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’re struggling with fatigue or unexpected weight gain, perhaps you’ve suspected that you might have a thyroid problem . In fact, these are just a few of the many symptoms you may experience when you are hypothyroid, meaning that your thyroid is underactive. But your thyroid may not be the underlying cause of your symptoms. It is estimated that 90% of those conventionally diagnosed with hypothyroidism actually have Hashimoto’s disease, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. It is an autoimmune disease which means the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues. In the case of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the immune system infiltrates and damages the thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck. Specifically, immune cells produce proteins called antibodies that capture and neutralize substances required for the production of thyr...