Castor Oil Pack
Castor oil breaks down and removes toxins, old cells, and other waste. That is why it has gained popularity in the beauty industry as well as the medical industry. Most practitioners recommend using a castor oil pack on the abdomen over the area of the liver. The idea is that the pack may help the liver move particles and cleanse the body, however, putting a few drops in your belly button is said to aid in sleep and reduce anxiety as well. Putting castor oil on the abdomen as a whole can also ease menstrual cramps and aid digestion.
Liver health is connected to thyroid health because it is one of the main sites where the conversion of T4 to T3 takes place, which regulates your metabolic rate (basically controls the speed of how your body runs among other health benefits). Poor detoxification or an overworked liver can affect thyroid health and these hormone secretions. Placing a castor oil pack over your thyroid is a prime example of Traditional Chinese Medical holism and how targeting multiple avenues in the body can help to aid different angles of the same function.
We use a mess free option that we can secure to the body and store them in glass jars, but a plain old cut of cloth works, too.
*note: each individual in your household should use their own.
Putting heat over the castor oil sheet helps aid absorption, but also adds a layer of nourishment and warmth for your body. Warmth is powerful when it comes to practices regarding nourishment and organ function and flow. We use a heating pad that is soft and bendable. I put a short or thin towel between the two layers just in case there is oil residue.
Lastly, as far as timing, you can do anything from a 10-15 minute session all the way to an overnight therapy. Listen to your body here as far as duration and frequency.