Latest News from Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitan
4 hours ago
- Health
- Cosmopolitan
Castor oil in belly button: Does this TikTok trick beat bloating?
There are few things more annoying than feeling bloated. Sometimes it can down to trapped gas, menstrual issues or particular foods being heavy on the gut (why can't pasta just love us back?), but often it can be hard to predict what's behind the uncomfortable bulge. Social media has always been full of neat hints and tips to try and make our lives that little bit easier, and while some are more effective than others, a new tried and tested trend has made its way onto our For You page. A new health hack claims that putting castor oil in your belly button really helps with debloating. Confused? Us too. It was aesthetic nurse practitioner Miranda Wilson, RN, that pioneered this new trend; she took to TikTok to share her positive experience with the alleged de-bloating hack, saying, 'POV: You started doing castor oil navel pulling to help with digestion and your stomach has never been so flat.' The video sees her putting a few drops in her navel before rubbing the castor oil generously over her stomach. People have since flooded the comments section, with some claiming this method - also known as 'navel pulling' - has also been used to help ease period cramps and other tummy troubles too. Side note: is it any wonder women the world over are desperate to try some of these more off-the-wall techniques, with one study shows around one in four of us regularly struggle with bloating? But does this debloating method actually work? Cosmopolitan UK spoke to the experts to see whether trick does what it promises to – as well as providing other solutions to help beat the bloat. And remember if you are in constant and continual pain, it's always best to seek advice from a GP. Well… yes and no. Putting castor oil in your belly button is actually an Ayurvedic practice (FYI – Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine that focuses on a holistic approach to health, encompassing the body, mind, and spirit, with three main 'doshas' or 'elements' that make up certain qualities). 'Your navel is an energy centre in ayurvedic practice,' explains experienced Ayurvedic practitioner and author Geeta Vara. 'It is believed to stimulate the network of nerves and energy channels. Anointing the navel with a few drops of oil is thought to pacify certain doshas, and in doing so it indirectly supports digestive, nervous, and reproductive health.' But is there actual hard evidence that supports these claims? Well, this is where things get more complicated… 'Warm oil, usually castor, is massaged into the navel and sometimes the surrounding abdomen. That's it,' explains Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp, NHS GP and women's health specialist. 'There's no known physiological pathway between the belly button and the gut that allows oil absorption in a way that would impact digestion. However—and this is important—gentle abdominal massage itself can help relax the body, ease tension, and get things moving. So while the oil might not be working miracles under the skin, the act of massaging and the ritual around it may still offer benefits.' And could this work even from a nutritional perspective? 'All evidence so far is anecdotal,' explains Reema Pillai, a weight loss nutritionist. While it may not directly help any stomach problems, the act of massage can help ease trapped wind or pain, explains Dr Hana Patel. 'Putting castor oil on can be calming and grounding, especially as part of a nightly ritual,' she says. 'Abdominal massage can ease tension and stimulate circulation, while castor oil itself has some anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects on the skin. 'However, there is no strong evidence it helps digestion directly. Castor oil isn't absorbed in a way that would impact your digestive system when applied topically. Any benefit is more likely from relaxing the gut-brain axis via touch and warmth than from the oil doing any internal magic. There is also the risk of skin sensitivity or mess, as castor oil can stain.' While castor oil does have proven benefits to help aid with digestion issues, it's not something doctors recommend. 'Taken by mouth, castor oil is a stimulant laxative,' Dr Misra-Sharp says. 'It works quickly – usually within a few hours – and can provide relief for constipation. That's one cause of bloating, so in those cases, yes, it may help. 'But it's not gentle. Castor oil stimulates the bowels by irritating the intestinal lining, which causes muscle contractions and movement. This can lead to cramping, diarrhoea, nausea and dehydration. 'It's not meant for regular use and should be avoided in pregnancy, as it may stimulate uterine contractions. In short: it works, but it's old-school, harsh, and not something we recommend routinely in modern practice. There are safer, more controlled ways to support digestion.' Okay, so castor oil in your belly button may not be a failsafe way to ease digestive woes, but thankfully our medical experts have a few more suggestions that could prove to be more effective. 'Herbal tea, including peppermint tea, can help relax the gastrointestinal muscles,' Pillai explains. 'Fennel tea can reduce spasms and gas, while ginger tea can reduce bloating and nausea.' 'These can increase the range and diversity of the gut bacteria, which can support the digestion of high fibre foods, to reduce gas,' says Pillai. 'Probiotic foods include kefir, live yoghurts, kimchi and sauerkraut.' 'Soluble fibre like oats will help soften stool,' says Pillai. 'Insoluble fibre from whole grains and vegetables will add bulk to help support regular bowel movements. Be sure to add in fibre slowly to help minimise bloating. Pillai says it is important we unwind: 'There is a direct link between mental health and gut health. Stress can impact digestion, leading to bloating and gut issues. Focus on stress management such as breathing, yoga or meditation.' While most bloating is mostly harmless (just really annoying), Dr Misra-Sharp warns there are certain instances bloating can be symptomatic of something more serious. 'You should see a doctor if bloating is new, persistent or painful,' she says. 'If your bloating is also accompanied by weight loss, worsening despite lifestyle changes and associated with blood in stool or altered bowel habits, it is important you see a medical professional. 'Please don't self-treat. Bloating can be a sign of IBS, coeliac disease, endometriosis, or in rare cases, ovarian cancer. Always seek medical advice if you're unsure.' This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Kimberley Bond is a Multiplatform Writer for Harper's Bazaar, focusing on the arts, culture, careers and lifestyle. She previously worked as a Features Writer for Cosmopolitan UK, and has bylines at The Telegraph, The Independent and British Vogue among countless others.
Cosmopolitan
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
And Just Like That: Cynthia Nixon Responds to Premiere Rosie O'Donnell Nun Plotline
[Spoilers ahead for the first episode of And Just Like That... season 3.] And Just Like That... is finally back! It's been, in my opinion, too many months since Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte have been on our screens. And thankfully, the premiere episode gives us a dose of the old "date of the week" formula. Miranda meets a woman named Mary, played by none other than Rosie O'Donnell. They meet in a bar and go home together, only for Miranda to find out Mary is a literal nun who has never hooked up with a woman (or anyone) before. She proceeds to cling to Miranda, and Miranda has to dodge her earnest attempts to hang out. It's the classic dating cringe the show is known for. In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Cynthia Nixon said that she thought the nun plotline was great. "I thought it was a throwback to the old show when people would go on these dates that they were hopeful about and they would turn out pretty disastrously. Michael Patrick King, the show's creator, has been trying to find a role for Rosie, and he keeps writing roles that don't work out, but this was a great one to come to the fore. And I think she does it so beautifully. She is, of course, hilarious in it, but she's also so touching." For a character that has gone on her own sexual journey, it's nice for Miranda to be able to help someone else along their own. Mary is clearly coming to New York to experience something she couldn't get back home in Winnipeg. Explaining And Just Like That's answer to the hot priest phenomenon, King said, "Whenever you're gonna date Miranda, you have to think of something comic because we put her through so much hell in the last two years that we wanted to put her through, instead, a comedy hell. So we started to think, like, what would be amazing? And it just popped into my mind, Miranda dates a nun who's a virgin." "And then who's gonna play that? Oh, Rosie O'Donnell. And she doesn't play a like, savvy, politically current nun. She plays a sweet, heartbroken heart-on-her-sleeve tourist. It's really just a pie we throw right at Miranda." Here's hoping we get at least one of these ridiculous plotlines per week.
Cosmopolitan
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Why Isn't Samantha on ‘And Just like That'?
Sex and the City's revival, And Just Like That…, starts season 3 tonight, which means that you're probably still wondering where Samantha is. As anyone with a fledgling interest in Sex and the City knows, Kim Cattrall has only been in one epsiode of And Just Like That…, and while fans might be dying for her to return, she does not appear in the new season (that we know). Here's how the show has explained her absence in the first two seasons. And Just Like That... season 1 explains that Samantha moved to London after a fight with Carrie. We discover this almost immediately when Bitsy von Muffling asks Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte where Samantha is, and it's revealed she's living in the UK. Later in the episode, Miranda notes, 'You know, it is kind of like she's dead, Samantha. We never even talk about her,' to which Carrie replies, 'Well, what is there to say? I told her that because of, you know, what the book business is now, it just didn't make sense for me to keep her on as a publicist. She said 'fine' and then fired me as a friend.' Carrie says Samantha stopped returning her calls and voicemails (actually, she hasn't been in touch with anybody), saying, 'Look, I understand that she was upset, but I thought I was more to her than an ATM.' Samantha is brought up again in season 1 episode 2—after the sudden death of Mr. Big. At the funeral, Carrie sees that she's been sent flowers with a note simply saying, 'Love, Samantha.' Throughout the season, they then exchange a few texts that make it seem like they're on their way to a reconciliation. It's like Carrie is sending little olive branches via iMessage and hoping Samantha responds. In the season 1 finale, there's a resolution of sorts. Carrie goes to Paris to spread Big's ashes from 'their' bridge. Because Carrie is in Paris (which is obviously not far from London), she texts Samantha and asks if she wants to get a drink. Samantha responds and says, 'How about tomorrow?' So even though Kim herself didn't show up during the entire season, the fictional Carrie and Samantha seem to have reconciled. Then, in the season 2 finale, we get a true cameo with Kim. She and SJP's character Carrie share a phone call (which they filmed separately). Samantha says that she wanted to make it to Carrie's "Last Supper" dinner in her Upper East Side apartment, but because of bad weather, she couldn't get out of Heathrow. It's a very sweet moment that fans got very emotional about, even if the two women weren't actually in the same room. It was nice to see Kim in character as Samantha again. As of now, there are no other appearances scheduled for Kim. That seems to be the last scene she wanted to shoot, as a way of saying goodbye to character. But we'll see how the season shakes out.
Cosmopolitan
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
How to Do the Prone Bone Sex Position
The prone bone is a seriously underrated sex position. It's deceptively simple, but extremely passionate and intimate. And if you want to nap afterwards, you're already pretty much in position. Staff sexologist at Good Vibrations Carol Queen, PhD, describes it as 'collapsed doggy.' The receiver lies flat on their stomach and the penetrating partner lies on top of them—as though you were in doggy, then flattened it. You get to keep all the deep penetration of OG doggy but amp up the body-to-body contact, making it a great variation for those who don't find doggy intimate enough, says Queen. Even though there's no eye contact—or perhaps because of that—the prone bone can feel insanely intense and intimate, especially if you add some dirty talk. 'The giver can kiss the receiver's neck and stroke their hair while whispering something sexy into their ears,' says sex education expert Mariah Freya, founder and CEO of Beducated. It's also fully adjustable for every size of penis or strap-on. 'Spread open the legs and lift the booty to open the body for full penetration. Squeeze the thighs together to tighten up and limit depth,' suggests Lisa Finn, sex educator at Babeland. Prone bone works well either vaginally or anally—it's great for stimulating the upper wall of the vagina or the P-spot. 'The receiver's legs are closed, so the vaginal or anal muscles are tighter, meaning you feel like everything is a little tighter,' says Freya. The position's single drawback? It's not ideal for clitoral stimulation. 'It's a bit more difficult to get in hands or fingers, since the receiver is laid flat against the bed,' says Finn. 'But that doesn't mean you have to forgo play with your prone sex! Using a lay-on vibe pinned between the receiver's body and the bed can take this position to the next level.' Ready to lie down for some of the best sex of your life? Here's how to prone bone it, plus a few variations to rock your world.
Cosmopolitan
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Cosmo Launches Blind Date Video Series With Willa Bennett, Featuring Reneé Rapp and Serena Page
Let's be honest: First dates can be excruciating. Even more intimidating, though? The concept of a 'blind date,' which can dredge up images of 2-hour awkward silences over cocktails and apps purely because a friend of a friend knows you and your date both enjoy 2000s Ska music. Disaster! But we here at Cosmopolitan have decided to reclaim the blind date in the most literal sense: By sending our editor-in-chief Willa Bennett on a series of literally-blindfolded dinner dates—with everyone you *wish* you were going on dates with—in the appropriately-titled show, Blind Date. In this new series, a blindfolded Willa must guess the identity of her famous dates by asking them a series of questions. And she's got plenty of famous faces to consider. We've set her up with stars like Reneé Rapp, Serena Page, Dylan Efron, and Benito Skinner, for starters. On top of flirting and feasting, Willa and her guests will also dive into the Cosmopolitan archives to revisit some of the best first date advice from times of yore. (Trust, there are some real vintage gems.) Blind Date premieres on Monday, June 2, but if you simply can't wait and are desperate for a preview, then look no further than the teaser video above.
