How to Make a Castor Oil Pack or Compress

Castor oil, derived from the seeds of the castor plant, is a thick oil used for home remedies, cosmetic treatments and industrial purposes. It can be taken internally as a laxative, or applied externally. Castor oil packs are made by soaking cotton or flannel in oil, and applying them to the affected area for deep penetrating treatment. According to altMD, castor packs are used to shrink small tumors and provide relief for many other medical conditions including abscesses, breast pain, hemorrhoids and gallstones.

Things You'll Need

• 12-inch by 12-inch square of flannel cloth
• Glass bowl
• 2 oz. castor oil
• Plastic cling wrap
• Heating pad or Hot water bottle
• Zip-close bag

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Instructions

• 1

  Fold a piece of flannel fabric into four. Place it in a glass bowl. Pour approximately 2 oz. of castor oil over the fabric. Allow the oil to saturate the fabric. Turn the fabric over if necessary to make sure it is saturated. This should take about 5 to 10 minutes.

• 2

  Remove the oil-soaked fabric from the bowl. Place it on the affected area. Press lightly on the fabric to secure it. Cover the flannel with plastic cling wrap that is slightly bigger than the flannel. Apply a heating pad set to medium on top of the pack. Leave the castor oil pack on the affected area for 30 to 60 minutes.

• 3

  Remove the heating pad, then remove the pack. Discard the plastic wrap. Wipe the skin that was under the pack, using a damp washcloth that was dipped in warm water. Pat the area dry. Put the flannel cloth in a zip-close bag and store it in a cool place. The cloth can be reused three to seven times by adding a little more oil as needed.