How to Use Castor Oil for PCOS
Over the years, castor oil has been known to help with a variety of health-related problems.
When it comes to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), castor oil is used as a natural remedy to prevent the growth of cysts, decrease the size of cysts, decrease inflammation, metabolic balance, and hormone regulation. It is also widely used at home for detoxification.
In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the benefits of castor oil for PCOS. We will guide you will some instructions to follow so that you can make the best use of castor oil for your PCOS symptoms.
Ready to discover the power of castor oil? Let’s get right into it!
Where does castor oil come from?
Castor oil is derived from the castor bean, Ricinus communis. Castor is indigenous to the southeastern Mediterranean Basin, Eastern Africa and India but widespread throughout tropical area.
This oil is a multi-purpose vegetable oil derived from castor beans which also happen to be seeds from the Ricinus communis plant. These seeds contain ricin, a toxic enzyme. However, the heating process that it undergoes deactivates the ricin, making it safe for use.
Castor is rich in triglycerides mainly known as ricinoleic acid, which is believed to be the result of castor oil many benefits.
How does castor oil alleviate PCOS symptoms?
Most ovarian cysts are harmless and usually don’t cause any pain. For those that do cause pain and discomfort, castor oil is a great remedy.
Aside from ovarian cysts, castor oil is extremely effective for treating menstrual cramps, fibroids, and many more health issues.
Estrogen dominance is the major cause of ovarian cysts. In our environment, it is quite easy to end up with too much estrogen in the body, mainly due to most of our synthetic-estrogen-filled cosmetics like our feminine products, shampoos, nail polishes, and other plastics.
If your body is unable to perform optimally, it definitely wouldn’t be able to get rid of the excess estrogen as it is ought to. This is where castor oil comes in.
Usually, treatments for ovarian cysts focus on balancing your hormones. For your hormones to be balanced, your body must have the ability to circulate and get rid of its toxins. Using castor oil packs for PCOS can significantly increase circulation in the body, lower levels of beta-glucuronidase, support natural detoxification pathways and reduce estrogen dominance.
What are the benefits of castor oil for treating PCOS symptoms?
It has been found to help congestion/stagnation in the pelvic floor, increase blood flow and circulation to the uterus and ovaries, soften scar tissue (from laproscopic surgery, cysts), shrink fibroids, help with pain management.
Castor oil does this by helping the body detoxify naturally through the lymphatic, circulatory and liver systems.
One study which focused on Castor oil’s benefits on the lymphatic system found an increase in the number of T-cell lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells) within patients after utilizing castor oil.
Lymphocytes are disease-fighting cells in the immune system. They help eliminate toxins and waste from the body which in turn helps eliminate inflammation. Think of it like highways that are congested, they help move the congestion to be eliminated out of the body. This congestion stimulates the liver, which is the main detoxifying organ in the body.
In Chinese Medicine, the liver is in charge of the smooth flow of the body’s qi and blood to prevent illness or disease in other words stagnations. Therefore, cysts can be viewed as toxins that the body does not properly eliminate.
For that reason, the anti-inflammatory properties will help remove prostaglandins, which will decrease pain during your menstrual cycle, adhesions, enlarged follicles, fibroids, cysts and metabolic imbalances that you may experience with PCOS.
How does a castor oil pack work
A castor oil pack involves the use of a cloth soaked in castor oil. It is usually placed on the skin and covered with a sheet of plastic or heat. Then, a bottle of hot water is placed over the pack of castor oil so it gets properly absorbed into your skin. Alternatively you can purchase a castor oil pack that has all the items included such as our recommended Queen of Thrones Organic Castor Oil.
As soon as it gets absorbed, it helps to:
stimulate the nerves in the area it is applied with its vibratory activity. This signal would help to change how the nerves respond to the pain caused by the ovarian cyst.
stimulate bodily function. This would aid the removal of inflammation products from the appendix, allowing it to function normally. Stimulation of bodily function also improves blood flow whilst reducing ovarian cyst pain.
aid the stimulation of the lymphatics to adequately and properly drain tissues that are under duress which indirectly helps in the elimination of estrogen. This alongside a healthy diet could work wonders for managing, shrinking and preventing long-term ovarian cysts.
What you’ll need for best results
Here are some things you’ll need when using castor oil for PCOS symptoms:
Cotton flannel’s wide enough to cover the pelvic area and abdomen
Container with a lid
Hot water bottle
Sheets and old clothes as the castor oil might stain bedding and clothing.
What to do next:
Place the flannel in a container
Soak it with castor oil. Ensure it is saturated but not dripping
Place the pack over your pelvic area and abdomen
Cover with another layer of flannel
Place the bottle of hot water over the pack
Leave it there for about 45-60 minutes max
Take a good rest while the pack is in place. (You can use this time to meditate or take a quick nap)
As soon as you remove the pack, properly clean up the area with baking soda and a diluted mixture of water
When you’re done, store the pack in the refrigerator or in a covered area. It should be stored in a cool area. You can reuse it up to 25-30 times.
Safety precautions when using castor oil for PCOS
As with any treatment, there are some safety precautions you should take when using castor oil.
First of all, avoid using castor oil on broken skin. Refrain from using a castor oil pack when menstruating and during pregnancy. Using castor oil packs during pregnancy can affect the development of your baby. We’d also discourage you to use castor oil packs when breastfeeding.
To be on the safe side, always talk to your doctor before using castor oil packs if you have ever had uterine bleeding. Never consume castor oil internally. This can cause spasms and cause miscarriage.
How often can castor oil be used for ovarian cysts?
Castor oil packs for PCOS can be used three to seven days a week.
For greater results, ensure to apply the pack on a regular basis- at least 4 consecutive days every week for about 4-6 weeks stretch. Keep in mind that using it daily will provide you with the most beneficial results.
Other ways to treat ovary cyst symptoms
While castor oil will definitely help, a holistic approach to healing your PCOS symptoms will guarantee you can continue enjoying a happier, healthier life in the long run. Here are some habits you can adopt that will help heal yourself naturally:
Embrace healthy eating
The major cause of ovarian cysts is excess estrogen. A good way to relieve the body of estrogen is the consumption of more di-indolyl methane. To get this, try to:
Consume cruciferous vegetables like kale, collards, cabbage and Brussels sprouts
Avoid soy as it is rich in estrogens
Eat fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut
Consume more fiber-filled foods as it could help your digestive system and liver eliminate excess estrogen
Avoid microwaving food in plastic as it contains BPA, a weak synthetic estrogen
Aim for organic foods
Get a massage
Massaging the thighs, lower back, stomach and buttocks can help to loosen tense muscles thereby, reducing pain caused by ovarian cysts.
Get heated
Just like the castor oil pack, heat packs are also an effective way to greatly reduce pains associated with ovarian cysts. You can try hot packs, heating pads or hot water bottles.
Have hot magnesium baths
A lot of people don’t know this but magnesium is an amazing muscle relaxant. It plays a major role in both the production and transfer of energy. Add a cup of Epsom salts and one ounce of transdermal magnesium to your bath water and soak for 20-30 minutes. It will help to relax your muscles and relieve the pain. Pure bliss!
Final Thoughts
Ovarian cysts come in different shapes and sizes, and can sometimes be quite painful. With castor oil, you can find some relief by not only treating the symptoms but also addressing some of the root causes. Castor oil helps balance your hormones, get rid of toxins in your body and stimulate body function which works well in the treatment of ovarian cysts.
Curious about how to use Traditional Chinese Medicine and other natural medicine for your reproductive health? Check out our fertility acupuncture service where we offer acupuncture, lifestyle education and herb medicine to empower your body to heal itself, naturally.
If you are located in Vancouver and have any questions, we would love to hear from you! Don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.