Wellness Wednesdays - #39 - Oil Pulling

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I recently heard about oil pulling and decided to look into it further.  Apparently it has been around for hundreds of years.  So what is all the fuss about? 

What is Oil Pulling?

An ancient remedy for tooth and gum problems that hails from India.  It is renowned for providing natural teeth whitening and strengthening and nourishing the gums.  Oil pulling is the act of swishing a natural oil around in the mouth first thing every morning to clean and nourish the teeth and gums.  It is said to remove plaque and eliminate toxins as well as providing overall health and wellness benefits.  When you search “oil pulling” online, you will find many testimonials from patients who were suffering from tooth and gum problems and found relief with this simple and innovative practice.  These testimonials recount amazing benefits that reach beyond oral hygiene.  People say that the practice of oil pulling has helped clear up infections, headaches, skin conditions, liver problems, arthritis, allergies, asthma and many more problems.  This only makes sense because it is well known that bacteria in the mouth can cause problems throughout the body.

How Do You Do It?

It is really very simple.  You just use a natural oil such as olive oil, sesame oil or coconut oil (I've been using coconut oil because it seems the most palatable as well as it has antibacterial properties).   You swish a tablespoon or so of the oil around in your mouth for twenty minutes.  (I do mine first thing in the morning while I'm getting ready.)  It is important to swish the oil around for the entire twenty minutes to break down plaque and root out bacteria.  As you swish, the oil will pick up saliva and bacteria and work its way deeply into the crevices in your gum tissues.  When you spit the oil out, it will be white.  You should spit it into a trash can rather than into your sink or toilet because the oil can interfere with your plumbing.  Be careful not to swallow the oil because it will be full of bacteria.

Benefits Of Oil Pulling May Include:

• Helping to strengthen the gums, jaws and teeth.
• Helping to prevent gum disease, cavities and even gingivitis
• Helping to prevent bad breath
• Provide a holistic method and remedy for dealing with bleeding gums
• Helping to prevent dryness of the mouth, throat and the lips
• Helping to prevent general soreness around the area of the jaw

Many Believe That The Benefits Of Oil Pulling Go Beyond The Mouth:

• Relief for migraines and headaches
• Reducing arthritic inflammation
• Helping to reduce the signs of eczema
• Helping to reduce insomnia
• Reducing the effects of a hangover after consuming too much alcohol
• Helping to support the normal function of the kidneys
• Helping to reduce the symptoms of bronchitis
• May help to reduce pain
• Some oil pullers have even reported that it helped to improve their vision

While it has only been a week for me - I will say that my teeth have never felt cleaner!  I feel like there is no plaque - like I just left the dentist from a cleaning.  I also think it may be helping to clear my sinuses - I notice after I pull that I am able to clear my nasal passages fully.  Strange - but feels great!  I'll check back in on this this practice in another month or so.  From what I've read, it can't hurt - and it definitely might help!  What do you think?  Will you give it a try?...