Oil pulling is an ancient Aryuvedic practice that helps to cleanse and detoxify the body. Oil pulling is simply taking a tablespoon or two of oil in your mouth and swishing it around for 15 or 20 minutes. As the oil swishes around your mouth, it draws and pulls toxins from not only your mouth, but from your bloodstream and body as well. While traditional oil pulling was done with virgin sesame oil, coconut oil provides many health benefits, as well as anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and enzymatic attributes that cannot be found in other oils.
How To Oil Pull
Take 1-2 tbs of coconut oil that has been melted and swish it around your mouth for at least 5 minutes. Once you get more comfortable with oil pulling, you can pull for up to 20 minutes. Make sure to let the oil swish everywhere in your mouth; over your teeth, gums, and tongue. Also, be sure not to let the oil get in your throat, as it contains toxins that can make you sick. Make sure NOT to gargle it!
Once you have swished the oil around, spit it into a trash can. Coconut oil can solidify and clog your drains. Next, rinse your mouth out with clean, cold water a few times. This will ensure none of the toxins you just pulled from your body are still in your mouth.
Benefits of Oil Pulling
- Removes harmful toxins and bacteria from the body.
- Helps prevent and heal gum disease and tooth decay.
- Whitens teeth and freshens breath.
- Prevents and treats lung disease and bronchitis
- Decreases symptoms of PMS
- Helps with headaches
- Can help stop the growth of malignant tumors
Why You Should Oil Pull With Coconut Oil
Oil pulling with coconut oil provides more health benefits than oil pulling with other oils. After only a few days using coconut oil, improvements can be seen in oral health. Teeth are whiter, gums are healthier, and the breath is fresher. Pulling with coconut oil also helps stop gingivitis, gum disease, and tooth pain.
Coconut oil is also excellent for overall immune system health. It helps aid in the recovery of heart problems, asthma, diabetes, and cancer. It is also excellent for ulcers and allergies. It helps clean the blood and provides for optimal overall health.
What Coconut Oil Should You Use?
Unrefined virgin coconut oil is the best choice to make when choosing what oil you will you use for pulling. Most often, coconut oil will harden, and you will have to melt it to be able to use. Simply putting the jar in a pot of slow boiling water will melt the oil enough to use, just make sure to let it cool down before you put it in your mouth!
Spectrum Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil is a good brand to try. Wilderness Family also makes an excellent brand of coconut oil that has been successful for many in oil pulling. Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is also a good choice. Make sure to avoid all poor quality oils. Higher quality oils will not contain chemical residues and are better for your overall health.