Castor oil has been used as a traditional medicine for over 6,000 years. It’s actually a type of vegetable oil that comes from East Africa made from castor beans, but it has uses in Indian and Chinese medicine too. It’s usually used to help with things like constipation, hair growth, wound healing, and even labor induction.
However, castor oil has also been thought to be a treatment for ovarian cysts. So, I wanted to use this post to explore this idea and see if there’s any truth to the idea that castor oil can help dissolve ovarian cysts!
Castor Oil For Cysts In Ovaries With PCOS
Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), as the name suggests, often experience ovarian cysts. They’re painful, solid, or fluid-filled sacs that grow on the surface of ovaries. Usually, they go away on their own and are no big deal. But, in some cases, they can burst, become cancerous, or twist your ovary. Because of this risk, most Cysters try to do what they can to remedy cysts.
If you’re a woman out there with PCOS, you’re likely cautious of ovarian cysts. (Though, it’s a myth that all women with polycystic ovarian syndrome experience cysts.) With that in mind, we’re going to look more into the ancient practice of using castor oil for medicine. Here’s what you should know about castor oil for cysts:
Is Castor Oil Good For Cysts?
There are no definitive studies that prove castor oil helps with dissolving ovarian cysts or reducing ovarian cysts’ size. However, there are a few research studies and years of anecdotal data that suggest it might have benefits for women with PCOS.
According to naturopathic doctors, topical use of castor oil can increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and promote the healing of organs and tissues. That naturally anti-inflammatory quality means it can relieve pain and decrease swelling. Additionally, castor oil can stimulate lymphatic drainage, which causes detoxifying of the body. This can be great for your immune system and overall health!
Here are some ways that castor oil could potentially benefit women with PCOS:
Castor Oil Benefits For PCOS
- Detoxifies the body to boost your immune system
- Eases constipation and other digestive issues
- May help to dissolve ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids
- May help regulate periods
- Reduces joint and body pain
- Improves liver function and lowers bad cholesterol
How To Use Castor Oil Packs For Cysts
What You’ll Need:
- Hexane-free castor oil
- Undyed flannel (or wool)
- Heating Pad or Flaxseed or Rice Heating Pad
- Glass container
- Organic Cotton Castor Oil Pack
Instructions:
Step 1: Cut Organic Fabric into squares.
Take your fabric and cut it into 3 squares, each one about 10×10 inches. When you’re done, place them in your lidded glass container. (It’s okay if you have to fold it or stuff it.)
Step 2: Saturate fabric in castor oil.
Pour castor oil over the fabric until it’s saturated, but not dripping wet.
Step 3: Cover one side of the fabric with protective layer.
Take your fabric squares and put a protective layer of additional fabric on the side not facing your body. (This will prevent some of the castor oil from getting on all of your clothes.) An alternative option is using an organic cotton castor oil pack!
Step 4: Get your heating pad ready!
Simply warm up your rice or flaxseed heating pad in the microwave, or plug in your electric heating pad!
Step 5: Relax with a castor oil heating pad.
Now, lay down and place the castor oil pack oil-side down on one ovary for 45-60 minutes with the heating pad layered on top! (The castor oil can stain fabrics, so wear clothes and use blankets you don’t mind getting oil-stained.)
Step 6: Store it for later.
You can actually reuse this pack for a while! Just put it in your container and into the fridge, and break it out whenever you need it again!
Castor oil may help get rid of ovarian cysts!
If you’re a Cyster dealing with ovarian cysts, there are things you can do. Truthfully, castor oil shouldn’t be your main method to remedy your cysts, since there isn’t much research to back up its effectiveness. Instead, the first step to handling your ovarian cysts should be finding the root cause, which I discuss in this episode of A Cyster and Her Mister podcast called “Ovarian Cysts + Follicles: Understanding the Root Cause + Exploring Treatment.” Also, here are the pros and cons of removing your ovaries to prevent cysts.
For more tips on naturally healing your PCOS, browse my blog! I have lots of information that’ll help you manage your symptoms using diet, exercise, lifestyle, and mindset changes. Plus, you can join a community of women embarking on the same journey as you when you download The Cysterhood App. Beyond community, it’s also full of PCOS-friendly recipes, workout guides, helpful articles, and more. Remember, there is hope for reversing your PCOS and living life again, symptom-free!
