6 Benefits Of Oil Pulling

 

 

The benefits of oil pulling are powerful and have been used as a healing technique for nearly 5,000 years….(wow!) The benefits of oil pulling have been documented in early Ayurvedic texts as kavala or gundusha and was used to prevent bleeding gums, dry throat, cracked lips, weak teeth and even jaw pain by these ancient practitioners. 

This technique is still used by many (including myself!) to remove bacteria and promote oral hygiene.

 

How does it work?

 

Your mouth is known to host over 600 different species of bacteria populating the teeth, tongue, soft tissue of the cheeks and our tonsils. Of course many of these bacteria are necessary for a healthy microbiome, while others like Streptococcus, can cause problems if left unchecked (tooth decay, bad breath, gingivitis and strep throat). The benefits of oil pulling can help with all of these problems before it’s too late. 

Since your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body, pulling bacteria OUT of your mouth can help to reduce your chances of becoming sick and may improve your overall health.

According to traditional methods, kavala was the oral cleansing technique which is now referred to as ‘oil pulling. This is how it works…

Using 1 tablespoon of oil, swish it around your mouth for 15-20 minutes. After that time, you’ll be ready to spit the oil out. It’s recommended to spit the oil in the garbage since a build up of oil in your toilet or sink can lead to clogging. You should rinse your mouth with water before eating or drinking anything.

 

“Swallowing the oil after pulling will not cause you to swallow toxins from your bloodstream, but it can upset your stomach. Make sure to spit it out, never swallow.” – Dr. Mark Burhenne

 

Gundusha involved filling the mouth with oil then holding it and NOT swishing or gargling it around. 

Regardless of which method you use, both are known to have many health benefits!

 

What kind of oil should you use?

 

 

I wish I could say that there’s one oil to use that is better than all of the others… but that just isn’t true. When it comes to picking an oil, think unrefined, cold-pressed, organic and plant-based.

 

The most common oils include:

• Coconut
• Sesame
• Sunflower
• Olive

 

Let’s take a look at each of these and examine the benefits of oil pulling more closely. 

 

Coconut Oil

One of the most commonly used for pulling, and would be an appropriate choice when dealing with Candida for its anti-fungal properties. It also has antibacterial properties making it ideal for removing unwanted bacteria from your mouth.

 

Sesame Oil

In Ayurveda, sesame was used in a lot of medicines. Its antibacterial qualities help control oral problems like gingival plaque. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which assists with swelling and bleeding gums.

 

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower is a natural antiseptic; stopping or slowing down the growth of microorganisms, and has the ability to dilute thick plaque and tartar.

 

Olive Oil

Olive Oil has many antibacterial properties, it’s anti-inflammatory and has the ability to control growth of certain unwanted organisms.

 

How often should you oil pull?

 

It’s said that oil pulling is completely safe to do a few times a week or up to three times a day, it’s up to you.

When you first start practicing this technique, 15-20 minutes can seem like a long time to be swishing oil around in your mouth…and it is…so try starting with 3-5 minutes and working your way up to 10, then 15, then maybe even 20!

 

“Oil pulling is not a substitute for brushing and flossing your teeth. Continue your dental care routine and add oil pulling, if you want to try it out, but don’t stop brushing.” – Dr. Mark Burhenne

 

It may help to choose a time when you’ll be “distracted” like washing the dishes, working on your to-do list or while your showering..(just remember to not spit the oil out in the shower but instead in the garbage to avoid clogging your drain).

 

How can oil pulling help with Candida?

Oil pulling can help with both oral thrush and expelling toxins from candida die-off…

Oral thrush is a thick white coating on the tongue caused by an overgrowth of yeast in the mouth. It can be one of the many symptoms of Candida infection.

 

Here are two ways oil pulling helps:

• it collects and traps pathogens
• using coconut oil (for its antifungal properties) can kill the yeast in your mouth

 

When healing from Candida infection, there will always be die-off. It can be the hardest part since symptoms often get worse before they get better. During die-off you may experience breakouts, headaches or brain fog…all are caused from yeast cells being rapidly killed. 

Oil pulling can assist in removing at least some of these toxins from your body. It literally pulls toxins, bacteria and other pathogens from your system, so why not give it a try?

 

Here are some other ways to support die-off symptoms: 5 Lifelines to use when Candida die-off hits you harder than expected.

 

6 Benefits of Oil Pulling

 

 

1. Kills Harmful Bacteria

The mouth contains a diverse amount of bacteria, some good and some bad. The harmful ones can lead to tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease.

 

2. Can Reduce Bad Breath

Bad breath is generally a result of bacteria buildup in your mouth. This can be caused by poor oral hygiene, infection (such as candida) or gum disease.

 

3. May Prevent Cavities

Cavities stem from tooth decay which is a result of sugar consumption, poor oral hygiene and bacterial buildup. The plaque that coats your teeth is made up of food particles, bacteria and saliva, damaging the enamel.

Oil pulling is said to reduce the population of cavity-causing bacteria along with brushing and flossing.

 

4. Could Reduce Inflammation and Improve Gum Health

The bacteria found in plaque, can cause gingivitis, a common gum disease that involves inflammation, redness and swelling of the gums that may even bleed when flossing.

There have been a couple of small studies to support the benefits of oil pulling with coconut oil and how it can reduce plaque formation and help prevent gingivitis.

 

5. Removes Stains from Teeth

The benefits of oil pulling can help with unwanted stains from coffee, wine, tobacco and poor oral hygiene. Over time this will lead to a noticeable difference in the color of your teeth…making them look whiter!!

 

6. Can be Helpful for Candida

And of course…as we discussed earlier, the benefits of oil pulling play a significant role in curing die-off of candida and oral thrush…a symptom of candida infection.

 

If you suspect you have Candida overgrowth we are happy to help support you on your cleansing journey, you can purchase the supplements here: Shop

Don’t forget to use the code CANDIDA to get 10% off your order!

Join our Facebook group for support on your cleansing journey Candida Cleanser Support Group | Facebook

 

Happy Healing!

 

Niki Pym

Rest & Digest Coach