Have you heard of “oil pulling”? While this trend may seem like a new health craze, oil pulling has long established roots as an ancient Ayurveda ritual. Referred to as “gandusha” or “kaval” in the ancient Ayurvedic text, oil pulling was believed to help cure more than 25 systemic diseases – including conditions like tension headaches, migraines, asthma, bronchitis and even osteoarthritis.1
According to Ayurveda expert Dr. Scott Gerson, oil pulling is currently endorsed by many celebrities and health care practitioners as a method to prevent tooth decay, mouth odor, bleeding gums and dryness or hoarseness of the throat, while also strengthening the teeth and gums.1
Other benefits of oil pulling include:4
- Whitens teeth
- Healthy, pink gums
- Increased energy
- Decreased migraine headaches
- Clear sinuses
- Less severe asthma
- Decreased allergies
- Improved PMS symptoms
- Regulated menstrual cycles
- Better sleep
- Clear skin
Coconut oil is one of the best oils to use to practice this technique. Coconut, especially its oil, is a powerful destroyer of all kinds of microbes. One of the primary reasons coconut oil’s benefits are so broad is that 50 percent of the fat in coconut oil is lauric acid. Your body converts lauric acid into monolaurin, which is used for preventing and treating colds, influenza, herpes, shingles, and other infections.
Scientists found that coconut oil that had been treated with enzymes stopped the growth of Streptococcus bacteria – a major cause of tooth decay which affects 60 to 90 percent of children in industrialized countries.2
Germs and waste products of Candida and Streptococcus are also common residents in your mouth that can cause plaque accumulation and tooth decay as well as secondary infections and chronic inflammation throughout your body. Dr. Joseph Mercola promotes that oil pulling can help lessen the overall toxic burden on your immune system by preventing the spread of these organisms from your mouth to the rest of your body, by way of your bloodstream.3
Oil pulling is simple… using 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil, rinse it around your mouth like you would with mouthwash. This process allows the oil to “pull out” bacteria, viruses, fungi and other debris. The best time to do this is in the morning before eating breakfast, but it can be done at any time. Doing this for a period of 15 to 20 minutes a day for 4-5 days a week is recommended. Discard the oil in the trash when you are done and try not to swallow any of the oil when it is in your mouth because it will be loaded with bacteria and toxins.
You will not be able to rely on oil pulling with coconut oil as your only source to avoid plaque and bacteria. Brushing and flossing are also very important to include in your daily routine. Plaque buildup and tooth decay can also be avoided by consuming a healthful diet. A diet low in sugar, grains and processed foods, and high in fermented vegetables, whole foods, and grass-fed meats can improve your dental health.
There is never just one simple step to avoid disease and sickness. A balanced lifestyle of eating right, getting enough sleep, exercising, and staying hydrated are all important.
It is nearly impossible to get all of the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals through our diet alone. To give you an example, a person would have to consume five oranges a day to get only just 300mg of vitamin C! This is where proper supplementation comes in.
By getting a comprehensive blood test and tissue mineral analysis, deficiencies and toxicities can be observed and easily improved by knowing exactly what you need and how much. Take the guessing game out and get tested today.
References:
- Grush, Lauren. What is oil pulling? Examining the ancient detoxifying ritual. FoxNews March 24, 2014
- Coconut Oil Could Combat Tooth Decay. September 2, 2012. http://www.bbc.com/news/health-19435442
- Dr. Mercola, Joseph. Coconut Oil Might Combat Tooth Decay. December 2012. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/12/08/coconut-oil-combats-tooth-decay.aspx
- Walling, Elizabeth. Heal and Detox with Oil Pulling: The What, Why and How NaturalNews.com. March 01, 2010