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Have you heard the buzz lately about oil pulling? If not, you probably will soon.
Oil pulling is the latest health trend that seemingly everyone — from celebrities to Good Morning America — is talking about.
Many have recently started promoting the new trend of oil pulling, but there’s nothing new about it. Thousands of years before Crest, Listerine or dental hygienists, oil pulling was used by many people to help prevent tooth decay.
Most primitive groups of people had healthier diets than we do today; however, when processed foods like refined sugar and white flour were introduced into their diets, tooth decay became rampant. Without the dental care that we have today, most people had no choice but to have their teeth pulled.
To combat that they used oil pulling, an all-natural off-grid process which has its roots in Ayurvedic medicine, as a natural remedy to remove toxins from the mouth.
While we don’t much about how oil pulling began in the ancient world, we do know that it was introduced to the modern world through Dr. F. Karach, a Ukranian physician, in 1992. According to Bruce Fife, the author of Oil Pulling Therapy: Detoxifying and Healing the Body Through Oral Cleansing:
Oil pulling traces its roots to oil gargling practiced in Ayurvedic medicine. … Dr. Karach claimed that oil pulling could cure a variety of illnesses ranging from heart disease and digestive troubles to hormonal disorders. He said it cured him of a chronic blood disorder of 15 years duration and within three days it cured his arthritis, which at times was so painful he was bed ridden. He used the method in his medical practice with great success.
Unfortunately, only a few studies on oil pulling have been done. And out of these studies, sesame and sunflower seed oils were found to be the most effective. But in spite of these results, most people prefer to use organic coconut oil.
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Coconut oil has many health benefits including: strengthening the immune system, fat loss, and better brain function. It also contains monolaurin — an ingredient found in breast milk that helps babies develop their immune systems.
How to Oil Pull
On an empty stomach — preferably before breakfast — put half a tablespoon of oil into your mouth. — Swish it around for 20 minutes and spit it out into the garbage. Make sure that you brush your teeth and rinse your mouth out afterwards. Your toothbrush should be cleaned daily by rinsing it with hydrogen peroxide, and oil pulling can be done up to three times a day.
My Experiment
I wanted to find out for myself whether or not oil pulling works, so I tried it for two weeks. The first week I used extra-virgin olive oil – which worked great except that I didn’t like the flavor. But the second week I used organic coconut oil and really liked it.
Here’s how it helped me:
- Stronger Teeth: The first time I tried oil pulling, I noticed a remarkable difference in my teeth; they actually felt stronger! With the exception of having my teeth cleaned, I’ve never felt my teeth become stronger.
- Whiter Teeth: After the first two weeks, my teeth actually looked whiter. My husband even complimented me on how much whiter my teeth looked! And oil pulling is much gentler on my teeth than the whitening kits that contain bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
- Fresher Breath: If you’re looking for a way to have fresher breath that doesn’t involve popping gum or a mint that has aspartame, look no further. Your breath will greatly benefit from oil pulling.
- Improved Gums: Occasionally, I experience some gum bleeding after flossing. But since I’ve been oil pulling, I haven’t had any bleeding. My gums and teeth seem brighter and healthier than before.
- Improved Skin: Within a few days of starting my oil-pulling routine, my skin cleared up and felt softer. Even the rough spots on my feet and elbows became smoother.
- Weight Loss: Surprisingly, I lost four pounds during the experiment! Even after the first oil pulling session, I noticed that my appetite decreased. And I felt a lot more energetic.
Oil pulling is a simple natural remedy that really does help promote good dental hygiene and overall health. Unfortunately, there are not enough scientific studies to prove how effective it really is. But if you’re looking for a simple way to whiten your teeth or improve your gums, you should give it a try. Who knows? The results might even dazzle you!
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