Oil Pulling for Dental Hygiene and Physical Health
Oil pulling is the latest trend in alternative health treatments that might have some surprising results without almost no side effects. Could oil pulling help you feel better?
When I first heard the term ‘oil pulling’, I admit to wondering what the heck oil pulling could possibly be. A long time alternative health advocate, I’ve run into many truly odd complementary treatments mixed in with the wonderful ones, and oil pulling surely sounded like one of the oddest names I’ve heard yet.
But oil pulling is a really simple alternative health treatment that has many people claiming some amazing health changes that might surprise you.
What Is Oil Pulling?
It’s really a very simple concept: Oil pulling is where you take one tablespoon of an organic oil and put it in your mouth, and then you swish it around in your mouth for about 15-20 minutes, pushing and pulling the oil through and over your teeth. After about 20 minutes, you simple spit the oil out (into the trash or a baggie, not down your sink drain) and then proceed with your normal dental hygiene routine.
This process removes toxins, helps remove particles of food, and helps break down bacteria in your mouth. And the health benefits from it are purported to go way beyond simple dental hygiene, though whiter teeth and fresher breath are the first benefits you will likely notice.
History of Oil Pulling
Believe it or not, oil pulling is an ancient health technique, and it’s been around for years. It’s only recently come to the forefront of alternative health and is now getting some mainstream attention. Even Dr. Mercola has talked about oil pulling on his website.
The technique of oil pulling comes from Ayurvedic medicine in the Shalakya Tantra, or the Ayurvedic system of surgery. Generally, Ayurveda doesn’t focus on dental care, but the practice of oil pulling actually isn’t recommended for dental hygiene, though it does a great job freshening breath and whitening teeth. No, oil pulling is recommended for general health, to improve certain conditions and overall improve quality of life.
What Are the Purported Benefits of Oil Pulling?
The benefits of oil pulling, as purported by those who have tried it, are varied and amazing. There have been reports of rashes and eczema clearing up, acnes improving, overall health improving, pain conditions improving, fibromyalgia pain disappearing, headaches (particularly migraines) alleviating or improving, and much more. People have reported having more energy, feeling better overall, and much more.
Along with those benefits, you can expect stronger gums and teeth, fresher breath, better morning breath, and hopefully better dental visits too.
What Oil Should Be Used for Oil Pulling?
The best oil is any vegetable based oil that is organic. Organic raw coconut oil is my favorite, because I love the light scent of it and it has a very slightly sweet flavor. It turns to a liquid oil upon warming in your mouth quite easily. Other good oils are a quality organic olive oil, safflower oil, grapeseed oil, or a sunflower oil.
Remember, do not swallow the oil, or else you’ll be putting the toxins and bacteria and food particles the oil pulls out of your mouth right back into your body and that defeats the purpose. Be sure to spit the oil out when done, but don’t put it down the drain or else you’ll end up with congealed oil blocking your drain and a nice plumbing bill. Spit it into a plastic baggie or directly into the trash, rinse your mouth and then brush your teeth normally.
This is a very inexpensive alternative health treatment, and if you do the oil pulling while checking email or blow drying your hair, you really don’t even lose any time. The health benefits you could gain from it, along with the dental hygiene benefits too, are well worth giving this alternative health treatment a try. There are really no side effects and only positive results to be had, so give it a go for a week and see if you don’t see major changes for yourself.