Castor Oil – Ancient Wisdom for Modern Wellness

If you’ve spent any time in the natural wellness space, you’ve likely heard whispers about castor oil. Maybe your grandmother used it, maybe you’ve seen it trending on TikTok, or maybe you’ve spotted those glass bottles in the wellness aisle and wondered why people are suddenly talking about this thick golden oil again.

The truth is, castor oil isn’t new at all. It’s one of the oldest healing tools available.

The castor bean plant (Ricinus communis) has been cultivated for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used castor oil in sacred rituals and even burned it in lamps to bring light into temples. In India, Ayurvedic practitioners prescribed it for cleansing the body, supporting digestion, and easing stagnation. Traditional Chinese medicine also recognized castor oil’s ability to stimulate circulation and break up areas of energetic blockages throughout the body.

When we talk about remedies that have stood the test of time, castor oil sits high on that list. It’s been passed down for generations not because it was trendy, but because it worked.

What makes castor oil so unique is the way it interacts with the body’s lymphatic and elimination systems. These are your body’s “drainage highways”—the systems that keep things flowing instead of building up and creating congestion and even inflammation, commonly referred to as dysfunction.

When applied topically, castor oil stimulates circulation, calms inflammation, and helps tissues release what they’ve been holding on to. That’s why people use it for everything from bloating to cramps to sore joints.

Modern Uses You’ll Love

Here are some of the ways people incorporate castor oil today:

• Digestive wellness: Aiding sluggish elimination and easing occasional constipation.

• Hormone support: Placing a castor oil pack over the lower abdomen to encourage lymphatic flow and reduce cramps.

• Detox support: Applying over the liver area to support cleansing and bile flow.

• Beauty care: Hydrating dry skin, softening hair, and even nourishing eyebrows and lashes.

  
  

One of the most popular methods is the castor oil pack: you soak a organic cotton cloth in oil, place it on the desired area (most often the liver or abdomen), cover with a wrap, and then apply gentle heat for 30–60 minutes. Slowly building your body up for overnight applications. This simple ritual can feel like a mini spa treatment while doing powerful internal work.

While castor oil is most commonly used topically today, it has a long history of being used internally as well. Traditionally, it was taken in small amounts to stimulate the intestines and encourage bowel movements, making it one of the oldest natural remedies for constipation. Its active component, ricinoleic acid, works by increasing movement in the intestines, helping to clear waste and reduce bloating. That said, internal use should always be approached with caution—too much can cause cramping or dehydration. When used carefully and intentionally, internal castor oil can serve as a gentle but powerful tool to help the body release stagnation and support healthy elimination.

Not all oils are created equal!! To get the most out of your castor oil, choose:

• Organic & cold-pressed: This preserves the nutrients and avoids pesticides.

• Hexane-free: No chemical solvents should touch your oil.

• Dark Glass bottled: Oils can pull toxins from plastic—always choose glass when possible.

  
  

  My personal favorites are Rowe Casa Organics and Queen of Thrones, they both offer a liver pack as well to make application simple.

  
  

Signs Castor Oil May Help You

People often turn to castor oil when they experience:

• Constipation or sluggish digestion

• Menstrual cramps or irregular cycles

• Joint discomfort or inflammation

• Water retention and puffiness

• Fatigue connected to poor detoxification

• Dry, irritated skin

  
  

The Missing Step in Detox

One of the biggest mistakes people make when starting a detox protocol is skipping the prep work. If your elimination pathways—the colon, liver, lymphatic system—aren’t open and flowing, detoxing can backfire. Imagine trying to clean your house while all the doors and windows are shut—the dust just circulates back into the air.

Castor oil is a gentle but effective way to “open the doors.” By supporting lymphatic flow and liver drainage, it sets the stage for true detox, helping your body release toxins rather than recirculate them.

In a world where wellness trends come and go, castor oil is a reminder that sometimes the oldest remedies are the most profound. Whether you’re using it to ease cramps, support your liver, or simply unwind with a warm pack in the evening, castor oil offers a connection to ancient healing wisdom that’s still deeply relevant today.