Want to learn more about Oil Pulling and it’s benefits?
This is post No. 8 in my ‘Detox Series’. How are you finding the series so far? Is there anything you’re curious about but haven’t had time to research? If so, just let me know and I’ll include it in the series.
Today I’m going to be talking about ‘Oil Pulling’ and looking at whether it’s myth or magic?
In writing about dry skin brushing last week, I mentioned that it’s a practice that has been celebrated in many cultures for thousands of years and beyond. Nowhere more so than in India, as witnessed by the ancient Ayurvedic tradition where it’s known as ‘garshana’. In Ayurvedic medicine, garsahana is used as one of many tools in the arsenal to help detox the body.
Another practice that is commonly associated with Ayurveda is the custom of oil-pulling. In recent times, oil pulling has been studied in depth to prove its proposed benefits to oral health. We know that most of us humans have approximately 700 different types of bacteria that live in our oral cavity (i.e. the mouth including gums, teeth, cheeks etc and I’m going to include the throat here too). Most of these bacteria are vital for a healthy oral microbiome, however there are some, for example the streptococcus mutans, that can lead to problems such as gingivitis, periodontitis, build up of plaque leading to tooth decay and even strep throat; which in some cases can cause significant health consequences.
Many studies have shown that oil pulling does in fact help reduce the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth which in turn helps with these conditions and makes everything less pungent! See here for some data: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5198813/ &
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3131773/
So, we can say with certainty that the practice of oil pulling certainly has benefits for oral hygiene but I wonder if you’ve heard about the other remedies it’s been credited with?
There is anecdotal ‘evidence’ from many people claiming that oil pulling has reduced the symptoms of inflammatory conditions in their bodies. Some people for example report an improvement in arthritis symptoms, as well as cardio-vascular issues such as tachycardia (increased pulse rate), as well as asthma and diabetes. Unfortunately we have zero clinical evidence to support these findings. However, it makes sense that if a person has issues with a chronic inflammatory gum disease, it will result in an increased immune-response, and the body will produce higher levels of CRP (C-reactive protein) which acts as an early defence system against infections. These high levels of CRP are associated with heart disease and inflammatory conditions like arthritis, so it’s not such a huge stretch of the imagination to suggest that using oil pulling to treat a chronic oral disease might after all have a beneficial effect on these conditions.
There have also been reports of improvements in migraines, whether that’s due to a physical strengthening of the jaw muscles, causing less stress clenching, or as a result of a detox effect, we’re not sure.
Oil pulling also been credited with clearing out sinus infections/congestion. Again, it’s hard to know if that’s a result of the physical movement of the jaw, causing improved lymphatic drainage or because the oils naturally reduce the bacterial build-up in the nasal passages. The reality is, it’s unlikely we will ever have enough clinical evidence to prove any correlation, so anecdotal evidence may be all we will have on these matters.
And while I’m at it I feel I must mention the other large, entirely anecdotal, elephant in the room. That is, the very claim that oil pulling is in fact an Ayurvedic practice at all!? The reality is there are 2 practices described in Ayurvedic texts that involve oil in the mouth. These are recommended as part of dinacharya, i.e. the recommended daily routine that’s ‘prescribed’ for your body type or ‘dosha’. They are called
‘gandusha’ (aka ‘gandusa’/‘gandoosh’ ) and ‘kavala’ (aka ‘kavalu’).
Let’s take a quick look at both so we can see where oil pulling as we know it differs from these ancient customs.
Gandusha is the taking of a large amount of oil into the mouth, usually with herbs that have been prescribed to tackle an issue like mouth ulcers or dry mouth and/or strengthening the gums and jaw. The patient takes so much of the oil that it can’t be turned or moved in the mouth, it’s just held there until it becomes uncomfortable, i.e. when the mouth over-produces saliva or the eyes and nose start to ‘water’.
https://www.researchgate.net/…/224897899_Prevention_and_tre…
Kavala on the other hand is the taking of only a small quantity of oil, usually combined with other liquids, gargling it briskly and then spitting it out. It is recommended by Ayurvedic practitioners for daily use to improve appetite, stem excess salivation and get rid of a bad taste in the mouth as well as to tackle other head and neck disorders.
So it looks as though oil pulling is in fact a modern, slightly modified combination of these two ancient practices.
Either way there is no doubt that it’s a practice that when done regularly can offer many benefits. Whether it’s the detox panacea that some enthusiasts would have you believe, I can’t be sure, but I reckon there’s no harm in trying it for yourself and seeing how you go with it!
So, how do you get started? First chose your oil. Any naturally sourced oil would most likely do, but there is a definite benefit to using something like coconut oil which we already know has beneficial anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Sesame oil is also traditionally used or if you want to get fancy, you can buy already formulated pulling oils such as Dr Tungs or Black Chicken Remedies branded oils that contain herbs & botanicals for potentially extra benefit.
It’s recommended you oil pull first thing in the morning, before you’ve eaten. Some people suggest you scrape your tongue and brush your teeth first, but I prefer to brush my teeth afterwards. All you have to do is simply measure out approximately a tablespoon of oil and pop it in your mouth to swish around your mouth, back and forth and between your teeth and try and keep it there for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Now, sometimes you might need to begin with a little less oil, or only keep it in your mouth for a couple of minutes to start with, then as you build up tolerance, try and gently increase the amount of oil and/or the time you ‘pull’ for. Do your absolute best to avoid swallowing it and when you’re done with the oil, spit it out into a tissue and dispose of it in the trash. Then you can brush your teeth as normal.
It’s suggested you make it part of your everyday routine, or even a few times a week will help. Some aficionados will oil pull a few times a day. I find it easiest to pop the oil in my mouth before I dry skin brush and keep it there while I hop into the shower on those days I know I don’t have to rush. To be honest that doesn’t happen nearly as much as I’d like, because inevitably one of the kids will come to ask me something and it’s all a bit awkward grabbing a tissue while you’re wet from the shower in order to answer their question. Mum life!!!
Have you tried oil pulling? I’m super curious to hear if you think it’s made a difference in your life, so can you please let me know if you’ve had a good experience with it?
