Oil pulling what is it and how does it work?

Oil pulling what is it and how does it work?

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last year or so you will have no doubt heard about ‘Oil pulling.’ Oil pulling simply refers to the act of removing toxins from the mouth using natural oil. Most commonly used are coconut and sesame seed oil, but others can be used in their place.

History of oil pulling:

The oil pulls dates back to accent Indian ‘Ayurvedic’ medicine, but was more recently brought back into mainstream awareness in 1992 by Dr. F. Karach, MD. Who claimed that oil pulling would be able to aid in the treatment of numerous conditions ranging from cancer to heart disease. Although these  claims may not have proven to be true, there are a number of very real health benefits that can be expected once you include oil pulling into your daily routine.

Benefits of oil pulling:

• White teeth – This is one of the top uses for oil pulling and one of the reasons it has become so popular in recent years. Over the counter teeth whitening kits can be expensive and have mixed results, just one jar of coconut oil is enough to last months and you can expect to see great results within just 2 weeks.

• Stop bleeding gums – Although not backed up with scientific evidence there are a great number of reports of oil pulling greatly helping people suffering from gum disease.

• Bad breath – Oil pulling works to remove bacteria from the mouth and promotes plaque free dental hygiene, leaving you not only with a great looking smile but fresh breath throughout the day.

Other possible benefit include:

      •           Relief from headaches
      •           Help people suffering from hormone imbalances
      •           Anti inflammatory effect
      •           Benefit patients with gastroenteritis
      •           A holistic treatment for eczema
      •           Help in the treatment of bronchitis
      •           Promotes healthy kidney function
      •           Relieves congestion

How to start oil pulling?

So you have your cold press organic coconut or flaxseed oil and you're ready to get going, but what exactly do you have to do?

• First thing in the morning, even before coffee (Hard I know!) you need to take one tablespoon of oil and put it in your mouth. I use coconut and as this is solid at room temperature, it can be a slightly odd sensation at first.

• This next step is the longest part, you need to keep the oil in your mouth for 10 – 20 minutes whist swirling and swishing the mixture around as much as possible. At first your mouth will ache and sometimes I would only be able to do 5 minutes, but after time you get used to it and now days I just get on with my morning routine whist swishing.

• Once the time is up, spit out the mixture, it's best to not make this into a sink as the oil will turn hard again when it cools and has been known to clogg pipes.

• Once your mouth is free of oil, it’s a good idea to brush your teeth, the act of oil pulling draws out toxins from the gums and we don’t want these left after.

• That’s it, simple, easy and completely safe. Why wait?

Evidence:

These have been a few small studies carried out looking into the health benefits of oil pulling

·         Oil pulling can be used as an effective preventive adjunct in maintaining and improving oral health.

·         Oil pulling and its effectiveness at treating gingivitis -  Amith, H. V., Anil V. Ankola, and L. Nagesh. "Effect of Oil Pulling on Plaque and Gingivitis."