Hi Growing Friend,
You might notice this newsletter landed on a different day than usual — life happened, and here we are! But we have a really good topic this month and I’m excited to share it: castor oil packs.
I've had multiple people reach out asking about these, especially related to gut health, so it felt like the perfect time to dig in. I started using castor oil packs about five months ago and honestly? I genuinely love them. I started out doing them 3–4 times a week to build up the effects, and now I'm in maintenance mode at about 1–2 times a week. These have become something I actually look forward to — and you'll see why.
So how does it actually help?
Castor oil contains a compound called ricinoleic acid, which has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. When applied to the skin over the abdomen, it penetrates deeply and stimulates the lymphatic system — your body's built-in waste removal network. Think of it as giving your body a gentle nudge to clear out what it's been holding onto.
One of the biggest benefits is liver and digestive support. Castor oil packs encourage bile flow and bowel motility, which helps things move through your digestive system more efficiently. If you've ever dealt with bloating, sluggishness, or irregularity, this is why so many people notice a difference fairly quickly.
Castor oil packs also support your body's natural detox pathways, particularly lymphatic drainage. Your lymphatic system doesn't have a pump the way your cardiovascular system does — it relies on movement, breathing, and tools like this to keep flowing. When lymph gets stagnant, you can feel it: swelling, puffiness, inflammation, that heavy feeling that's hard to explain.
Additionally, there's a nervous system benefit that doesn't get talked about enough. The warmth combined with intentional rest activates your parasympathetic nervous system — your "rest and digest" mode. This is why so many people use castor oil packs as part of an evening wind-down routine, and why the benefits often extend into sleep.
There’s so many more benefits including hormone balance, pain relief, inflammation, etc.
What I've personally noticed:
Gut health: Less bloating and more regularity. It really does help keep things moving.
Sleep: I fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply. Even with a toddler keeping me up, the stretches I do sleep feel more rejuvenating and restful.
Nervous system: I feel genuinely calmer on the nights I use them. It's become a self-care ritual — some breathing, some stillness, centering myself before bed. I didn't expect to love this part as much as I do.
Detox: I've always struggled with lymphatic drainage, and I've noticed real reductions in swelling and inflammation since I started.
Next newsletter I'll walk you through exactly how I use them — the method, what's worked for me, and all the links. (But if you want a head start, the brand I use is Queen of the Thrones, available on Amazon!)
Rooting in Wellness & Rising Together,
Erica
