 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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