Navel Oiling Is All Over TikTok, But Should You Try It?

If you're following wellness TikTok, chances are you may have come across a video or two about navel oiling or the Pechoti method, which involves rubbing certain types of oil in your belly button to help alleviate a variety of symptoms from generalized pain to poor digestion. It's a holistic technique derived from Ayurvedic medicine — the ancient practice of natural healing with roots in India. But is navel oiling worth the hype? 

How does navel oiling work? 

Essentially, "you take warm oil, and you fill your belly button with that oil. Ideally, you want to keep it [there] for 30 to 45 minutes, and then you can wipe it off," says Nidhi Pandya, a third-generation Ayurvedic practitioner.

You can use simple carrier oils such as sesame or castor oil, but Pandya also recommends oil blends made with ingredients such as ashwagandha and cardamom for particular ailments. Zachary Mulvihill, MD, an integrative medicine doctor at Weill Cornell Medicine who uses Ayurveda in his practice, says he will often add herbs to a base oil like sesame to personalize the treatment according to individual needs. You may also see all sorts of other oils recommended online for navel oiling, including ginger, coconut, CBD, tea tree, peppermint, and more.

The oil is applied directly to the belly button, which is important in traditional medicine because it is a vestige of the umbilical cord — "the life force," says Mulvihill. But although it is where nutrition enters your body as a fetus, it loses the ability to function after the umbilical cord is severed, according to Monica Reinagel, licensed nutritionist and the host of the "Nutrition Diva" podcast.

What are the purported benefits of navel oiling? 

In Ayurvedic medicine, every person has a ratio of three different bodily energies called doshas: vata, kapha, and pitta. They're used to determine a number of best health practices for each person, including diet and exercise. So, the results of a treatment like navel oiling are believed to depend on your dosha, says Mulvihill. 

Online, people claim that navel oiling can help with all sorts of issues, from joint pain and sleep to weight loss and fertility problems — but the validity of these claims is unclear. Mulvihill, on the other hand, says navel oiling is particularly effective for people who are dominant in vata, which is the dosha often associated with coldness and dryness. Warm oil may counteract some potential health problems that are believed to come with having a high level of vata, such as digestive issues. Navel oiling may also help relieve period pain, belly aches, and bloating, adds Pandya. 

Does it actually do anything, though?

Some oils may have benefits. For example, lavender oil, considered an essential oil, promotes relaxation through its scent, while peppermint oil, another essential oil, may help with digestive issues when taken orally. 

But when oils are applied to the skin, evidence is lacking to say for sure that their effects are more than skin-deep. 

"What we know is that the skin is a really effective barrier, and that's a really good thing because we come into contact with so many things that we actually don't want to be absorbing," says Reinagel. Topical oils and creams won't necessarily penetrate beyond your superficial skin layers, such as the epidermis, she explains. So while the oils could have an effect on the skin, any active ingredients may be unlikely to enter your bloodstream.

While you may not be able to instantly ease an upset stomach with navel oiling, for example, that doesn't mean there's no value in trying it. "Let's not forget just the benefits of self-care — just taking a few moments to do something kind to your body," says Reinagel. Others might derive benefits from it simply because they believe in it — aka the placebo effect. 

Are there any risks with navel oiling? 

Intrigued by navel oiling and want to give it a try? There's likely no harm in it — just keep your expectations in check. "My only concern would be skin irritation," says Reinagel. Essential oils such as peppermint or tea tree oil may cause skin reactions, so remember to dilute them first in a carrier oil. More often than not, gentle oil will keep skin risks at bay if you're attempting navel oiling. 

theSkimm 

If you're curious about navel oiling, it's a chance to learn more about Ayurvedic medicine or the use of oils in holistic practices. While trying it is low-risk as long as you don't overdo it, you shouldn't expect navel oiling to solve complicated medical problems. As always, check in with your doctor if you're experiencing symptoms you'd like to address.