Oil Pulling
What is Oil Pulling?
Oil pulling is an Ayurvedic technique that uses oil to cleanse and detoxify the body through a process of swishing coconut or sesame oil in the mouth for several minutes. The fatty membranes of microbes and toxins bind to the oil, in essence the oil is a magnet to remove toxins.
The health of your teeth, gums and mouth affect the health of your whole body. Each tooth is related to a different organ in your body. If your mouth and teeth are healthy, then the organs in your body are healthier. Oil pulling is similarly said to help with IBS and digestion.
My left molar has hurt for a couple of months. My dentist in Portland suggested we wait and see before doing a root canal. A friend of mine suggested that I do oil pulling to resolve the infection around my tooth. And, after oil pulling for a week, the pain went away and hasn’t returned in the last three weeks.
The theory is that if you remove the unfriendly bacteria in your mouth, you remove the unhealthy bacteria in your body. Thankfully, this is easy to do!
Instructions:
- Put 2 to 3 teaspoons of sesame oil or melted coconut oil in your mouth.
- Swish the oil around in your mouth, pushing and sucking between your gums and over your tongue for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Spit the oil out in the garbage. The oil will be cloudy. Rinse your mouth well.
Repeat daily or as often as possible.
