Oil pulling, also called “Kavala” or “Gundusha,” is an age-old Ayurvedic technique that involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth on an empty stomach for around 20 minutes. This action purportedly draws out toxins in your body, primarily to improve oral health but also to improve your overall health. Unwanted organisms from the mouth, teeth, gums, and throat are also thought to be removed.
Though simple, oil pulling is claimed to have extensive health benefits. Many claims that oil pulling strengthens gums, whitens teeth and eliminates plaque. Others use it as a treatment for the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problem, an ailment that causes pain and stiffness in the jaw. Oil pulling is also considered one of nature’s most efficient ways to detox the body.
Ayurvedic origin
An ancient Ayurvedic ritual dating back almost 3,000 years, oil pulling has its origins in India as part of natural healing practices, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Original practitioners of oil pulling used Sunflower and Sesame oils as a way to promote oral health and detoxification and prevent bleeding gums, decay, dryness of the throat, malodor, cracked lips and strengthening teeth, gums, and jaw.
How to do it?
On an empty stomach, take a tablespoon of oil in your mouth and start swishing it around. First, the oil mixes with the saliva, turning it into a thin, white liquid. Lipids in the oil start pulling out toxins from the saliva. As the oil is swished around in the mouth, it continues to absorb these toxins and usually ends up turning thick, white, and vicious. Once this consistency is reached, spit it out, usually after around 15 – 20 minutes.
Benefits
Oil pulling can really transform your health. With the mouth as the home to numerous microorganisms and other toxins, the oil acts like a cleanser, pulling out the toxins before they get a hold and spread throughout the body. This frees up the immune system, reduces stress and internal inflammation, and aids in overall well-being. Some claimed benefits of oil pulling are:
Promotes oral hygiene
Oil pulling is highly effective at reducing tooth cavities and fighting bad breath. It reduces plaque and Gingivitis. According to some sources, oil pulling reduces dental caries or cavities by half in persons who practice with Sesame oil. Just 40 days of oil pulling can result in a 20% decrease in oral bacteria.
Acts as a detoxifier
Toxins and unwanted germs in the body are much like poison causing inflammation that leads to disease and illness. The mouth is the gateway to the body for such contamination. Thus in removing the toxins at the source before they can spread, the body undergoes a complete detox.
Prevents headaches and migraines
When the body is under toxic stress it results in headaches and even migraines. We can prevent headaches by eliminating germs and toxins from the body.
Keeps the skin clear
The benefits even extend to your skin! Getting rid of toxins from the body that would otherwise end up in the bloodstream means the skin has a chance to shine. With oil pulling, rashes and skin issues reduce dramatically.
Other benefits
Many holistic practitioners cite other benefits of oil pulling. Oil pulling stimulates the lymphatic system and helps in the transport of toxins away from vital organs. Some other purported benefits of oil pulling include:
1) Teeth whitening
2) Improved digestion
3) Clearskin
4) Weight loss
5) Improved kidney and liver function
6) Normalized sleep pattern
Which oil to use?
Some popular oils used for oil pulling are Sunflower, Olive, Coconut, Sesame, and Palm. While Coconut is among the most popular pulling oils, it solidifies below 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23.9 Celsius) and is hard to swish around in the mouth. But when blended with Sesame or Sunflower oil the mixture will not harden and acts as a better detox. Coconut oil has Lauric acid, which is well known for its anti-microbial properties making it more effective.
Other oils used for oil pulling include Olive, Sesame, and Extra-virgin coconut oil, preferably organic and ideally cold-pressed. They all contain essential fatty acids and antioxidants that are good for your gums and teeth.