Oil Pulling

 

This week I’m fulfilling a request to write about a procedure that many think is new but in actuality goes back several thousand years in India.  The procedure is known as coconut swishing or also as oil pulling.  In the past, I’ve written about the health benefits of coconut oil.  I’ve discussed how it is a medium chain fatty acid that does not raise insulin levels and therefore can be a good source of energy because it is converted in the liver to energy rather than stored as fat.  Coconut is also beneficial for the heart, brain, and thyroid and it’s valuable for the immune system as well.  “Oil pulling” with coconut oil is done by swishing the oil in the mouth to draw out different toxins, germs, and other pathogens.

It’s long been recognized that coconut is an effective anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial substance.  Recent medical journals have also published research that shows the oil fights against various yeasts such as candida.  Ancient Ayurvedic texts claim that oil pulling may cure about 30 different diseases and help detoxify the entire body.  These claims are not necessarily supported by modern research, but there is a growing body of research that supports the use of coconut swishing for cleansing and healing benefits of the mouth.  Research from the Indian Journal of Dental Research states, “Oil pulling has been used for strengthening teeth, gums and jaws and to prevent decay, oral malodor, bleeding gums and dryness of throat and cracked lips.”  One of the primary mechanisms that allows coconut oil pulling to make these claims is that the research shows it is effective at killing off Streptococcus Mutans bacteria.  This is the acid producing bacteria that is known to contribute to tooth decay and plaque accumulation.

Oil pulling involves "rinsing" your mouth with the oil, much like you would with a mouthwash. The oil is "worked" around your mouth by pushing, pulling, and drawing it through your teeth optimally for a period of about 20 minutes.  You do not want to gargle. Oil pulling will work your jaw muscles as another benefit, but if yours become sore or tired you're probably "swishing" the oil too vigorously. Just relax and focus on moving the oil with your tongue as well as your jaw muscles.  When getting started, you may want to try it for just five minutes at a time. The process allows the oil to "pull out" bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other debris from your mouth. It may not sound very appetizing, but once the oil turns thin and milky white you'll know it's time to spit it out. The best time to do oil pulling is in the morning before eating breakfast, but it can be done at any time. When you're done, spit out the oil and rinse your mouth with water or a combination of water and baking soda. Avoid swallowing the oil as it will be loaded with bacteria and whatever potential toxins and debris it has pulled out.  Go buy some 100% coconut oil and try this procedure.  You should notice results within about a week.  And don’t forget about the other health benefits of eating the oil on its own – a tablespoon a day is a good start!  Thanks Andra for this recommended topic and thanks for reading every week!