Pink Positive Self-Affirmations Instagram Post.jpg

Oil Pulling: Why You Should Consider It

Oil pulling or oil swishing is an ancient detoxing practice that has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. Originating in India, this method of detoxing is done by taking 1 tablespoon or so of organic cold pressed oil and swishing it in your mouth, as you would a mouth wash, for 10-20 minutes (making sure not to swallow it) and then disposing of it by spitting it out. Rinse mouth out with warm water to get rid of any remaining residue. It is recommended to do this in the morning before eating or even brushing your teeth, but you can choose to do it anytime of the day really.

What oils should you use for oil pulling?

Well, first off, whatever oil you choose to utilize, you want to make sure that its organic and cold pressed. You don’t want to be using oils that have chemicals and/or pesticides in them because that basically defeats the whole purpose of oil pulling in the first place. Sesame seed oil is deemed one of the best oils to use for oil pulling. This is probably due to the origins of oil pulling itself and how this oil is readily available in India and used for a multitude of things. It also contains many antioxidants but realistically oil pulling with sesame seed oil would be very expensive to keep up with on a daily basis. This is why you can also use other oils such as organic extra virgin cold pressed coconut, sunflower, and olive oil as they also contain a variety of antioxidants.

So how do you do it and exactly how will it benefit me?

Of course you would want to know that or why bother even going through the trouble right? Well, when you first put the oil in your mouth and start swishing it mixes with your saliva, turning it into a thin, white liquid. Lipids in those oils start to draw out toxins found in the saliva. As you swish around the mouth, teeth, gums, and tongue, the oil will continue “pulling” and absorbing toxins. In turn, this will progressively change the consistency of the liquid making it thicker and whiter. When this consistency is reached, it is to be spit out to avoid any reabsorption of the toxins in the body. Again, make sure you spit it out and whatever you do be careful not swallow any of it! There is an assortment of bacteria, toxins, and other residue up in there and you wouldn’t want to reabsorb any on that nastiness!

Tip: I recommend spitting this liquid out in the trash instead of the toilet or sink to avoid plumbing problems. But if you do decide to be a rebellious and spit it out into the sink, I suggest spitting it out directly into the drain while running hot water down the drain to be safe.

As far as what it does, oil pulling detoxifies the oral cavity in the same way soap cleans dirty dishes. Plant based fats are an emulsifier by nature. It cleans the dirt (toxins) out of your mouth, creating an antiseptic oral environment that can help with the appropriate flow of dental liquid needed to prevent cavities and disease.

Here’s an example of what you may experience:

List of benefits from oil pulling:

·Strengthens teeth, gums, and jaws

·Prevents bad breath

·Prevents diseases of the gums and mouth, such as cavities and gingivitis

·May remedy bleeding gums

·Prevents overall tooth decay

·Prevents dryness of the lips, mouth, and throat

·Kills flu and cold germs

·Whitens teeth

·Strengthens sensitive teeth

·May treat TMJ and general soreness in the jaw area

Oil pulling is definitely worth trying out, especially if you are dealing with anything oral related as you could see improvements in symptoms. Of course, it is something that is meant to be done on a consistent basis, as most everything is anyway, in order to see noticeable changes. Some even report seeing major differences in one week. Who knows, you may even end up incorporating this method into your daily life. If you use a mouth wash, you can even switch to oil pulling for a holistic solution to kill bacteria and bad breath since many mouthwashes that aren’t natural contain chemicals that are harmful to the body. Essential oils like peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, tea tree, or clove can also be added to the oil for their medicinal properties they carry. They provide awesome flavor that will add to your whole experience as well! Oil pulling, along with a healthy lifestyle in general, will be beneficial to your life and overall health for sure. I hope you would agree; this is certainly something you may want to consider implementing into your daily routine!

Try This Easy Recipe for Oil Chews: Make it Fun for the Whole Family

Coconut Oil Pulling Chews

Ingredients you will need:

1/2 cup coconut oil

20-30 drops of therapeutic grade essential oil (peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, clove, tea tree oils etc.- check with a doc or midwife if you are pregnant, nursing, or before using on children)

Instructions:

1.Melt the coconut oil until just barely liquid.

2.Remove from heat and add essential oils.

3.Pour into silicon candy molds and put in the fridge or freezer to harden.

4.When done, remove from molds and store in a jar.

Use one per day or as needed, to use for your oil pulling needs.

Sources:

-http://www.spiritofhealthkc.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/OIL-PULLING-The-Health-Benefits-of-Oil-Pulling.pdf

-http://wellnessmama.com/7866/oil-pulling/

-http://draxe.com/oil-pulling-coconut-oil/

Article written by: Tia & Tara AhQuin