Have you heard of the Pechoti Method or navel therapy?
It’s an age-old practice of applying essential oils to the belly button for therapeutic benefits.
One oil that’s gaining popularity for this practice is argan oil.
But is it safe to use on your belly button?
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and potential risks of using argan oil on your navel.
From healing wounds to promoting hair growth, argan oil has a lot to offer.
But before you start applying it to your belly button, let’s take a closer look at the science behind this practice.
Is Argan Oil Safe For The Belly Button?
Argan oil is a popular beauty oil that’s known for its high levels of antioxidants and vitamin E. It’s often used to moisturize skin and hair, and can even help with wound healing.
But when it comes to using argan oil on the belly button, there’s some debate about whether or not it’s safe.
According to Ayurveda, the navel is an important center of balance in the body, and applying oils to this area can have therapeutic benefits. However, there’s no scientific evidence to support this claim.
In fact, experts say that the navel becomes closed off once the umbilical cord is detached at birth, so applying oils to this area would likely have the same benefits as applying them to any other part of the skin.
That being said, there’s no harm in using argan oil on your belly button as long as you take some precautions.
Firstly, it’s important to conduct a patch test before using any new oil on your skin, especially if you’re sensitive or allergic to certain ingredients.
Secondly, make sure to dilute the oil before use. Just like with aromatherapy, you can choose to use a little amount or dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil.
Lastly, be gentle when massaging the oil into your belly button. The belly and gut area is host to a lot of nerves in the body, so avoid applying too much pressure.
What Is The Pechoti Method?
The Pechoti Method is a traditional Ayurvedic practice that involves applying oils to the belly button for medicinal purposes. It’s based on the belief that there’s a gland called the Pechoti gland located behind the navel, which allows the body to absorb substances like essential oils. However, Western medicine doesn’t recognize this gland, and there’s no scientific evidence to support this claim.
Despite this, the Pechoti Method remains a popular practice in Ayurveda medicine, and many people swear by its therapeutic benefits. The process involves lying on your back and pouring oil into your navel from a copper or brass vessel with a spout. The oil is left in the navel for a couple of minutes until it becomes lukewarm, then replaced with fresh oil. This process is repeated three times before massaging the remaining oil gently over the navel area in a clockwise motion until it’s absorbed.
While there’s no harm in trying the Pechoti Method, it’s important to take precautions when using any new oil on your skin. Diluting the oil with a carrier oil and conducting a patch test before use can help prevent any adverse reactions. It’s also important to be gentle when massaging the oil into your belly button, as this area is host to a lot of nerves in the body.
The Benefits Of Applying Oils To The Belly Button
While there’s no scientific evidence to support the claim that applying oils to the belly button has any therapeutic benefits, there are some potential benefits to using oils on the skin in general.
For example, applying natural oils like olive oil and coconut oil on the belly button can hydrate and soften the skin of the stomach area, which is often neglected when it comes to moisturizing.
Additionally, argan oil is high in both oleic and linoleic essential fatty acids, which can aid acne-prone skin that is deficient in linoleic acid in the sebum. Studies have shown that linoleic acid can reduce inflammation and acne, while increasing skin moisture. Oleic acid, on the other hand, can improve the skin’s permeability and assist other ingredients penetrate the skin more easily.
Argan oil also contains vitamin A, vitamin E, antioxidants, and omega-6 fatty acids, which can help ease inflammation while moisturizing the skin when applied externally. This is why it’s often included in high-end anti-aging, hair and skin care products.
Finally, some traditional medicine practices suggest that applying oils to the belly button can improve fertility in both men and women. While there’s no scientific evidence to support this claim, it’s a harmless practice that can be done as part of a self-care routine.
What Is Argan Oil?
Argan oil is a plant oil that is extracted from the kernels of the argan tree, which is native to Morocco. The oil is exclusive to Morocco, but historically argan oil use was not. People throughout the world have taken advantage of the many argan oil benefits to help treat skin infections, bug bites, and skin rashes. Today, it’s used by men and women who are seeking an effective, all-natural moisturizer for skin and hair.
Argan oil is primarily comprised of fatty acids and a variety of phenolic compounds. The majority of the fat content of argan oil comes from oleic and linoleic acid, both of which are essential fatty acids that aid acne-prone skin. Linoleic acid reduces inflammation and acne while increasing skin moisture, while oleic acid improves the skin’s permeability and assists other ingredients penetrate the skin more easily. Depending on its sourcing, argan oil contains about 35–40 percent linoleic acid and 42–48 percent oleic acid.
In addition to its fatty acids, argan oil is also a rich source of vitamin E, antioxidants, and omega-6 fatty acids. Vitamin E is required for healthy skin, hair, and eyes, and has powerful antioxidant properties. The antioxidants in argan oil, like polyphenols and vitamin E, can help brighten your skin tone and protect skin cells from free radical damage.
Argan oil is not only used in cosmetic products but also in culinary dishes due to its sweet nutty flavor. It’s considered one of the rarest culinary oils in the world and is extracted by peeling away the fruit of the argan tree and drying, roasting, and pressing the seeds to extract the oil. Overall, argan oil is a versatile oil that offers numerous benefits for both cosmetic and culinary purposes.
The Therapeutic Benefits Of Argan Oil
Argan oil has a number of therapeutic benefits for the skin and hair, and can also be used as a lip treatment or lip balm substitute. It’s a rich source of vitamin E, which is required for healthy skin, hair and eyes, and also has powerful antioxidant properties.
The fatty acids in argan oil, particularly oleic and linoleic acid, are known to support good health. Oleic acid is renowned for its positive impact on heart health, while linoleic acid is an essential nutrient that makes up approximately 29-36% of the fatty acid content of argan oil.
Applying argan oil to the skin can help support skin health and elasticity, resulting in skin that is slower to sag or wrinkle. The same properties that make argan oil helpful for keeping skin looking young may also help wounds heal faster. The antioxidants found in argan oil can help reduce inflammation, making it effective at boosting the immune system.
While there’s no scientific evidence to support the claim that applying oils to the belly button has therapeutic benefits, there’s no harm in using argan oil on this area as long as you take some precautions. Dilute the oil before use and be gentle when massaging it into your belly button.
Potential Risks And Precautions
While argan oil is generally safe for topical use, there are some potential risks and precautions to keep in mind when using it on your belly button.
Firstly, argan oil comes from tree nuts, so people with nut allergies should avoid using this product. Additionally, some people may experience contact dermatitis from using this product, which can cause symptoms such as rash, redness, and skin itchiness. It’s important to conduct a patch test before using argan oil on your belly button to ensure that you don’t have an allergic reaction.
Furthermore, argan oil contains tocopherols, a form of vitamin E that may slow blood clotting and interact with anticoagulants like Coumadin (warfarin). While it’s unknown whether the concentration of tocopherols in argan oil is enough to instigate an interaction, it’s still important to be cautious if you’re taking any medications that affect blood clotting.
Lastly, it’s important to store argan oil appropriately. Store it away from direct sunlight and don’t use it if it has a bad smell.
