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 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 8 cm 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)

Label for a Herbal Castor Oil Pack featuring ingredients and features, including a pump-top dispenser, organic castor oil, motherwort, mugwort, wild rose, violet, and cedar forest scent, with a light blue background and a sketch of a botanical illustration.
Close-up of a tall green plant with jagged leaves and fuzzy pink flowers, outdoors in sunlight.

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 cramps

  • Essential Oil Blend
    A proprietary blend of organic essential oils.

The Castor Oil Pack Ritual

If you've never used a castor oil pack before, don't worry—it's simple.

Apply a small amount of castor oil to your pack cloth and place it over the desired area. Cover it with an old towel, then place a hot water bottle or heating pad on top. From there, simply settle in. Read a book, enjoy a cup of tea, take a few slow breaths, or close your eyes and rest for 20 minutes to an hour. Some sleep with it on overnight.

Consistency Matters

Like many natural wellness practices, castor oil packs are most beneficial when used consistently over time. Find a rhythm that fits your life—daily, weekly, or during seasons when your body could use extra support.

For example, I like to use my pack for 5–10 days leading up to my menstrual cycle to support comfort during that time. Others incorporate packs into a gentle cleanse or use them during periods of digestive strain to support the body's natural pathways of elimination, including the lymphatic system, digestion, perspiration, and urination.

An 8 oz. bottle typically provides several months of applications.

All of my packs include detailed instructions to help first-time users feel confident getting started.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Bottled herbal infused organic castor oil with a black pump dispenser on a wooden table near a window in natural light.
A yellow plastic spray bottle with a black pump sits on a wooden surface in front of a window. The label on the bottle lists ingredients including organic castor oil, homegrown motherwort and mugwort, wild foraged rose and violet, and proprietary blend EO. The background shows a blurred outdoor scene with trees and a house.
A folded white cotton absorbent pad with text overlay that reads 'Lapis Sky, handmade organic cotton absorbent pad'.

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

Ordering

Because Lapis Sky is a small, handcrafted operation, I take orders and process payments personally. It keeps things simple, flexible, and helps me avoid the fees of an online store.

To place an order, email lapisskyofferings@gmail.com with the products, quantities, and your delivery address. I'll respond promptly with your total (including tax), payment options, and pickup or delivery details.

Local Delivery

Free delivery is available in the downtown and midtown areas of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

For deliveries to Post Falls, Hayden, Rathdrum, and Sandpoint, I require a minimum order of $50.

Shipping

If you would like your order shipped, please let me know in your email. I will provide a shipping estimate based on the package weight before finalizing your order.