organic – EarthyRealist.com

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

HoMedics Oscillating Cool Mist 1-Gallon Ultrasonic Humidifier found at Bed Bath And Beyond

I have allergies. BAD allergies. When I was around the age 4-5 years old my mother noticed that I was always, what she thought, sick. We went to the doctor and they explained that I had year round allergies. Some may not have heard of this term. As an adult I actually had a woman not believe me when I had really bad allergies one day, and she stated that she had never heard of this term, “year round allergies” and told me that I had a cold. It was rude, but living with my body I knew personally what it was. And, I felt better once I left the environment where I was at.

Now, back to when I initially found out I had allergies. The doctor asked my mother about our home, and after a series of questions it was determined that I had a lot of stuffed animals which I didn’t play with therefore between the fur and collection of dust that contributed to my constant sneezing, watery eyes, ect. My mom quickly got rid of my stuffed animals. The doctor also recommended my mother purchase barrier pillow protectors, which is a plastic cover that goes over your pillowcase before you put the actual pillow case on. By following these recommendations my allergies at home got better.

But, I was also having bad symptoms outside. It was due to grass and pollen. Outside I would experience runny nose, watery eyes if pollen counts are high. Springtime and early summer was the worst. The worst. I once again was taken to the doctor to see what could further help. I was introduced to allergy shots.

As www.mayoclinc.com describes: “Allergy shots are a form of treatment called immunotherapy. Each allergy shot contains a tiny amount of the specific substance or substances that trigger your allergic reactions. … Allergy shots contain just enough allergens to stimulate your immune system — but not enough to cause a full-blown allergic reaction.”

Weekly I would go to Kaiser hospital and it would be about 10 shots that I would receive up my arm. They hurt at first then felt like a prick thereafter. I wasn’t bothered as a kid having to go each week because I’d rather go than to feel sick all of the time. The allergy shots ended and I was prescribed Allegra (the brand eventually became an over the counter medicine).

I became older and I would have allergic reactions to cut grass, pollen, and perfume the most. Fragrance reactions would burn my nose. I stopped taking Allegra and would go more of a holistic route such as taking a spoon full of local honey. And drinking herbal teas.

Moving to Las Vegas you are living in the middle of the desert literally. So the air is REALLY dry. When I came here looking for a place my allergies were so bad the first day, and throughout that month that when my eyes watered they would burn and I could not see. I purchased eye drops which saved me, and I faithfully wore sunglasses when I was out.

After actually moving here my body better adjusted, but I would find myself waking out of my sleep coughing. Water would be my go to. Sometimes it would help sometimes it wouldn’t. Spraying tea tree mixed with water would make the are fresh but didn’t stop my coughing. I remembered that my mother also had a humidifier in the house growing up. I purchased one and I was amazed how much better I was during the night. And day. The first one I bought was small and I would have to refill often. I then purchased one that would last up to 48 hours.

As you can see allergies have been something I have always dealt with my entire life. I wanted to share my story in hopes that it will help someone else. I’m no where near as sensitive to things that would bother me when I was younger, sometimes seasonally, but that is rare.

I purchased the HoMedics Oscillating Cool Mist 1-Gallon Ultrasonic Humidifier for $69.99 at Bed Bath And Beyond. Humidifiers come in both cool and warm air that they emit but doctors have said both work the same.

Below is a list of reasons to own a humidifier:

Clears up allergies and sinuses

Faster healing times from a cold, a sinus infection, or the flu

Improves Sleeping

Healthier Houseplants

Vibrant Skin

No more cracked, dry lips

If you have allergies I would strongly suggest trying a humidifier out!

Best Wishes,

Kadesh Carter