I was introduced to oil pulling by my mom about 14 years ago. Honestly, my first reaction was “Mom, how do you put coconut oil in your mouth?” and she said “People even drink Gau mutra for its multiple benefits. This is just about swirling oil inside your mouth and spitting it after 15 minutes. ” The Ayurveda prescribed methods have helped me so much in matters concerning skin, hair and overall health that I was determined to give this a try too. As I write this article today, I have practising oil pulling for over a decade and can absolutely vouch for it. So, sharing what, how, when and why of it here in this article.
Oil pulling, also known as ‘Kavala Graha’ or ‘Kavala Gundusha’ is an ancient ayurvedic technique that involves swooshing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth on an empty stomach for 15 to 20 minutes before or after brushing your teeth. This action is known to pull out toxins from your mouth, to not just improve oral health but also aid your overall health.
How do you go about oil pulling?
- Pick an oil. Most people use Coconut, sesame or olive oil. I would recommend Coconut oil. It contains high amounts of lauric acid that has anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties.
- Measure one tablespoon of oil. You can also start with a teaspoon and work your way upwards. Also keep in mind that the oil will almost double in size as it draws in saliva as well as the toxins called ama in Ayurveda.
- Swoosh it around in your mouth for 15–20 minutes, being careful not to swallow any. Don’t swoosh aggressively as you have to do this for 15-20 minutes and you need to take it easy with your jaw! You can also start with 10 minutes and gradually try to increase. Honestly, I don’t go above 15 minutes as my ability to swish with the increased amount of fluid in my mouth decreases.
- When you are done swooshing, spit the oil into a disposable plastic bag or trash can. Avoid spitting directly into the sink or toilet, as the oil may solidify and block up the drainage leading to clogging. I prefer spitting in a plastic bag that can be trashed. It could be cast-off plastic bag from your chips or any packaged food.
- Mix 1 teaspoon salt in a glass of warm water and use it to rinse your mouth well. This ensures no oil residue is left or felt. Brush as usual.
Why should you do Oil pulling?
Oil pulling has several benefits:
- It can kill harmful bacteria in your mouth- There are approximately 700 types of bacteria that can live in your mouth. Certain types of harmful bacteria can contribute to problems like tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease. Several studies have shown that oil pulling could help to significantly reduce the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth.
- Reduce bad breath- There are many potential causes of bad breath. Some of the most common include infection, gum disease, poor oral hygiene and tongue coating, which is when bacteria become trapped on the tongue. Oil pulling may be used as a natural alternative to reduce bad breath.
- Reduce inflammation and improve gum health- The bacteria in plaque may lead to gingivitis, which is a common gum disease characterized by red, swollen, and inflamed gums that bleed easily. Research suggests that coconut oil can reduce inflammation. This may benefit oral health and inflammation in the mouth.
- Whiter teeth- it helps clear stains from the surface of the teeth. There is little risk in trying to whiten teeth in this way. The bacteria in your mouth create a biofilm on your teeth, a thin layer known as plaque.
- Stronger teeth and gums- Oil pulling may decrease harmful bacteria in your mouth, prevent plaque formation and improve both gum health and oral hygiene.
- Cheap and Easy to Add to Your Routine - Two of the biggest benefits to oil pulling are how simple it is to do and how easily it can be incorporated into your daily regimen. It requires just one ingredient that can be found right in your kitchen, so there's no need to buy anything.
- Contributes to your wellness - Proponents of oil pulling claim that it may benefit a wide variety of other conditions like alleviation of headaches, hangovers and skin issues (reports have shown improvement in acne, psoriasis and eczema)
My Experience:
I do oil pulling first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, although you can adapt based on your personal preferences. The first few minutes are usually spent getting used to the taste and texture. In the middle part, the viscous oil will become milky white and thinner. Towards the end when the oil doubles in size, I know I am done.
The good thing about coconut oil is that it doesn’t taste that bad. I am not sure how I would like another type of oil. When I spat it out after 15 minutes, I was happy to note that after I had swilled with warm salt water, and brushed and flossed as normal, there was no residue left.
The way oil pulling works is simple: when you swish the oil around your mouth, the bacteria get swept away and dissolve in the liquid oil. I also believe this remedy improves my health in other ways.
Have you ever tried Oil pulling? Do rate your experience below and also share more about it in the comments section.
