It’s amazing how life comes full circle. We’ve seen it occur when flared pants and velvet made their comeback and now, the cycle makes its way to the wellness world too. While ghee and turmeric have always been miraculous since ancient times, this year was their time in the spotlight. Similarly, a practice known as oil-pulling too started growing in popularity. Little did we know that it’s been around since ancient times!
 

What is oil-pulling?

What is oil-pulling?

Known as ‘Kavala’, Oil-pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that involves swishing oil in one’s mouth. Not only is oil-pulling said to be advantageous for one’s oral health but it also has additional benefits on one’s body.

 

How does one oil-pull?

How does one oil-pull?

Start by selecting a pure, cold-pressed variant of oil for the process. Ideally coconut oil is the best choice for its viscosity and Lauric Acid content which aids in the removal of toxins. The second best choice for oil-pulling can be either olive oil or sesame oil.

On an empty stomach, take one tablespoon of the oil and rinse it all through your mouth. Continue to do so for 15 – 20 minutes, moving the oil to different areas of the mouth.

Once the time is up, spit the oil in the dustbin and make sure you do not swallow any of it as it is loaded with toxins. Then proceed to brush your teeth or gargle with mouthwash to eliminate the oily texture in your mouth.

 

How does oil-pulling benefit the skin and body?

How does oil-pulling benefit the skin and body?

When oil-pulling is carried out on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, it absorbs toxins that have accumulated in the mouth during the night. This has positive effects on various parts of the body, which is why the technique so popular.

For the mouth, oil-pulling has the greatest of effects. The anti-bacterial nature of the oil strips away bacteria and gives whiter teeth, stronger gums and curbs bad breath.

The toxins in the mouth often meet the body and blood stream, which in turn affects the skin. As oil-pulling cuts toxins out from the source, it helps clear the skin of impurities which can cause acne, dullness and rashes.

The body too is positively affected when one carries out oil-pulling. Regularly oil-pulling every morning can aid in rested sleep, help reduce headaches, lessen the effect of hangovers and can curb allergies.

Image Credits: Meats and Sweets