The ancient Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling has been used
for 3000 to 5000 years and was first recorded in India during the Vedic period.
Although the practice, revered for its extraordinary healing properties, still
maintains its mystique, in recent years it has gained much attention in Western culture and must
become holistic healthcare!
Needless to say, we love it and want to tell you more about how this wonderful cleansing technique works
through our blog.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda (Ayur - life, Veda - Science), is a traditional Indian system of
holistic healing. Based on the understanding that the body and mind are interconnected.
Ayurveda aims to maintain a delicate balance between them. Ayurvedic medicine operates
on the belief that every human system can be classified into one of three
dominant life forces or "doshas": Pitta, Kapha, and Vatta. By determining which of these
most accurately describes your health, habits, and emotions, it is possible to both treat
and prevent diseases.
Part of this is the system of "Ayurvedic surgery," one technique of which is
oil pulling. The fact that it is one of the few dental practices in Ayurveda
shows its place in treating the whole body, not just the mouth.
In fact, "oil pulling" is meant to cure 30 systemic
diseases in the Ayurvedic text Charaka Samhita.
How does it work?
Oil pulling is used to draw toxins out of the mouth, and consequently, out of our body. The action of rinsing and swishing
oil around the mouth allows it to collect and trap bacteria that exist around the gums,
pores, and channels in the teeth.
It is also believed that this allows toxins to be drawn from the rest of the body, collecting in
the oil to then be completely removed when the oil is spit out.
Coconut oil is known to be particularly effective due to its natural
antibacterial properties and its lauric acid content. Lauric acid has both
anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects.
Does it really work?
Although scientific research is not yet widely recognized for the benefits felt
by people around the world, studies were conducted in 2009 and 2015 that acknowledge
its healing effect on plaque-induced gingivitis.
Both studies analyzed the effect of oil pulling on a group of adolescent boys and
girls suffering from this condition. Their results in both cases indicate a rapid
reduction in the plaque index and the total number of aerobic microbial colonies that
lead to tooth decay.
Of course, oil pulling also has thousands of years of anecdotal evidence, which suggests
it is effective in removing plaque and toxins from the mouth, as well as from the body. People
who regularly rinse their mouths with oil have fresher breath, whiter
teeth, and reduced sensitivity of teeth and gums. There are also many opinions that claim
oil pulling has helped in treating many other ailments, from asthma to skin conditions.
How to oil pull correctly?
Pour 1-2 tablespoons of oil into your mouth and rinse it around, swishing and "pulling" the oil through your teeth.
Continue this for 5 to 20 minutes. The first time, oil pulling might seem
a bit strange, and even uncomfortable at first. If this is the case for you,
we suggest starting with shorter times and systematically extending the rinse to 20 minutes until you become
a pro over time! When you're done, spit out the oil.
After rinsing, the oil should be milky white.
It's up to you how often you do oil pulling. This method can be used daily as a
detox or less regularly to supplement your normal oral hygiene routine.
It is always most effective when done early in the morning before breakfast, and it is not recommended
after eating.
