7 Surprising Health Benefits of Applying Castor Oil To Your Belly Button At Night

Know 7 surprising health benefits of applying castor oil to your belly button at night. From improved digestion to reducing menstrual pain, this ancient remedy may boost your wellness naturally.

You might have heard about your parents or grandparents oiling or massaging the body. Surprisingly, massaging the body with several essential oils has several therapeutic benefits. One such practice of oiling is navel therapy, or navel oiling. Navel pulling is based on concepts from Ayurvedic medicine, an Indian medicine system that is thousands of years old.

Navel pulling is based on the Pechoti gland, located behind your belly button. It’s believed that this gland is a hub for thousands of blood vessels that can help absorb substances like oils into your body. From reducing menstrual pain to protecting your skin from several infections, here are 7 health benefits of applying castor oil to your belly button at night.

Provides Relief From Constipation

If you find it difficult to pass stools, applying castor oil in the belly button and massaging it rotationally may manage constipation. The oil has warming qualities and is known for being a natural laxative. Also, a study, published in The National Library of Medicine, found that massaging the abdomen may increase stool frequency in people struggling with constipation.

Protects Your Skin From Infection

So why is it absolutely necessary to keep the navel clean and supple? If you don’t keep the belly button nice and dry, it becomes the ideal place for bacteria and fungi to breed and multiply. This gives rise to several infections that can spread to other parts of the body. You can also use tea tree oil (known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties), mustard oil (antibacterial properties), and coconut oil to contain and kill those infections. Apply this oil into your belly button twice a day.

Reduces menstrual pain

Women can agree to the fact that period pain is terrible. Those four days can leave you to suffer in a whole world of pain. And if you have been diagnosed with endometriosis, then the story is much worse. So what to do? A simple tip that works is castor oil packs. Warming castor oil and putting it into the navel not only reduces period pain but also alleviates endometriosis symptoms. You can also use a warm raspberry leaf, nettle, and liquorice tea bag, which can work on both conditions. Next time when your period approaches, keep castor oil and a hot water bottle handy.

Boots Fertility in Women

The belly button is the link between a mother and a child. So it can be perceived that the navel is closely associated with fertility. Generally known for its benefits for hair and skin, coconut oil is one of the natural remedies that can give a boost to your fertility also. To improve the quality of the eggs and nourish the uterus, massage organic olive oil over the belly. Other oils you can use are juniper, clary sage, damiana, guava leaf, etc.

Reduces stress

Putting castor oil in the belly button and massaging the abdomen area may help in reducing stress and promoting sleep at night. Abdominal massage can be used to manage psychological disorders, such as stress, anxiety, and insomnia, as per research published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine. The belly button is a connection point for nerves, including links to the vagus nerve, which controls relaxation and emotional balance. So, along with relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga, you can massage your abdomen area with the oil.

Lowers joint pains and aches

This is an age-old remedy that we Indians have been following for ages. People suffering from arthritis or osteoporosis massage their joints and legs to get relief from the terrible pain. Moreover, castor oil also has therapeutic effects on joint pains and aches. Put some drops of either castor oil or ginger oil to lubricate the joints to relieve the stiffness.

Relief from bloating

There may be times when your belly feels full and a bit tight. Bloating is usually connected to gas. Apply castor oil to the belly and abdomen to help soothe your intestinal muscles, release trapped gas, and relax the gut lining. Don’t do it right after finishing your meals.

FAQs

Is it really safe to apply castor oil to the belly button at night?

Yes, applying a few drops of pure, cold-pressed castor oil to the belly button is generally safe for most people. However, do a patch test first to rule out any skin allergies.