Oil pulling, also known as “kavala” or “gundusha” has experienced a boom in recent years and is currently on everyone's lips. This principle is not new. But what is this health and beauty ritual precisely and to what extent does it affect the immune system? Followers of this ayurvedic method see a gentle way to remove microbes from the mouth during oil pulling.
But does the Ayurvedic method really do anything? According to a study published in 2011 in the Indian Journal of Dental Research, oil pulling has a proven effect on oral and dental health, as the fatty acids in the oil bind foreign substances that are difficult to reach. Therefore, it is particularly important not to swallow the oil, but to spit it out. Oil pulling is also thought to be an effective home remedy for bad breath. Toxic substances are removed from the body the first time the oil is pulled. Regular applications increasingly stimulate the organs and thus relieve the burden on the immune system and metabolism.
Oil pulling is actually very simple, but requires some practice right at the beginning. To make it easier to get started, you can slowly build up the recommended pulling time of at least 8 to 10 minutes.
Tip: Oil pulling is most effective when it is used over a longer period of time – preferably daily. According to Ayurvedic teaching, oil pulling should not take longer than 20 minutes.
No time for self care in the morning? The pleasure of oil pulling is that the traditional method can be easily reconciled with the usual morning routine. Because no matter whether showering, making a snack sandwich or relaxing reading the newspaper, oil pulling can be carried out (especially with a little practice) at the same time.
Regular oil pulling can optimally complement daily oral hygiene. In the oral rinsing method, microbes, microbial metabolic toxins and foreign substances pass from the oral cavity into the oil. In addition, pressing the oil through the teeth works like a care-giving gum massage, which intensifies blood flow. Pollutants can be removed more easily, the respective areas are better supplied with nutrients and oxygen. Regular oil pulling is therefore a natural means of keeping the bacterial colonisation of the entire oral cavity in check, of fighting bad breath, tooth deposits and gingivitis and of supporting the health of the teeth and gums.
It is not just our oral health, but our entire body can benefit from the cleansing effects of an oil treatment. How? Have you ever noticed that the hallway in a house is the first area to get dirty again after cleaning? And that, if it is not cleaned, the dirt starts to spread to the rest of the house? This is similar to our body, where the mouth is the entrance area. The oral oil rinses not only help us with cleaning on site, but also reduce microbes and foreign substances and boost the removal of pollutants – so the whole organism benefits from this cleaning.
Followers of oil pulling also believe they are able to support their immune system through increased oral hygiene. Studies have shown that oral pathogens do not only require bodily defence where they occur, but that the pathogens and inflammatory substances can enter the entire body via the bloodstream and thus affect immune balance and general health.
High-quality, cold-pressed oils of organic quality are recommended for oil pulling. If you want to use a less flavour intensive oil, sunflower oil is a good choice. The effects of oil pulling can intensify other active substances that are added to the oil. While essential oils support the antimicrobial effect, with selected vital substances, attention can be paid to the detoxifying effects.
