Years ago, I began hearing rave reviews about the ancient Ayurvedic practice, oil pulling. I read a piece in InStyle magazine, and after that article, oil pulling trended.
As with most new beauty or wellness trends when I first read about it, uneventfully, I tried it a few times. I can’t remember the first few experiences, but I didn’t continue.
Then the big C pandemic happened. And out of a desperate attempt to add some flavor to my monotony of most days, I was inspired to give oil pulling another run, and I’ve stuck with it.
Oil Pulling Is Simple
The process is simple. You swish a natural oil in your mouth for 3-20 minutes to release mucus, bacteria, and toxins from your body through your saliva.
Ok, I’ll admit! It doesn’t sound sexy at all, and it isn’t. Coconut oil is my natural oil of choice. To ease the awkwardness of the actual process, remind yourself that oil pulling comes from the ancient Indian medical system of Ayurveda.
If you need more inspiration, keep in mind that Ayurveda means the knowledge of life. More inspo? It is one of the world’s oldest practices dedicated to healing the body with raw and natural ingredients.
What allows oil swishing to reward so many benefits?
Traditional Chinese Medicine
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the tongue is mapped by organ locations. Sections of our tongue connect back to our kidneys, lungs, spleen, liver, heart, pancreas, small intestines, stomach, colon, and spine. This allows for an oil-mouth massage to soothe and stimulate the key meridians where our taste meets our organs.
INSANE RIGHT? There is information on top of information regarding ailments that have been positively affected by oil pulling. Oil pulling has positive effects on bronchitis, tooth pain, thrombosis, ulcers, intestinal diseases, heart and kidney diseases, encephalitis, arthritis, and sleeplessness.
I’m no doctor, but if Tracee says it, I’m trying it. Accordingly, Tracee Ellis Ross dishes on how it helps her with headaches, hangovers, and the flu.
Pearly White Shine
For me, it does add a noticeable and much-appreciated shine to my pearly whites on top of leaving me with fresh coconut breath. I’ve been pulling a few times a week for the last few months.
I aim to pull in the mornings when I’m most likely to have the most toxins and while my stomach is empty. I use about a tablespoon of coconut oil. Try your natural cooking oil of choice (Sesame, Sunflower, or Coconut).
Studies have shown that pulling with Coconut oil has the highest efficacy rate of all the standard oils. I swish anywhere from 5-10 minutes. The longer you swish, the better, but after 5 mins, I’m beyond ready to be done. I’m still working on patience.
As you swish, the oil is gathering toxins, so don’t swallow it.
Pull away to a healthier YOU!