Applying castor oil to the belly button is a popular wellness trend rooted in Ayurvedic practices. There is no scientific evidence that the belly button offers unique absorption benefits for castor oil. Castor oil does have proven benefits for skin hydration and, when used topically in packs, may help with constipation and cramping. The benefits come from the oil being absorbed through the skin in general, not specifically the navel. What Is Castor Oil? Castor oil is a vegetable oil produced by pressing the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant. While raw castor beans are toxic, containing a poison called ricin, the oil manufacturing process removes this toxin completely. The final, commercially produced castor oil is safe for use and has been valued for centuries for its powerful medicinal and therapeutic properties. Used for centuries in traditional medicine by cultures like the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, castor oil has long been valued for its therapeutic proper...
If you taste fresh olive oil and experience a peppery, slight-burning sensation at the back of your throat, there’s a good chance your oil is high in polyphenols. Polyphenols are a type of antioxidant — a naturally occurring plant compound that works to keep free radicals (oxygen-robbing cells) from harming your body’s healthy cells. Eating foods and drinking liquids that are rich in polyphenols optimizes digestion, supports brain health, and plays a big part in weight management programs. A lot of popular foods contain healthful doses of polyphenols — with tea, wine, dark chocolate, and berries being some of the most well-known. The world-famous spice, cinnamon , found in teas, curries, pastries, and even toothpastes, provides benefits of several polyphenols it contains: rutin, catechin , quercetin , kaempferol , and isorhamnetin. And there are many other foods, used for th...