In recent days I’ve seen resurgent interest in oil pulling, I’ve been practicing oil pulling for about 7 year now and I can't praise enough all the benefits it has brought to my health and daily rituals. This is an updated post, originally posted in 2014.
Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic method for detoxing and rejuvenation. It’s a simple practice, with quite remarkable results. If you’re looking for ways to naturally improve your health, you’ll eventually hear about oil pulling. It definitely has a mystical and exciting vibe around it, which made me eager to try. But what exactly is it? What does it do?
what is it?
Oil pulling is swishing unrefined, high quality oil in your mouth; similar (but not quite) to the way you’d use a mouthwash. Yep, any oil. My favorite is coconut oil. This can be done anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. The process attracts and removes bacteria, toxins, and parasites that live in your mouth or lymph system, and also pulls congestion and mucus from your throat and loosens up your sinuses. With the help of your saliva, all these scary undesirables bind with the oil, ready to be disposed of. Some sites say that pulling also helps re-mineralize your teeth and strengthen your gums by thoroughly cleansing the area.
This sounds good, right? But how exactly do you do it?
Traditionally, oil pullers used virgin sesame oil. The reason I prefer to use raw coconut oil is because it taste good to me. The other benefit is that coconut oil 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.
To start, scoop ½ to 1 full tablespoon of oil into the mouth; if it’s cold, allow the oil to melt. Now push, swirl, and pull the oil between your teeth, around your gums, and allow it to touch every part of your mouth except your throat. Not too vigorously or you'll be tired in a minute. You don’t want the oil getting in contact with your throat either because it’s now carrying somewhat toxic material. No gargling!
If you feel it's too much oil in your mouth, it’s too much, so use less.
Once you’re swirling, have fun with it. Hum a little song, or practice deep breathing through your nose. Allow this to be a sacred time. Enjoy the feeling of cleansing, the relaxation with the absence of talking. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of smiling with a mouth full of oil. Something about it just feels so right.
Once your time pulling is over, as I said 5 to 20 minutes, spit into the trash can, but never your bathroom sink — the oil could solidify and clog your drain. Now rinse your mouth out with clean water two or three times. Finally, drink a glass of water and relax. You should be feeling fresh and rejuvenated.
why oil pulling?
A popular reason for oil pulling is to find relief from congestion in the sinuses and throat. It’s unbelievable how quickly this happens. Immediately after, you will find yourself blowing your nose and clearing your throat.
I began pulling to benefit my gums and teeth. My gums strengthened, and teeth became much whiter! It also proved to be beneficial to my skin, which became bright and almost glowing. Swishing with coconut oil, per Ayurveda literature, 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.
Oil pulling can be done at any time of the day, but for a more thorough detox, its best to do this in the morning, before eating or drinking. If you are having a hard time fitting oil pulling into your routine, I’ve found a nice time to do this is while performing another morning ritual like showering or walking when talking is not needed. This way, you aren’t counting the clock until the minutes are up and you link one good habit with another one.
I hope you enjoy this healing, divine and sensual experience as much as I do. Love the oil. Love the process. Happy oil pulling!
