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...
You’ve probably heard that you should be incorporating more antioxidants into your diet, but what exactly are antioxidants and where can you find them? Antioxidant basics Antioxidants are substances that help protect our bodies from “free radicals” or unstable molecules capable of doing damage to our cells. Free radicals are formed during normal bodily processes like eating and exercising, or when we’re exposed to toxins like pollution or cigarette smoke. Antioxidants can help neutralize free radicals and decrease the potential damage they might cause to our cells (also known as oxidative stress). To put it another way, free radicals are the “bad” guys, and antioxidants are the “good” guys, swooping in to keep these culprits from destroying the place. Where do antioxidants come from? The best source of antioxidants is food, especially richly colored fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. A well-balanced diet with lots of different colors wi...