Oil pulling. Have you heard of it? Would you try it? Have you tried it? What is it? You’re saying it can pull toxins out of my system by swishing some oil around in my mouth? Count me in.
So what exactly is oil pulling?
Oil pulling is an ancient Indian practice that involves swishing oil around in the mouth for about 20 minutes on the premise that this will pull toxins out of the body.
What are the benefits?
Studies show that oil pulling has excellent benefits for oral health. It can help strengthen the teeth, gums, and jaw; whiten teeth; prevent bad breath; prevent dryness of the mouth, lips, and throat; prevent mouth diseases like cavities and gingivitis; and treat soreness of the jaw. It’s also been thought that oil pulling has many benefits that extend way beyond oral health. Examples include reduced headaches, hangover relief, kidney function support, general pain relief, reduced insomnia, and general detoxification of the body, just to name a few. A popular reason for oil pulling is to find relief from congestion in the sinuses and throat. It is unbelievable how quickly this happens! Immediately after rinsing, you will find yourself blowing your nose and clearing your throat. I have worked with people struggling with chronic sinus congestion who experienced relief unlike anything else, after oil pulling only once! Swishing with coconut oil has also proven to be beneficial to those with skin disorders such as psoriasis, and is great for anyone who wants to detox and begin taking better care of their immune system.
How do you do it? How Often?
Traditionally, oil pullers used virgin sesame oil. The reason I prefer to use raw coconut oil is because it has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and enzymatic properties. This provides the added benefit of killing any unwanted bacteria that may be residing in the mouth, while leaving behind healthy probiotic strains. A perfect exchange! Try both if you want! Switch off!
You can oil pull every morning if you desire or at the least, 3 times a week.
In the morning, before you’ve eaten, drink a glass of water. Then, put about a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and swish it around, making sure to let it touch every single part of your mouth except the throat. Try not to swallow the oil, as this will reabsorb the toxins that have been pulled from your body. Swish the oil around in your mouth for at least 5 minutes, with the recommended amount being a full 20 minutes. I like to do this while in the shower, and possibly continue for a few minutes after I get out. This way, I feel like I’m using my time wisely — and I never forget to do it.
You’ll feel the oil become foamy as it mixes with your saliva. If there gets to be too much in your mouth, spit a little bit out, and continue. When you’re finished, spit the oil out into the toilet or the trash — avoid doing this in the sink, as the oil could solidify and clog the drain. Supposedly, if the oil turns to a yellow, you’ve done your job! The yellow color is thought to mean a substantial amount of toxins have been removed from your body. It can take time to get there, so don’t quit if you don’t see yellow immediately on the first go. Finally, drink a glass of water and relax. You should be feeling fresh and rejuvenated.
Important things you need to know:
-Always use cold-pressed, unrefined oil.
-Oil pull on an empty stomach, preferably first thing in the morning.
-Don’t swallow the oil because it will be filled with very toxic pathogens once pulled.
-Always spit out the oil in the toilet, since the bacteria may be harmful if spat in the sink.
-I recommend rinsing out your mouth with warm salty water, then following up with a thorough brushing.
-ALWAYS brush your teeth immediately after oil pulling.
-Try to let your toothbrush dry thoroughly before using it again
-I recommend rotating oils after continued use to get the maximum benefit.
-Do it while showering, dishes, dressing the kids, making breakfast, doing your make up ladies, (give yourself 20 mins in the AM and oil pull.)
Live Well!
J
photo credit: Freepeopleblog
