A growing trend on TikTok is turning an ancient wellness ritual into a viral self-care routine. Known as “navel oiling,” the practice involves applying oils—most commonly castor oil—to the belly button, drawing from Ayurvedic and other traditional medicine systems. Although modern science has yet to fully verify the method’s effectiveness, its popularity on social media is prompting new interest in its potential benefits.
Key Highlights:
- Social media influencers are promoting navel oiling as a natural remedy for various ailments, including digestive discomfort, stress, menstrual cramps, and symptoms related to PCOS and endometriosis.
- The practice is rooted in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, which regard the navel as a vital energy center connected to internal organs and overall health.
- While robust scientific data is lacking, some research suggests that abdominal treatments involving heat and light massage may offer relief from certain gastrointestinal issues, lending partial support to the practice.
Social media platforms are known for reviving ancient wellness trends, and the latest example making the rounds is “navel oiling.” This age-old practice, now repackaged by influencers as a modern self-care ritual, involves applying castor oil to the belly button. While it’s garnering attention on TikTok and Instagram for its purported ability to improve sleep, digestion, and hormonal health, the method actually traces its roots to Ayurveda—a traditional system of medicine that originated in India thousands of years ago.
Though practitioners of Western medicine remain skeptical, the growing buzz around this practice invites a deeper look into both its origins and claims.
What Is Navel Oiling and How Is It Done?
Navel oiling, sometimes referred to as “navel pulling,” is a form of topical therapy where individuals apply a small amount of oil—typically castor oil—either directly into the belly button or around the abdomen. Influencers on TikTok, such as @EdensGardenEssentialOil and @LunaLuxe_2, claim that the technique helps with issues ranging from poor sleep and low energy to bloating, cramps, and even hormonal imbalances.
There are various ways people are practicing navel oiling. Some place a few drops of oil into the belly button using a fingertip, while others lie on their back and fill the navel like a small well before massaging the oil outward in a circular, clockwise motion. Another variation includes placing oil-soaked cotton or cloth in the belly button and securing it overnight using a band or wrap—an approach often paired with a heating pad to aid absorption.
Ayurveda’s Take: Nabhi Chikitsa
In the Ayurvedic system, this practice is known as nabhi chikitsa, or the treatment of the navel area. “In Ayurveda, the belly button is not just a scar from where the umbilical cord was attached,” says Meena Makhijani, DO, a certified Ayurveda practitioner and board-certified physician in family and integrative medicine at UCLA. “It’s a marma point—an essential energy center similar to acupuncture points in Chinese medicine.”
According to Ayurvedic philosophy, applying oil to the navel can balance the body’s internal energies or doshas, particularly the pitta dosha, which governs metabolism and digestion. “Oil is used in Ayurveda in various forms—externally, internally, and in every orifice. The navel is particularly linked to digestive and reproductive health,” Makhijani explains.
In this belief system, balancing pitta through practices like navel oiling may improve digestion, reduce menstrual pain, and even help prevent diseases tied to internal inflammation or stress.
A Skeptical View from Western Medicine
However, not everyone in the medical field agrees. “There is no known physiological mechanism by which applying oil to the belly button would have a systemic effect,” says Richard J. Paulson, MD, director of USC Fertility and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Southern California.
Dr. Paulson explains that the belly button is simply healed skin tissue post-birth and functions the same as any other skin area. “Applying castor oil to your abdomen is no different, medically speaking, than rubbing it on your forearm,” he says. While he acknowledges the benefits of skin hydration and perhaps some localized soothing, Paulson warns against expecting curative results from such applications.
Can It Really Aid Digestion?
Despite the skepticism, there’s some indirect support for abdominal oiling—particularly when it comes to digestion. While the FDA recognizes castor oil as an oral laxative, there is no endorsement for its topical application in this manner. Still, proponents like Makhijani argue that the abdominal region’s proximity to the digestive system justifies attention.
Supporting this perspective, some studies hint at a connection between topical abdominal treatments and gastrointestinal relief. A meta-analysis of 33 clinical studies in children found that when montmorillonite clay combined with spices like cinnamon and clove was applied to the abdomen, it helped relieve diarrhea when used alongside standard medical treatments. However, researchers noted that the evidence was low-quality and based largely on limited studies.
In another case, ICU patients receiving nutrition via feeding tubes experienced improved digestion after warm compresses were applied to their abdomens. Researchers speculated that the added heat might improve blood flow and gastric motility—essentially, how efficiently the digestive system moves food.
Similarly, a review of 13 studies found that abdominal massage, even without the use of oils, was effective in enhancing digestive movement and easing constipation. These findings suggest that it may not be the oil itself but rather the act of massaging the abdomen that helps stimulate the digestive tract.
Can It Help With Menstrual and Hormonal Issues?
Many TikTok users also claim that navel oiling eases gynecological issues such as period pain, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and endometriosis. Yet, experts caution against viewing this as a treatment method.
“There’s no evidence that castor oil applied to the belly button can impact reproductive hormones or alleviate the structural complications of endometriosis or PCOS,” says Paulson. While heating pads and NSAIDs remain standard for relieving menstrual pain, PCOS and endometriosis typically require more comprehensive interventions, including hormonal therapies or surgery.
Makhijani acknowledges that more rigorous clinical research is needed to validate these benefits but stands by Ayurveda’s holistic approach. “For those looking for non-pharmaceutical ways to support their reproductive health, navel oiling can be part of a broader regimen that includes diet, yoga, and herbal therapy,” she says.
Is There a Link to Stress Reduction?
Although there’s no scientific consensus that castor oil in the belly button directly reduces stress, the method may still have calming effects. Gentle abdominal massage is widely recognized as a form of therapeutic touch, which can be deeply relaxing.
“Massage therapy has been shown to lower cortisol levels and increase serotonin and dopamine,” says Makhijani. These shifts in brain chemistry can support overall stress management, especially when the practice is combined with deep breathing or meditation.
Safety Considerations and Recommendations
For those interested in trying navel oiling, experts suggest approaching the practice with caution and common sense. “It’s generally safe for most people,” says Makhijani, “but anyone with skin sensitivities should do a patch test first.”
To conduct a patch test, apply a small amount of oil to a discreet area, like the inner arm, and monitor for redness or itching over 7 to 10 days. If no irritation occurs, the oil is likely safe to apply to the abdomen or navel area.
Additionally, consulting with a certified Ayurvedic practitioner is advised, particularly if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications. A professional can recommend the appropriate type of oil and method for your unique constitution and symptoms.
Final Thoughts
Navel oiling is far from a new discovery—it’s an ancient ritual that’s been revitalized by the digital age. While scientific evidence on its effectiveness remains inconclusive, many users find personal value in the ritual’s simplicity and soothing effects.
“It may not be a cure-all, but if it brings people into better touch with their bodies and encourages them to explore self-care practices with cultural roots, that in itself is a positive thing,” says Makhijani.
As with any wellness trend, what works for one person may not necessarily work for another. While the belly button may not be a gateway to instant healing, it has certainly become a surprising new frontier in the modern search for balance, calm, and connection.
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