For optimum detoxing and ultimate gut health

Oil pulling in recent years has become a very popular practice replacing the usual shop bought mouthwashes.

It literally pulls the bad bacteria from your mouth without killing the good bacteria.  Unfortunately the antibacterial mouthwashes can’t say the same thing.

Just like your gut, you need good bacteria in your mouth to keep the bad bacteria at bay. Antibacterial mouthwashes kill all bacteria (good and bad), which actually promotes more bad bacteria, making us reach for more and more mouthwash.

By swishing oil around in your mouth for a period of time, you help remove the bad bacteria from your entire mouth (tongue, cheeks, gum-line and the roof of your mouth) this allows you to have a much healthier mouth and gut.

Remember digestion begins in the mouth as discussed in Tongue Scraping.

Oil pulling is more than just oral health, it helps improve digestion, alleviate headaches, improve breath, reduces acne and eczema simply by removing the toxins that reside in your mouth.

The type of oil you use depends on your Dosha.  If you are Kapha or Vata you should use raw organic sesame oil, it will counterbalance the cold body and digestive fire.  If you are Pitta you should use extra virgin organic coconut oil, it will counterbalance the overheated body and digestive fire.

If you find it difficult to deal with the taste of sesame oil, perhaps you could start with coconut oil until you adjust to using oil as a mouthwash.

How to Oil Pull

Begin your oral health by brushing your teeth and tongue scraping.

Follow by swirling ½ a tablespoon of oil around in your mouth for approximately 5 -10 minutes.  I know this seems excessive but it is definitely worthwhile to remove all those toxins. If this just doesn’t seem possible at the start, try for as long as you can and increase over time.

It’s not necessary to swish vigorously as you would with normal mouthwash, you want to allow the oil to seep between your teeth and into all the hollows.

Since you will be swirling the oil around for this period of time it will increase in size, this is why ½ a tablespoon of oil should be plenty.

If you are anything like me, you will probably continue your usual morning schedule while doing this.

When you’re done, it’s recommended to spit the oil into the rubbish or your toilet. You’ll want to avoid spitting it into the sink because the oil will be full of toxins and over time will slowly clog your drain.

DO NOT swallow any of this oil, it will be filled with toxins.

Follow by swishing your mouth with warm salt water to kill any residual bacteria or germs.

Please be aware that like any detoxification process, you may experience headaches for the first few days.  This will only last a few days while your body is adjusting to eliminating toxins.  Just remember to stay hydrated to assist the detox process.