Is this oil really magic, as social media says? How Long Should You Massage Castor Oil in the Belly Button? Find all the answers below!
Researchers and medical practitioners may be torn about this debate, but oiling the navel with castor oil is quite legitimate in Ayurveda. So, should you hop on the trend and reap the benefits of applying castor oil to the belly? How long should you massage it for? Keep reading to find out.
Does Rubbing Castor Oil on Belly Button Actually Help?
While some say castor oil can’t possibly give any benefits when rubbed onto the belly button, as it is scar tissue remaining from birth, Ayurveda disagrees.
It says that behind the belly button inside the stomach, there is a lining of nerves that relay information directly to the nervous system. These nerves, which are sensitive to touch, pain, pressure, friction, and temperature, can absorb castor oil via topical massage and aid with certain health issues.
While the FDA has only approved castor oil as a laxative against constipation, more research is needed to prove how much castor oil can help you with digestive or weight loss issues. But castor oil is relatively safe, and you will benefit in one way or the other by massaging it onto your belly button.
Benefits of Castor Oil in Belly Button
1. For Weight Loss
Massaging castor oil on this area would not naturally make you lose all those extra pounds overnight. In fact, besides aiding in better digestion, a castor oil massage cannot do much more. You need to take into account various other factors like proper diet, exercise, and enough sleep to achieve weight goals over time.
Social media influencers claim that castor oil packs are effective in weight loss, but that is just another internet myth. However, you can use ginger oil for weight loss.
2. Heals Digestive System
Studies have shown that massaging your belly button with castor oil can improve colonic movement and relieve abdominal pain. Moreover, if you do not have any specific infections or allergies to castor oil, then you are totally free to massage it on your belly button, especially if you are “backed up.”
3. Helps With Menstrual Cramps
The days of Aunt Flo’s visits can be terrible, literally a pain in the back and the abdomen. It is especially worse if you have been diagnosed with endometriosis, which can bring a world of excruciating cramps.
During this time, warming up some castor oil with a little carrier oil and massaging it onto the belly button and surrounding areas can help reduce period pain and alleviate endometriosis symptoms. Just take 3-4 drops of it, mix them in a tablespoon of coconut oil, and massage it in and around your belly button. Simple, right?
4. Helps in Wound Healing
Though castor oil on the navel does not directly heal your skin, it can act as a remedy for certain skin ulcers and wounds. You can try mixing it with Peru balsam, an herb. The combination of the two is available in an ointment form as an over-the-counter medication.
Castor oil or an ointment with the two ingredients massaged on the area will create a thin film over the skin that promotes healing.
How Long Should You Massage Castor Oil in Belly Button?
Coming to the big question, here’s how to do it the right way and for how long.
First, lie down on your back on a yoga mat or the floor, with your knees raised and your feet flat on the ground (avoid the bed as castor oil can stain clothes and sheets). Rub your palms and fingertips together after pouring a quarter-sized amount of castor oil onto your palm. You can also add a few drops of ginger, fennel, coconut, or sweet orange oils to castor oil for added benefits.
Starting with the belly button, massage the oil gently, creating larger circles as you go clockwise. Do this until you have coated your entire belly and abdomen. You can also use a heating pad for a few minutes after the massage to improve absorption. Do this routine every day for 10 minutes, about 30-40 minutes before a bath.
Side Effects of Applying Castor Oil in Belly Button
- Castor oil is not a first-line treatment. If you have any underlying medical issues, infections, allergies, or are pregnant or nursing, you must consult a medical practitioner before massaging it onto your belly button. This is because it might cause cramping.
- Do not consume castor oil, especially if you have a medical condition and are taking diuretics. It is safe to consume, though, but not more than 15-60 ml in a day.
- It is always best to do a patch test when using castor oil for the first time. Wait 24 hours for any itching, swelling, or rashes. If such symptoms occur, seek medical help immediately.
Castor oil may not be the holy grail you are looking for, but it sure can be an excellent addition to your wellness routine. Let us know in the comments below how a castor oil massage helped you!