Is it as good for you as everyone says it is?   

Vedic healers in India discovered that swishing a small amount of oil in the mouth is not only good for oral hygiene but seems to speed up the body’s recovery from a lot many major illnesses and also promotes longevity. This technique is known as oil-pulling in the western world.   

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic technique. It has gained a lot of traction in mainstream alternative medicine in the last few years, and for good reason! One study from the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) states: “Oil pulling activates salivary enzymes which absorb toxins such as chemical toxins, bacterial toxins and environmental toxins from the blood… Thus, oil pulling detoxifies and purifies the entire human body.” 

According to the Ayurveda, oil pulling can be done in two ways: Kaval and Gandusha. In Gandusha, the mouth is filled completely with liquid and held for 5 to 15 minutes. In Kavala Graha, a smaller amount of liquid is held in the mouth and swished through the teeth for 5 to 15 minutes, then gargled and spit out.

GREAT OILS FOR OIL PULLING:

1. Sesame oil Proven to have anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-anxiety, and anti-plaque effects. Rich in zinc, sesame oil is awesome for longevity and vitality. Tyrosine in sesame oil is linked to serotonin and boosting mood levels as well as relieving anxiety. Sesame oil is high in copper, known to reduce inflammation and contains chlorosesamone, an antifungal agent. It’s also effective against strep-causing bacteria. 

2. Coconut oil - Anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and is effective against Strep, Candida and Staph. It’s also an antiseptic and makes for a wonderful cut cleaner.

3. Sunflower oil -It has anti-plaque and beneficial gingival effects and is effective against candida.

 4. Soya bean oil, Corn oil, Rice bran oil, Palm oil - Small amounts of saturated fatty acid, i.e. lauric acid, in these oils may play a role in their antimicrobial properties.

As per Ayurveda, sesame oil is recommended for preventive use and/or seasonal use to reduce dryness (VataDosha)of the mouth and reduce inflammation and burning sensation in the mouth. In case of specific issues, Ayurveda practitioners might also suggest other treatments after proper diagnosis of the specific ailment. 

BENEFITS OF OIL PULLING:

Health Benefits - Oil pulling is not only good at preventing oral infections but can actively fight them as well. The oil pulls the infection  (bacteria,  toxins, and pus)  out of the tissues, allowing the body to heal itself. Helps to support and strengthen the body’s immune system,  which in turn helps the entire body be healthier and function better. 

Oral Health Benefits - Potential holistic remedy for plaque-induced gingivitis, prevention of dental caries, prevention of halitosis, dryness of the throat, and cracked lips.

General Health Benefits - Headaches, Chronic skin allergies, Thrombosis, Intestinal infection Diabetes, Bronchitis, and Asthma.

PROCEDURE:

Step 1: First thing in the morning on an empty stomach and before drinking any liquids  (including water), one should pour exactly one tablespoon of coconut oil or sesame oil into the mouth. 

Step 2: Swish the oil around in the mouth without swallowing it.  Move it around in your mouth and through your teeth,  as it is done with a mouth wash (do not tilt your head back to gargle though).  You will find that the oil will start getting watery as saliva mixes with it. Keep swishing. Relax your jaw muscles and use your tongue to help move the liquid around the inside of your mouth. 

Step   3:  As the end of the oil pulling session approaches, one may notice that the oil/saliva mixture becomes thicker. This is quite normal since it is pulling out toxins from your body. When 20min  is up, spit out the oil into the toilet. 

Step  4: Rinse out your mouth a  couple of times with warm salt water and spit into the toilet. The oral cavity must be thoroughly rinsed and the mouth must be washed thoroughly. 

DRAWBACKS:

a.  Oil pulling cannot replace care from a  qualified dentist.

b. It consumes more time than conventional alcohol-free, antiseptic mouthwashes.

c. There is a report of lipid pneumonia caused by accidental inhalation of the oil during oil pulling.

PRECAUTIONS:

 Do not swallow.   

 Do not spit where people walk or on vegetation.     

 If one is allergic to a  particular brand,  change the brand of oil or to different oil.  Make sure the oil is pure. Keep the chin up so that pulling covers the back of the oral cavity. 

This simple method makes it possible to completely heal such a wide range of diseases that would normally be treated by invasive treatment options or potent Drugs, usually with significant side-effects. "The whole purpose of oil pulling is to get rid of the oil-soluble toxins in the body".