Truth About Belly Button Oiling – Pechoti Method Myths Debunked!

Until recently, I believed that the belly button doesn’t serve much purpose to our body.  I assumed the sole purpose of this particular origin point was giving oxygen and nutrients to the embryo from the mother. What else could the belly button function for?

Well, a surprising claim surfaced on the internet with numerous articles on ‘oil in the belly button,’ ‘belly button oiling,’ and ‘navel therapy’ and made me think otherwise.

Truth About Belly Button Oiling

You are already aware of aromatherapy which is a holistic healing treatment that uses extracts from natural plants to improve both physical and emotional health and wellbeing(1).

Aromatherapy uses aromatic essential oils to enhance the health of your body, mind, and spirit. This particular therapy believed in the power of essential oils to affect your body.

As the benefits of essential oils skyrocketed with claims of success,  the benefits of navel oiling to benefit your body have come into view. Although it has been practiced for centuries in ayurvedic treatments, this particular practice of belly button oiling became insanely popular recently. 

The Ayurvedic Practice Of Navel Therapy With Oil

According to the Ayurvedic practice of belly button oiling, navel oil therapy can detoxify, nurture, and treat ailments in the body. Ayurveda is an ancient Indian holistic healing system based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, spirit, and body(2).

However, the study of Ayurveda is considered pseudoscientific while the practice is classified as protoscience or unscientific. Several studies on Ayurvedic medicine proved that there was only one scientific study of Ayurvedic medicine out of a 7,000 studies.

The idea behind belly button oiling may be based on the fact that you absorbed nutrients through the navel tissues and umbilical cord when you were a baby, which is pretty apparent when you think that way.

What is Pechoti?

It is believed that a gland called the Pechoti gland in your navel has the ability to allow you to absorb substances such as essential oils into your body.

This method of absorbing substances through your belly button is known as the Pechoti method or the Pechoti intake method. The lack of evidence for the existence of this gland has been overlooked. There is no potential harm in trying the Pechoti method to see what it does to you.

Now, what exactly is belly button oiling?

Belly Button Massaging With Essential Oils

Have you noticed how massages focus on the belly button with utmost attention, especially when massaging the belly button with essential oils? Why? Interestingly enough, the belly button stays warm for up to 3 hours after a person’s death.

The first part created after conception is the navel and after creation, it is then joined to the mother’s placenta through the umbilical cord. The navel is scar tissue resulting from the detachment of the umbilical cord after birth.

It is the place of first nourishment. Presumably, the belly button is considered the “reset button” and “focal point” of the body as it has more than 72,000 veins and it continues to serve as a center of balance even in adulthood.

All our veins are connected to the navel making it the focal point of the body and it is where the powerful energy center resides. According to Ayurveda, “the total amount of blood vessels we have in our body is equal to double the circumference of the earth.”

In addition to that, the belly button presents an abundance of blood vessels and pathways to the body’s extremities. Given all of these points from Ayurveda, it is believed that the absorption of oils through the navel pathways or belly button is strongly effective. 

How To Do The Pechoti Method?

In the practice of belly button oiling, warm oil is poured over your belly button. Some practitioners claim that the application of therapeutic oils inside and around your belly button can treat any physical ailment in the body.

Moreover, the belly button is situated over many of our vital organs such as the intestines, kidneys, spleen, and more specifically the gut. The gut is responsible for producing up to 90% of our serotonin and 50% of our dopamine.

This further adds up to the validity of belly button healing. Then again, unfortunately, the critics beg to differ(3). 

Here is a brief sum up on the process:

• Clean your belly button area and dry it out with a cotton cloth.
• Find out a comfortable place to lie down and let your body relax.
• Warm up the oil by rubbing it on your hands.
• Softly press down the belly button area with the fingers one by one and all at once.
• Follow a clockwise direction as you stroke the stomach gently.
• Your comfort is the key, hence do it slowly and firmly at your pace.

Belly Button Oil Myth

As this practice of navel therapy is not scientifically proven, critics are skeptical about its existence and logical evidence. The umbilical cord contains three vessels– two arteries and one vein. Once the umbilical cord is severed, those vessels close up.

The flow of blood and fluids through the cord gradually stops once you leave the womb. After your birth, all that’s left behind on your navel are skin tissues and ligaments and there is no ‘gland’ left there to absorb anything(5).

Clinical herbalist David Harder said, “The belly button is a sealed orifice.

Right after birth when the umbilical cord is severed, then you have open tissue. When this belly button matures, it’s not a whole lot different, in my opinion, than applying (oils) to the forearm, the back of the knee, the elbow, or anything like that.

I don’t see the advantage of applying an essential oil at that particular location. As long as the lack of scientific evidence on the success of this particular practice prevails, critics will remain skeptical. 

Does Applying Oils To Your Belly Button Work?

There has been no scientific or clinical evidence to prove that applying oils to your belly button works. The topical application of essential oils on the skin has certainly proved to have value and apparent changes. However, the absorption of essential oils is yet to be proven.

On the other hand, an interesting idea related to the Pechoti method is nerves in the gut contain CB2 receptors that allow CBD oils to aid in digestion. Studies show that CBD oils can interact with those nerves in the gut and reduce stomach damage. There is no evidence of the idea of putting CBD oil in your button as any connection to act on your gut nerves. 

What Happens When You Apply Oil To Belly Button?

Although you cannot absorb essential oils through your belly button, the scents of those oils can be effective. Essential oils are known to relieve ailments such as muscular pain, depression, respiratory problems, indigestion, insomnia, skin conditions, and more.

In the process of aromatherapy, you are made to smell essential oils that stimulate olfactory receptors in the brain that in turn set off reactions in the body like increased oxygen and blood circulation, muscle relaxation, and boosted immune system, as mentioned by Therapy Directory(6). 

As there are many benefits to essential oils and no possible harm in putting some oil on your belly button. You can try the oiling practice at home. The supporters of this Ayurvedic practice claim that there are several benefits to the use of different oils. 

What are the Benefits of Belly Button Oiling?

The supposed benefits of belly button oiling are many. With the use of different essential oils, you are supposed to have different benefits. It is extremely important to know whether you are allergic to the oil. Before putting oil on your body, make sure to dilute them with a carrier oil.

Applying oil in the navel heals the dryness of the eyes, poor view,  chapped lips, dry skin, and the pancreas. Also, it keeps the hair healthier, and the face bright, for knee pain, lethargy, and pain in the joints.

Benefits of Pechoti Method

Cramps Soother

Cramps are a terrible add-on to the menstrual cycle. Pechoti method is a lifesaver for women as it soothes the cramps really well. One of the easiest methods to naturally calm the cramps that swing your mood. Castor oil packs are handy for a happy period. So next time get one and share this tip with your friend.

Boosts the gut health

The generation which loves junk food has to deal with the consequences as well be it indigestion, food poisoning, bloating, infections and ulcers. Massaging peppermint oil can improve your gut health and reduce the chances of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Fertility

The belly button is the focal point of giving oxygen and nutrients to the embryo from the mother. Hence, massaging daily with due care enhances your fertility as well as improves sperm count in men. Try out the method with coconut oil for results.

Glowing face

Aging, acne, pimples, and also face/lip pigmentation are a major concern for woman who loves to cherish their skin. Pechoti method helps in anti-aging and treats acne and pimple scars gently. Neem oil works great for acne. So bring back your skin care goals on track with pechoti method.

To be more precise, use these specific oils for these respective purposes:

• Neem oil in your belly button is for skin and hair health. It will help you get rid of stubborn acne and pimples that never leave.
• Almond oil on your belly button is to help you achieve a glowing face. 
• Mustard oil in your belly button is to get rid of dry and chapped lips, dry skin, lethargy, or joint pains, and keep your intestines moving by keeping the good bacteria and removing harmful bacteria. It basically works as a detoxifying oil.
• Coconut oil or olive oil on your belly button to improve fertility. 
• Ginger oil in your belly button is for inflammation and nausea.
• Tea tree oil in your belly button is for inflammation and skin irritation. 
• Peppermint oil in your belly button to have relief from gut pain and nausea.
• CBD oil in your belly button can relieve tension or pain. It can send signals to your brain to relax your body muscles. It can also help with stomach problems such as indigestion and bloating.
• Sesame oil in your belly button for all kinds of joint pain in your body in addition to strengthening bones. 
• Mustard oil and ginger oil mixture on your belly button are for bloating, upset stomach, nausea, and digestive problems.
• Castor oil in your belly button is for knee pains.
• Thyme oil, as antispasmodic, can relax your arteries and veins, strengthen your heart muscles, and lower blood pressure. As an expectorant, it may help your body remove mucus from your lungs and airways. As a diuretic, it may help your body with weight, digestion, and blood pressure, and remove toxins from your body. (Imp: since thyme oil is a powerful compound, it should not be used directly on your skin. Use only after diluting with any carrier oil.)
• Warm ghee in your belly button can improve blood flow to the nervous system, enhance the immune system, cure constipation, build a strong digestive system, and give relief from joint pain. 

What is the Truth About Belly Button Oiling?

The scientific community is reluctant to accept many natural therapies for not having performed scientific studies. However, there might be a slight chance of this practice of navel therapy doing miracles.

Pechoti method originated from Ayurveda, it’s natural and guaranteed to be harmless. Therefore, give it a shot and add on to your self-care treatments at home. Everything is worth a try, isn’t it?