In the ancient healing system of Ayurveda, the belly button, known as the Nabhi, is considered a very important spot. It's seen as a central point of energy, health, and balance in the body. Applying warm oil to the navel is a simple but powerful self-care ritual that is believed to bring deep healing benefits to both the body and mind. In modern science, our belly button holds little to no value, some even considering it a scar, as the only purpose it served was as a source of food for babies in the womb. However, considering it was the only source of nutrition we had, one wonders how it can lose its value outside the womb.Also Read: What Is Leucovorin - The Drug Trump Suggests As A Treatment For Autism? According to the California College of Ayurveda, navel oiling practice is based on the idea that the Nabhi is connected to our digestive system, or Agni, and helps spread energy throughout the body. By oiling it, you can nourish your core and bring balance to your body's three energy types, or doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Does Oiling Your Belly Button Actually Have Benefits? For people who are just learning about this ayurvedic practice, this is the first question they ask. In a video, Smt. Hansa Ji from the Yoga Institute of India explained that the benefits of naval oiling are immense. For Your Skin: Applying oils like coconut, sesame, or almond oil directly to the navel can help deeply hydrate the skin, making it less dry. For Digestion: For issues like indigestion, bloating, or stomach pain, a mixture of ginger and peppermint essential oils with coconut oil can be applied. This practice is thought to reduce bloating and strengthen your digestive fire. For Hormones: Gently warming castor oil and massaging it into your navel is believed to help balance hormones and reduce menstrual pain. For fertility concerns, some people use olive oil or guava leaf oil. For Detoxification: Using neem or castor oil in the navel may help the body flush out toxins and support liver health. Some other benefits, as mentioned by the California College of Ayurveda were, For Pain Relief: A little warm castor oil on the navel may help reduce stomach cramps, menstrual pain, and stiff joints by balancing your Vata dosha. For Eyes and Lips: Oiling the navel with pure ghee or mustard oil is said to improve eyesight and prevent chapped lips by nourishing your body from its center. For Fertility: Applying ghee or coconut oil to the navel is believed to nourish the reproductive organs and boost overall vitality. How to Choose the Right Oil Different oils have different properties, so you can choose one based on what you want to achieve: Coconut oil is cooling and is great for balancing a Pitta imbalance.Sesame oil is warming and perfect for a Vata imbalance. It also helps with circulation.Mustard oil is known for its cleansing properties and benefits to digestion and joint health.Castor oil is a powerful healing oil that can help reduce pain and swelling.Pure ghee is very nourishing and helps to rejuvenate your body's tissues.Neem oil is great for cleansing and is often used for acne-prone skin or for detoxification.How to Practice Navel Oiling To do naval oiling one can start by warming up just 2-3 drops of your chosen oil. You can then lie down comfortably and apply the oil directly into your belly button. You can use a dropper for this. After you are done putting oil in your naval, gently massage the area in a circular motion for about a minute. Leave the oil on overnight or for at least 30 minutes before you wash it off. Remember to always use pure, high-quality, cold-pressed oils. If you have sensitive skin, it's a good idea to test a small patch of skin first. You should also avoid this practice if you have any infections or open wounds near your navel. Adding navel oiling to your daily or weekly routine can have a powerful effect on your overall health, from improving your skin and digestion to balancing your hormones and emotional well-being. Medical studies that support navel oiling While studies directly linking naval oiling to health benefits are limited, a 2015 research published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, showed the usage of essential oils for navel oiling can help reduce stress, headaches, insomnia and muscle pain. Another 2023 article published in the Frontier explains how massaging your abdomen may improve your digestion and improve problems like constipation. Note: Putting oil in your naval is unlikely to harm you but there are still chances of allergens being present or a specific oil not suiting your skin, causing you irritation. Make sure to do a skin patch test and take guidance from a medical professional for advice.
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