 How to Perform Ayurvedic Oil Pulling (“Gandusha” or "Kavala")
Meghan Hays Ayurveda Salt Lake City Check out my video on this practice here! I perform Ayurvedic Oil Pulling every morning after tongue cleaning. Check out my previous video on tongue cleaning and/or my blog post on tongue cleaning here. What is Ayurvedic oil pulling? This ancient, Ayurvedic practice usually involves swishing a small amount of oil (usually coconut and/or sesame) in the mouth, "pulling" it through the teeth, for a few minutes (usually referred to as "kavala") OR holding a larger amount of oil in the mouth, without swishing (usually referred to as "gandusha"). The practice most referred to these days is the former, or "kavala," during which one swishes anywhere from a 1/2 teaspoon to a whole tablespoon of oil around in the mouth for a few minutes or up to 15 minutes.. This practice can be done daily or 1-2 x weekly. It is said that this practice hydrates "every orifice of the head" and pulls toxins out through the saliva that is produced during the "swishing," or "pulling" practic.e What Are The Benefits of Ayurvedic Oil Pulling? Benefits of Oil Pulling Include: - Hydrates the gums; - Reduces bacteria and prevents infection (most oils have antimicrobial properties); - Reduces and soothes inflammation (most oils also have antibacterial properties); - Alleviates pain and discomfort in gums and teeth, caused by infection, dryness, and inflammation; - Assists in removing and loosening plaque before brushing. - Depending upon the oil used, it can soothe and alleviate bleeding from gum and tooth infections (neem oil, specifically, can be used for this purpose). - Restores PH to the mouth tissues; - Improves digestion by keeping the very first part of your digestive tract (the tongue!) healthy, so that you can taste your food properly, which gives your brain correct signals to alert the digestive system to output the correct digestive enzymes, etc. - Strengthens jaw, tongue, and facial muscles, fighting the signs of aging! How to Perform Ayurvedic Oil Pulling: When should I do oil pulling? Oil pulling can be practiced before or after brushing and flossing teeth, once a week or daily (see below why I prefer daily). If performed directly before brushing teeth, it can help to loosen and remove plaque when brushing is performed afterward. If performed after brushing teeth, it can be a soothing practice to hydrate gums, restore PH, and pull any remaining toxins out of the mouth. While I only do this practice in the morning, before brushing and flossing my teeth and after tongue cleaning, you could, instead (or also), perform this as a part of your evening oral care routine. How long should I do oil pulling? While many sources recommend doing oil pulling 15 minutes at a time, this can be exhausting for the jaw at first. If you are only performing oil pulling once a week, start with 2-3 minutes and work your way up to 15 minutes over a few months. What I find the most effective is a daily practice of just a few minutes with about 1/2 to 1 tsp. of oil. (more on this below) How often should I do oil pulling? Many websites tell you to perform oil pulling only once a week for a very long time with a large amount of oil (see above). I find that most people (myself included) forget to do this because it’s not something they're doing everyday—it’s not in their daily routine. Then, they really miss out on the benefits of this practice. For most, consistency is key. If you do this for just a short time, everyday, you'll see pretty dramatic results. If you do it for a longer time, but only sporadically (and let's face it, it's not easy to remember to do something only once a week, especially around self-care), you'll see fewer benefits. Personal story: I had to skip a 6-month dental cleaning due to moving, and was terrified that I would have an extremely unpleasant routine cleaning after 12 months without one. In the meantime, I decided to perform a daily oil pulling practice with just a 1/2 to 1 tsp. of oil. I was SHOCKED to find that there was virtually no plaque removal required, even after 12 months between visits, instead of my usual 6 mos. My regular 6-month dental visits continue to be this pleasant. This is why I, personally, recommend to all of my clients that they perform oil pulling daily with just a small amount of oil for 2-5 minutes (some clients practice for longer, while they do other things in their routines, like showering, applying oil to the skin (abhyanga), and even exercising to remind them to only breathe through their noses, etc.). How much oil should I use when oil pulling? While most sources recommend using an entire tablespoon of coconut or sesame oil, I find many clients cannot tolerate (or, frankly, are grossed out by using) this much oil. I use about a 1/2 to 1 whole teaspoon of oil. (But I also do this practice daily for best results and consistency--see above.) If you only do this practice once a week, I would use more oil (up to 1 tablespoon, if you can tolerate it). What kind of oil should I use for Ayurvedic oil pulling? There are several traditional Ayurvedic oils that are used in oil pulling. Whichever you choose, be sure to use organic and refined (free of toxins and impurities) oil. - Coconut oil is naturally antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. You can just use coconut oil, especially if you are a more pitta, or fiery, type of person, prone to heat, redness, and/or inflammation. I use organic, refined coconut oil from Banyan Botanicals (affiliate link) with neem in sesame oil (see below). - Neem is an herb that is revered in Ayurveda for reducing inflammation and infection in the blood and skin. It helps cool down the liver and inflammation in all the tissues. It has an affinity, or special action (“prabhav”), for the gums, teeth, and skin. I use a neem oil that has been infused into sesame oil, made by Banyan Botanicals (affiliate link) in combination with coconut oil (see above). This is a great choice, also, if you are more prone to yeast overgrowth (kapha). - Sesame Oil is a great choice with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. A great choice if you are a more vata, or dry, individual. Link to organic, refined sesame oil by Banyan Botanicals here (affiliate link). - There are also a few pre-blended products made specifically for Ayurvedic Oil Pulling from Banyan Botanicals - Link to Special Oil for Oil Pulling ("Swishing") from Banyan Botanicals (affiliate link) - Cinnamon - Link to Special Oil for Oil Pulling ("Swishing") from Banyan Botanicals (affiliate link) - Peppermint Can I use essential oils for Ayurvedic oil pulling? You can also add a drop or two of clove essential oil (helps with tooth and gum pain and inflammation) and/or peppermint essential oil (more cooling) or cinnamon essential oil (more warming) for breath freshening. Let me know if you have any questions about oil pulling or if you'd like to work with me in Ayurveda Salt Lake City - I see local clients in-person and clients all over the world via Zoom. Email me [email protected] Happy smiling!!! Meghan Hays is a Graduate of the California College of Ayurveda program and has been practicing and offering Ayurveda for over a decade. She is considered a leading authority on Ayurveda in the State of Utah and abroad. #ayurveda #ayurvedaeveryday #ayurvedic #ayurvedicmedicine #oralhealth #oilpulling
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 Warming Yet Light Ayurvedic Vegetable Soup Recipe with Fennel, Potatoes, and Chard - Perfect for the Transition from Vata to Kapha Time of Year
Meghan Hays Ayurveda Salt Lake City Cozy Veggie Soup with Fennel, Potatoes, and Chard Ayurvedic Vegetable Soup Recipe - Warm up to winter with this light yet nourishing Ayurvedic soup. Early winter is the vata time of year, when we have more air and ether (think: light, dry, unstable, and mobile) in our environment as well as our minds and bodies. We need heavier, warming, nourishing foods, like soups, stews, and curries to keep us fortified and stable during this unstable time. Late winter (and early spring) is the kapha time of year, when the snow starts to melt and new growth and new life begin again. We have more earth and water (think: stability, emotional flow, moisture, and some heaviness). It's often still chilly, so warming foods like soups and stews are still just the thing for balance, but with the extra heaviness beginning to accumulate in the environment and in our bodies, keeping things a little lighter by using ingredients, like veggies and beans, full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, we can find a nice balance between the seasons. Ingredients: 2-3 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil and/or Ghee 4-5 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped (optional - antimicrobial for cold/flu season) 1 leek, white parts only, sliced lengthwise then thinly sliced into half-moons (optional - warming but not as heating as onions) (save or freeze the green parts for homemade veggie broth!) 4 carrots, halved lengthwise then thinly sliced into half-moons 4 celery stalks, thinly sliced 1 fennel bulb, quartered, cored, and thinly sliced (save or freeze the green parts for homemade veggie broth!) 1 bunch chard, leaves removed from stems, stems finely chopped, leaves halved or quartered lengthwise (depending on how wide they are), then thinly sliced 28 oz can organic, whole, San Marzano tomatoes (preferable for sweetness, but you can just use what you can find) 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth (I like to make my own from veggie scraps from recipes like this one) 1 large or 2-3 small, russet potatoes, medium diced (I leave skins on for more nutrition…and I’m lazy) 1/2 cup orzo pasta (or any other small grain or pasta) - optional but makes this soup so hearty and “silky”! 2, 15oz cans cannellini or white beans, drained and rinsed Large handful of parsley, finely chopped (about 1/2-1 cup total, when chopped) Salt and pepper to taste Any fresh herbs, finally chopped, like rosemary or thyme, to taste Directions: Heat oil and/or ghee over medium heat in a large Dutch oven or soup pot. Add leeks, carrots, celery, and fennel. Sprinkle with salt (helps soften your veggies). Sauté until slightly tender…about 10-15 minutes. Stir often to avoid sticking. Add chard stems and garlic, stirring constantly to avoid burning garlic, just until fragrant (no more than a minute). Add canned tomatoes and broth, stirring to scrape any browned bits off the bottom of he pot. Break up whole tomatoes with a potato masher (little trick to avoid them squirting all over you and your kitchen) or gently with a wooden spoon. Bring to a simmer, then add orzo and potatoes. Simmer, stirring often to avoid pasta sticking to bottom of pot, for about 15 minutes, or until pasta and potatoes are tender. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add any fresh herbs, beans, chard leaves, and parsley. Stir until wilted and warmed through. Taste again for salt and pepper. Cozy up, and serve warm with grated Parmesan cheese, grated Pecorino Romano cheese (my fave for its salty “bite”), or nutritional yeast to make this vegetarian. Enjoy! Reach out with questions or for more info [email protected] or to schedule an Ayurvedic consultation today!  Ayurvedic Tongue Cleaning, or Tongue Scraping, How and Why to Perform this Amazing Daily Practice
Meghan Hays Ayurveda Salt Lake City Ayurvedic Tongue Cleaning - How and Why - Tongue scraping/cleaning is an integral part of an Ayurvedic morning and hygiene routine. The tongue is the first and most visible part of the digestive system. Cleaning the tongue first thing in the morning not only improves oral hygiene and freshens breath, but it also stimulates the digestive system, promoting a healthy appetite and morning bowel movement. The tongue communicates to the stomach and small intestine that food is on its way. A healthy tongue improves the ability of the stomach and intestine to do their job of digesting food. Cleaning the tongue improves agni, which means “fire” in Sanskrit and which is the force of digestion that we are seeking to balance for complete harmony and perfect health in Ayurvedic medicine. The tongue is also considered an important site for reflexes to the organs (see map of the tongue handout). By massaging the tongue, the organs are also massaged and stimulated. This removes toxins from the organs and helps keep them healthy as well. Tongue cleaning is different from “brushing” the tongue with your toothbrush: while a tongue scraper removes coating and toxins from the tongue, a toothbrush pushes them back in. The coating on our tongues, from an Ayurvedic perspective, indicates the presence of ama. Ama is toxicity from poorly or improperly digested food. As the body processes the toxins and puts them back into the gastrointestinal tract for elimination, it also spits them out onto the tongue.
The coating on our tongue can change daily, based on what and when we ate the day before, so it’s important to check yours each morning, before scraping, to note any changes. You might see more coating after a heavy meal, after consumption of certain foods, or even during illness. You might notice less coating when you are feeling more in balance. The tongue cleaner is the most superior method of cleaning your tongue. One study compared a traditional tongue cleaner (which they called a tongue scraper) with a toothbrush. They found that the tongue scraper decreased volatile sulfur compounds by 75% as opposed to 45% with the toothbrush. But again, bad breath is only one benefit of scraping your tongue with a tongue cleaner. Doing so will support your entire body by helping maintain a healthy bacteria amount in the mouth and by stimulating the cleansing of the entire gastrointestinal tract. It is also a great way to stay in touch with your overall health. Here is a link to the tongue cleaner from Banyan Botanicals (affiliate link) that I give all of my Ayurvedic health counseling clients at their first visit so that they can begin this practice right away. To properly clean the tongue, gently scrape from back to front 6-10 times, first thing in the AM, before even brushing your teeth. Rinse the scraper between each pass. Finally, rinse your mouth out with warm water and then drink 8-16 oz water to further stimulate digestion and regular elimination patterns. I recommend a stainless steel or copper tongue scraper for their naturally anti-microbial qualities. Allow your scraper to air dry between each use. Summary: Ayurvedic Tongue Cleaning - How and Why How to: first thing each morning, before eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth, scrape gently 6-10 times from back to front. (Don’t go too far back if you have a sensitive gag reflex.) Then you can brush your teeth, etc. (note, brushing the tongue just pushes crap further into your tissues…just stop.) Why tongue clean??? 1) Tongue cleaning improves oral health, removing sulfuric compounds, dead skin cells, mucous, excess saliva, and all the crap your digestive system purges and “detoxes” overnight. BONUS: this WIPES out morning breath in a jiffy! 2) Tongue cleaning stimulates your digestion/metabolism first thing in the morning. Your tongue is the first part of your alimentary canal (digestive tract). 3) The tongue is a microcosm of the whole body (think: reflexology, etc), so you massage all organs of the body by scraping the tongue (see video for more on this). 4) You can check the coating on your tongue (or lack of coating…yay!) to see if your digestive system is running efficiently (no coating), or things need assistance (coating that doesn’t come off when you scrape the tongue). Coating on the tongue that doesn’t come off with cleaning tells us that there is toxicity (called “ama” in Ayurveda), formed from inefficient/incomplete digestion. Do you tongue scrape??? Inquiring minds want to know! Let me know if you have any questions or if you'd like to book an Ayurvedic Consultation with me! Reach out to me via email [email protected] or book here! Meghan Hays Ayurveda Salt Lake City |