Ayurvedic Navel Oil & Belly Button Therapy: A Complete Guide to Digestion, Hormones, and Healing

For thousands of years, traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have paid close attention to the navel. 

Far from being just a scar from birth, the belly button - known in Ayurveda  as nabhi - was regarded as a powerful healing center, influencing digestion, hormones, emotional balance, and overall vitality.

Two practices that are being rediscovered today are:

1. Ayurvedic Navel Oil Therapy (oiling or nabhi chikitsa)

2. Belly Button Therapy / Navel Acupressure (using pressure or pumping movements at the umbilicus)

When combined, these approaches create a deeply restorative self-care ritual, blending herbal nourishment with gentle mechanical stimulation.

In this article, we’ll explore the origins, science, benefits, real-life stories, and how-to steps of these practices and navel oils such as the one we've put together. 

This isn´t your ordinary navel oil! We have worked so hard to produce a full-spectrum Ayurvedic therapy for digestion, hormones, skin, stress, and vitality...it is .one of the most cleanest, potent and intentional herbal navel oil blends, which you can find here.

1. The Navel in Ayurveda: The Body’s Centre of Balance

Ayurvedic texts describe the navel as the root of 72,000 nadis, the subtle energy channels that carry prana (life force) throughout the body. The navel is also considered a marma point, a vital spot that governs:

• Agni (digestive fire) – linked to metabolism and assimilation of nutrients.

• Ojas (vital energy) – connected to immunity and reproductive health.

• Manas (mind) – reflecting the navel’s role in calming stress and emotion.

Modern anatomy places the navel at the crossroads of digestive, endocrine, and nervous systems, lending biological plausibility to these ancient insights.

2. What Is Ayurvedic Navel Oil Therapy?

Navel oiling involves placing a few drops of herbal oil into the belly button and massaging gently. Traditionally this used a single carrier oil or a few simple herb infusions; the idea is to nourish local tissues, support circulation and nerve-tone around the navel, and deliver fat-soluble phytonutrients to nearby organs.

We’ve raised the bar by combining a carefully balanced blend of 32 wild & organic ingredients — 23 botanicals/resins plus 9 carrier oils — selected to support digestion, hormonal balance, skin health, nervous system calm and gentle detox. 

Resins, aromatics & mood/skin supports

1. Sandalwood (Santalum album) — cooling, skin-soothing and grounding aromatics.
2. Saffron (Crocus sativus) — traditional antioxidant, often used for skin radiance.
3. Lavender — calming scent and mild skin comfort.
4. Rose (Rosa damascena) — cooling, emotionally balancing and skin-supportive.
5. Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) — resin that supports skin healing and absorption.
6. Frankincense (Boswellia serrata) — resin with anti-inflammatory and grounding properties.
7. Rosemary extract (Rosmarinus officinalis) — circulation-supporting antioxidant.

Adaptogens, nervine tonics & reproductive supports

8. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) — adaptogen for stress resilience and endocrine support.
9. Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) — calming, cognitive-supportive nervine herb.
10. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) — rejuvenative herb traditionally used for female reproductive balance.
11. Tulsi / Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) — adaptogenic, supports immune and stress responses.
12. Kalmegh / Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) — bitter herb used traditionally for liver support and immune balance.
13. Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia) — lymphatic and skin-brightening herb.
14. Licorice / Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra) — mucosal soothing and adrenal support.

Digestive & anti-inflammatory botanicals

15. Triphala (Amalaki, Bibhitaki, Haritaki) — classical digestive tonic and gentle detoxifier.
16. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) — digestive support and mild anti-inflammatory action.
17. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) — carminative for bloating and digestion.
18. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) — anti-inflammatory antioxidant for systemic support.
19. Mint (Mentha) — cooling, eases digestive discomfort.
20. Lemon Extract — brightening, astringent and helps balance oils.

Skin-focused botanicals

21. Calendula (Calendula officinalis) — soothing, skin-healing botanical.
22. Neem (Azadirachta indica) — antimicrobial/purifying plant often used for skin health.
23. Sidr (Ziziphus spina-christi) — traditionally used for skin and hair care.

Carrier oils & nourishing bases (help delivery + local nourishment)

24. Castor Oil — deeply penetrating, supports lymphatic movement and skin repair.
25. Neem Oil — antimicrobial carrier for targeted skin benefits.
26. Wild A2 Cow Ghee — classical Ayurvedic anupana for deep tissue nourishment and herb delivery.
27. Mustard Oil — warming, promotes local circulation and penetration.
28. Almond Oil — emollient, gentle on skin.
29. Sesame Oil — traditional Ayurvedic carrier oil with nutritive value.
30. Olive Oil — skin-nourishing, stable base oil.
31. Coconut Oil — light carrier with antimicrobial qualities.
32. Black Sesame Seed Oil — antioxidant-rich, used for long-term nourishment.

This combination is designed so the botanicals provide targeted actions (apoptogenic, digestive, skin and lymphatic support) while the carrier oils deliver and nourish local tissues, increasing absorption and comfort. 

Key Benefits of Ayurvedic Super-Herb Navel Oil

• Improves digestion and reduces bloating
• Balances hormones naturally
• Boosts energy and vitality
• Calms the nervous system and reduces stress
• Enhances skin glow and hydration
• Supports joint comfort and flexibility
• Promotes detoxification and toxin release
• Soothes menstrual cramps and discomfort
• Strengthens immunity and overall wellness
• Helps regulate sleep and mood balance
• Supports healthy liver function and detoxification
• May help reduce the formation of ovarian cysts
• Aids in balancing female reproductive health
• Can assist in managing uterine fibroid symptoms
• Promotes hormonal balance to support reproductive wellness
• Enhances metabolism and digestion efficiency
• Reduces inflammation throughout the body
• Supports detoxification of heavy metals and impurities
• Helps improve mental clarity and focus
• Promotes balanced blood sugar levels

3. Belly Button Therapy (Navel Acupressure): Stimulating from the Inside

While oil nourishes, acupressure stimulates. Belly button therapy - sometimes called umbilical pumping - uses gentle pressure to awaken circulation and nervous system responses.

Your belly button is a gateway to your body’s deepest healing energy. In Eastern medicine, this area is thought to awaken prenatal energy, the vital life force you were born with, carrying extraordinary restorative potential.

The gut is often called the second brain. It is filled with nerves, blood vessels, and immune cells that constantly communicate with your mind. When you stimulate the belly button, you activate these nerves, sending powerful signals throughout your body to restore balance and harmony.

Most people are surprised to learn that nearly ninety percent of serotonin, the chemical that creates calm and happiness, and half of dopamine, the chemical that fuels motivation and vitality, are made in the gut. Your belly button holds the key to awakening these natural mood enhancers.

By gently pressing or massaging the navel area for a few minutes each day, you can lift your mood, improve digestion, enhance circulation, and strengthen your immune system. This simple practice feels like a daily reset, reconnecting you with your body’s natural rhythms and inner peace.

How It Works

• The tip/lid of a dropper Bootle or any suitable acupressure tool is placed into the navel.

• A rhythmic “pumping” motion is applied, pressing inward and releasing.

• This is continued for 5–10 minutes daily.

Benefits of Navel Acupressure

• Stimulates blood and lymphatic flow in abdominal organs.

• Activates the vagus nerve, promoting relaxation and digestion.

• Encourages peristalsis, relieving constipation and bloating.

• Balances energy at the nabhi marma point.

• Enhances absorption of oils if practiced together with navel oiling.

4. Science Behind the Practice

If you’ve been following us for a while, you know that we prioritize real-life experiences, tried-and-true ancient wisdom, and hands-on clinical expertise over conventional studies—especially those often funded by interests with ulterior motives, including big pharma.  

1. Stress & Cortisol Reduction with Ashwagandha – A randomized controlled trial showed that Ashwagandha extract significantly reduced stress and serum cortisol levels in adults under chronic stress (Chandrasekhar et al., 2012, Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine).

2. Olive Oil Abdominal Massage for Constipation – In elderly patients, abdominal massage with olive oil improved constipation symptoms, bloating, and discomfort compared to massage without oil (Kim et al., 2021, Healthcare).

3. Bacopa monnieri for Cognitive & Stress Support – Systematic reviews show Bacopa improves memory, reduces anxiety, and protects against oxidative stress (Stough et al., 2008, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine).

Together, these findings suggest that herbal oils plus abdominal stimulation can have tangible effects on digestion, stress balance, and overall wellness.

5. How to Practice at Home

Step 1: Prepare Your Oil

Warm herbal oil slightly (not hot).

Step 2: Apply the Oil

Lie down, place 3–5 drops into your navel, massage in circles.

Step 3: Acupressure Stimulation

Use the end of a rounded pen, lid of dropper bottle or thick acupressure tool to gently press into the navel, pumping up and down for 5–10 minutes. If you want to use your fingers for stimulation, connect both palms together and keep only your index fingers extended, while the other fingers clasp together. Point the index fingers inward toward your navel and use them to gently apply the same up-and-down pumping motion.

Step 4: Overnight Nourishment

(Optional) Place a cotton ball soaked in the herbal oil over your navel and leave it overnight to allow deeper absorption and prolonged nourishment.  

8. Safety & Precautions

• Always use a high-quality oil.

• Stop acupressure if you feel sharp or persistent pain.

• Avoid during pregnancy, recent abdominal surgery, or hernia.

• Consult a healthcare provider if you have underlying medical conditions.

Ayurvedic navel oil therapy and belly button acupressure are timeless rituals that bring balance to digestion, hormones, sleep, skin, and emotional well-being. Rooted in tradition and supported by emerging science, they offer a simple, powerful way to reconnect with the body’s innate intelligence.

Taking 10 minutes a day to practice belly button therapy can be a grounding ritual for modern life—nourishing both body and mind from the very centre.