By now you have probably heard about oil pulling. But what is it exactly? Oil pulling is an Ayurvedic technique that generally involves swishing oil in the mouth for the purpose of detoxifying the body. It is also great for cleaning the teeth and gums, as well as fighting gingivitis. Many people who practice it are said to experience a number of benefits that include headache relief and treatment of various infections. In spite of all this, there are those who worry about the side effects of oil pulling. The question is, does it really have any?
The Process of Oil Pulling
Before tackling the topic of its potential side effects, lets look at how oil pulling is usually performed. The process is actually very simple; the first thing that you have to do is to choose an oil. Most people prefer coconut oil due to its wide range of therapeutic benefits. It has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-acne and anti-inflammatory properties. If you do not like the taste of coconut oil, you can opt for olive and sunflower oils.
Take a teaspoonful of the oil of your choice and swish it in your mouth for about 20 minutes. As you swish, bacteria and toxins will stick to the oil. These harmful elements are pulled off (hence the term oil pulling) of your mouth’s surfaces and dissolved into the oil. When you spit out the oil, they are discharged, as well.
After swishing, rinse with warm water before brushing your teeth to eliminate the remaining bacteria. Brushing can also help remove the excess oil. It is recommended that you do this daily although every other day can also work just as fine. After a few days, you will begin to see the signs that the oil is doing its work, with better breath, and oral hygiene. There are also those who attribute clearer skin and a better sleep at night to oil pulling.
The Side Effects of Oil Pulling
While the process of oil pulling has no known side effects, its important to note that there are people who have allergic reactions to certain oils. Because of this its recommended that you change oil if you experience any side effects. There are a number of oils that work well for oil pulling, such as oilve, jojoba, sunflower avocado or sweet almond oil.
Most of the time, if there are any effects, they are due to detoxification effects. Those who have undergone detox treatments will recognize this as part of the healing process. The body simply experiences the uncomfortable symptoms that bring about removing toxins from the body.
Oil pulling is a technique that has been around for centuries. Many people have used it and swore by its benefits. It is a great therapy for those who prefer natural remedies or when traditional treatments seem to have no effect. You do not need to worry about the side effects of oil pulling as they are practically nonexistent. If you feel any discomfort, it is just that your body is experiencing the results of detoxification that oil pulling is known for.
