The practice of Abhyanga (self-massage with warm, medicated oils), is one of the most luxurious, nourishing, soothing and grounding self-care practices. Nabhi chikitsa or nabhi purana (naval oiling) is a modified version of this and can be done easily in 5 min before you sleep.

The nabhi, or belly button has the thinnest layer of muscle between the inner vagus nerve and the outer layer of skin, meaning through this point you can stimulate the vagus nerve and directly affect the brain.

The Puranas describe the navel as the second brain, it has 72000 nerve endings and is the origin of our complete consciousness. It is directly connected to veins and nerve endings in the stomach and is one of the 3 most vital marma (Ayurvedic acupressure) points, that is used to help promote better digestion & circulation, engage and activate the brain and even improve vision. It is also the seat of our digestive fire which influences digestion and assimilation processes in the body, so massaging or stimulating the nabhi will support these functions.

The belly button is at the center of the solar plexus or Manipura Chakra. This region assumes unique physical and spiritual significance, and when balanced, promotes clarity of mind, confidence, strength, and compassion. Physiologically, the solar plexus is connected to the central nervous system, optic nerves, and stomach.

The endocannabinoid system is a biological system composed of endocannabinoids, which are endogenous (produced by the body) neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors throughout the central & peripheral nervous system (including the brain). It is involved in regulating physiological and cognitive processes, including inflammation, pain-sensation & immune system activity, sleep & stress response, appetite, digestion & metabolism, pain-sensation, mood, learning and memory. As well as skin and nerve function, motor control, cardiovascular fx, liver & reproductive system fx, muscle formation & bone growth and formation. PHEW!

Although the most commonly known herb with constituents that bind to these receptors is cannabis, there are many herbs (including some everyday ones) that act on the human endocannabinoid system, such as Cinnamon, oregano, cacao (anandamide), Black pepper, Hops, Echinacea & spilanthes.

There are also many medicinal plants that bind to other neuroreceptors in the human nervous system. If we have a receptor for it, it means our body makes it endogenously (internally).

CBD (cannabidiol) is THC’s non-psychotropic companion and is present in full spectrum hemp products. It is one of 113 identified cannabinoids in cannabis plants and accounts for up to 40% of the plant extracts composition. There are 2 receptors it is known to work on; CB1, found mostly in the CNS (central nervous system), and CB2, found mostly in the peripheral nervous system, especially immune cells. So for example binding to CB1 receptors in a spinal nerve would provide pain relief, or a CB2 receptor in immune cells could down-regulate inflammation resulting from autoimmune dis-ease. Nerves in the gut contain an abundance of CB2 receptors.

Research has shown that many oils, including CBD, can have both pain-reducing and calming effects when applied to the skin.

I’ve personally seen and experienced countless reports on full spectrum hemp oil for pain relief, anxiety, neurological disorders and digestive dysfunction. We offer the purest, biodynamic, low THC, full spectrum oil HERE .