Benefits of Castor Oil in Belly Button (What Does it Actually Do?)
For centuries, castor oil has been used as a natural remedy for a variety of health concerns, from digestion to skin care. But did you know that applying castor oil to your belly button is believed to offer numerous benefits? This ancient practice, rooted in holistic healing traditions like Ayurveda, is said to support digestion, reduce inflammation, and even promote relaxation. But what does it actually do, and is there any science to back it up? In this article, you’ll discover the potential benefits of putting castor oil in your belly button, how it works, and whether it’s worth trying.
Castor oil is an incredible oil that I personally believe should be in every household. It is an ancient natural remedy that can be used for many different purposes.
I use it every single day.
But I recently saw a trend involving people putting castor oil in their belly buttons. They claim that doing so can heal a variety of ailments.
As someone who loves castor oil and uses it for many things, I had never tried or even heard about applying castor oil to the belly button until I came across this trend on social media.
So what are the benefits of castor oil in the belly button, and does it actually do anything?
Well, before I answer that question lets talk a little bit more about castor oil and what makes it so special.
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What is Castor Oil?
Castor oil is made from the seeds of the castor plant (Ricinus communis). It is 100% all-natural, odorless, and has a very thick consistency.
As I previously mentioned, it is an ancient natural remedy that has been used for thousands of years for medicinal and beauty purposes.
What Makes Castor Oil So Special?
Ricinoleic acid is what makes castor oil so special. Ricinoleic acid is the primary fatty acid in castor oil, and it is incredibly moisturizing and has many healing benefits.
It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which are one of the main reasons castor oil can heal so many different ailments.
Castor Oil Benefits
Castor oil has so many different benefits. It can promote hair growth, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, heal dry skin, fade stretch marks, support liver function, reduce inflammation, support lymphatic drainage, and so much more.
I am not going to list them all because I have already written extensively on them. You can explore them in more detail by checking out the posts below.
- Amazing Benefits of Castor Oil + Over 15 Castor Oil Uses
- Castor Oil Pack Benefits + How To Make & Use Them
The Science Behind Applying Castor Oil to the Belly Button
When I first heard about applying castor oil to the belly button, I honestly thought it sounded pretty silly.
However, after doing a little bit of research, I discovered that applying oils to the belly button is actually an ancient practice rooted in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine.
In Ayurvedic medicine, it is believed that there is a gland called the Pechoti gland, which resides in the belly button that allows it to absorb oils.
With that said, there is no actual evidence that the Pechoti gland exists.
However, the belief is based on the fact that in the womb, you absorb nutrients from your mother through navel tissues and the umbilical cord.
So, I guess it kind of makes sense.
In traditional Chinese medicine, a practice called navel therapy or umbilical therapy involves applying herbal remedies to the navel area to treat various conditions.
However, studies on the efficacy and safety of navel therapy are ongoing, and there isn’t any concrete scientific evidence that it is an effective therapy.
Although we don’t have any solid scientific proof related to any of these ancient practices, the concept is interesting.
The belly button is quite fascinating. As I previously mentioned, it is how we absorb nutrients and oxygen through the umbilical cord in the womb.
It is believed to have no physiological function in adults. However, the belly button does have quite a few nerve endings. The abundance of nerve endings is what makes it sensitive to touch and also why some people do believe it may have a physiological function in adults.
Many people believe there are health benefits to applying oil to the belly button, a practice commonly referred to as navel pulling.
What is Navel Pulling?
Navel pulling involves applying oil, such as castor oil, to the belly button, massaging the area gently with your fingertips, and leaving it on for a few minutes or overnight.
It is believed to help detoxify, improve digestion, relieve stress, moisturize the skin, and more.
You can discover all of the potential benefits below.
Potential Benefits of Applying Castor Oil to the Belly Button
There are many science-backed benefits to using castor oil, but not necessarily when it comes to applying castor oil to the belly button specifically.
So, the potential benefits below are primarily anecdotal.
Promotes Detoxification
One of the best things about castor oil is its ability to support the liver. It does this by increasing blood flow to the liver area.
Castor oil can also improve the flow of lymph, which is the fluid that carries waste products away from tissues and into the bloodstream for elimination.
Castor oil’s powerful support for liver function and its ability to enhance lymphatic drainage make it an excellent natural aid for detoxification.
Applying it to the belly button may aid the body’s natural detox process by helping flush out toxins and improving organ function.
Supports Digestion
Castor oil is amazing for supporting digestion. Applying castor oil to the belly button may ease constipation, reduce bloating, and stimulate digestion.
Reduces Stress & Promotes Relaxation
Castor oil is known to have a calming effect on the nervous system. Thanks to its soothing nature, applying castor oil to the belly button before bed may reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Nourishes the Skin
Castor oil is loaded with antioxidants and has many skin benefits. It is incredibly moisturizing and can heal dry skin thanks to its rich composition of fatty acids.
Applying castor oil to the belly button helps deeply nourish the skin, keeping it soft, hydrated, and healthy.
Boosts Immunity
Castor oil may indirectly boost immunity by stimulating the lymphatic system and enhancing blood circulation.
Choosing the Right Castor Oil
Choosing the right castor oil is very important if you want to experience all the benefits castor oil has to offer.
You will want to use cold-pressed, organic castor oil for maximum effectiveness.
Also, ensure that it is hexane-free and free from artificial additives.
This is the one that I use most often.
How to Apply Castor Oil to Your Belly Button
To experience all of the benefits that applying castor oil to your belly button has to offer, simply follow the step-by-step directions below.
Remember only to use high-quality castor oil. This is the one that I use and recommend.
- Clean the belly button area to remove any dirt or oil buildup
- Apply a few drops of castor oil to your fingertip or directly to the belly button
- Massage into your belly button using circular motions until the oil is absorbed into the skin
- Leave it on for at least least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight
Should I Apply Castor Oil to the Belly Button in the Morning or at Night?
You can apply morning or night. Just choose whatever time works best for you.
However, I prefer to apply it at night because that is when the body is in repair mode, which may possibly enhance absorption and healing.
How Often Should I Apply Castor Oil to the Belly Button?
You can apply castor oil to the belly button as often as needed. Consistency is definitely key to seeing and experiencing results.
That said, if you have never used castor oil before, I recommend applying a very small amount to the belly button, maybe once or twice a week.
Because of castor oil’s detoxifying effects, applying too much or too often may cause an adverse reaction.
So go low and slow if you want to minimize detox symptoms. After your body starts to get used to it, you can gradually apply castor oil more often.
Will the Castor Oil Stain My Blankets & Clothes?
Castor oil is very thick and kind of messy, and it can definitely stain fabrics. If you are worried about your clothes or blankets staining, I recommend placing a bandaid over your belly button to keep the castor oil contained.
Potential Risks & Side Effects
Applying castor oil to the belly button is generally pretty safe. However, there are a few potential risks and side effects.
If you have sensitive skin, you may experience redness or irritation. If you have never used castor oil before, I recommend doing a patch test before applying it to the belly button or a larger area.
Abdominal cramping is a common side effect. This is due to castor oils’ laxative effects.
Because of castor oils’ ability to promote detoxification, you may experience detox symptoms, which include nausea, headache, diarrhea, and fatigue.
If you experience detox symptoms after applying castor oil to the belly button, I recommend going low and slow with the castor oil.
What I mean by that is to apply a very small amount of castor oil to the belly button, maybe once or twice a week, not every night.
Once the symptoms become less intense, you can apply castor oil more often.
Castor oil can potentially stimulate contractions and affect hormone levels, so never use castor oil during pregnancy unless approved by a healthcare provider.
My Experience with Castor Oil in the Belly Button: Does It Really Work?
So, after doing the research for this post, I was really excited to see what would happen when I applied castor oil to my belly button.
I applied castor oil to my belly button every day for two weeks straight. Sometimes, I applied it in the morning after showering, and other times, I applied it in the evening right before bed.
A few of the days, I did have some painful abdominal cramping, which I never have, and I do suspect the castor oil most likely caused it.
I also slept amazingly every night that I applied castor oil to my belly button, but with that said, I do sleep pretty well most nights.
There were a few days where I felt really out of it. I had terrible brain fog, which is very unusual for me. I thought maybe it was possibly a detox symptom.
Besides those few examples, I didn’t experience anything that was too out of the ordinary.
To be honest, I’m probably not the best person to share their experience with applying castor oil to the belly button because I’m pretty healthy overall.
I live a very healthy lifestyle. If I were a little more unhealthy, I might have had more extreme results.
Also, I have applied castor oil to my face and body almost daily for years, so maybe my body has just gotten used to it.
I’m not sure. But those are my honest results.
Final Thoughts
Although I personally didn’t experience any crazy benefits from applying castor oil to my belly button, I still stand by its healing power.
Not only have I heard from other people how castor oil has helped them, but I have experienced it myself.
Most of the positive benefits I have experienced have been from using castor oil packs.
However, I encourage you to apply castor oil to your belly button and see what happens. You don’t really have anything to lose.
It is super easy, takes less than a minute, and castor oil is very affordable. Hopefully, you already have some on hand.
I would love to hear about your experience applying castor oil to the belly button!
