Last updated on November 7th, 2021 at 02:08 pm
Oil pulling is a simple and inexpensive age-old remedy that is rooted in Ayurvedic medicine. It is a way to use a natural substance to clean and detoxify the gums and teeth. There is also evidence that shows that it may be beneficial in maintaining oral hygiene.
I know that oil pulling might sound a little bit odd, but is such a great way and effective way to reduce the toxic load on the body.
So what exactly is oil pulling?
Oil pulling is just the action of swishing oil (I prefer coconut oil) within the mouth for 10-15 minutes to assist in improving and maintaining gum and teeth health.
The idea is that the swishing motion of the oil in the mouth for a period of time each day and that this simple action helps improve and maintain oral health. The oil is able to cut through the plaque and remove toxins without disturbing the teeth and the gums microbes.
This practice started in India thousands of years ago, and from what I was able to gather came to the United States in the early 1990s.
Oil pulling has a whole array of benefits:
♦ combats gingivitis and periodontal disease
♦ reduces bad breath
♦ reduces the chance that plaque sticks to the teeth
♦ it strengthens the muscles in your mouth
♦ it helps prevent tooth decay by fighting cavity-causing bacteria
Crazy enough the benefits of oil pulling isn’t limited to oral health alone. According to some research, oiling pulling has been connected to improving 20+ health conditions – this is probably why there are so many anecdotal stories about this simple practice.
This 2017 study is supportive of all the anecdotal evidence that oil pulling helps prevent diseases like diabetes and heart disease. It can also be helpful in alleviating migraines, diseased teeth, eczema, kidney disease, and more.
How to oil pull?
Oil pulling is incredibly simple, easy, inexpensive. Basically, you swish around a tablespoon of the oil of your choice (I rotate regular organic coconut oil infused with essential oils, an ozonated oil pulling solution, and organic cold-pressed sesame oil ) in the mouth for 10-15 minutes, spit it out and rinse well. Oil pulling is best done first thing in the morning after waking up and tongue scraping, and before eating or drinking anything.
1. Take 1 tablespoon of organic coconut oil and put it in your mouth.
♦ I like to add oregano, lemon, clove, and frankincense essential oils to my melted coconut oil jar for a boost)
2. Swish, chew, and/or gargle for 10-15 minutes. It is important to actively swish the oil around in the mouth for the entire time.
3. Never swallow the oil as it is contaminated with all the toxins and bacteria it pulls from the gums and teeth. Spit it out into a trash can, never in the sink as it has the ability to clog pipes.
4. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water to help clean out any lingering bacteria.
5. Brush with your favorite safer toothpaste.
It is worth a note to mention that sesame oil was the ancient choice, however, I prefer coconut oil as recent studies suggest it is more effective. Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which serves as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent. Please avoid using any chemically created oils such as vegetable oils – canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil, etc.
Who can oil pull?
Oil pulling is generally safe for children once they are old enough to know not to swallow, as well as pregnant and nursing mamas. But as always check with your pediatrician, midwife, dentists, or general practitioner just to be safe.
Please note: Traditionally unrefined sesame oil has been used for oil-pulling, however those with amalgam or other metal fillings need to practice caution when using sesame oil. After all the gargling and swishing for 10-15 minutes, the change of color from a golden color to a whitish color, and the change of texture from thick to thin when spitting it out, simply indicates the degree of lipophilic (fat-loving) toxic chemicals, metals, and microbes that have been absorbed into the oil from the oral mucosa, and entire body as the blood circulates through the oral mucosa.
We don’t want to pull heavy metals from the body when the constant flow of toxicity is still present. This is why I used coconut oil instead while I waited to have my amalgam fillings removed.
Resources for further learning:
♦ Oil Pulling Therapy: Detoxifying and Healing the Body Through Oral Cleansing by Bruce Fife, ND
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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