Caster Oil Packs
Therapists and naturopath practitioners use castor oil externally to treat numerous health issues – including infertility. Used in this way, a cloth is soaked with castor oil and applied to the abdomen with a heat source (such as a heating pad) placed on top.
Do Castor Oil Packs Boost Fertility?
This is the part where I would love to report on all the solid scientific studies done on castor oil packs in relation to fertility but, I can’t – because there aren’t any. The use of castor oil packs today is based largely on reports given by naturopaths and natural healers over the years.
Dr. William McGarey is a medical doctor who turned to alternative medicine and castor oil packs after encountering the teachings of a man named Edgar Cayce (referred to by some as a psychic). Dr. McGarey, in his book, The Oil That Heals, sums up his experience and research on the healing properties of castor oil by stating, “In my own experience, I have found that castor oil placed over any part of the human being–or animal for that matter–will stimulate the lymphatics to work more normally and will bring about a degree of healing through the stimulation of the immune system.”
Dr. McGarey reports a number of clinical cases in which he successfully treated female reproductive system issues with castor oil packs (some without the use of a heat source). Of the 22 cases he reported, 7 women had excellent results solely with the application of castor oil packs, 12 women had excellent results with a combined treatment (castor oil packs in conjunction with other therapies), and 3 had poor results. Some of the successful treatments reported were for cervicitis, vaginitis, endometriosis, and threatened miscarriage.
McGarey does not present a clinical case of infertility but, he does discuss the effects he believes castor oil had on the reproductive system of two pregnant women (one with a threatened miscarriage and the other with a pelvic mass who did not know at the time she was pregnant). To these cases he states, “The packs, used conservatively not all night long as in several other cases—produced clinical evidence of improved function of the generative organs and their associated structures…the body as a unit became more able to muster its defense mechanisms and reverse the conditions of ill health…”
McGarey isn’t the only one reporting success in the treatment of female issues with castor oil packs. Dr. Robert DeMaria (a naturopath doctor known as Dr. Bob) has been using castor oil packs in his practice for almost three decades. In his book, Dr. Bob’s Drugless Guide to Balancing Female Hormones, Dr. Bob reports having successfully treated such issues as cervical dysplasia and long standing digestive distress. Rosemary Gladstar, an herbalist, also reports that castor oil packs are effective in treating fibrocystic breast tissue (when the castor oil cloth is placed directly over the lumps) in her book: Herbal Healing for Women.
All of these reports and experiences suggest that castor oil packs are an effective treatment for female issues and potentially, therefore, for boosting fertility. While this anecdotal evidence offers a good starting point with which to conduct a scientific study – it does not offer proof. For the treatment of female reproductive issues and infertility, castor oil packs remain to be scientifically proven – or, perhaps, disproven.
Are Castor Oil Packs Safe?
Healthcare providers such as Dr. Weil (author and medical doctor specializing in integrative medicine) and Dr. Bob agree that the castor oil packs are not harmful.
Dr. Weil has addressed the use of castor oil packs on his website by stating, “Castor oil packs can’t hurt you, but I’ve seen no evidence yet that demonstrates that they can help you any more than a regular hot pack” (4).
The only side effect Dr. Bob has noticed with castor oil packs is that the patient has oily clothes. On a serious note he goes on to say, “It works, but I would not use it without having a discussion with your healthcare provider” (2).
There are a few situations in which castor oil packs should not be used. According to my massage therapist these include: during heavy bleeding, gaseous stomach, intestinal conditions, on broken skin or during pregnancy.
How are Castor Oil Packs Applied?
To create a castor oil pack you need:
• Flannel or wool cloth (pure, no dyes, etc.)
• Plastic food wrap
• Castor oil (cold-pressed)
• Heating pad or hot water bottle
• Towel
Warm the castor oil to skin temperature. Soak the cloth in the oil until it is saturated but not dripping. Lie down flat and lay the cloth (folded to create three thicknesses) over the lower abdomen. Cover the cloth with the plastic food wrap and then place the heat source on top (so that the temperature remains comfortably warm—not hot). Lay the towel over the top and rest for the duration of the application.
Health practitioners recommend the castor oil packs be applied for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half. The application of the packs is usually repeated for a few consecutive days each week or every other day for several weeks. Both the duration and repetition schedule depend on the situation and the condition being treated. (The regimen recommendation I received from my certified massage therapist to treat infertility is below in My Experience with Castor Oil Packs)
My Experience with Castor Oil Packs
When I visited a natural fertility center for abdominal massages in the fall of 2008, the certified massage therapist highly recommended that I try castor oil packs. She said that many of the clients at the natural fertility center had reported success with them.
Her recommendation was that I use the castor oil packs for one hour every other day for three weeks. The fourth week I was to take off (during my period) and then repeat for two more cycles. After the third cycle, I was to take an additional week off and then continue once a week.
Before she even finished her recommendation, I was already asking where to get the materials.
I went to the pharmacy for the castor oil (which you can also get online at places like amazon), dug out my hot water bottle and ordered a cloth online. For the first three weeks I did the castor oil packs religiously then took a week off. It’s recommended to relax and meditate during the treatments and not to fall asleep – especially if you’re using a heating pad. Not sure what it was about the castor oil but, I fell asleep almost every single time.
After a week off, I started the packs again (missing a couple of days due to travel). During the third week though I also started a liver cleanse. Bad idea. Knowing what I know now about the cleansing properties of castor oil packs, doing a liver cleanse in parallel seems like a terrible idea. My body was overloaded by these treatments in parallel and just a few days after starting the liver cleanse, I got sick. So, I stopped the castor oil packs.
Did the castor oil packs boost my fertility? Sorry, but, I have no idea. I just can’t say what affect they had on my reproductive system and fertility since I was doing a multitude of natural fertility treatments at the time. Two months after doing the castor oil packs, I did have a positive pregnancy test (which ended as an ectopic pregnancy), but, again, no way to say if there was any type of connection for me.
For a full list of citations please visit the Sources Page.
