11 Feb What is oil pulling?
Oil pulling originated from Ayurvedic medicine. Oil pulling is a very simple process that is supposed to be done on a daily basis. There are many medical practitioners who attest to the toxic cleansing effects of oil pulling and its healing effects not only on mouth and mucous but also for the entire body. First step is to rinse your mouth out with vegetable oil, much like you would with a mouthwash. Pulling is not gargling. According to the coconut research center, “…oil pulling can help those with asthma, allergies, chronic fatigue, diabetes, migraine headaches, PMS, and chronic skin problems. Oil pulling works by detoxifying or cleansing the body. In this way, disease promoting toxins are removed, thus allowing the body to heal itself. As a consequence, health problems of all types improve.”
Immediate effects can be seen when oil pulling – whiter teeth, fresher breath, pinkish and healthy tongue and gums and other mouth problems as bleeding gums, tooth decay, and gum disease are greatly diminished or completely healed.
The website further provides instructions on pulling, “Oil pulling means swishing, not gargling, vegetable oil in the mouth. The oil is ‘worked’ in the mouth by pushing, pulling, and drawing it through the teeth for a period of 15 to 20 minutes. It is done one to three times a day on an empty stomach. The best time is in the morning before eating breakfast, but can be done before any meal. The used oil is discarded and the mouth rinsed out with water. The oil is never swallowed because it is loaded with bacteria, toxins, pus, and mucous.”
Dr. Bruce Fife says that the oil acts like a cleanser. When you put it in your mouth and work it around your teeth and gums it “pulls” out bacteria and other debris. It acts much like the oil you put in your car engine. The oil picks up dirt and grime. When you drain the oil, it pulls out the dirt and grime with it, leaving the engine relatively clean. Consequently, the engine runs smoother and lasts longer. Likewise, when we expel harmful substances from our bodies our health is improved and we run smoother and last longer.