Massaging the neck under the ear (or around the ear), with just your fingers with no oil, or with coconut oil or sesame oil, can calm the vagus nerve and settle the stomach aligns with both Ayurvedic principles and modern understanding of the vagus nerve. This explains it in more detail.

The Vagus Nerve and Its Connection to the Gut
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve and a crucial component of the parasympathetic nervous system, often called the “rest and digest” system. It acts like a superhighway, carrying information between your brain and various internal organs, including the heart, lungs, and the entire digestive tract (stomach, intestines, etc.).
Brain-Gut Axis: A significant aspect of the vagus nerve’s function is its role in the “gut-brain axis.” Approximately 80% of the vagus nerve fibres are afferent, meaning they send sensory information fromyour organs (including your gut) to your brain. This allows your brain to constantly monitor the state of your internal organs. The remaining 20% are efferent fibres, sending signals from the brain to the organs, influencing their function.
“Rest and Digest” Response: When the vagus nerve is activated, it promotes relaxation, slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and stimulates digestion. This is in contrast to the sympathetic nervous system, which triggers the “fight or flight” response during stress.
Vagal Tone: The activity and responsiveness of the vagus nerve are often referred to as “vagal tone.” A higher vagal tone is associated with better stress resilience, improved mood, enhanced digestion, and reduced inflammation.
How Massage Near the Ear/Neck Can Influence the Vagus Nerve:
The vagus nerve has branches that are accessible in several areas, including the neck and around the ears. Specifically, the auricular branch of the vagus nerve supplies sensation to parts of the external ear and ear canal.

Direct Stimulation: Massaging areas where the vagus nerve is superficial, such as the neck (especially along the sides, just behind the earlobes, and down towards the jawline) and around the ear, is believed to directly stimulate these nerve endings.
Acupressure Points: The ear, in particular, is rich in acupressure points that are thought to correspond to various organs and systems in the body. Stimulating these points, including those associated with the vagus nerve, can have a systemic calming effect.
Parasympathetic Activation: By stimulating the vagus nerve, these massage techniques help shift your autonomic nervous system from a “fight or flight” (sympathetic) state to a “rest and digest” (parasympathetic) state. This calming effect on the nervous system can directly impact digestive function.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Since stress and anxiety often manifest as stomach upset, calming the vagus nerve helps to reduce these overarching stressors, which in turn can settle the stomach.

Ayurvedic Perspective
Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, emphasises the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. While Ayurveda may not use the exact term “vagus nerve,” its practices like Abhyanga (oil massage) and Marma therapy (stimulating vital energy points) aim to balance the body’s energies (doshas) and promote overall well-being.

Vata Dosha and Nervous System: In Ayurveda, imbalances in Vata dosha are often associated with anxiety, stress, and digestive issues like bloating and irregular bowel movements. Massaging with warming oils (like sesame oil, often used in Ayurveda) is considered grounding and calming for Vata.
Marma Points: Ayurvedic massage often incorporates “Marma points,” which are vital energy points on the body.17 Some of these points are located in the neck and head region, and their stimulation is believed to influence various bodily functions and promote relaxation.
Overall Relaxation: The act of self-massage (Abhyanga), especially with warm oil, is inherently relaxing. This systemic relaxation reduces overall tension, which can contribute to a calmer digestive system.

In summary:
Massaging the neck under the ear, whether with fingers or oil, can help calm the vagus nerve and settle the stomach. This is supported by the anatomical distribution of the vagus nerve (especially its auricular branch), its role in the parasympathetic nervous system and the gut-brain axis, and the calming effects of massage on the nervous system. Ayurvedic practices align with these principles, aiming to restore balance and promote the body’s natural healing abilities through similar techniques.