Castor Oil Packs for Fertility – Does It Work?

For a few aspiring parents, conceiving a child is not as simple as undertaking intercourse, and they might be looking out for other ways to improve their fertility and raise their chances of conceiving a baby. Medical treatments are always a possibility, but a few natural remedies also hover around the horizon. Few of them come with some assurance of their chances of working and safety, while numerous others might usually seem shady and even lead to disastrous consequences. Amongst all these lies the suggestion of using castor oil to improve fertility, and you might be wondering how potent this can be. Understanding the benefits of castor oil for fertility is necessary, but being aware of its side effects should also be kept in mind.

What Is Castor Oil?

According to Cleveland Clinic, castor oil is a yellow-coloured, odourless oil that is obtained by processing the seeds of flowering castor bean plant (1) (2). Although a vegetable oil, it is not considered an edible oil. You’ll probably find it in candles, lubricants, and greases, and is mostly used as a potent laxative (3).

What Is a Castor Oil Pack?

The castor oil combined with a few more items that can be used together to reap the benefits of the oil constitutes the castor oil pack. These usually contain a cloth which can absorb the oil efficiently and is used on various parts of the body to stimulate the circulation of blood and accelerate the healing procedures within.

When and How Often Should You Use Castor Oil Pack for Fertility?

On a general basis, an entire therapeutic session involving castor oil should go on for an hour to an hour and a half, around 4 times a week, ranging for at least 3-4 months.

For women who are usually looking to improve their fertility, making use of castor oil packs on alternate days is highly recommended except for the menstruating periods. When you are actively working towards conception, this frequency needs to be adjusted to be used only when you are in the first half of your ovulation cycle. If your menstruation is generally accompanied by heavy bleeding or you suffer from fibroids, there are a few tweaks that might have to be made in the usage frequency of castor oil packs.

Benefits of Using Castor Oil Therapy for Fertility

Castor oil therapy is quite a popular technique used by various women for different purposes since its array of benefits is quite wide and can provide various results in varying situations. Here are some well-known benefits of castor oil for fertility you should know:

1. Improve Fertility Naturally

Opting for medication or undergoing some treatment is always an option, but these are still artificial and not exactly how our bodies are meant to respond in a normal setting. The castor oil therapy has its roots in nature, with the entire procedure focused on getting the body to improve its fertility by itself. Bringing up the hormone levels on your own accord and keeping away from the harmful effects of medicinal drugs can be healthy for the body and instil a sense of confidence within the woman as well.

2. Natural Detoxification

Conception is quite a tricky process on a biological level. The slightest hindrances from the presence of certain toxins or microbes can cause it to fail altogether. By including castor oil therapy regularly, these toxins can be flushed out of the body and a healthy state can be instilled within, making it a conducive environment for conception to take place successfully.

3. The Growth of the Endometrium

Once conception is successful, the foetus needs to be held securely within the uterus and be cushioned from any minor movements or jerks until it becomes strong. This is done when the endometrial lining within the uterus is thick and healthy. For this to take place, the usage of castor seeds is highly recommended since they stimulate the growth of endometrial cells and improve the chances of keeping the conceived child safe and secure within the uterus.

4. Proper Fallopian Functioning

For conception to take place successfully, the sperms need to travel all the way from the vagina up to the fallopian tubes, where they meet the egg that has been released from the ovaries down the tubes. This is where fertilization takes place successfully. To improve the chances, one can make use of castor seeds that work effectively in clearing any kind of hindrances within the fallopian tubes, creating a clear pathway for the egg and the sperm to meet together.

5. Supporting the Uterus

The uterus pretty much ends up becoming the home of the new child for a period of 9 months. Hence, it is just as necessary to keep the home strong and supportive of the child, if the conception ought to result in a healthy pregnancy and proper delivery. Using castor oil works in supporting the health of the uterus, which indirectly works towards increasing the overall fertility of a woman.

6. Better Egg Production

There can be no foetus if the sperm has no proper egg to fertilise. The ovaries within a woman’s body produce the eggs for fertilization, which can only happen if the ovaries themselves function optimally. Having a good amount of eggs in their healthiest form is a key measure of a woman’s fertility. The inclusion of castor seeds can help ovaries maintain their healthy state and keep fertility levels high.

How to Use Castor Oil Packs for Fertility?

You can start using castor oil packs right away by adhering to the following steps.

1. Wear old clothes since castor oil can leave irremovable stains.
2. Place your cloth in a bowl and add castor oil slowly until it is soaked properly.
3. Lie down and place the cloth on the area that needs the therapy. Cover the cloth with a protective layer and place a heating pad or a hot water bottle over it.
4. Let it stay like this for about an hour while you either rest or meditate. Once done, rub the oil gently and then clean the area properly.

How to Make Your Own Castor Oil Pack?

There are certain castor oil packs that are available in the market. However, you can make your own pack right at home with a few easy to obtain ingredients and a simple process.

What You Will Need

• Old sheets and clothes that are open to being stained
• A container for the oil
• A heating pad or hot water bottle
• Plastic wrap or a protective cloth
• Bottle castor oil
• A soft flannel cloth
• Baking soda

How to Make

1. Make sure the container is wide enough to allow the flannel cloth to sit in it and be soaked with the oil.
2. Check how much castor oil is needed to soak the cloth properly but not make it drip wet completely.
3. Place the cloth on your body along with the plastic covering and check for the right temperature of the heating pad that makes you feel comfortable.
4. Make use of a solution of baking soda with some water to clean your body after the therapy, in order to get rid of any castor oil on the surface.
5. Store packs in refrigerators properly so that you can reuse them up to 30 times before replenishing it.

Precautions to Take While Using Castor Oil

Along with the benefits of castor oil, there are a few precautions one needs to undertake while using it. Never consume castor oil since it can be quite harmful to the body. Avoid using it in areas that have open injuries or damaged skin. Don’t use it once you are pregnant, and reduce usage when menstruating, especially if the blood flow is heavy.

FAQs

1. Who should not use castor oil therapy for fertility?

Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised not to try castor oil packs as it acts as a strong laxative and can cause premature contractions in pregnancy and heavy blood flow in breastfeeding women (4). Additionally, women experiencing heavy periods or having an IUD should consult their doctor before using castor oil therapy. Besides being a potent laxative, castor oil also promotes blood movement, which can result in a heavier period, making it critical for women with complaints of heavy bleeding.

2. For what other purpose can castor oil packs be used?

Castor oil can be applied to the muscle cramp area to soothe it and on the upper abdomen to decongest the liver. It can also help dissolve adhesions formed due to surgery, trauma, or endometriosis.

3. Can I wash castor oil-laden clothes or towels together with daily clothes?

It is best to wash your daily clothes and castor oil-laden clothes separately.

4. Is it safe to drink castor oil?

Consuming castor oil can lead to severe dehydration, excessive intestinal cramping and diarrhoea. Therefore, it is not recommended to use it without a doctor’s guidance (1).

The relationship between castor oil and fertility is underestimated. However, frequent medical studies in this area are making its use clear to the public. The usage of castor oil packs for fertility success has generally spread by word of mouth and is now being recommended by certain fertility specialists. However, it is still necessary to get your doctor’s advice in this regard. If certain medical conditions make it dangerous to expose yourself to castor oil, it is best to stay away from this and opt for other fertility-boosting options instead.

References/Resources:

1. No, Castor Oil Won’t Solve All (or Any) of Your Health Problems; Cleveland Clinic; https://health.clevelandclinic.org/castor-oil-benefits

2. Patel VR, Dumancas GG, Kasi Viswanath LC, Maples R, Subong BJ. Castor Oil: Properties, Uses, and Optimization of Processing Parameters in Commercial Production. Lipid Insights.; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5015816/; September 2016

3. Mckeon. T. A; Chapter 4 – Castor (Ricinus communis L.); Industrial Oil Crops, Pages 75-112; ScienceDirect; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B978189399798100004X; 2016

4. Alookaran. J, Tripp. J; Castor Oil; StatPearls Publishing; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551626/

Also Read:

Best Fertility Supplements for Conception
Foods to Eat and Avoid for Boosting Fertility
Effective Herbs to Help get Pregnant
Vitamins and Minerals to Boost Fertility

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