Why People Are Doing This With Castor Oil
If you’ve been scrolling wellness TikTok or searching for natural detox remedies, chances are you’ve seen people talking about putting Castor oil in their belly button. It might sound unusual at first, but this ancient Ayurvedic-inspired ritual, often called Castor oil navel pulling, is quickly becoming a go-to for those looking to support digestion, hormone balance, lymphatic drainage, and overall wellness.
So what’s really going on here, and is it worth trying? Let’s break down why this simple practice is trending, how it works, and how to use Castor oil for detox, gut health, and skin support the right way.
What Is Castor Oil Navel Pulling?
Castor oil navel pulling (also known as belly button oiling) is the practice of applying Castor oil directly to the navel to support the body’s natural detoxification pathways.
Rooted in traditional wellness practices, the navel is believed to be a central point of connection in the body. While claims about “72,000 veins” are often cited in holistic circles, what’s more relevant is this: the abdominal area is rich in circulation and lymphatic activity, making it a prime spot for topical wellness applications.[1]
When applied to the belly button, cold-pressed Castor oil (rich in ricinoleic acid) is thought to help:
- Support lymphatic drainage
- Encourage circulation
- Soothe inflammation
- Promote digestive comfort
This is why it’s gaining traction as a natural detox method that’s easy to incorporate into your routine.
Why Castor Oil?
Castor oil benefits have been recognized for centuries across skincare and wellness. Today, it’s a staple in many natural health routines thanks to its unique composition.
Key Benefits of Castor Oil:
- Anti-inflammatory properties help calm the body
- Deeply moisturizing for skin hydration
- Supports lymphatic flow, which plays a role in detoxification
- May assist with bloating and digestion support
- Encourages a sense of relaxation when used in massage rituals
When used topically on the abdomen, Castor oil becomes a gentle, non-invasive way to support your body’s natural detox processes without harsh cleanses or restrictive diets.
Does Castor Oil Actually Detox the Body?
Let’s be clear: your body already has built-in detox systems–primarily your liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system.
What Castor oil can do is support these systems, especially the lymphatic system, which relies on movement and circulation to function effectively.
The active compound in Castor oil, ricinoleic acid, has been studied for its ability to:[2]
- Promote circulation
- Support lymphatic drainage
- Reduce inflammation
When you massage Castor oil into the abdomen or apply it to the navel, you may help stimulate these processes, leading to benefits like:
- Reduced bloating
- Improved digestion
- A feeling of lightness and relief
This is why many people turn to Castor oil detox methods as part of a broader holistic wellness routine.
Can Castor Oil Help With Belly Bloating or Fat?
Let’s separate fact from hype. Castor oil is not a fat-burning solution. It won’t directly reduce belly fat. However, it can help with:
- Bloating and water retention
- Supporting digestion and regularity
- Encouraging lymphatic movement
These benefits may result in a flatter-looking stomach and improved comfort, especially if bloating is a concern.[3] Think of it as a supportive tool for gut health and digestive wellness, not a shortcut to weight loss.
How to Use Castor Oil for Navel Pulling
Ready to try it? Here’s how to safely and effectively use Castor oil for belly button oiling and abdominal massage.
Step-by-Step Castor Oil Detox Routine:
- Start with high-quality Castor oil: Choose 100% pure, cold-pressed Castor oil for best results.
-
Optional: Add Essential Oils: Enhance your ritual with gut-supportive oils like:
- Ginger essential oil (warming, digestive support)
- Fennel essential oil (bloating relief)
- Grapefruit essential oil (uplifting, lymphatic support)
- Apply the oil: Pour a quarter-sized amount into your palm and warm it between your hands.
- Massage the abdomen: Using gentle, clockwise motions, massage around the belly button and across the abdomen. This follows the natural direction of digestion.
- Focus on the navel: Place a few drops directly into the belly button and let it absorb.
- Add gentle heat (optional): Use a warm compress or heating pad for 10-15 minutes to enhance absorption.
- Relax and breathe deeply: This helps activate the vagus nerve, promoting relaxation and supporting digestion.
What Results Can You Expect?
While results vary, many people report noticeable improvements when consistently using Castor oil packs or navel pulling techniques.
Commonly Reported Benefits:
- Improved digestion and gut health
- Reduced bloating and constipation
- Better sleep quality
- Less abdominal discomfort
- Increased sense of relaxation and calm
Some also use Castor oil topically to support skin health, including smoothing dry areas and improving overall hydration.
Pro Tips for Best Results
To get the most out of your Castor oil wellness routine, keep these tips in mind:
- Use consistently (3-4 times per week)
- Apply before bed for overnight absorption
- Pair with a healthy diet and hydration
- Always dilute Essential Oils properly
- Wear older clothing as Castor oil can stain
Why Edens Garden Castor Oil?
At Edens Garden, we’re committed to providing pure, high-quality oils without compromise. Our Castor oil is:
- 100% pure and cold-pressed
- Unrefined & hexane-free
- Free from synthetics and fillers
- Carefully sourced for maximum potency and effectiveness
Whether you’re exploring natural detox remedies, Castor oil for digestion, or holistic self-care rituals, quality matters, and your body will feel the difference.
The Bottom Line
The reason people are turning to Castor oil navel pulling isn’t that it’s trendy. It’s because it’s simple, effective, and rooted in time-tested wellness practices.
While it’s not a miracle cure, it is a powerful addition to your routine that can support:
- Digestive health
- Lymphatic flow
- Relaxation and recovery
In a world full of complicated wellness trends, this one stands out for its simplicity. Because sometimes, the smallest rituals, done consistently, create the biggest shifts.
SOURCES:
- Know the Hidden Facts About Castor Oil from Ayurveda. https://www.ambujasolvex.com/blog/know-the-hidden-facts-about-castor-oil-from-ayurveda/
- Castor Oil. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551626/
- Castor Oil: Myths and Facts https://healthmatters.nyp.org/castor-oil-myths-and-facts/
Grab The Essentials Here:
About the Author, Annie Mascia
Annie Mascia has been a Certified Aromatherapist since 2013 with training in various modalities ranging from internal use and component blending techniques to teacher training. She works as an Aromatic Consultant and Licensed Massage Therapist in NYC. Along with aromatherapy, Annie’s passionate about herbs, gardening, making incense and her family.
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22 comments
Edens Garden
Hi Lori! This depends on a variety of factors, such as your diet and exercise routine. We recommend checking your weight weekly and observing which healthy habits are producing the best results.
Edens Garden
Hi Madeline! We suggest checking with your doctor before Castor Pulling if you are pregnant.
Lori
How long does it take to see results from castor oil on belly button….reducing fat
Madeline
Is this a safe practice to use during pregnancy?
Susan
Looking forward to learning more.
Edens Garden
Hi Ellen! It depends on what you’re trying to accomplish and your preference. Some might opt for nightly navel pulling and others for once a week. If you have more information I can help you narrow down a better suggestion!
Ellen Ornberg
How often should you do the castor oil navel pulling?
carol
i am loving your cypress oil mixed with castor oil. (although i buy bigger bottles because i use it all the time for aches n pains) it has helped me with charlie horses restless leg syndrome and just downright bad energy in my legs! i have added to this celery seed, orange and trichomes from weed…it is a good rub for pain, cramps, and itching, it is such a big relief for me* peace out~
deTraci
Is it really 72,000 veins in the navel area? Possibly capillaries are meant?
kelly
Love this and especially mentioning the vagus nerve!
Jennifer
My 15 year old daughter woke up crying from cramps. Me, half asleep, remembered castor oil so I gave it a try. I rubbed it in to her entire belly and left a a little pool in her button. She then asked for tea. By the time I was done with boiling and steeping, she was fast asleep. I’m praying this works she suffers from constipation and bad menstrual cramps as well, been trying to go the holistic route to helping her.
Edens Garden
Hi Jackie! That’s an amazing testimonial. Thank you for sharing!
Jackie Cheal
I loved reading your information. Great advice. Inclusion of references are fabulous. Ill explain my experience with Castor Oil. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis which is painful and debilitating. Its been 30 years of painful flair ups, specialists (all of whom only ever relied on big pharma for treatment options and different prescribed meds and their negative side effects and overall discomfort. My life turned around during Covid. My dr tried to force me to take the vaccine. I said no. As a RN with over 30 years experience I questioned the use of this experimental ‘drug’. He didn’t like that. Told me he would not prescribe a new drug for my RA which he said would be life changing unless I took the vax. I thought this was unethical and against his oath as a doctor. I formally sacked him. I considered reporting to HCCC. I started doing my own research and chose a more natural path which now sees my RA in remission. Rarely do I get flair ups. Yes I still have RA but my body feels so much better without prescription medications. I use grounding, vitamin D, Apple Cider Vinegar, magnesium, Castor Oil, cayenne pepper and other essential oils as my treatments. My Rhumatoid Factor is high at 187 (normal is 14 or less) however my symptoms are minimal and do not limit my qol. Im using myself as a trial to see what helps me the most. Ive lost faith in the general medical system. I was sacked for making my own health choice. Thats wrong. It cost me my career but in many ways things worked out better for me. I would not have been in such good health now if I had just continued on my same path. A few years back my knee was sore. MRI revealed bone on bone. – Dr said knee replacement. Ive just turned 60 and didn’t want this. I had a huge bakers cyst the size of a tennis ball behind my right knee. I went on a wait list for knee surgery. My private health didnt cover joint replacement so after paying in my whole adult life when i needed it I had no cover!! So I started to find out about Castor Oil packing. I brought a large bottle of hexane free castor oil and it changed my life and those around me in many ways. It took only 7 weeks of nightly oil packing behind my knee to resolve the lump. My mobility improved. My pain reduced significantly. I was so impressed I kept sharing my success with others. My husband is now also a Castor Oil lover. Its been two years and Im walking 3-5 kms a day. On no prescription meds at all and off the hospital waiting list so no knee surgery. Im just taking things day by day. Getting daily sun, doing stretches, keeping mentally well and just doing my best for myself. Its working! Just wanted to share this with you as you wanted some feedback. All the best.
Lee Ekland
I use Castor Oil wraps around my abdomen and on my right side where my liver is twice a month. I have found that my sleep is much deeper and I am more relaxed overall. I would not keep doing this if CO. was not effective.
However I had a mixed experience when I poured castor oil in my naval overnight (Btw after I put the oil in my naval I cover it with a 3” x 3” Band-Aid to protect clothing and sheets). The next day I was absolutely shocked that bothersome eye floaters were gone and my field of vision seemed clearer overall. (I did NOT put the castor oil directly in my eyes only on my navel)
The down side was that I experienced heavy detox symptoms of fatigue and brain fog for five days. Anyone putting Castor Oil in their naval should be prepared for possible detox and drink plenty of water.
I did not use a binder like charcoal to help with the detox but I probably will next time.
Edens Garden
Hi Sarah! No ricin remains in our Castor oil after extraction. When sourcing Castor oil, it is important that you purchase from a trusted vendor.
Edens Garden
You’re now subscribed to our newsletter, Mary!
Sarah
Thank you for all this information. I have had some interest in castor oil in the past, but I never knew enough about it to pursue using it at all. I guess my biggest question about castor oil is whether there is any ricin remaining in the final product? Is that a concern at all? Does the brand of castor oil matter?
Betsy
I started using castor packs over my liver area many years ago as a way to drain my lymph nodes and detox my lungs after quitting smoking. To my surprise one of areas of psoriasis completely went away. The larger area of it decreased put did not completely go away. I see more and more commercials for medicine for psoriasis treatment and wish more people knew about and would try castor oil before taking prescription drugs.
Color
It is amazing to what great lengths people will go to pursue fads and cures, yet they ignore healthy eating, lifestyle choices, and continue to pursue treatment in an industry that fired workers who refused to be injected with what has been proven to be a biological disaster to most.
It is like shooting your arm off to remedy a spinter in your finger and then trying to find a way to make it grow back. 🤷
Mary Rafferty
Put me on emails
Ava
Very in-depth and helpful information. Thank you!
Cee
October 29, 2025 at 10:10 am
Castor oil can cause cramps when taken internally. That may not apply when applied externally, but pregnant women should probably skip CO pulling without professional supervision.