Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurveda practice, which is the traditional medicine system from India. Though it has existed thousands of years before Western medicine, today many would refer to Ayurveda as an ‘alternative medicine.’ Oil pulling involves swishing oil in your mouth for 3-10 minutes a day to remove bacteria and promote oral hygiene. Traditionally, around the globe coconut oil is used in this practice and it is a natural antibiotic.
For many the first time that you may have seen coconut oil was in a jar. Which for me was the same. As coconut oil has risen in popularity over the years, I noticed that some people would use one jar for cooking, oil pulling, and as a body care product which can lead to the oil becoming cross contaminated. – I personally ONLY use coconut oil for oil pulling. I purchased the packets I use from Trader Joe’s. One packet is enough to use for two oil pulling sessions.
How To Oil Pull
Step One:
Swish 1 tablespoon (or half a packet) in your mouth for up to 10 minutes without swallowing it.
Step Two:
At the end of the session spit the oil out, at this point it has now gathered toxins in your mouth. As with any oil it can clog your sink, some people use dish soap to keep the drain clear after oil pulling. This happened to me when I first started oil pulling but to be environmentally cautious, I double lined the bathroom trash and placed a few paper towels at the bottom for absorption and used it instead.
Step Three:
Rinse mouth with warm water.
When To Oil Pull
Research suggests that oil pulling be done in the morning for best results. Oil pulling acts like a cleanser, therefore it’s best to do oil pulling on a daily basis, first thing in the morning before eating.
Oil Pulling Vs. Mouthwash
Commercial mouthwashes are full of toxic chemicals, including ones linked to cancer. Some of these poisons are even banned from foods. The most common toxins found in mouthwashes are artificial dyes, chlorhexidine, hexetidine, methyl salicylate, methylparaben, triclosan and fluoride. From the names alone that could make one question putting these substances in their households bodies. After researching the harmful effects of these toxins I vowed to only use natural oral methods.
Benefits of Oil Pulling
• Killing harmful bacteria in the mouth
• Reducing bad breath
• Preventing cavities
• Reducing inflammation and improving gum health
• Brightening/Whitening teeth
Tips
The photo shown above displays the top packet of coconut oil when it is refrigerated and that it forms into a soil. As opposed to the bottom (unopened) package which has been left out and is a clear liquid. – Some people keep theirs in the cabinet and others refrigerated. – Its totally up to you.
It is easier to oil pull when the coconut oil is at room temperature, but can be done in either form.
Do you use oil pulling as a part of your oral hygiene routine? If so, which oil do you use?
Keep Living Well!
– Kadesh Carter
EarthyRealist.com 