adhesions in recto sigmoid colon.
Actually I am suffering from unbearable pain in menses due to which I have to take 7-8 Ibrufen in 2 days. I have been doing castor oil pack regularly from 8th day till 28th day for one hour from last 3-4 months but not getting relief in pain at time of periods.
I have been taking sujok acupuncture needles, moxa regularly at home, chinese herbal medicine Gui zhi fu ling wan and castor oil pack daily but this time flow was terrible like tap with severe unbearable pain despite taking pain killers on 1st and 2 n day so confused about when I should do castor oil pack in my monthly cycle as you have mentioned for heavy flow do in 1st half of cycle i.e 8th day to 15th day but since i have fibroids and cyst so u suggested to do every day till menses begin. Pls suggest how many days, I should do and which days of month as I have generally spotting till 7th day of cycle.
Many thanks for your help !!!!
Hi Mahika,
I am sorry to hear you are suffering. Your case is quite complex, and since you are already following specific protocols of different healing modalities it is tough for me to say what would be best in your situation. Although castor oil packs can play a powerful role in healing conditions like fibroids, they are also not the ticket for every woman. Everyone is different and may benefit from different things in order to address their problems. If you would like more personalized help, please contact me.
Kathryn
Yes Kathryn, I can understand, but castor oil helps me in pain relieving till the menses start so I would like to continue with castor oil pack but not sure about looking at flow of bleeding like tap whether I should do regularly or do on alternate days or should do from 8th day to 15th day of cycle. Pls suggest
Many thanks
Mahika,
If you are bleeding to the point that you would compare it to flowing like tap? As it very heavy bleeding? Then castor oil packs would be contraindicated for you. I cannot advise you further in your situation without taking you on as a client.
Kathryn
Kathryn, problem is that this time, I did castor oil pack for 4 days in a week and 3 days off and followed this next week and last week before periods , I did continuously for 6 days but had severe unbearable pain on first day and had to take 5 pain killers though flow was normal and remaining days were better this time. Thats why confused whether I should continue this month or not?
Mahika,
I think it would be a good idea for you to discontinue using castor oil packs based on what you are sharing.
Kathryn
Hi!
I have an hydrosalpinx which was operated more then 10 years ago and came back. Some days I just feel pressure down there so I started using Castor oil pack, 5 days now. Immediately on the day following the first Treatment I started bleeding (not strongly – let’s say a Kind of spotting mostly when going to toilet). My period is to come in about 10 days. I wanted to ask if it’s possible and/or healthy to be “bleeding” like this. Notice that 3 years ago I was operated with a Polyp and the doctor say it may come back. One of the symptoms was (then) bleeding between periods, so I’m concerned that maybe the Polyp is back. Can you help me? This is the first blog where it seems to be speaking about These Kind of possible side effects.
Thanks in advance. Luana
Hi Luana,
The spotting could definitely be caused by the castor oil packs. Sometimes this kind of spotting is a good sign that the castor oil pack if working and moving energy & blood in your pelvis. This is not that unusual, women also sometimes see a heavier bleeding time following treatments. Sometimes this is due to the fact that menstruation is generally inefficient and not all blood is shed properly, so the castor oil packs encourage a fuller, more complete bleed.
However, there are also times where this kind of unusual bleeding would indicate that it is best to discontinue the castor oil packs. Listening to your intuition on this matter is important. Without knowing more about you and your health it is not possible for me to say with certainty what this indicates. If you are feeling uncomfortable seeing this spotting in light of your past history, please discontinue. If you would like me to help you further, please consider working with me!
Kathryn
Hello,
I have been experiencing abdominal pain and prolonged periods that will last 6-8 weeks not normal for me at all, I finally went and had a transvaginal ultrasound done. My OB-GYN found that my uterus is enlarged, I have a cyst on my right ovary, and three uterine fibroid tumors, one post Lt intramural, one submucosal, and one fun rt intramural. At least I know what has been causing all of my problems, my ob-gyn suggested I have a hysterectomy do to the pain and bleeding. This is not something I want after reading that it can throw your body into early menopause. I found the castor oil pack remedy and read that it is not to be used during a menstrual cycle. During my menstrual cycles as I had said previously I do bleed for 6-8 weeks at a time and there is clotting that is released into the pad or toilet while using the restroom during this time (sorry for the tmi). I am also taking ortho micronor. Would I be able to use the castor oil pack or do I need to wait until I am completely not bleeding at all? Thank you, Lynn
Hi Lynn,
I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Bleeding for that long must be very challenging! Castor oil packs can increase bleeding and for that reason it can definitely be contraindicated when there is heavy or prolonged bleeding. Although castor oil packs are in general a good idea to help increase circulation on the uterus, in your situation other therapies may be more appropriate, at least to start with. Getting the bleeding under control with some herbs would be a good place to start. Herbal medicines combined with therapies like massage and dietary changes can be effective at shrinking cysts and fibroids, but the effectiveness depends on how big the fibroids are and what your overall health looks like, etc.
I would be happy to work with you privately. I completely understand wanting to avoid hysterectomy at all cost, I would too. Please send me a message if you would like to talk about how I may be able to help you on your journey.
Kathryn
hi there is was on the pill for 2 years and I stopped 8 months ago iam ttc since but no luck would castor oil helped?
Hi Betsy,
Castor oil packs could help, but it depends on what is going on with you and what might potentially be standing in the way of you conceiving. Without knowing more about you I can’t say that castor oil packs would do the trick or not. In general they are considered safe and are certainly worth trying.
Kathryn
Hello Kathryn,
Love your site! I have endometriosis but don’t experience heavy bleeding or a lot of menstrual pain. Would you still recommend using the packs throughout my cycle (meaning every other day), or less? Thanks.
Hi Dayna,
How were you diagnosed with endometriosis? I would say that overall the packs could be beneficial for you, but depending on what issues you are seeing from the endometriosis the frequency of use I might recommend could be different.
In general I think it is best to start off with just a few treatments and then give it some time and see how you feel.
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn,
I am 27 years old, have very regular normal periods. But have recently found out I have a 3cm cyst on my left ovary which shrunk to 1.6cm after 6 weeks but now have a 4cm cyst on my right ovary. I want to take a natural approach first and I have been trying castor oil packs for 2 days, how long should I be using it for before I see possible results? And is it safe to use long term? Thank you
Hi Karolina,
Sorry to hear that you are dealing with cysts! It can take several weeks to a few months to see the cysts disappear, but it depends also if you are doing any other therapies and what your health is like overall. I think using the packs internitently throughout your whole cycle is a good idea. But pay attention to how you feel and listen to your body for the frequency.
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn,
I am 41 and had a ivf converted to a IUI because i did not respond to the meds. I tried the castor oil pack last month while trying to conceive and felt some weird popping pains from both ovaries. Is this normal with the castor oil pack?
I also have a 27/28 day cycle and usually ovulate on day 13. My period is 2-3 days in length. Is it okay to start the pack on the 5th day? Can I try actively i.e. bd and do the castor oil pack at the same time? Will the castor oil pack harm the sperm in any way?
Thank you.
Hi Tess,
The “popping” sensation could be from a number of things. It could be partially a result of the medications you were on. It could also be that the castor oil stimulated your ovaries and you had more follicles growing during that cycle. It could also be that your ovulation was stronger and you felt it more than usual. Without seeing your charts and talking to you more I couldn’t say for sure. Nonetheless, it is common and pretty normal to see different changes and new sensations following the use of castor oil packs.
Starting the pack on the 5th day is fine. If you ovulate on day 13, it might be best to stop before ovulation, so for example doing packs on days 5 through 10 and then stopping. That won’t harm the sperm.
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn,
Thank you so much for your response – much appreciated.
I used the castor oil pack yesterday (day 5) and noticed spotting at night as well as some spotting this morning. I am also feeling extremely nauseous. Is that expected from the castor oil pack as well?
fyi: I have a diminished ovarian reserve and am so desperate to have a baby.
Thank you for your time.
Hi Tess,
It is possible that castor oil packs can cause spotting. That can be normal and not necessarily cause for concern. With that said, as wonderful a therapy as they are, they would not be my first choice for diminished ovarian reserve.
Kathryn
Hi,
I did a castor oil pack for three days at the beginning of my cycle during day 2,3,4. And I have had quite a lot of mid cycle spotting since then, which is quite unusual for me.
(I was on stimulation meds the previous month for ivf which then converted to iui.)
I have been told by the r.e. that I have mild endometriosis and a couple of fibroids that shouldn’t affect getting pregnant. Although, I have had trouble conceiving so I always wonder about that.
My question is, i was wondering if you know if mid cycle spotting is common and could be something that happens after doing castor oil packs?
Thanks so much
Hi Sarah,
When you say you did castor oil packs on days 2,3 and 4 of your cycle, you mean you did them while you were bleeding? Generally day 1 of the cycle is the first day of real bleeding. Is there a reason you were doing the castor oil packs during your menstruation?
Mid-cycle spotting could be caused by the castor oil packs, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes spotting and different patterns of bleeding can occur during healing. It is important to keep track and see if patterns emerge though. Spotting every single time mid-cycle may be a sign of an issue, but as part of healing it can be a good thing.
Kathryn
Dear Kathryn, Thank you so much for your reply. I did the packs during menstruation because I had thought that was the right time to start and I don’t normally have very heavy bleeding so thought it would be ok or beneficial. And I was told by tcm practitioners in the past that I may have “blood deficiency” in reproductive area based on some symptoms.
Was that a mistake to do it on those days?
I’ve never had this type of spotting in the middle of a cycle before, hoping it’s just a weird month. (The Dr said I should get a blood test to get an idea what’s going on with hormones.)
Thanks again
Hi Kathryn,
I am 42 years old. I am going through IVF, had my eggs retrieved 2 weeks ago. I am struggling with fibroids (had myomectomy in December 2016 (because I had been bleeding a lot last year) and recently been told I may have adenomyosis when I went to the emerge last week due to severe pelvic pain. My ob gyn gave Fibristal to help shrink my fibroids for 3 months at least before implantation. My bleeding is normal now but I am always in a lot of pain. I take 2 500mg tylenols every so often so i can get through the day at work. I have castor oil pack and i’m on cycle day 10, is it safe to do icastor oil pack tomorrow, while I’m on the Fibristal medication and pain killer? PLease help me. Thanks!
I did a castor oil pack then abdominal message on day 7 of my cycle. The next day I spotted light pink. Should I be concerned? Should I stop the castor oil packs?
Christina,
It is fairly common for women to experience a little bit of spotting following castor oil packs. As long as it is just spotting and there is no pain or other symptoms, I would think it is totally fine and a good sign that your body is responding to the treatment.
If you saw an immediate shift even from just one day of treament, maybe wait a little while before doing the next treatment, and continue checking in with yourself to see how you are feeling.
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn, I have a period every 15 days lasting around 7 days and I’ve tried everything to help. Would Castor oil help with this?
Hi Rie,
Because castor oil packs can potentially increase bleeding, I would advise against using them in your case. It would be important to know why you are bleeding so frequently to best determine which therapies would be appropriate for you. I recommend that you contact me or find another natural health practitioner to work with soon, as bleeding that often for a long time can be very depleting and make things worse hormonally, etc.
Kathryn
Why should you never do a castor oil after ovulation? I am currently ttc (have been for 2.5 years) and I believe I ovulated Sunday and then did a castor oil pack Sunday night not knowing that you shouldn’t do it after ovulation.
Emily,
Castor oil pack treatments are very stimulating and really enhance circulation. For this reason, I consider them to be contraindicated around ovulation and during the luteal phase when women are actively trying to conceive so as to not interfere with the processes of conception and plantation. With that said, I think if you only did one treatment right around ovulation you most likely didn’t not cause harm. Best of luck to you!
Kathryn
Hi,
I used a castor oil pack last night on CD 12, and this morning after I went to the bathroom had some dark brown and red discharge. I usually ovulate on CD 14. Could the castor oil pack have helped me release some old blood?
Hi Megan,
Yes it is entirely possible. This seems to happen to some women immediately after. If you are feeling well overall, no cramping, and the bleeding doesn’t persist or get heavier, I think this is likely a natural response.
For a small number of women castor oil packs can possibly reset their cycle and bring on their menstruation early. I haven’t seen that often but it is not impossible.
Kathryn
hello I had two leeps I am wondering if this helps with scarring from that and how soon?
Hi Nicole,
Yes, castor oil pack treatments can help reduce scarring. I would wait at least 2 weeks before trying a pack.
Kathryn
Hello
I have been using Castor Oil packs on my abdomin because I knew it was a good thing to do. I haven’t had a period since August, but yesterday passed a rather gross looking clot. I figured it was because of the castor oil packs, and also I am taking pills that help with blood statis provided by a Dr of Oriental medicine.
Have you heard of clots passing when there is no actual menstrual cycle?
Hi KAS,
Yes I have heard of this. As long as there is no pain or any other changes that would be worrisome for you, I would look to this as a good sign. Combining castor oil pack therapy with chinese medicinal herbs is a wonderful approach to gynecological issues. Good luck!
Kathryn
I used this pack few days later of conception. Is it harmful for baby
Hi Sutapa,
It is my understanding that castor oil pack therapy could interfere with implantation. If you only did one treatment, I would think things are likely fine, but obviously I cannot say with certainty whether or not this could have interfered with implantation.
Kathryn
I have not had a period for nearly 11 years since having 2 shots of depo as a teenager. Could castor oil packs help?
Hi Miceala,
Although castor oil packs may be beneficial to you, the reason your cycles stopped following Depo Provera is that the shot impacted your hormones in such a way that your cycles got suppressed. So you need help beyond castor oil packs, such as herbs and dietary changes that can help restore your hormones to a healthy balance to restart your cycles naturally.
Contact me if you would like some help on this journey.
Kathryn
Hi, Kathryn
Thank you for great articles.
I am trying to have a baby but its not working…I had my appendix ruptured and had Peritonitis 2 years ago. That gave me pus in Douglas fossa and left ovary and had to have second surgery to remove one ovary and pus in Douglas fossa. I was in hospital for about 2 months. Since then I have been massaging my scar with Frankincense, Myrrh, Lavender oil. Many people told me that once I had peritonitis I won’t be able to get pregnant naturally. Could you please tell me if I can mix Frankincense, Myrrh, Lavender oil and Castor oil? Also how about DMSO? I think I need to focus to heal my inner scar tissue… and its seems like DMSO might help. Thank you
Hi Miki,
I am sorry to hear about the surgeries you had and your struggle to get pregnant. I disagree that peritonitis means that one will not be able to get pregnant naturally. But healing from scar tissue and infections does require more of a full body approach, in my opinion. Castor oil packs can be very useful for these situations, but for those situations I generally work with my clients with herbs, herbal medicines, as well as encourage them to get Maya abdominal massage. I personally do not use essential oils in my castor oil when I do castor oil packs and do not recommend doing that. As for DMSO, although I am familiar with it it is not something I use in my practice and so I cannot recommend it’s use. I have read mixed information about it and so I am cautious.
If you would like to discuss this further, I would be happy to chat with you and take you on as a client if you would like more assistance on your road to healing. Do not hesitate to contact me.
Kathryn
Hi,
I am using th pack on my lower abdomen as per my acupuncturist suggestion. I plan to do my second ivf cycle with in the next 7 months. Will this help any with my egg quality? I just used if for the first time and I had some hives on my belly after. I left it in about 2 hours and used a heating pad in high. Thanks for this post I found it helpful and detailed. I apologize if you have already answered this question in the comments there were just way to many to read through them all.
Thanks again
Hi Lauren,
First off, I personally recommend only doing the packs for 30-40 minutes. I think 2h is quite long and could definitely make it more likely to have your skin react. Try it again for a shorter amount of time, like maybe 15 minutes, and if you have hives again then you may be sensitive to the castor oil for some reason and I would recommend discontinuing the packs.
Castor oil packs can help on many different fronts with fertility, but in my experience and studies I do not believe that it directly helps with egg quality specifically. Personally, I would look to diet and some specific herbal medicines to help fortify egg quality and balance hormones. Please contact me directly if you would like to discuss this further.
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn,
I want to do the castor oil packs but I have no idea when I should be using them.
I have pcos, and rather than regular periods, I have spotting most days. So I’m technically always bleeding slightly.
I never know which part of my cycle I’m on and my temp charts show that I don’t ovulate.
I’m trying to conceive but just wondering when I should do the castor oil packs?
Hi Nina,
In your situation, what I would do is do 2-3 days of castor oil packs in a row, and then wait a couple weeks before repeating. Watch if anything changes, bleeding pattern, temperatures if you are charting those.
With PCOS, castor oil packs can be helpful but are unlikely to address the root cause of PCOS, which is hormonal. The actual cysts are a side effect, which the packs can certainly help with.
Kathryn
I have been doing this treatment for 6 or seven weeks. Last month my period came a week early and this month my period came 2 weeks early.. Is this normal?
Hi Cora,
Without knowing more about you or about how you did the castor oil packs, it is impossible for me to know what might be going. It could be that you are doing the packs too frequently. Please email me directly if you would like to talk about this more.
Kathryn
Hello Kathryn,
I was diagnosed of a huge fibroid, and was having heavy menstrual at that time, but upon doing the surgery, my flow became light and shortened to three(3) days. later did an HSG that revealed tubal blockage, can i go ahead and use castor oil packs? Thanks.
Hi Olabisi,
Castor oil packs can indeed be helpful for blocked fallopian tubes. I would recommend waiting 2 months post-surgery before trying a castor oil pack treatment. And start slow, just do one or two days and wait a few weeks to see how you feel and how your body responds.
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn! I am on day 6 of my cycle and have fairly light periods (but tend to “bleed” until day 7 or 8 – its really more spotting these last two days)… I have a 3 cm hemorragic cyst on my left ovary so I want to get rid of that (hopefully) before I ovulate in a week or so! Would you suggest me starting the castor oil pack now and do every other day until ovulation? That is what Im leaning towards since more bleeding isn’t a concern for me! Also, I have a heating pad (that has a cloth over it) that you plug in (Im guessing you don’t suggest using this kind? Is there a risk with this kind of heating pad? If so, can you get one that you can heat up (in the microwave or stove) from Walgreens or Wal-Mart? I guess I haven’t really seen any that you don’t have to plug in… Sorry for all the questions!
Hi Jessica,
How long have you had this cyst? Most haemorrhagic luteal cysts generally resolve on their own within two full cycles (about 8 weeks or so). Given their nature being very sensitive, which is what causes the bleeding, I would tend to take a wait and see approach, rather than doing castor oil pack treatments right away.
Regarding your question about heating pads, although I prefer and recommend non-electric heating pads, the one you have can be used safely.
Kathryn
Hmmm ok, so is there just more of a risk of it rupturing if I use the castor oil treatment? Or do you think maybe trying it once or twice this week would be OK? We’re trying to conceive so I don’t want the cyst to interfere with that – but I know the hemorrhagic ones are sensitive like you mentioned…. My OB just gave me permission to go back to normal exercise & intercourse (before she told me to wait to be cautious)…
Oh and I got it my last cycle from an abnormal ovulation I had… so only a few weeks…
I know it is hard sometimes to just wait and be patient while trying to conceive, but I do think in this case it is likely the wisest approach. Sometimes allowing our bodies to do it’s own healing is the best and safest path.
Kathryn
Hi, thank you for sharing this article. Im looking for more information about castor oil packs. I got a surgery for ectopic pregnancy last january. My right fallopian tube was removed. My doctor suggested me to get HSG next month (April) but i feel so nervous and scare if there’s something wrong with my left tube too. Thus, can i use castor oil packs? Is it safe for my abdomen since i’ve got surgery and I still feel uncomftortable with the scar?
Hi Nurlaeli,
I am sorry to hear you lost a fallopian tube, that is devastating. If it were me I would feel comfortable trying a castor oil pack 2 months after surgery. In fact, castor oil is one of the best oils to help heal scars as well as reduce long term scaring. So massaging some on your scar on it’s own would be beneficial too.
I would suggest starting with one treatment, about 20 minutes, and gaging how you feel afterward. You could repeat another day or two if you feel good about it.
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn,
I have had three beautiful baby boys (13, 10, and 2)by c-section, and I am 34 years old. In December I had what was the doctors thought was either an ectopic, but my ob believes was only a chemical pregnancy. My husband and I really want one more baby. I did an oil pack a few months ago, but decided to start again yesterday.(As I completed my cycle on Saturday. However after the oil pack yesterday, I started to spot dark blood. Is this normal. Also I was unaware of having to refridgerate the cloth after use, and also that the area needed to be cleaned right away.
Hi Tracey,
I am sorry to hear about your miscarriage. Spotting after doing a castor oil pack treatment is not that unusual. Depending on the circumstance, I often see it as a positive response, that the castor oil pack is actually encouraging blood flow and perhaps encouraging the body to release old blood. Without knowing more about you and your health I can’t say for sure. But generally some spotting doesn’t worry me too much.
Refrigerating the cloth is best if you want to re-use it, as it does help prevent the castor oil from going rancid, since it was heated. I personally do not feel that the area of the skin exposed to the castor oil needs to be cleaned off right away, castor oil has many health benefits. The only reason I would tell someone to wash it off is because castor oil is quite messy and can stain clothing.
Kathryn
Hi,
I’m 30 years old, and just found out that i have psuedocondyloma there are no treatments for this as it is not threaten to my health, it does not cause me any irritation apart from to my self esteem, there are little lumps surrounding my vaginal opening and my urethral. Do you think the castor oil could help at all?
Thank you
Hi Miria,
I do not have direct experience working with pseudocondyloma. From what I know of the condition, I cannot say that castor oil would be of much help. However, it is a very safe oil, and I think applying some with gentle massage on the affected area is safe for you to try. There are no risks involved as long as you are not allergic to the oil (which is rare, but some people with sensitive skin occasionaly have a mild reaction). I don’t recommend using it internally, but on the labia it is safe. I would not recommend using any heat, however. Just use the plain oil and gentle massage with clean fingers.
Kathryn
Hi Ms. Kathryn,
Been reading all the issues and your responses on these site and I would say it really is very helpful and informative.
In my case, I’ve been in 2 miscarriage and one ectopic pregnancy after 9 yrs of TTC.
It was very disappointing experience until I did some research about the effects of castor oil in reproductive organs. I have been diagnosed with blocked fallopian tube which I believed have caused my ectopic pregnancy, and have fibroids, hormonal imbalance and a Retroverted uterus. I’m on my 6 day using castor oil pack. I started using castor oil pack 5 days after my period. Until when should I continue on the castor oil pack since I am TTC. Would this help me to remove the fibroids and hormonal imbalance and hopefully help me to conceive soon?
Thank you for taking the time to read and appreciate your response. God Bless!
Regards,
Leila
Hi Leila,
I am sorry to hear about your struggles getting pregnant, I completely empathize.
Castor oil packs help increase circulation in the reproductive organs, and as such, they can really help with blocked fallopian tubes, as well as with conditions like fibroids. However, castor oil packs do not have much of an effect on the endocrine system, and will only go so far to help address the root causes of these issues. I generally work with a multi level approach with clients such as you, working with herbal supplements, as well as lifestyle & dietary modifications.
As for when to stop, when trying to conceive, I generally recommend that women stop using castor oil packs around day 11-12 of their cycles (day 1 being the first day of real bleeding).
Please get in touch if you would like to chat about working with me privately.
Kathryn
Hi Katry,
Thanks for your reply!
This month my period came 5 days earlier as my ovulation comes earlier as well. And noticed that I passed out more clots during this period. Is this a good sign of my using castor oil pack? Do you suggest me to continue using the pack after my period until before my ovulation as I really wanted to have a baby. Your advise is highly appreciated. God Bless.
Hi Leila,
Without knowing more about you and what your cycles have been like in the last year it is difficult for me to give specific recommendations. Generally, when I see things like more clots following some castor oil packs therapy, I consider it a positive response, as these may have been older clots that the uterus needed to clear. It is also not unusual for bleeding to come earlier for some women after they use the packs.
Kathryn
Can I use castor oil packs whilst getting IUI done. I am on cycle day 11 and getting IUI treatment on day 14. Please advise if I should take this treatment till I get IUI done.
Hi Manali,
I generally recommend that castor oil pack treatments be stopped before ovulation. So if you were having your IUI on day 14 of your cycle, my recommendation would be to stop at day 12.
Kathryn
I just had a canceled frozen embryo transfer because dr saw fluid in my tubes the day before transfer. I read castor oil packs are helpful for the fluid. I did it for the last 3 nights for an hour each time and today I started bleeding. I’m not supposed to start my period until July 7. Is this bleeding abnormal or did I just start my period early because of this castor oil pack?
Hi Kathleen,
I am sorry to hear that your transfer was canceled. Castor oil pack therapy can definitely trigger some bleeding. In general it is not enough to bring on actual menstruation, I more commonly see women have some spotting, or see their menstruation come a few days earlier than usual. I generally recommend treatments that are 20-30 minutes long – I find 1 hour to be quite long, especially when starting out and not knowing how the body will respond.
The next few days will probably let you know if this is your actual menstruation, or just some spotty bleeding. If you have been going through the IVF process, it is possible that this unexpected bleeding could be due to something other than the castor oil packs. Without knowing more about you I can’t tell for sure.
Kathryn
HI, I’m not sure if you’re still answering questions for this… but i’m currently scheduled for Laparoscopic surgery (july 5th) to remove a small septum in my uterus as well as explore potentially blocked tubes. My fertility specialist thinks there’s a chance that I reacted oddly to the HSG and that since the blockage is right where the fallopian tubes meet the uterus, that it could have been a spasm. I know i’ll still have to have surgery to remove the septum, but i’m looking to avoid lap surgery for my tubes. They have me on Provera, and I ordered the things to make the castor oil packs, but can I do this whilst taking Provera? The doctor seems really confident that my tubes just spasmed, but he wants to be sure. I’d also like to do the castor oil packs on my liver/gallbladder area. Is this safe for me to do at the same time? Definitely appreciate any help you can offer. <3
Hi Ashley,
Castor oil packs are still safe to do while you are taking Provera, that shouldn’t be a problem at all. The only thing I would recommend is to not do the packs over your abdomen for at least 2-3 weeks after your laparoscopic surgery (although applying some oil gently to the scar during the healing process can help it heal and can reduce future scarring!)
You can do the packs over your liver regardless of the surgery, however, that won’t be an issue.
I hope your doctor is correct and that your tubes just spasmed! Best of luck to you.
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn,
I have very high estrogen levels and low progesterone. My naturopath is concerned about the very high estrogen levels and wants me to have a pelvic ultrasound done, to rule out ovarian cancer (ultrasound is scheduled for next week). I’m wondering if it would be ok to use castor oil topically on the ovarian area, whether or not it turns out to actually be cancer. Possibly interested in the castor oil pack idea, but you mentioned in your article that they are contraindicated if there is ovarian cancer. Is that because the stimulation would cause cancer growth?
Also, as I’m trying to understand how best to rid my body of the excess estrogen, I’m wondering if it is just like any other toxin. I am used to a pure diet and doing liver cleanses, taking charcoal, doing clay baths, etc., all of which should help detox estrogen, as you mention. So I guess detoxing excess estrogen is similar to getting rid of metals or whatever other toxins we have, correct? Same concept, just that it’s hormones that need to exit instead, is that the idea?
Thank you for your article, I really appreciated the info.
Heather
Hi Heather,
Indeed castor oil packs are contraindicated if there is a possibility of cancer because it is believed that it can possibly encourage the growth of the cancer. So I am very cautious about this, and in your situation it would be best to wait until after your ultrasound to decide whether or not to pursue that kind of treatment. Whether it is cancer or not (and I really hope it isn’t) there are other approaches that can be taken as well – castor oil packs are just one tool in a really big tool box for reproductive health issues.
As for the excess estrogen, using detoxing methods such as the ones you described is very helpful, and should be part of a treatment plan for sure. You can read my suggestions for natural detoxification methods in this article I wrote: Improve natural detoxification to support hormonal health
However, in this kind of situation, doing that is likely not enough. The root of the issue needs to be addressed, which is why is your estrogen level so high to begin with. A growth or ovarian cysts could be the cause. It could also be that you do not actually ovulate. Progesterone is only produced in the body after an egg is released during ovulation. If there is a hormonal imbalance that is preventing ovulation from occurring, then estrogen goes unopposed and progesterone doesn’t end up being produced to balance out the estrogen.
If you would like to dig deeper into these root causes, I would be happy to work with you and help you! Please contact me if you’d like to chat about working together.
Kathryn
I started using castor oil packs for the first time on Day 5 of my cycle (the day my period ended). It is now Day 10 and I have some spotting, this has never happened before and I’m worried (we are ttc). Could this be down to the castor oil?
Hi Rachel,
Castor oil can indeed occasionally cause unusual spotting. How many days did you use the castor oil packs? It may be that only doing 1 or 2 days in a row is enough for you, if you did more.
However, spotting isn’t always a bad sign, in my opinion. Sometimes it is a sign that circulation is increasing and that certain things needed to shift.
Best of luck on your journey to conception!
Kathryn
can you do castor oil packs during ivf?
Hi Tara,
You can safely do castor oil packs throughout the IVF process, but I would generally advise against doing them during & after the transfer.
Kathryn
Hi, Kathryn
I am wondering whether castor oil pack would help me clear uterine adhesions. I have had two failed ivf cycles.
Hi,
Yes, castor oil packs can definitely help with adhesions! Some supplements and herbs can also help, as well as following an anti-inflammatory diet.
Kathryn
Hi,
I just had a double mastectomy and my cancer was both estrogen and progestin receptor positive.
I also have Hashimoto’s. I’m looking to help my body process toxins more efficiently. I see that you said people with cancer should not use castor oil packs. Why is this?
Thank you!
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for your question! The concern is specifically about using castor oil packs directly over cancer – so, say someone had uterine cancer, we would consider castor oil packs contraindicated over their abdomen, as it is believed it can be stimulating to cancer. I have not read firm research on this topic, but I always approach such serious conditions with a lot of caution.
If you previously had breast cancer and were interested in using castor oil packs on your abdomen, it would likely be safe.\
Feel free to send me a message privately if you would like to discuss this in more details.
Kathryn
May I know how many weeks after endometriosis laparoscopy can I start using castor oil packs again
Hi Carla,
Castor oil on its own is beneficial to use on scars during the later stages of the healing process as it can help reduce scarring. As for castor oil packs, with heat, I would recommend waiting two months after surgery, as long as the scars were healing well and were looking lighter in color (not red and inflamed).
Kathryn
Hi, Kathryn
Thank you for great articles.
I was diagnosed with endometriosis (on right ovary) and I had gone through a surgery in 2016 and part of my right ovary was left. Since then I was on Lupron for 10 months, to shut down my periods. After that I wasn’t using any medication for 3 months and then my cyst was back again in left ovary. So my doctor had put me on birth control pills. So, my last period was in October 2017, I haven’t seen my periods since then. Now I do not have any cysts in both of my ovaries, but then I still have the pain. So, I wanted to try some natural remedies to heal from inside.
I used castor oil packs for few times and I felt very relaxed. I wanted to continue using the castor oil pack on my abdomen. But I wasn’t sure if I can use the packs while on birth control pills.
Can you please suggest me if I can continue using the castor oil packs while still on pills? And I was also curious to know if there is any best time to use the Packs if using birth control pills. (meaning, if I take the pill at 8pm every day, can I apply the castor oil during same time/later? Will that reduce the efficacy of the pill?
Hi Kamala,
Castor oil packs are perfectly fine to use while taking contraceptive pills. I have not heard that the time that you use the castor oil packs would have any impacts on medication. I do not think this is a concern.
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn,
Thank you so much for your suggestion. I really appreciate it.
Hi Kathryn,
I’ve been using the castor oil packs for the endometriosis pain and I am still on continuous birth control pills since 2017. Now, I’m planning to come off the pills.
Will the castor oil packs helps to detox the body from synthetic hormones and Will this application helps me to get my periods back?
If yes, could you please give me your guidance on how to apply the castor oil packs over liver or lower abdomen and how many days in a row?
Along with castor oil packs what other things I would need to follow to detox my body. Any suggestions from you are much appreciated.
Thank you in advance!
Hi Kamala,
If you would like some specific recommendations to help you come off of contraceptives, please consider booking a consultation with me. It is difficult for me to give specific advice on this topic as everyone is so different and each person may need different things to help support them.
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn,
Thank you so much for your response!
This was so helpful! I recently started having short periods with on again off again bleeding and brown clots. My Chinese medicine doctor says it’s blood stagnation so I’m trying this to get pregnant before having an HSG which scares me! But questions: I did this last night 2 days after I ended my period and woke up to light pink spotting when I wipe. What could this be? Very worried! Also, why no electric heating pad to warm?
Hi Eve,
That does sound like possible blood stagnation, I am glad you found a Chinese Medicine practitioner to work with! Castor oil pack therapy can be a great addition to what you are already doing. Seeing a bit of spotting after castor oil packs is not uncommon. It also depends on when in your cycle you are doing the packs. As for the electric heating pad, they can be used, but I tend to prefer non-electric heating methods when possible to avoid EMF exposure.
Take care,
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn,
I miscarried exactly 4 weeks ago. The past few days I feel as though my period is coming (cramps, a tiny bit of spotting), but it has not come. I usually cycle 24-26 days. I took a pregnancy test today and it was negative. Would doing castor oil packs right now help to make my period come?
Thank you!
Hi, I apologize for not seeing this comment earlier. I cannot offer advice via the comments of my website. Please feel free to reach out if you would like to schedule a consultation with me in the future. I hope you are well.
Kathryn