Not Trendy. Not Complicated. Still One of the Most Useful Things I Use: Castor Oil
Why castor oil keeps earning its place — for me, my clients, and my animals
Castor oil is one of those things I come back to again and again — mainly because it actually works… but also because I remember to use it.
Which, let’s be honest, is where most people fall down.
We buy the natural remedies.
We feel good about it.
Then they sit in the cupboard doing absolutely nothing 😅
They only work if you use them. Obvious… but apparently not.
I don’t use castor oil because it’s trending (although I’ll take the reminder to dig it out), or because it’s being pushed everywhere.
I use it because it works.
And more importantly… it works with the body in a way that makes sense once you understand it.
What castor oil actually is
It’s been used for generations across different cultures, not as a quick fix, but as a way to support the body’s natural processes — digestion, drainage, circulation, hormones.
Once you understand that, you stop seeing it as “just another oil” and start seeing where it fits.
Why it works
The key component is something called ricinoleic acid.
Most people have never heard of it, but it’s what gives castor oil its unique effect.
It supports circulation.
It helps reduce inflammation.
And it encourages movement in systems that have become sluggish.
This combination is powerful.
So many of the issues people are dealing with now come back to things not moving properly — lymph, digestion, circulation, even hormones.
What it’s actually doing in the body
- Lymphatic flow (your drainage system)
- Liver function and hormone processing
- Circulation
- Inflammation
- Bowel movement
In simple terms, it helps things move again.
And for a lot of people, that’s the missing piece.
How to use it (without overcomplicating things)
Oil on a natural cloth, placed over the abdomen, ideally with a bit of heat.
Do that a few times a week and you’ll often notice changes in digestion, bloating, menstrual symptoms, and that general sense of things working better.
You can also use it more simply:
- over the liver area (right side) for hormone support
- lower abdomen for menstrual or pelvic support
- directly on the skin for scars, dryness or tight tissue
- into joints or muscles that feel stuck or inflamed
Nothing complicated. Just consistent.
A section most people don’t talk about: eye health
This is where it gets really interesting.
A friend of mine had a rescue chicken with ongoing eye issues — discharge, irritation, not clearing with anything conventional.
She started using a tiny amount of castor oil around the eye area, and over time the eye cleared completely.
I’ve since seen variations of this many times.
Castor oil can support eye health because it’s deeply lubricating, supports tissue repair, has antimicrobial properties, and helps reduce inflammation.
This can be helpful for:
- dry, irritated eyes
- blocked glands
- general eye discomfort
- lash health
If you’re trying this, quality matters.
Use a very clean, high-quality oil, and keep application simple:
- a tiny amount on clean fingers or a cotton bud
- gently applied around the eye area
- some people also use a small amount on lashes or lids overnight
It’s simple, but when used properly it can be very effective.
And yes — animals too, used appropriately.
What most people get wrong
Cut everything out.
Add ten new things in.
Force results.
In reality, most bodies just need better support.
Better flow.
Better drainage.
Better conditions to function properly.
Castor oil fits into that perfectly.
Where to start
- Use a high-quality, cold-pressed castor oil
- Make sure it’s in a glass bottle
- Choose one that is hexane-free
- Start a few times a week
- Be consistent
- Give it time
That’s it.
A couple of those points are really important, here is why:
Glass bottle:
Castor oil is used to support drawing things out of the body — that’s part of what makes it so effective. The last thing you want is it sitting in plastic and picking up unwanted compounds before you even use it.
Hexane-free:
Hexane is a chemical solvent often used in the extraction of oils to increase yield. It’s cheap and efficient… but not something you want residues of in an oil you’re using regularly on your body. A good quality castor oil will be cold-pressed and free from that process.
You can see the one I use here
How I actually use it
I’ll be honest — I don’t tend to do things by halves, I go all in.
Some of the ways I use it regularly:
Belly button (navel):
A small amount applied here is something I come back to a lot. The navel area has a rich network of blood vessels and connections, and applying oil here can support absorption and have a surprisingly systemic effect. It’s simple, quick, and people often notice improvements in digestion and overall balance. Do this at night and let me know what you notice after a few weeks.
On my knee (overnight):
I’ve had ongoing issues with my knee, and castor oil is one of the things I use consistently. Applied generously and left overnight, it helps with stiffness, circulation, and recovery.
Castor oil packs over my abdomen:
This is something I do quite regularly, often overnight. It supports digestion, lymphatic movement, and that general feeling of things working better rather than feeling stuck. Not that thats been an issue for me, but I love how I feel after a night in my castor oil pack.
You don’t need to do all of this.
Pick one place to start, be consistent, and let your body respond.
That’s where you’ll get the real benefit.
If you want to try the one I use, I’ve linked it here:
https://www.catherineedwards.life/product/castor-oil-castorvida/
You can also use my code CE15 for 15% off.
Please do let me know – what’s your favourite way to use castor oil?
FAQs
How often should you use castor oil packs?
3–4 times per week is a good starting point.
Where do you place a castor oil pack?
Usually over the abdomen or liver area. But see above for more suggestions and why.
Can castor oil help with bloating?
It may support digestion and circulation, which can help reduce bloating.
How long should you leave a castor oil pack on?
20–60 minutes depending on tolerance and routine. You can build it up to leaving it on over night as a pack (this is what I do)