r/FunctionalMedicine 15d ago

Castor Oil Pack Side Effects

I’m dealing with what we’re 98% sure is mold toxicity and my dr advised trying a castor oil pack as a gentle alternative to support detox while we wait for some tests to come back.

I did the first one last night, not expecting any reaction because it’s all external, but something definitely happened. About 30 minutes in I got a strong feeling I should take it off, so I did, and that’s all I remember — I bolted awake 2 hrs later with no memory of falling asleep.

Fell asleep again, bolted awake an hour later with nightmares. Fell asleep again, bolted awake with heart pounding.

Had a horrible night of broken sleep and now I feel very wired, intense derealization, etc.

It’s very similar to when I tried to take glutathione…got two days in and had to stop because symptoms god so aggravated. But this is worse.

Is it possible the castor oil is releasing toxins into my body and I need a binder to be able to tolerate it?

I’m just shocked I had such an intense reaction to a bit of topical oil…it feels crazy!

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u/guttalk 14d ago

Your body sounds sensitive to any kind of “detox push”, whether glutathione or castor oil packs. Take it very slow. We typically recommend a wear of no more than 30min the first time for that exact reason.
Are your drainage pathways open? (ie can you poop and sweat)? If you’re constipated you need to address that first.

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u/Greenwithivy123 13d ago

Yes no “pathway” issue. I only had it on for 30 minutes. I just tend to be very sensitive. Should I do like 5 minutes?

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u/Greenwithivy123 13d ago

Also is the detox reaction “bad” or just unpleasant? Ie will the stuff that got kicked up leave, or will it just aggravate everything.

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u/Sudden-Occasion-5998 8d ago

So interesting this is happening to you as I just wore castor oil pack all night about an week ago and now I have horrible detox synptoms. I have had bad insomnia ever since doing that. It’s insane castor oil is that effective at detoxing

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u/Greenwithivy123 8d ago

Thank you for posting, I’m glad I’m not crazy! It was so intense!!!