Quick Take
A viral social media video claims that applying oils or liquids to the navel can cure all health problems. However, this claim is false.
The Claim
An Instagram post suggests that putting different oils or liquids on the belly button can fix many health problems. The person in the video says tulsi oil can treat diabetes, cow ghee can improve eyesight, hing (asafoetida) oil can help with constipation, rose water can ease depression, sesame oil can solve period problems, and mustard oil is good for heart disease.
Fact Check
Can the navel absorb substances into the body to treat internal organs?
No. The navel (or belly button) is simply a scar left after the umbilical cord is cut at birth. It does not function as an active organ or entry point into the body. While the skin around it may absorb a small amount of oil (just like any other part of the skin), there is no direct internal connection between the navel and vital organs like the eyes, heart, or pancreas.
The human body does not have a mechanism to deliver treatments through the navel to internal organs. For example, putting oil on the skin cannot regulate blood sugar levels or cure heart disease.
Can applying oils on the navel help with digestive or menstrual problems?
Not really. Some people believe that abdominal oil massages can help with relaxation or improve blood circulation. But this is far from treating conditions like constipation or menstrual irregularities. Hing oil or sesame oil may have benefits when used properly—for example, in massage or cooking—but rubbing them on the navel won’t cure an underlying medical condition.
Dr Annusuiya Gohil, MD Scholar at the All India Institute of Ayurveda, explains, “Digestive and menstrual issues often stem from underlying imbalances in the body, such as disturbances in the doshas or weak digestive fire (agni). In Ayurveda, managing these conditions involves a detailed understanding of the person’s constitution, internal herbal medicines, dietary modifications, and lifestyle changes. Simply applying oil to the navel will not treat such problems as per classical Ayurvedic practice.”
There’s no medical evidence that applying oil to the belly button can regulate bowel movements or balance hormones. Building on this, a Facebook video also falsely claims that putting oil on the navel can cure problems related to blood pressure, liver function, and diabetes.
Is there any benefit to applying ghee or rose water on the navel?
Very little, and not for the reasons claimed. Cow ghee is sometimes used in Ayurveda for dry skin or for oiling the belly during massages. Rose water may feel soothing on the skin and has mild anti-inflammatory effects. But again, applying them on the navel cannot treat poor eyesight or depression. Some studies suggest that ghee is beneficial for eye health. Mental health disorders and vision problems have complex causes and need proper medical care. It is important to not mistake a soothing effect due to massage for a cure.
Is this approach mentioned in Ayurveda?
Not in this form. Ayurveda does promote abhyanga (oil massage) and certain oils for skin, pain relief, and relaxation. But the idea that the navel is a gateway to all organs or the root of all diseases is not supported even in classical Ayurvedic texts like Charak Samhita. The navel may be mentioned in relation to digestion or early embryonic development, but not as a cure-all zone for serious diseases.
Dr P. Rammanohar, Research Director at Amrita School of Ayurveda, clarifies, “There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that applying oils to the navel can treat diseases. This is not a recognised Ayurvedic practice, nor is it mentioned in any of the classical Ayurvedic texts.” He explains that while Ayurveda does use various oils for massage and therapeutic purposes, the claim that the navel can act as a cure-all channel is not grounded in traditional teachings.
Many internet remedies often misquote Ayurveda, blending traditional concepts with modern myths. For example, one social media post falsely claims that a juice-based diet can cure uterine and breast lumps—even stage 4 cancer—while wrongly citing Ayurveda as the source.
THIP Media Take
The claim that applying oils or liquids to the navel can cure all health problems is false. There is no medical or scientific basis for this practice. While oil massages may help with relaxation or dry skin, they cannot cure diseases like diabetes, heart problems, or depression. Anyone experiencing health issues should consult a qualified healthcare provider rather than relying on such misleading remedies seen on social media.
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