August 2, 2025|Holistic, Recipes, Tips
At Lange Girl Farms, a women-owned and operated farm in Tecumseh, Michigan, we’re dedicated to empowering your wellness journey with sustainable practices and resources. Inspired by holistic health expert Barbara O’Neill, we’re excited to share the transformative power of castor oil packs, including her innovative method for creating thicker packs using incontinence pads or puppy pee pads. In this blog, we’ll guide you through making and using these packs and highlight our product, Self Heal by Design by Barbara O’Neill, to enhance your self-care routine.
Why Castor Oil Packs?
Castor oil, derived from the Ricinus communis plant, is rich in ricinoleic acid, known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and detoxifying properties. Barbara O’Neill emphasizes that castor oil’s deep-penetrating nature makes it ideal for breaking up stagnation, adhesions, and even bone spurs. By creating a thicker pack, as O’Neill teaches, you can hold more castor oil for enhanced absorption and deeper healing.
Benefits of Castor Oil Packs
Drawing from Barbara O’Neill’s holistic teachings, castor oil packs offer a range of benefits:
- Digestive Support
Promotes regular bowel movements, reduces bloating, and supports conditions like constipation or IBS. - Pain and Inflammation Relief
Soothes joint pain, muscle soreness, and menstrual cramps, ideal for arthritis or injury recovery. - Lymphatic and Liver Detox
Supports lymphatic drainage and liver health, helping to address cysts, fibroids, or adhesions. - Hormonal Balance
Promotes thyroid and reproductive health, beneficial for menstrual discomfort or hormonal imbalances. - Skin and Hair Nourishment
Hydrates skin and promotes hair growth when applied to the scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes.
How to Make a Thicker Castor Oil Pack
Barbara O’Neill’s method uses incontinence pads or puppy pee pads to create a thick, absorbent castor oil pack. Here’s how to make it:
- Choose Your Material:
Select a cotton-based incontinence pad or puppy pee pad with a blue plastic backing (https://amzn.to/4lVviFU). These are highly absorbent and perfect for holding castor oil. - Modify the Pad: Cut open the top layer to expose the inner cotton filling. Fold the cotton into a smaller, thick rectangular pad (e.g., 6”x8”).
- Seal the Edges: Tape the edges of the folded cotton with adhesive bandages or medical tape (e.g., 3M Medical Tape) to prevent leaks. The blue plastic backing keeps castor oil from staining clothes or bedding.
- Apply Castor Oil: Soak the pad with 2-3 tablespoons of castor oil (available at health stores or online here (https://amzn.to/45mbQLF), ensuring it’s saturated but not dripping.
- Secure and Heat: Place the pack on the target area, secure with adhesive bandage wrap or a sports wrap (e.g., ACE Sports Wrap), and cover with a towel. Apply a heat source (hot water bottle or heating pad) for 30-60 minutes to enhance absorption.
Why Thicker Packs? O’Neill notes that thicker packs hold more castor oil, allowing deeper penetration to address issues like bone spurs or cysts. For example, a bone spur present for three years may improve in three months, while a newer one could respond in three weeks.
Applying Castor Oil Packs to Different Body Areas
Use your DIY thicker pack with castor oil on these areas, inspired by Barbara O’Neill:
1. Abdomen (Digestion, Liver, Detox)
- Purpose: Supports liver detoxification, reduces bloating, and promotes digestion.
- How: Apply 2-3 tablespoons of castor oil to a modified pad. Place over the abdomen (focusing on the liver), secure with a sports wrap (ACE Wrap), and apply heat for 30-60 minutes, 3-4 times weekly.
- Pro Tip: Pair with Celtic Sea Salt (https://amzn.to/3GVypi9) or Epsom Salts (https://amzn.to/4ftdlw7) for enhanced detoxification.
2. Joints (Knees, Shoulders, Pain Relief)
- Purpose: Reduces inflammation and soothes joint or muscle pain.
- How: Use a smaller modified pad with castor oil, wrap around the joint, secure with adhesive wrap (3M Medical Tape), and apply heat for 20-30 minutes daily.
- Pro Tip: Ideal for arthritis or post-workout recovery. Shop Now.
3. Neck and Thyroid (Hormonal Support)
- Purpose: Supports thyroid function and hormonal balance.
- How: Use a small modified pad with 1-2 tablespoons of castor oil, secure with a wrap, and relax with heat for 30 minutes.
- Pro Tip: Clean the area with baking soda and water after use. Shop Now.
4. Pelvic Area (Menstrual and Fertility Support)
- Purpose: Eases menstrual cramps and supports reproductive health.
- How: Apply castor oil to a modified pad, place over the lower pelvis, secure, and use heat for 30-60 minutes, 3-4 times weekly.
- Pro Tip: Part of our Complete Castor Oil Bundlefor versatile wellness. Shop Now.
Safety Considerations
Avoid castor oil packs during pregnancy due to potential contraction stimulation. Test for skin sensitivity, especially with incontinence/puppy pads, as some may contain irritants. The U.S. FDA recognizes castor oil as a laxative, but other benefits are based on traditional use, so consult a healthcare professional if needed.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links, supporting our women-owned farm at no extra cost to you.
Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before starting new treatments.