Castor Oil Packs over the liver, popularized by Edgar Cayce, are a time honored method of promoting liver function, and provide an effective means of doing so for those who prefer not to swallow pills to accomplish that end. The liver’s many enzymatic processes are stimulated by heat. The heat also promotes the flow of blood and lymph through the liver. The intensity of the treatment is determined by the heat of the pack and the length of time the pack is utilized. The packs are contraindicated during menstrual bleeding, as the enhanced flow of blood can cause heavier bleeding. Both castor oil and the unbleached wool or cotton flannel used in the packs are available at most health food stores, Whole Foods, and Pacific Naturopathic.
You will find the unbleached cloths in packets for this purpose. You may be able use a halved cloth for the treatment. Saturate the wool or cotton cloth with oil. Warm your cold oily cloth on a baking sheet in a very low temperature stove, or for a few seconds in a microwave, taking care to keep it away from heating elements and not to scorch it. Place the now warm oily cloth over your liver, which is on the right side of your body under and just below your ribcage. Cover with plastic in order to not get oil everywhere. Cover the plastic with a small towel or flannel, and over that use a hot water bottle, a heating pad, or anything else you have to keep the pack heated.
That’s it. When should you use the pack? Nighttime before bed is good, as the process is relaxing and promotes sleep. How long should the treatment be? Anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. How often? You will benefit each time you use a pack. Some people use castor oil packs 2 to 3 times weekly. Others prefer to do a series, as in a treatment a day for each of 21 days during times of climate change. The cloth will require added oil as you move through the days, and at some point will become unappealing, at which point you can throw the pack away and use a new flannel.