What is Oil Pulling? February 14, 2016 14:41

Many people are confused about the practice of oil pulling, unsure of what its purpose is, how to use it, or what health benefits it may have. To clarify, 'oil pulling' is a very old, traditional Ayurvedic remedy that involves holding or swishing around oil in your mouth in order to improve dental health. Ayurveda is a type of alternative medicine that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Oil pulling is growing in popularity due to a gradual deviation from mainstream medicine, personal hygiene and beauty products in exchange for a more holistic and natural approach to taking care of oneself. Our Oral Detox Oil is an excellent alternative to mouthwash, which is filled with harsh chemicals. Over time, this type of alcohol-based mouthwash can alter taste sensation and stain your teeth.

Regular oil pulling is reported to whiten your teeth, fight microorganisms that cause bad breath, and result in great improvements in your overall dental health. It also removes harmful bacteria, helps eliminate plaque and takes preventative measures against cavities and gingivitis. In addition to its dental benefits, many people have also reported alleviation of skin conditions and headaches, various infections and asthma. 

The base of oil pulling is typically a mild oil such as coconut, sesame or sunflower oil. We sell three different oral detox blends using each of these bases. In these recipes, we add peppermint, tea tree and myrrh to gain the health benefits of the essential oils while improving the overall taste. Two types of essential oil blends are also sold for making your own oil pulling mixture. One of the essential oil blends is akin to Thieves Oil, with peppermint, tea tree, clove and cinnamon. The other is our classic blend- peppermint, tea tree and myrrh. 

-Peppermint oil: Beneficial for dental health because it is antiseptic and inhibits the formation of plaque. It also helps protect gums against hazardous germs.
-Myrrh oil: Known to heal mouth ulcers and promote blood circulation.
-Cinnamon oil: Adept at preventing gingivitis.
-Tea Tree oil: Used to treat receding gums and kills bacteria, viral and fungal organisms. 

So how do you use the Oral Detox Oil? Oil pulling should always be done in addition to brushing and flossing, not as a replacement. It should be a vital part of your everyday morning routine, immediately after you wake up and before anything enters your system. Put a tablespoon of oil in your mouth and gently swish it around for 10 minutes, just to get adjusted. Once you have been oil pulling for a week or so, 15-20 minutes is preferred in order to remove more bacteria. Spit the oil into the trash rather than the sink to prevent clogging, then rinse your mouth out with warm water and proceed to teeth brushing. 

We now have many customers that swear by it, purchasing up to five bottles each time they come to stock up! Oil pulling isn't for everyone, but it is definitely worth a try and will save time and money spent at the dentist's office!