Rubbing castor oil in the belly button is not new, but it has gotten a lot of buzz on social media for its supposed benefits. Proponents of the practice, also known as navel pulling, claim that it can help with bloating, abdominal pain and even sleep. All you have to do is massage a few drops of castor oil in your belly button and let it do its thing.
Castor oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the pressing the seeds of the castor bean plant, which is indigenous to India, Africa and the Middle East. The thick, sticky oil has been used for thousands of years for medicinal, beauty and industrial purposes. It can be ingested orally or applied to the skin. It’s not used for cooking.
Today, castor oil is sold over-the-counter at pharmacies and added to cosmetics and cleaners. Some types of castor oil are intended for ingestion (USP-grade or food-grade) while others are only meant for cosmetic use on the skin or hair.
As with any cheap and easy health hack, you may be wondering if castor oil in the belly button works or if it’s just hype. So, what does the science say?
Here’s what we know about navel pulling with castor oil, the potential health benefits and risks, and how to do it safely, according to doctors.
What is navel pulling?
Navel pulling is the practice of applying castor oil to your belly button, usually by rubbing warmed oil on the area or with a castor oil pack (a cloth socked in castor oil).
It originates in Ayurvedic medicine and is thought to help promote relaxation and support overall health, Dr. Zachary Mulvihill, a physician with the Integrative Health and Wellbeing Program at NewYork-Presbyterian, tells TODAY.com.
Castor oil is also a common remedy in Chinese medicine, he adds.
Castor oil health benefits
Castor oil and its compounds have anti-inflammatory, laxative and moisturizing properties, which may offer health benefits when ingested or applied topically.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves castor oil for one use — as a stimulant laxative. A small amount of castor oil can be ingested relieve occasional constipation and is safe when used at the right dosage as directed by a doctor, Dr. Adil Bharucha, a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic, previously told TODAY.com. It should only be used in the short-term, not as as routine treatment.
Castor oil is a powerful laxative that stimulates the intestines, causing diarrhea. “It’s not a laxative I usually recommend (because) it’s so strong and it tastes bad,” says Mulvihill.
Castor oil is also full of fats that act as a natural emollient. “Castor oil is very rich in ricinoleic acid, (about) 85-95%,” says Mulvihill. This omega-9 fatty acid is known for its moisturizing properties, he adds, and it may help hydrate the skin and reduce inflammation.
Some people also claim castor oil can help with hair loss, menstrual cramps, eye diseases and more. However, there isn’t really any scientific evidence to back these benefits up, Mulvihill notes. Research on the pain-relieving and infection-preventing effects of castor oil is also limited.
Despite its ancient history and the abundance of anecdotes about castor oil’s other uses, research is mixed. “There’s a lot of conflicting information, even within the traditional community,” says Mulvihill.
Always talk to your doctor before using castor oil.
How to use castor oil in your belly button
Rubbing castor oil in the belly button may trending on TikTok, but people have been doing it for a long time.
Typically, the warmed castor oil is massaged in a circular motion in and around the belly button and left to absorb. The navel is considered an important point on the body. Right behind it is the celiac plexus, a network of sensitive nerves. “It’s like a big energy center,” Mulhivill adds.
Another popular practice is using a castor oil pack, which is a cloth soaked in castor oil and applied to the abdomen for an extended period, often with heat. “The idea is this pack (has) a lot of oil, more oil than you could rub onto your belly, then you also put a heating pad over it to help absorb,” says Mulvihill.
Does putting castor oil in your belly button work?
On TikTok, people claim putting castor oil in the belly button can help relieve bloating, relieve pain, aid with fat loss, and even promote sleep. It all rests on the idea that castor oil, when applied topically, absorbs and has some effect inside the body.
There’s no scientific evidence to support these claims about putting castor oil in the belly button, according to experts.
Some people may find this practice does provide relief, Mulvihill notes. However, any digestion-related benefits of navel pulling have more to do with massaging the belly button and abdomen than the effects of castor oil absorbed by the skin, he notes.
“Rubbing any oil onto your belly when you have bloating and constipation probably would help,” says Mulvihill, adding that the intestines are behind the belly button.
Massaging the belly in a clockwise motion can mimic the natural motility of the colon, which may help move feces or gas along, Mulvihill explains. The warm oil can also feel soothing.
That said, navel pulling is more of a complementary remedy than a first-line bloating treatment. “First, I’m trying to figure out what’s wrong with your diet,” says Mulvihill.
Some people also swear by castor oil packs for menstrual cramps, gut health and removing toxins. There’s no science to back these claims up, either. The body can detox on its own thanks to the liver and kidneys.
If you’re looking to reap the digestive benefits of castor oil, it’s most effective when ingested for constipation. “The only evidence that’s super strong is it’s a laxative, and it’s safe enough that the FDA approved it,” says Mulvihill.
Consult your doctor to find out which type of castor oil and dosage to use. “If something’s food-grade, you can put it on your skin and not be worried, but it doesn’t work in reverse,” says Mulvihill.
If you want to try navel pulling, make sure you do it safely.
Castor oil in belly button risks
Rubbing castor oil in the belly button is generally safe for most people and unlikely to cause harm, says Mulvihill. However, there are potential side effects of applying castor oil topically, including:
Castor oil can cause an allergic reaction to the skin called contact dermatitis. If you’ve never used castor oil, Mulhivill recommends doing a patch test. Rub a small amount of oil on your forearm and wait 24 hours, watching for signs of an allergic reaction.
Avoid using castor oil to skin with open wounds, cuts or active irritation, says Mulvihill. Keep it out of your eyes.
The safest way to warm up castor oil is to pour it in a glass container and place this in a warm bowl of water, says Mulvihill. Never use the microwave, as the oil can become dangerously hot and cause burns.
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid using castor oil due to the potential risks, says Mulvihill. Always talk to your doctor before using castor oil or if you have any concerns.
The bottom line? Rubbing castor oil in your belly button probably won’t hurt. “It just might not really help that much, so it’s just managing your expectations,” Mulvihill adds.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
