By Breanna Slattery, ND
Lately, there’s been a trend on social media where people are using castor oil on their belly buttons. You might have seen posts claiming it can help with everything from digestive issues to skin problems. But is there any truth to this? As a naturopathic physician, I want to explore this trendy practice and dive into the science behind it.
The Social Media Trend: Castor Oil in the Belly Button
The idea of using castor oil on the belly button isn’t new. It comes from traditional medicine, where the belly button is seen as a special area that connects to vital organs in the body. Some believe that applying castor oil here can help with digestion, reduce pain, and even balance hormones. This belief is popular in holistic practices like Ayurveda, which focus on using natural remedies to heal the body.
However, while it sounds interesting, there’s very little scientific evidence to support the idea that applying castor oil to the belly button works in these ways. Still, castor oil itself does have known health benefits, so let’s take a closer look at what the science says.
The Science Behind Castor Oil
Castor oil is packed with ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and moisturizing properties. When applied to the skin, castor oil can promote healing and reduce irritation. But does it work when applied specifically to the belly button? While we don’t have strong scientific evidence to show that it helps with digestion or hormones through the belly button, castor oil does have proven benefits for the body in other ways.
Castor Oil’s Health Benefits
- Helps with Digestion
One of the most well-known uses of castor oil is as a natural laxative. Castor oil stimulates the muscles in the intestines, helping to relieve constipation. A study published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies found that castor oil can promote bowel movements and relieve constipation effectively (Sofi et al., 2012). Oral consumption of castor oil can cause sever diarrhea, so do not take without your doctors direction; we do not recommend oral dosing! - Promotes Healthy Skin
Castor oil is known for its ability to hydrate the skin and promote healing. The ricinoleic acid in castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful for treating conditions like acne, eczema, and dry skin. In fact, a study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology showed that castor oil helped improve skin hydration and wound healing when applied topically (Chauhan et al., 2013). - Supports Hair Growth
Many people use castor oil to help with hair loss or thinning hair. The fatty acids in castor oil nourish the scalp and may encourage hair growth. A study in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology found that castor oil could stimulate hair follicles and increase hair growth when applied topically (Ali et al., 2017).
Possible Risks of Castor Oil
While castor oil has many benefits, it’s important to use it carefully. If you apply too much, it can cause stomach cramps or diarrhea, especially if you use it as a laxative. Some people may also experience an allergic reaction, like redness or itching, so always do a patch test before using it on a larger area of your skin. Also, it’s important to never ingest large amounts of castor oil, as it can be toxic in excess.
Conclusion
The trend of using castor oil in the belly button may be fun to try, but there isn’t enough scientific evidence to prove that it helps with digestion or other health benefits. That said, castor oil does have well-documented health benefits for digestion, skin, and hair. Whether you use it topically or as a laxative (in small amounts), castor oil can be a helpful natural remedy when used safely.
References:
- Sofi, F., et al. (2012). Efficacy of castor oil in the treatment of constipation. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies.
- Chauhan, N., et al. (2013). Wound healing activity of castor oil. Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
- Ali, M. A., et al. (2017). The effects of castor oil on hair growth. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.
