Why You Should Include Oil Pulling in Your Morning Routine

With the definition of health rapidly changing day by day, it’s difficult to sift through the seemingly endless supply of healthy lifestyles recommendations without feeling overwhelmed. How do we know which suggestions are trends and which ones are backed by reputable sources that can withstand the test of time? Oil pulling is one such technique that makes some people scratch their heads, but this Ayurvedic dental practice has been around for at least 3000 years. Oil pulling, also known as Kavala Graha or Gandusha depending on the technique, involves swishing a small amount of oil around in your mouth for several minutes every morning before eating or drinking. This daily ritual might sound like the modern-day practice of rinsing with minty mouthwash, but oil pulling done regularly on an empty stomach is believed to rid the body of toxins, boost energy, and increase overall health and quality of life.

While it may seem ridiculous that oil you typically cook with can whiten teeth, freshen breath, lessen the effects of TMJ, reduce hangovers, improve sleep quality, and nourish our skin, this technique is touted by Ayurvedic practitioners, yogis, holistic dentists, and healthy lifestyle bloggers. Slightly melted coconut oil is the preferred oil because of its sweet taste and antibacterial and antifungal properties, but you can also use food grade sunflower, sesame or olive oil. Depending on your sensitivity to food textures, it still may take several days and few tries to work up to the recommended 5-20 minutes of oil pulling. In the beginning, you may notice the oil ‘growing’ inside your mouth, a sign that toxins are being pulled out of your body, so be sure not to swallow any of the oil! After no more than 20 minutes, spit out the oil, rinse with warm salt water, and brush and floss as normal.

Oil pulling is referenced in Ayurvedic texts anywhere from 3000 to 5000 years ago. Ayurvedic healers utilized plant oils for an array of ailments related to the head like chronic dry skin and bleeding gums. They believed that the mouth was an area where toxins were absorbed but could also be released. Modern day medicine acknowledges several studies where oil pulling showed increased dental health, but other practitioners insist that oil pulling is a folk remedy that lacks hard evidence. Although western society is still deciding on whether to trust oil pulling, the best way to decide is to try for yourself. If you decide to try oil pulling, it should be used to complement and not substitute regular brushing and flossing.