NAVEL OILING

 
 

You’ve heard of oil massage (Abhyanga), you’ve probably heard of hair oiling - but have you heard of navel oiling? 

I first encountered navel oiling, Indian style, during a Panchakarma retreat in India in 2016.

Navel oiling, referred to as ‘nabhi chikitsa’ or ‘nabhi purana’ (the Sanskrit word nabhi translates as wheel, center or navel), is an Ayurvedic practice for taking care of the body. While all warm oil massage is beneficial to the mind body, applying oil to the navel, and in particular the belly button, has specific benefits. The navel, or ‘nabhi’, represents the origin of life and is said to control all the functions of the body.

The navel area is related to self-worth, self-confidence and self-esteem. Since the skin is extremely thin here, with over 72,000 nerve endings, soothing this area directly soothes the brain and improves our ability to relax which is why the navel area is often focused on in Ayurvedic treatments. During my pregnancy and postpartum care, my Ayurvedic Dr and doula Dr Seema Datta gave me a belly massage from 3 months pregnant to aid digestion and reduce and prevent bloating. The oil was always placed onto my belly button first to relax the nervous system. 

The belly button that once connected us to our mother for nutrition is the perfect conduit for herbalised oil treatments. With the appropriate herbalised oils or ghee, it is said you can help to address and prevent coughs and colds, improve fertility etc - speak to an Ayurvedic Dr who can give you a personalised assessment of your health. For those of you who are intrigued and want to give navel oiling a go, read on for how to do it and what the benefits include:

CHOOSING YOUR OIL 

One of the first things to consider is what oil to use. Using the knowledge of Ayurveda we can assess our own constitutional needs as well as our dosha (or specific health issue or focus) to help determine the optimal oil.  Like other oil massages in Ayurveda, sesame oil, ghee, coconut oil and other herbal combinations are common choices. It is best for your body if the oil is either lukewarm or at room temperature, rather than cold.

HOW TO DO IT 

It is best to start by taking a small penny-sized amount of warm oil. Directly apply it to the navel area and massage it in a circular and clockwise motion until the oil has been absorbed. 

I do it as part of my abhyanga - a warm oil self massage that I try to do at least once a week. More if possible at this time of year which is, according to the qualities of autumn, a time of dry, rough, windy, erratic and cool qualities, which can easily provoke anxious feelings if not balanced through food and lifestyle. Warm oil massage is nourishing and nurturing, and by stimulating the manipura/solar plexus or navel chakra (energy centre) you are stimulating the body’s energy powerhouse, associated with your self-esteem and digestion. And since it is central to the other main chakras you are also stimulating them too. An optimal time to do this is at night before bed, helping the internal systems and organs to relax and reset overnight.

THE BENEFITS OF NAVEL OILING 

The main benefits include, but are not limited to; improving circulation, stress reduction, relaxation and helping to balance the doshas. It is also widely believed that the circular motions of navel oiling contribute to nourishing the abdominal organs leading to an improvement in many digestive-related issues. For those who are Pitta or Vata, it is known to give great results in helping issues with dysmenorrhea and bloating.

As well as the simple application of massaging warm oil into your navel and stomach area you can make the treatment more potent by using specially formulated herbal oils specific to your needs. Consult your Ayurvedic practitioner before you start especially if there is a particular health issue or existing condition that could be affected.

Jasmine Hemsley