Castor Oil and Gut Health: What Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda Have Known for Centuries

Dr. Jacintha "Jaz" Roemer
Jun 22
3 min read

Updated: Jul 7

Let’s talk castor oil. ✨ The thick, golden elixir that's been used for centuries to soothe, soften, detox, and de-bloat has officially taken over TikTok — all thanks to the belly button method. Yes, apparently, the navel is the new portal to enlightenment (and better digestion).

But here’s the real question:👉🏽 Is belly-buttoning castor oil actually effective… or are we skipping a key part of the magic?

Let’s break it down — belly laughs, belly love, and belly wisdom included.

🌿 What Is the Belly Button Method?

Castor Oil in the Belly Button

The idea is simple: Fill castor oil directly into your navel (aka the umbilicus, aka your original lifeline to nourishment) and let the medicine do its thing. This technique, sometimes called “navel pulling,” has roots in Ayurvedic tradition, where the belly button is considered a hub for vitality, digestion, and emotional balance.

Social media’s take? “Put oil in your belly button and relieve bloating.”Holistic traditions’ take? “Balance the body’s energy and gut health through one of the most central channels.”Your take (probably)? “...Should I try this or nah?”

💆‍♀️ Castor Oil Packs: The OG Gut-Healing Ritual

Now let’s give a standing ovation to the real MVP of castor oil healing: the abdominal castor oil pack.This classic method — soaked cloth, warm oil, and a little heat over the entire abdomen — has been used for generations to:

Reduce bloating and inflammation
Support liver detox
Soothe menstrual cramps and constipation
Boost lymphatic circulation
Calm the nervous system

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), applying warmth and herbs to the abdomen aligns with supporting the Spleen and Liver systems — promoting the smooth flow of Qi, and helping digestion move with more ease and flow (and less drama).

🧘‍♀️ So... Which One Is Better?

Honestly? It depends on your vibe.

The navel-only method is quick, accessible, and sweetly symbolic. Think: targeted, gentle love to your digestive center.
The abdominal pack is more immersive, deeper, and energetically powerful — it’s like the full-body hug your gut has been begging for.

Some people love starting small — a few drops in the belly button at night. Others go for the full pack experience a few times a week. And the bold ones? They combine both. Castor oil party, anyone?

🧪 What About the Science?

Western science is still catching up (as usual). We don’t have giant randomized trials on "navel oiling" just yet — but here’s what we do know:

🧬 Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, a compound shown to reduce inflammation and improve circulation.

🌡️ Abdominal massage and heat therapy improve gut motility and activate the parasympathetic nervous system (that “rest and digest” vibe we all need more of).

📿 Ancient systems like Ayurveda and TCM knew the belly held wisdom — modern medicine is just beginning to listen.

So no, you don’t need a white lab coat to know this stuff works.

✨ Want to Try It? Here’s Your How-To Guide:

Castor Oil in the Belly Button — Adding Castor Oil to the Navel for Navel Pulling

🧴 The Belly Button Method

Put 2–3 drops of organic, cold-pressed castor oil in your navel.
Gently rub it in a clockwise motion.
Cover with cotton if you don’t want oil on your jammies.
Leave it on for at least 20 min or overnight.
Bonus: Add a warm compress or hot water bottle on top for extra love.

💛 The Full Castor Oil Abdominal Pack

Saturate a flannel or cotton cloth with castor oil.
Place over your abdomen (focus on liver area or entire gut).
Cover with plastic wrap or a towel.
Add a heating pad or hot water bottle.
Chill for 30–60 minutes. Breathe. Be. Digest.
Clean up with gentle soap or witch hazel if needed.

👉 Want the full printable instruction guide (with pretty visuals and all the tips)?

🎁 [Download my FREE Castor Oil Guide PDF here] – and get some self-massage secrets too!

🌀 The Takeaway:

Whether you’re #TeamNavel or #FullBellyPack, castor oil can be a gentle, powerful ally for digestive health. It’s not just trendy — it’s rooted in deep, timeless traditions. So go ahead and give your belly a little love. She deserves it.

✨ And if you want to learn how to combine castor oil with Medical Abdominal Massage, come join me in my online or in-person workshops — I’ll show you how to make it a full ritual that supports your gut, your hormones, and your soul.