08/07/2026
You may have seen the trend all over TikTok.
A few drops of castor oil in the belly button at bedtime. Claims of better digestion, less bloating, improved sleep, hormone balance, and more.
As with many wellness trends, there’s often a small piece of truth wrapped in a lot of oversimplification.
In Ayurveda, the navel has long been regarded as an important center connected with digestion, transformation, and agni—our digestive and metabolic fire. Working with this area isn’t a new idea.
Ayurveda asks, “Who is the person in front of me?”
Your constitution. Your digestion. Your symptoms. Your life stage. The season. The qualities present in your body. All of these matter when deciding whether oiling the navel is appropriate—and if so, which oil, how much, and in what way.
A simple home ritual of warm oil around the navel is very different from Nabhi Basti, a traditional Ayurvedic therapy using warm herbal oil in a therapeutic setting. They share a common philosophy, but they are not the same practice.
This is why we love using trends like these as an opportunity to share something deeper.
Not to dismiss them or blindly endorse them. But to add context.
Because true healing isn’t about collecting more hacks. It’s about understanding your body.
✨ Have you come across the navel oiling trend? Have you tried it, or are you simply curious? We’d love to hear your thoughts below.
NabhiBasti
