Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a newly popular ancient practice that is a powerful tool for cleansing. The traditional practices are done a bit differently from how we practice at home.

We have been oil pulling each morning after the intake of our first liter of warm water.

We use between a tablespoon and teaspoon of oil and swish it strongly in the mouth and between the teeth for 20 minutes. We set a timer to go off so that we can tend to breakfast and lunch making as we pull, with out having to worry about the time. We use coconut oil most of the time. After trying several different oils, that is our favorite. Coconut oil is antibacterial, antifungal and anitviral. It tastes delicious.

Some people have an aversion to oil in their mouth. This is an excellent reason to oil pull! Because eating fat and oil are one of the most healthful things you can do, becoming comfortable with oil in your mouth by practicing oil pulling can help you to heal fat aversion.

Traditional oil pulling is done with sesame or sunflower oil. The oil used is related to the dosha of the person practicing. Sunflower oil is said to be pitta balancing, sesame oil vata balancing while coconut oil is tridoshic (works well with all three doshic constitutions).

Gandusha and Kavala Graha are traditional pulling practices that have different processes. In Gandusha, the mouth is filled with oil, which is held in the mouth for three to five minutes and then spit out. In Kavala Graha, only a comfortable amount of oil is placed in the mouth. Then, the oil is held inside of the mouth for three minutes, gargled and spit out. 

There are so many wonderful purported benefits to oil pulling! You'll have to try it for yourself!