My honest thoughts on castor oil packs...
and other frequently asked questions!
Happy Wednesday! There have been a few recurring questions that I haven’t had the time or space to answer. I almost always respond to a quick instagram DM but I miss quite a few and sometimes a 30 second IG video or quick DM message isn’t enough space for me to truly answer the question with as much detail as I’d like. Today we are going to go through some of those questions :)
Castor Oil Packs
I have been getting so many questions about castor oil packs - what are the benefits? Do they actually work? How do you do them?
Castor oil packs are a traditional remedy used to promote detoxification, reduce inflammation, and support digestion and liver health. Now, let’s be clear - a healthy liver is very good at its job of processing and eliminating toxins. However, in our modern world where our bodies are overburdened by chemicals and chronic stress affects most people, I am not against showing our liver some love and using traditional techniques to support our detox pathways! As someone who has struggled with hormone imbalances, skin issues, digestion problems, and a sluggish phase 2 detox pathway, castor oil packs are a no brainer addition to my routine.
When applied topically, castor oil is known to support liver function and lymph flow and decrease inflammation. It has also been shown to help with chronic constipation. Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, a unique fatty acid known for its anti-inflammatory and circulation-boosting properties. You can buy a set online, but I have found that to be so overpriced, so here is what I do.
What you need:
Castor oil (organic, cold-pressed, hexane-free, and in a glass bottle)
Large unbleached organic cotton flannel (at least 13” x 15”)
Heating pad or hot water bottle
Clothes that you don’t mind staining
How to make and use a castor oil pack:
Apply 2-3 tbsp of castor oil to your desired area (typically upper right abdomen over the liver or lower abdomen). Cover with the cotton flannel. I use old sweatpants and a t-shirt to hold it in place. Only use clothes you are okay staining.
Apply a heating pad or hot water bottle on top and leave it for 45-60 minutes. You can also wear it overnight - be sure to fully cover it with clothing to avoid staining sheets.
After the pack is removed, wipe skin clean. Store pack in a glass container or other container in a cool dry place when not in use.
Use pack daily or in a regular cycle (ex. 2 - 3 consecutive days a week) until results are obtained. I like to use it more often when experiencing symptoms and then do it 1x per week for maintenance.
Extra tips:
Start with smaller amounts of castor oil for shorter periods of time and work your way up.
I avoid using during menstrual phase as the improved circulation can increase blood flow.
Not to be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding or on broken skin.
TL;DR: While scientific research on castor oil packs is limited, some studies suggest that castor oil can improve lymphatic drainage, support liver detoxification, and even relieve constipation when applied topically. It is a traditional remedy that has been used for centuries with lots of anecdotal reports of improved symptoms related to hormone health, like endometriosis symptoms, inflammation, acne and skin health, and digestion. Castor oil is even known for its amazing benefits for hair health, so I love it as a hair and eyebrow mask. Let me know if you want a whole post or video on castor oil packs and other ways I use castor oil!
Do you really find oil pulling beneficial? Where do you discard?
First of all, let me tell you that I would not blab on about something that I truly didn’t love or find helpful - I promise!
If you have no idea what we are talking about, watch this video! First thing in the morning (on an empty stomach) I take 1 tbsp of coconut oil and swish it around my mouth for 10-15 minutes. I discard the oil in the kitchen trash can when I am finished - do not put it in sinks or toilets to avoid clogging drains.
The answer is… YES. I notice such a difference. The biggest difference I notice is my teeth are noticeably whiter when I regularly oil pull without any other whitening practices. I also notice that my mouth just feels cleaner and fresher and my gums are pretty healthy!
How often do you use your sauna blanket?
This is a great segue from the circulation and detox discussion above! I showed my at-home spa night this week on Instagram stories and had a lot of questions about my set-up. I use my sauna blanket for a good sweat sesh at least once per week, but I aim for two or three times.
Is the sauna blanket just as good as a regular / infrared sauna?
Yes! The incredible benefits of a sauna include improved cardiovascular health (heat therapy increases heart rate, mimicking mild cardio exercise), improved circulation, lower blood pressure, easing joint and muscle pain, promoting relaxation, and enhancing sleep quality. A sauna blanket (code REVOLVE20 for the best deal!) provides all of these same benefits.
In some ways, I actually prefer a sauna blanket. It’s much more compact and affordable than a full-size sauna, and I love how quickly it heats up—reaching up to 170°F in about five minutes. In contrast, my mom’s full-size infrared sauna can take up to an hour to reach temperature, which makes sense since it has to heat a much larger space. The one advantage of a full-size sauna is the ability to move around and multitask while inside, whereas with a sauna blanket, you’re more limited to lying down. The sauna blanket is low-EMF!
How often should I eat sardines?
I can’t really give an exact recommendation on how many sardines you should eat, everyone’s body and needs are different. I think very few people will overdo sardine consumption, but there is such thing as too much of a good thing. I try to add them to my diet 2-3x per week, but I also know people who eat them almost every day and feel amazing!
What is pearl powder and why do you add it to your drinks?
You know I love a good beverage and experimenting with cool products to give them a beauty boost. Everytime I talk about my cacao with pearl powder I get tons of questions. Pearl powder is exactly what it sounds like - powder made from pearls. It is an ancient superfood, used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, and is packed with calcium, amino acids, and antioxidants that support glowing skin, strong bones, and even stress reduction. It’s known to boost collagen production, improve skin elasticity, and give that glowy, radiant complexion we all love. I have been experimenting with adding it to my diet, but I haven’t been super consistent. I will do a more consistent routine and report back with my results! It’s super easy to add to your routine— you just mix a small scoop into your coffee, tea, smoothie, or even yogurt for a beauty-boosting, mineral-rich upgrade. It has a mild, neutral taste and it blends seamlessly into anything. I am planning a whole post on drinkable skincare, so stay tuned for more pearl powder and other beauty ingredients!
Does cold exposure help your nervous system??
The other day I talked about how much I love a sauna session followed by a cold shower for a calm and relaxing evening and the BEST sleep ever. People were shocked that cold exposure can help with nervous system regulation, so here is a quick explanation.
Over time, consistent cold exposure can also stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system (the "rest and digest" response), particularly by activating the vagus nerve.
Immediate Response: When exposed to cold, the body reacts with vasoconstriction, increased heart rate, and heightened alertness—hallmarks of sympathetic activation.
After Adaptation: As the body acclimates, cold exposure enhances vagus nerve activity, promoting relaxation, lowering heart rate, and improving stress resilience—hallmarks of parasympathetic activation.
So, while the initial response is sympathetic activation, long-term exposure and post-cold recovery promote parasympathetic balance, helping regulate stress and improve nervous system adaptability.
Mexico City Recommendations
This feels super random and also SO late but I promised to share!!! I went to Mexico City in January and so many people asked for my recommendations. I have to say I am not a Type A trip planner - I kinda just show up and walk down the street looking for a good coffee and a cute shop, so there are definitely much better sources for this info. This is by no means an extensive list but you can find so many good guides online, I just wanted to share a few of my favorite (not so hidden at all) gems 💎. I think a food tour of one of the markets would be awesome - I will be returning to do that.
Expendio de Maíz sin Nombre: This is on every Mexico City list you will see lol but I truly think it is worth the hype. There is no menu - every table gets the same dish without knowing what it is and you sit until you are full and can’t get another round. Come early in the day and get on the waitlist because you know… tourists….
Vintage: There are tons of thrift stores in CDMX - I have to say a lot of it is just overpriced garbage… I love popping through this cute vintage shop anytime I am in the city. I don’t even know the name just that it is on the corner of Av. Yucatan and C. Queretaro (right down the street from Expendio, a good place to walk off all the corn you just ate!).
Zoco Fresh Tienda Organica: If you’re like me (and you probably are cause why else would you be reading this!!) and you love a good grocery store, this is a fun place to pop around. They sell yummy dairy products, kefir, ice cream, speciality gluten-free items, etc!
Forte: This cafe is the reason I don’t have a bunch of great recommendations for you. Once you try their coffee and pastries you will be like me and wake up needing to go to Forte immediately. Get the ham & cheese croissant, please.
La Morenita Comedor: I can’t tell you anything about this place except that they have a great green juice.
Tacos: A million great tacos - try them all! Highlight for me is always Tacos del Valle.
Ceramics: I am obsessed with everything from a shop called Cara de Planta Esculturas Vivas.
Pujol: My fine dining meal of the trip was Pujol and it was delicious!! Like I would actually k1ll for that mole and banana flan.
Thanks for coming along this fun little Q&A newsletter! Let me know what other topics you want me to cover on our Wednesday chats. See you on Friday for meal prep club ❤️
Thanks for sharing! And yes, I’d love a detailed post on castor oil pack and other uses!!
Re: castor oil packs— do they work if you’re fat? If it’s meant to be applied over the liver, what if you’re a plus size babe who has a layer of fat on your stomach? I’m intrigued but curious if it reasonably applies to all bodies before I risk (likely) staining my sheets lol. Thank you in advance!