Until recently, oil pulling was not something that was even on my radar. But then HuffPo ran a piece about this ancient Ayurvedic tradition – and I’m pretty sure the rest is history. In case you haven’t heard, oil pulling is where oil is swished or held in the mouth for a given period of time, most often 20 minutes or so in the morning as a form of detox among other things. While it may be a hot topic of conversation, the jury is still out on whether or not it really is the next big thing. But its growing popularity spiked my curiosity. Here’s what I learned about the benefits of oil pulling and what it takes to get those benefits from the oil jar into your body.
The reported benefits of oil pulling include:
- Whiter teeth
- Healthier teeth and gums
- Reduced jaw pain (for those suffering with TMJ)
- Cavity prevention
- Improvement in skin issues like acne, eczema and psoriasis
- Improved breath
- Relieving hangovers, headaches and general detoxification of the body
All these benefits do sound pretty incredible, but what about the actual act of oil pulling? While this may not be for the faint of heart, here’s how it works:
- Start by selecting an oil – coconut oil seems to be the most popular based on its antibacterial qualities, but really it’s up to you. Any vegetable-based oil will work.
- Take a tablespoon of the oil and swish it around in your mouth for 20 minutes. (In the case of coconut oil, it’s more solid. Chew the ball of oil until it becomes a liquid and swish-able – it may feel a little foamy)
- 20 minutes is a long time to swish – so be gentle! Also, finding a distraction is key to getting through this. Check email, read a book, catch up on a little T.V. – definitely find a distraction.
- Be careful not to swallow. As you swish the oil, it’s drawing out all the toxins in your mouth, so swallowing would defeat the purpose of the process.
- When your 20 minutes are up, spit the oil into a trash can, not your sink. (It could solidify and block the drain)
- Follow up by a quick swish with warm salt water and floss and brush normally.
- Repeat this process daily if you find it works for you.
Have you tried oil pulling? Did you experience tremendous results? Would love to hear!
