Starting the day on a healthy note is important to promote longevity and happiness. We, at Addlife, believe that every part of your daily regime acts upon the tissues of your body, impacting your overall health. Therefore, adopting healthy practices and therapies are keys to keeping diseases at bay and living a fulfilling life.
One such practice that we recommend to all our patients is oil pulling, the swishing o r holding of oils in your mouth to remove bacteria and toxins. You must have heard this term many times or read it in magazines. Now is the time to dig deeper and discover the myriad benefits of this ancient practice.
OIL PULLING IS NOT A NEW CONCEPT
Oil pulling finds its roots in the 5000-year-old Ayurvedic text. It is not a modern or western concept. In Ayurveda, it is known as Kavala and Gandusha and forms an essential part of Dinacharya or daily regime. The only difference between the two is the amount of oil to be used. In Gandusha, the mouth is completely filled with oil, and you cannot really swish it in your mouth. However, in Kavala, only a comfortable amount of oil is used and it is swished around in the mouth for some time. Ayurveda mentions many benefits of oil pulling and underlines its use in preventing and treating numerous diseases.
Benefits of Oil Pulling or Kavala:
- Kills Harmful Bacterias:
Oil pulling is the best weapon to reduce and eliminate the bacterias found in saliva and plaque. Hence, it helps to prevent many diseases such as tooth decay, gum diseases, etc. The best part about Kavala is that it does not remove any good bacteria.
- Improves Oral Hygiene:
Kavala or oil pulling is one of the best ways to strengthen your teeth and gums and improve your overall oral health. With oil pulling, you can also prevent cavities and bid goodbye to bad breath, which is usually caused due to infection, gum diseases, tongue coating, etc.
- Reduces Inflammation:
Oil pulling has anti-inflammatory effects and helps to reduce inflammation not only in the gums but also in the whole body.
- Detoxifies The Body:
What causes diseases? It is usually the accumulation of toxins that weaken the body and lead to diseases. Therefore, it is very important to keep removing toxins frequently. Kavala is one of the most effective ways to do that. It’s believed that saliva can absorb chemical, biological as well as environmental toxins. Oil pulling helps to remove these toxins along with the bacterias and help detoxify the body.
- Boosts Digestion:
Oil pulling or Kavala removes toxins from the gut and stimulates the digestive tract. It, therefore, improves the overall digestive system and metabolic activities in the body.
- Cures Acne:
Good digestion means no acne. By improving digestion and removing toxins, oil pulling helps to fight acne. It also prevents the further growth of acne by intensely nourishing the tissues of the skin.
WHY DO WE, AT ADDLIFE, RECOMMEND OIL PULLING?
As discussed above, Kavala not only helps to boost oral health but also digestion. It is a natural detoxification practice. As dietitians and nutritionists, it is our job to strengthen your gut and help you prevent diseases. Oil pulling is one of the best and easy practices to do this. Therefore, we, at Addlife, wholeheartedly support and promote this ancient practice of Kavala or oil pulling.
HOW TO DO OIL PULLING OR KAVALA?
The method to do oil pulling is as easy as it sounds. All you need to do is take 1-2 teaspoons of sesame oil and put it in your mouth. Then swish it for 15-20 minutes before you spit it out. Later, rinse your mouth well with water.
Remember These Cautions:
- Kavala or oil pulling is not a substitute for your dental routine. You must brush and floss your teeth daily. It is simply an addition to your morning routine.
- Do not spit the oil in the sink. Otherwise, it may get clogged. Keep a separate trash can for this purpose.
- Do not swallow even a bit of the oil. It contains bacteria and toxins. You do not want to ingest that.
CAN KAVALA BE DONE AT ANY TIME?
We at Addlife, recommend doing oil pulling as a part of your morning routine. It is most effective if done in the morning, as the bacterias usually enter your mouth when you sleep. Doing Kavala in the morning will help you remove these bacterias.
WHY DO WE RECOMMEND SESAME OIL?
We recommend only sesame oil for oil pulling, as mentioned in Ayurveda as well. Sesame oil is most effective in eliminating bacterias and toxins from the mouth. However, if you encounter any problem in using sesame oil, you may also consider coconut oil.