Abdominal massage, digestion and immunity

Belly massage with castor oil for constipation and more

Abdominal massage might be the answer if you are feeling bloated, constipated or just a bit sensitive. It might even have an impact on your immune system and emotional well-being.

As someone who has always had digestive issues which were labelled IBS in my adult years, I have tried pretty much everything to help being bloated and constipated. And the one thing I enjoy the most and that gives me relief (on so many levels) is abdominal massage with castor oil.

Castor oil for constipation and bloating

Castor oil is such a popular traditional remedy in many different cultures. It’s been used internally for constipation and to get things moving for labour and childbirth - although most people now don’t recommend taking it internally anymore as all laxatives can become habit-forming. And the dosage can be challenging to get right too.

However, it is and was used in Ayurvedic medicine as a purgative internally and externally. As a massage, application and a compress.

I love using it for a massage. There is some research which suggests that abdominal massage is “an effective and safe therapy” with a “good effect” on constipation and bloating.

In Ayurveda, we use oil to counteract any dry, windy and rough situations such as constipation and wind (literally!). It helps things move smoothly. So oil internally and externally is often used in especially vata conditions where the space and wind elements are elevated. This is also why Ayurveda loves abhyanga or oil massage in general.

I use Castor Vida’s Castor oil where you can also get the compress. If you use ANJALANGE you’ll get a discount here.

Castor oil enhances the immune system

Massage is used as a way to support the peristalsis of the bowels as well as support general health, lymphatic and blood circulation.

But what is even more exciting is that research shows castor oil specifically is “having impact on the lymphatic system enhancing immunologic function” and “may modulate white blood cell count and may have a positive effect on liver function and cholesterol levels”. These are research studies done on castor oil compress specifically.

The gut and the nervous system

It is often said that the gut is our second brain. And indeed we now know that there is a link between the gut’s microbiome and our mental health. There is also the gut-brain axis which is basically the vagus nerve and how we get information from the gut to the brain and the brain to the gut. They communicate. Coming back to my IBS it is often said that it really is a nervous system issue. Certainly stress and anxiety trigger bloating or however IBS or IBD manifest - although specific foods (and random food) trigger it too.

Perhaps it is possible to tone the vagus nerve through abdominal massage. Or perhaps through the relaxation that belly massage provides it stimulates the vagus nerve. This in turn also affects neurotransmitters which also affect our mood and emotional health.

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A post shared by Anja Brierley Lange 🔻yoga teacher + āyurveda + cyclical living (@anja_yogini)

Castor oil compress

I use massage because of the many benefits of touch as described above and in these blog posts. Because castor oil is so sticky and thick - and the benefits of leaving the oil on as a compress I use a compress after my massage.

I used to massage, add a small hand towel or tea towel on the abdomen, maybe another protective layer and then a hot water bottle as a heat source. Then simply rest for a while. Once it felt enough I’d wipe off any excess oil. Now I have a compress (from Castor Vida/ ANJALANGE for discount) that makes it so much easier.

I often massage at night before bed. Then I have this compress which I can tie around the abdomen which means I could go about my day wearing it. Or I wear it and then go to sleep. So I highly recommend getting one of these.

You can also use the compress elsewhere such as on the liver area, thyroid, over the womb area (more on this in another blog) or as pain relief.

Massage your belly for digestive and mental health

Get massaging! Enjoy it, warm up the oils, and warm up your hands. Massage with love and appreciation. Our bellies can hold a lot of tension, a lot of emotions, a lot of outdated socially constructed bullying, a lot of sensitivity… We may feel very vulnerable massaging our soft bellies. So be kind and tender. Be loving. And know that everything is connected so even if emotions do come up you don’t need to analyse, you might not know where they come from - although if you do have trauma you may want to speak to someone who can support you. And breathe.

I generally feel so relaxed and just really nice after a massage. So enjoy…

There are as always exceptions to the rule. As much as I love and highly recommend abdominal massage and castor oil compresses there can be exceptions so if you have any medical health concerns always check with a professional. Belly massage in pregnancy and postpartum is wonderful but I’d suggest another oil for that!