This article was originally published on mentalfloss.com as Yes, You Need to Clean Your Belly Button-Here's the Best Way to Do It. Haphazardly dragging a soapy washcloth or loofah over your abdomen ...

Social media is filled with posts about castor oil stomach packs and applying drops of castor oil into the belly button, claiming a vast array of health benefits including weight loss and detox.

Your belly button might seem like nothing more than a remnant from your time in the womb, but this small area can actually provide valuable clues about your digestive health and overall wellbeing.

Leaving a belly button infection untreated can lead to more serious complications, including sepsis, a life-threatening blood ...