It is important to keep the navel clean and dry
Belly button is an important part of the body which is ignored the most. A person's navel or umbilicus is also known as the belly button. In some people it is flat and in some it is protruding.
It marks the spot where the umbilical cord of the child was attached to the mom's and was the passage of nutrition for the child. After the child is born, the umbilical cord is cut. Some even consider it as a mystery of life.
According to Ayurveda, the belly button holds several health benefits and can alter the health of an individual if it is taken care of.
It can tell a lot about health
On the importance of belly button, Dr Geethi Varma, Consultant Doctor at LYEF Wellness says "The belly button is connected to multiple veins in the body as well as to the round ligament of the liver. Unlike any common misconceptions about the non-clinical nature of the nabhi (the belly button), the belly button says quite a lot about the health condition of a person."
According to Ayurveda, the abdomen is the location of the “Agni”, which controls digestion, urination, etc. The belly button is the centre of the anterior abdomen where several pathologies are manifested, the expert adds.
What should you know about the navel?
A variety of useful microorganisms live within the navel. The abundance of these microorganisms is an indicator of the general health and immunity of the individual, explains Dr Varma.
The accumulation of fat around the belly region is an indicator of obesity (sthaulya in Ayurveda). The protrusion of Nabhi is considered an indication of ailments like Ascites (Udaram), she adds.
In Yoga, the navel is connected to the Nabhi Chakra (Chakra is a collection of energy points). Nabhi Chakra, apart from governing aspects of balance in the body, is thought to be connected to contentment and satisfaction, the expert says.
What can go wrong with the belly button?
Dirty belly buttons can lead to several infections.
A smelly discharge is seen from bacterial accumulation. If not treated early, it can lead to pus discharge too.
Sebaceous cysts can also form inside the navel. It can be painful, swollen and may contain pus.
Umbilical hernia can occur when there is a pressure on the abdomen.
How to take care of the navel?
Emphasizing on the importance of the umbilicus Dr Varma says oiling the navel can help deliver several health benefits like- glowing skin, relieving skin rashes, relieving stomach aches and improved digestion.
It is also important to keep the navel clean and dry. Use a mild soap while bathing and rinse the navel with warm water and dry it with a towel.
Key points to note
Though belly buttons do not have any visible functions, they have immense biological significance.
It is pertinent to keep the umbilicus clean and dry. Take care of it while washing and bathing, so that unclean belly buttons do not become a breeding ground for pathogens and painful infections.
In case of any infection do not self treat yourself and take recommendations from doctors.