herbal castor oil packs
Some of my most formative training took place at the Coeur d’Alene Healing Arts Naturopathic Clinic under the mentorship of Dr. Todd Schlapfer, NMD. During my nine-year tenure, I recognized the Castor Oil Pack as a profound tool for healing across a wide spectrum of body types and health histories. This insight inspired me to source premium, organic, hexane-free castor oil and infuse it with my own hand-cultivated and wild foraged herbs—botanicals specifically chosen to soothe the nervous system, modulate inflammation, and resolve stagnation within the blood, lymph, and digestive systems.
Castor Oil
Castor oil has long been used topically in the treatment of menstrual cycle discomfort, impaired digestion, and overworked livers. It has a way of deeply penetrating the tissues and helps to soften and move stagnation. Much of castor oil’s potency is attributed to one active ingredient: ricinoleic acid. This monounsaturated fatty acid makes up 90% of the total fatty acid content of castor oil and is known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
Applied in the form of a Castor Oil Pack (oil placed on a flannel cloth, applied to the body with heat), the molecular weight of ricinoleic acid penetrates through the skin and moves to the deep tissue organs of the body up to 8 cm, where circulatory and lymphatic vessels lie.
Castor Oil Packs have been around for a long time, and their ancient roots in traditional medicine spread across a wide variety of cultures, such as ancient Egypt, the Greeks and Romans, and India.
The packs have been known to:
Reduce inflammation
Ease pre-menstrual cycle discomfort
Loosen built up masses and cysts by softening tissue up to 8cm deep
Stimulate lymphatic drainage
Direct blood flow to areas needing attention
Support the liver
Improve nutrient assimilation in digestion
Alleviate constipation
Improve sleep
Overall, Castor Oil packs help the body move into a calm parasympathetic state. (rest and digest)
Active Botanicals
Castor oil is not only a powerful medicine on its own but also acts as an efficient medium and carrier oil.
I have thoughtfully cultivated and foraged the following botanicals, infusing them into castor oil to deliver their gentle medicinal properties into the body.
These plants were selected for their ability to modulate inflammation and relieve pain, as well as for the subtle energetic support they provide to enhance your soothing Castor Oil Pack ritual.
Mugwort leaf
homegrown and wild foraged
Mugwort is recognized for its diverse beneficial properties, particularly in providing relief for menstrual cramps, reducing inflammation, and bringing an overall sense of calm and relaxation.Motherwort leaf (pictured above)
homegrown
Known for its “lion-hearted” qualities, motherwort is an herb that alleviates tension. When infused in oil, it serves as a calming tonic for the heart, helping to reduce feelings of nervousness and palpitations. Additionally, when applied topically to the outside of the lower abdomen, it can provide relief to the deep tissues and musculature of the pelvic bowl.Violet flower and leaf
homegrown and wild foraged
Violet is well-known for its effectiveness in stimulating and promoting lymphatic flow. It is commonly applied to lymph nodes to support detoxification pathways, to alleviate swollen fibrocystic breast tissue, and to address general lymphatic stagnation.Rose petals
wild foraged
Rose has a beautiful way of calming the nervous system and has been traditionally used to help alleviate headaches, soothe muscle tension, and provide relief from menstrual crampsEssential Oil Blend
A proprietary blend of organic essential oils providing a Western Red Cedar forest scent.
the castor oil pack ritual
If you've never done a Castor Oil Pack, don't worry, it's simple.
Apply a little oil to a Castor Pack cloth. Apply an old hand towel above that, and then a hot water bottle on top. Then take a deep breath, read a book, drink a cup of your favorite tea, or close your eyes and rest for 20 min - 1hr.
Consistency Matters
Like all natural remedies, consistency matters. To experience the benefits you must make this a daily, weekly, or monthly routine. For example, I like to use my pack for 5-10 days leading up to the start of my cycle to ease inflammation. Others use it for a month following a meal that was hard to digest. Another fantastic application is to use it during a cleanse to support our pathways of elimination (lymph, sweat, digestion, and urination). My 8 oz. bottle provides several months of applications.
Find a pattern that works for you.
All of my packs come with detailed instructions for the first-time user.
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My hand sewn organic cotton compress features an outer PUL fabric layer to help prevent early leaks—especially helpful when beginning a routine. With repeated use, castor oil will eventually reach the outer layer of the absorbent pad; placing an old towel over the pad provides extra protection and makes cleanup simple.
When finished, remove the cotton compress and place it in the refrigerator within a Ziplock bag for later use.
The next time you use the castor oil pack, you can continue to use the same cotton compress by first warming the sealed Ziplock bag under hot water, then opening and removing the warm compress, re-saturating the cloth with room temperature castor oil.
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Depending on how it is stored, you should be able to get anywhere from 6 to 8 months out of your pack.
When you begin to notice an off smell, this is a sign the oil in the cloth is turning rancid, at which point you will need to replace it with a new one. (the smell is obvious)As a replacement you can use an old flannel sheet, cut to preferred length, or a flat piece of wool. Think of that wool sweater that shrunk in the dryer!
Washing your cloth is not advised because Castor Oil never completely comes out of cloth and it can make a big mess in your sink or washing machine.
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This Castor Oil is for topical use only. Do not ingest or apply to open wounds.
Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Otherwise, daily, weekly, and monthly use is safe depending on your body's individual needs.
Pricing and purchase Options
Castor Oil 8oz jar $28 - Organic, cold-pressed, hexane-free castor oil infused with herbs. Comes with a cloth drawstring bag.
Organic Cotton Compress $10
Complete Castor Oil Pack $38 Includes castor oil, cotton compress, and cloth bag.
HOW TO ORDER
Given the small nature of my operation, I take orders and process payments person-to-person.
To order Lapis Sky products, send an email to lapisskyofferings@gmail.com.
Please include the items and quantities you would like to purchase and your physical address. I will respond promptly with a total (includes tax) and options for payment and pick-up at a local drop point.
LOCAL DROP POINTS
I offer free delivery to the midtown and downtown areas of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
For longer distances (Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, Sandpoint), I require a $50 minimum order.
View my herbal teas to bump up your order!
SHIPPING
If you would like your order shipped, please send a text to the above number, and I will provide you with the estimated shipping costs based on the weight of your package.