What Happens When You Start Applying Oil To Your Belly Button
If you’re anything like me, moisturizing your body every day is a must. However, I must admit that the thought of oiling up my belly button has never, ever crossed my mind. I was recently scrolling on TikTok when I came across a video of a woman rubbing her navel with oil while discussing the benefits of doing so. Once I heard that it could ease menstrual cramps, my interest was immediately piqued. She also claimed that navel oil therapy can help with dry lips, problem skin, and fertility issues. As a lover of holistic healing, I decided to take a look into this.
This method, originally known as the Pechoti method or Nabhi Chikitsa, is an ancient Ayurvedic practice and believers claim that it can detoxify, nurture, and treat ailments in the body. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Ayurveda is an Indian holistic medical system “that’s based on ancient writings that rely on a natural and holistic approach to physical and mental health.”
Ayurveda practitioner, therapist, and holistic wellness educator, Navi Gill, describes this ancient therapy practice and how it can benefit everyday lifestyles.
Q: What’s the importance of oiling the navel?
A: In Ayurveda, the practice of oiling the navel is an ancient one and a part of the therapies called Nabhi (navel) Chikitsa (treatment). The Nabhi is a vital energy point or center.
During pregnancy, the umbilical cord supplies nourishment to the child along with the surrounding blood vessels. These blood vessels also supply nutrients and blood supply to our extremities therefore it is also considered to be a very powerful and sacred physical and spiritual area of the body.
Q: Are there different oils for different purposes?
A: Always consult with a practitioner before starting to know what oil is best for you, but unprocessed sesame, sunflower, or coconut oil and ghee are generally okay to use. We don’t typically use essential oils but if you do, you must dilute in a carrier oil before applying, never apply essential oils directly to the belly button.
- For nourishment and reduction of anxiety and digestion issues, use warm ghee/clarified butter
- For overall skin radiance, use almond oil or coconut oil
- For inflammatory conditions such as rashes or acne, use neem oil
- For cramping, use castor oil or ghee (you can add lavender, ginger, or rose)
Q: What are the different methods of applying oil to the belly button?
A: Nabhi Poorana or Purana: Pooling the navel cavity/depression with a warm herbal or medicated oil or even ghee (clarified butter).
Nabhi Basti: Building a circular well with black gram or chickpea flour and retaining warm medicated oil in the region for a period of time. This is usually done by an Ayurveda practitioner/therapist.
Nabhi Lepa: Lepa means paste, and in Nabhi Lepa, a medicated paste of herbs is applied to the navel area for a period of time.
Q: What are the benefits of oiling your belly button?
A: The benefits depend on the symptom we are trying to resolve, the type of oil used, and the person's constitutional nature. Typically feeling grounded, nourished, calm, clear, and relaxed are some of the benefits.
In Ayurveda, warm oil is used as a carrier for medicinal herbs to be absorbed deeper into the body. Typically, Nabhi Basti and Poorana are very supportive for Vata-related imbalances including gas, constipation, bloating, painful cramping, indigestion, and IBS symptoms.
Q: Is it safe to oil the navel? And how often should the navel be oiled?
A: In Ayurveda, everything is done as a prescribed therapy and under the care of an Ayurveda doctor, practitioner, or therapist. As a general rule always check with your practitioner before starting and avoid any therapies during acute symptoms if you are practicing on your own as it may further aggravate your symptoms.
Q: How can one practice the Pechoti method?
A: On an empty stomach or at least two hours after eating, use warm ghee or recommended oil for your symptoms, lay on your back and pool or apply a few drops to the belly button, and leave the oil in the belly button for 15 to 20 minutes. Gently massage the remaining oil onto the abdomen in a clockwise motion for a few minutes.
Then place a small ball gently only far enough to retain some oil and prevent staining of your clothing from the oil. To be on the safe side, wear something you would not mind getting stained like an old sleep or nightshirt. Leave the oil on overnight and shower as normal in the morning.
For menstruation, it’s best to do this 5 to 7 days prior to the start of the cycle. During the cycle, we generally avoid any detoxification therapies as the body is already undergoing a cleansing process. For pregnancy, it’s also best to avoid any practices unless advised by your healthcare practitioner.
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This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
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Blair Underwood Initially Turned Down 'Sex And The City' Because 'It Was About How Samantha Was Fascinated By Dating A Black Man’
Actor and heartthrob Blair Underwood is opening up about why he turned down Sex and the City the first time he was offered a role. Many fans of the HBO series may recall Blair's time on the show in which his character was dating Miranda (Cynthia Nixon). However, he was previously offered another role where his character would date Samantha (Kim Cattrall).
During his interview with AV Club, the Set It Off star revealed that he was uncomfortable with the initial offer due to the character's fascination with him being a Black man.
“I actually did say ‘no’ the first time,” he said. “The first time they had offered the role, to be honest with you, it was about how Samantha was fascinated by dating a Black man and wanted to know if, uh, all of the rumors were true about our anatomy! And I said, ‘Listen, I’m honored, thank you, but I just don’t want to play a character based on race, on curiosity about a Black man.'”
But that didn't stop them from reaching out again. This time he was offered to play Dr. Robert Leeds, the love interest to Miranda and he decided to go for it. "So they were nice enough to call about a year later, and I said, 'Well, is it gonna be about race?' And they said, 'No, no, no, we’re not even gonna mention race!' And I think it really did only come up maybe once," he recalled.
"It did five episodes, and I think Samantha mentioned it once, saying something about 'a Black doctor' that Miranda was dating. And that’s really been a consistent thing in my career: not wanting to be boxed as 'the Black guy.'
"I’ve had that conversation with many producers along the way, and they were so great. They said, 'No, he’s just a doctor who Miranda meets in the elevator, and they have a nice little fling.' And it was amazing."
Blair has had a wide-ranging career playing everything from a lawyer on L.A. Law to playing Madame CJ Walker's husband on Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame CJ Walker. And during his interview, he revealed another role that he initially turned down, Set It Off. The movie, which is considered a classic in Black culture, stars Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise. Blair's character, Keith, played a banker and love interest to Jada's character, Stony.
He explained why he said no at first and eventually accepted the offer. "I had initially said “no” to that. Because I was playing this historic, iconic African-American historical figure in Jackie Robinson, and the time, y’know, there was Boyz N The Hood, and Menace II Society was out there, and I’d finished playing this noble Negro… [Laughs]," he said.
"And I’m reading the script, and there’s a scene where Jada Pinkett’s character—Jada Pinkett-Smith now—was going to sell her body so she could make some money to send her brother to college. And I remember, honestly, I threw the script across the room. I was, like, “I don’t want to do this. I want to do something uplifting for the Black culture and Black characters, and I don’t know if I want to see this.”
After a conversation with the movie's director F. Gary Gray and the actor's manager encouraging him to finish reading the script, Blair had a change of heart. What he first thought about the movie turned out to be totally different.
"So I finished the script, and I saw that the character they were asking me to play was really the love story in the midst of all of this turmoil of all of these characters, the four ladies: Queen Latifah, Vivica Fox, Kimberly Elise, and Jada," he explained.
"It was so well-written, it was such a great platform for them. And to be able to play the love story and the storyline that gave Jada’s character a leg up and a way out of this world, something to hope for, to wish for, someone to love her… I said, 'You know what? I’d like to be a part of that.'
"And I’m so glad I did, because that film resonates to this day. People all the time come up to me and say that they love that movie. So I’m glad that I did it."