This magnificent oil is often overlooked. I’m just putting a few drops in your belly button at night. The benefits are amazing.

You can also use this rich oil on its own as a natural alternative to store-bought moisturizers and lotions.Many popular moisturizing products found in stores contain potentially harmful ingredients like preservatives, perfumes, and dyes, which may irritate the skin and harm overall health.Castor oil is thick, so people often mix it with other skin-friendly oils — like almond, olive, and coconut oil to make an ultra-hydrating moisturizer.

You may use castor oil as a natural remedy for occasional constipation. It’s approved by the FDA as a stimulative laxative. However, it can cause side effects, like cramping and diarrhea, and you should not use it to treat chronic issues with constipation.

Castor oil packs are used outside your body, with or without heat. The idea is that a castor oil pack is soaked with more oil than you can simply rub on your skin. This allows it to better absorb into your skin.

There are ideas that use of the pack externally can also help internal issues. However, there’s little or no research to support the use of castor oil packs for internal conditions.

1. Lay down on a large towel or sheet to help catch any castor oil drops.
2. Place the castor oil pack on the area to be treated. For example, for constipation or other digestive problems you’ll likely place it over your stomach area. 
3. Place a small plastic sheet over the castor oil pack. This helps to heat it and press it against your skin. 
4. You can place a hot water bottle or heating pad on top of the plastic for more heat if you wish. Make sure you don’t fall asleep while heating the castor oil pack as this can lead to burns or other injuries.
5. Leave the pack on for about 45 minutes to an hour.
6. Remove the pack and wipe the area clean with a warm damp towel. 
7. You can store the castor oil pack in the container used to soak them. Cover and refrigerate. Reuse each castor oil pack up to 30 times.