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The Benefits of Oil Pulling

The practice of oil pulling has been taking the alternative health community by storm in recent years.  The reality is that this technique has been used for thousands of years and originated in India.

There is a saying that all disease begins in the mouth. The mouth houses hundreds of species of microorganisms and some of these react with the sugars in food to form a thin layer along the teeth known as plaque. If plaque is not removed it forms tartar which can get under the gums and cause the inflammatory gum disease known as gingivitis. This inflammation then activates the immune system which sends inflammatory signals to other parts of the body. This is why poor oral health has been linked to cancer and cardiovascular disease. Bad breath is also a side effect of an overgrowth of “bad” bacteria in the mouth.

Oil pulling is a daily practice of moving oil around the mouth. It works because the oil has a saponifying (when fat converts to soap) effect that allows plaque and bacteria to “dissolve” in it, making it easier to remove them from the body. While some people use sesame oil, coconut oil is the best choice because it contains lauric acid which has a strong anti-microbial action. It also has a pleasant flavour which makes it more palatable.

Oil pulling is performed by taking a tablespoon of oil and swishing it around the mouth for about 15-20 minutes. It is usually done first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, but you will still get the benefit if you do it at any time of day. Make sure you don’t swallow the oil as it will be full of bacteria and toxins that you do not want to reabsorb. When you are finished, spit the oil into the garbage bin and then rinse your mouth with water before brushing your teeth with organic, natural toothpaste as normal. Do not spit the oil out in the sink because coconut oil will become solid and block the pipes.

A study using sesame oil found that it reduced the amount of pathogenic Streptococcus Mutans in the mouth within 2 weeks. Another study found the oil pulling was as effective against gingivitis as a chemical mouthwash.

A simple online search brings up thousands of testimonials of oil pulling helping people to recover from eczema, arthritis, migraines, hormonal imbalances, allergies and many more. While these claims are not verified by studies, it is reasonable to assume that since toxins promote disease throughout the body, their removal via oil pulling may be what allows the body to heal.

When buying coconut oil, make sure you choose one that is cold-pressed and organic. Coconut Magic and Everything Coconut sell high-quality organic coconut products. Another variation is to add a few drops of essential oils to the coconut oil such as clove, peppermint or myrrh.

Nasal congestion, post-nasal drip or headaches are common symptoms in the first few days of oil pulling which are completely normal and just a sign that the body is detoxifying. Keep going and soon you will have a healthier body and bright smile!

Sources

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/05/05/oil-pulling-coconut-oil.aspx
http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/article%20oil%20pulling.htm
http://wellnessmama.com/7866/oil-pulling-for-oral-health/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC444260/
http://www.jisppd.com/article.asp?issn=0970-4388;year=2008;volume=26;issue=1;spage=12;epage=17;aulast=Asokan
http://www.ijdr.in/article.asp?issn=0970-9290;year=2009;volume=20;issue=1;spage=47;epage=51;aulast=Asokan