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...
It’s summer BBQ season! Just make sure you know the healthiest and most Ayurvedic way to prepare your grillables. Ayurvedic Cooking Principles, the National Cancer Institute, and Meat As you head out for that summer BBQ , a quick reminder that in Ayurveda all foods should be cooked gently on low heat. And now modern Western science backs up this ancient practice . The National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health has reported on the risks of cooking meat at high temperatures. This is because when meat from the muscle of beef, pork, fish, and poultry are cooked using high temperatures, cancer -causing heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are formed. HCAs and PAHs have been found to be mutagenic , meaning they cause changes in DNA that may increase the risk of cancer . The Science Behind Cooking Meat The National Cancer Institute suggests that cooking time, the type and temperature of heat used, the type of meat, and the method ...