How About Oil Pulling?

Leah and Jane-December, 2009

Some of you may recall that I got my start into a high raw food diet 6 1/2 years ago after I was  introduced to it by my then 15 year old granddaughter, Leah.  A few years ago, maybe 4 or 5, when I was visiting Leah and her family in Colorado, she and her mother, my daughter Laura, were oil pulling. Either there, during that visit, or later, when I arrived home, I gave it a try, and pretty quickly dismissed the practice as just too off-beat, and of too questionable a benefit for me to pursue.  I was still adjusting, after all, at that time, to this raw food diet, and dealing with all its attendant psychological and sociological ramifications. Oil pulling?  I think not, thank you.

Recently, though, when I was visiting with Rene Oswald, long time raw food practioner, author, and teacher, she said how much she enjoyed the practice of oil pulling, did it daily, usually in the shower, as do many others, it turns out, and had no plans to ever give it up.  She thought that since oil pulling reportedly helps to remove toxins from the body, it might help me with a chronic post nasal drip thing that I've had lingering since an early spring cold and cough. The cough has, annoyingly enough, left me clearing my throat often, sometimes to no avail, wondering if I'll have a coughing fit when I do a public reading or speaking thing, and doing lots of coughing, at least for awhile, during a biking or swimming workout. Like I said....annoying.

So, now that I'm two weeks into the daily practice, and after a little research, here's what I can tell you.

Oil pulling or oil swishing, is an ancient ayurvedic simple, cost effective, natural remedy procedure that involves pulling or swishing oil in the mouth for oral and systemic health benefits.  It is mentioned in the Ayrvedic text Charaka Samhita, where it is called Kavala Gandusha or Kavala Graha, and is claimed to cure about 30 systemic diseases ranging from migraine headache, to diabetes and asthma.

Oil pulling has risen from an ancient Ayurvedic natural remedy technique to an effective self help nature cure method for restoring and maintaining overall health. 

 It involves putting about a tablespoon of oil in your mouth, then swishing it around your teeth for a few minutes.There are thousands of different types of bacteria in the mouth. Some of them are friendly, others are not.

There are thousands of different types of bacteria in the mouth. Some of them are friendly, others are not. Certain bacteria can cause harm, such as Streptococcus Mutans, which is the main culprit behind plaque buildup, gingivitis, and cavities. The bacteria in the mouth create a "biofilm" on the teeth -- a thin layer that they use to adhere to the surface . This is what we know as "plaque." Having some plaque on teeth is normal, but if it gets out of hand, it can cause all sorts of problems. Oil pulling helps to remove the plaque and other debris by capturing it in the moving oil and then dissolving it . There are studies that show that a large amount of oral bacteria and plaque are removed with each application, and breath is sweetened, teeth polished, and the mouth just generally feels cleansed and smooth. Still other studies suggest that oil pulling helps to detoxify and heal other parts of the body, although those studies sound less definitive, at least in my humble, and fairly brief reading.
 

Some will say, "Who needs this?" Good question. I think that at the least, oil pulling is an easy practice to adopt and can't hurt. Ayurvedic medicine, the oldest recorded medical system in existence, has been around a long time. I think giving the practices that have survived the test of time deserve at least a fair shot. Sort of like yoga. With all the modern exercise and relaxation modes around, why pick an ancient one like yoga? Precisely because it is ancient and it has survived, and people have never really stopped doing it. There must be something to it.

Back to Oil Pulling

Traditionally, the Indians used sesame or sunflower oil. Any oil will work -- almond, peanut,  etc..  Many people these days, as do I, use coconut oil because its Lauric Acid ( about half the fats in coconut oil) is proven to be antimicrobial, and good in many other ways as well, not the least of which is that it has a more pleasant taste than the others. It's a strange sensation at first "chewing" on coconut oil, as it heats up in the body and liquefies; after that it may feel strange for a few days, then becomes part of the routine.

Here's the how to:

1-Put a teaspoon to a tablespoon of oil in your mouth.

2-Swish the oil around in your mouth for 10-20 minutes, "pulling" it through your teeth. Avoid getting it into your throat (as in gargling), or swallowing it, as this will transmit some of the "pulled" toxins further into your system. There's no need to use a lot of force with this. If your face or jaw hurts, use less oil, force, or time, or all three for a few days.
3- Spit out the oil, preferably into the toilet, lest it clog up the sink, rinse out your mouth and then brush your teeth.

It's best to oil pull on an empty stomach, before you brush your teeth. It works best for many people to do it in their morning shower. Suit yourself.

There is lots more to read, if you're interested, than what I've given you here. I'm into my third week with it, and do notice that my mouth feels cleaner, and my teeth sparkle. I'm sure that my dentist, who already praises me for my mouth care, will be delighted at the improvements in my oral and dental health. My nagging cough seems a little better, and if there is another level of detoxifying and immunity building going on, of which I currently am unaware, so be it. I'm sure this is a no risk venture than can only bring good. Give it a try. See what you think. Let me know.

 

Extra Thoughts on Fermented Foods

  

Sauerkraut--a known cancer-fighter

Well, who knew?  That's all I can say.  The workshop that I did with Rene Oswald from Florida last week at our local Clover's was a big hit.  It was a big crowd for that rather small venue (28 or so), and all  the participants were very inquisitive, curious, energetic, and pretty impressed with the several samples we shared. Some of the questions that arose that evening were re-iterated in some followup emails to my last blog, so let me share some of the "most asked" items here.

First and foremost, though, the fermented foods that I'm talking about are the raw and living ones that you either make yourself, or find in the refrigerated sections of health food stores, and possibly some grocery stores.  Sauerkraut, for example that has been pasteurized has been heat treated and is dead, and thus contains none of the life-giving positive microbrial life that our bodies need.

By far, the main benefits to consuming any of the fermented foods are two:  Friendly bacteria and flora present in the digestive tract first help maintain gastrointestinal health and regularity, and, second, work with other body systems to improve immunity from other bacteria which cause diseases of all sorts. Fermented foods help to keep the body in balance.

Antibiotics, at risk of being over used and abused, destroy both harmful and beneficial bacteria, which is why people go running to the store for pro-biotics after a round of antibiotcs -- to replace the body's probiotics killed by the antibiotics.  Fair enough.  Microbial competition in the gut is the only thing that keeps the internal balance in a heatlhy system and opportunistic pathogens...such as Candida (yeast) in check.  The bests way to guard against unwelcome bacterial infection is to nurture a healthy inner terrain, and eat a good variety of living foods that contain healthy bacteria --- raw and living fermented foods.

There are possible side effects when introducing fermented foods into the diet. There may be some detoxing, which is not a bad thing, but may mean some temporary indigestion, gas, and diarrhea in the beginning.  These are common cleansing reactions that occur when the body expels toxings and brings itself back to balance.  The key to success is to be sensible, don't panic.  Observe how your body responds  to these foods, modify the intake to a comfortable level, and know that the probiotics are working in your favor. Then increase the variety, frequency, and amounts accordingly, and you'll be fine. Fermented foods -- nature's best probiotics -- have been around and enjoyed in many cultures for many centuries.
Taste will be one determining factor, as  fermented foods are sometimes too sour or acidic to consume in excess.  Miso is quite salty. So start conservatively, and add these healthful foods and drinks to your repetoire of healthy eating a little at a time, as you acquire new tastes and sensations.  You'll be glad you did!

I am hardly and expert on fermented foods, though I can answer other questions about raw and living foods pretty well.  If you are interested inlearning more on fermentation, click on the Amazon icon on this page and check out their offerings both on crocks and fermentation.  That's how we got our start.  When you go through this page to Amazon, it is a help to me as I try to spread the word around so that more and more folks are eating in healthier and healthier ways.  Thanks for that.  Happy fermenting!

Kombucha -- fermented sweetened tea--(my favorite!)