I have found TWO amazing uses for castor oil and they are MUSTS if you’ve had any abdominal surgery (think C-Section, laproscopic, appendectomy, cholecystectomy, etc) or you suffer from endometriosis or ovarian cysts. I (unfortunately) fit into both categories, so this is a staple in my home. It’s also shown to ease menstrual cramps, detoxify, increase lymphatic flow and improve circulation, all of which are bonuses for just about every woman.

SCARRING

Often times scars on the surface seem small and insignificant, but we must remember that the scars on every layer of skin below the surface are often bigger and even in slightly different locations and orientations. All of these scar layers can start to adhere to themselves and the structures around them, and this can cause pain, irritation, and pulling. 

ENDO, CYSTS, + FIBROIDS

For those of us with endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or uterine fibroids, our abdominal contents are often covered in scar-like tissue which is more dense and often causes pain and dysfunction within our organs. 

Castor oil, in conjunction with heat, is great at breaking up this dense tissue. It has a softening property that is able to penetrate the skin and get into the deeper tissue layers and even the abdominal cavity. And I must declare, the results are kind of *magical*. If you look up castor oil on Pinterest, it’s going to recommend a castor oil pack that just takes too much time and energy for my liking. Instead, I recommend the easy version that is just as effective.

STEP 1: Find GOOD castor oil. Remember, this is soaking into your body. Organic, pesticide free, unscented, and cold pressed are all musts. If you don’t know where to find this unicorn, I’ve linked my favorite for ya below. .

STEP 2: Right before bed, rub the castor oil on your lower abdomen for endometriosis/fibroids/cysts or over your scars.

STEP 3: Put on an old T-shirt that you don’t mind getting a little oily, then go to bed! The heat of sleeping will be enough to activate the castor oil. If you want more, you can always add a hot pack to the equation.

STEP 4: When you wake up in the morning, simply wipe the castor oil off. 

Now keep in mind that this is not an overnight success. This takes consistency and time. But if you can do this 3-5 days a week, it’s likely that you’ll start to see a difference in skin mobility, pain, and other associated symptoms within a month or two.