Oil Pulling (Natural Cleansing Support Series 1)

January is the start of the New Year. It's a great time to start fresh and commit to healthier habits. Many of you may be wanting a way to recharge your system and rid it of accumulated garbage throughout the year. This article is part one in a series on detox. Here I will present safe practices that can be used throughout the year by most people. I would urge anyone who wants to emply these methods to already be on a daily, healthy eating regimen. That is the first step to physical wellness. If not, start there, and come back to this series.

Oil pulling is a several thousand year old Ayurvedic form of natural, safe detox for the body. This method is able to pull impurities through the mouth. Depending on how long you perform the method will determine your results. 

There are many reasons to detox in this way. People suffering from anything such as acne to dental problems have experienced positive results. This is a long time used safe practice. It is gentle and noninvasive.

So what you do is in the morning, first thing before eating and brushing your teeth, you take 1 tbsp of a good oil, and you swish in your mouth for 20 minutes. Then spit it into a trash can so the oil doesn't accumulate in your pipes. 

Brush your teeth immediately after and rinse well to remove any released impurities. Rinsing with a therapeutic grade essential oil blend like Young Living Clove Oil or Young Living Thieves Vitality Oil, water, and Himalayan salt would be a great to support your wellness after you oil pull. To create the oral rinse  use 8 ounces of water and 1-2 drops of clove oil plus a pinch of Himalayan salt. The salt helps the oil emulsify into the water. I do not recommend regular table salt because that contains synthetic chemicals and bleach. Another great option for rinsing is the Young Living Thieves Mouthwash.

As for length of time, it really varies. If you have a deeper condition then oil pull longer. The minimum time would be 2 weeks. The maximum time is up to you. I would personally recommend a month of oil pulling.

Traditionally unrefined untoasted sesame oil was used. As of late a popular choice is organic unrefined coconut oil due to its already natural detoxing and antibacterial properties. That is the oil of my choice. If you use coconut oil and it is solid, don't worry. It will easily liquify in your mouth. If this grosses you out, you can melt it by put a tablespoon into a glass jar. Then put it into a small pot with some water. Bring the water to a boil on the stove. Once the oil is melted you can take it out. Test it on your clean finger to make sure it's not too hot for your mouth. Never use a microwave to liquify the oil. The microwave will damage the properties of the oil. To learn more about oil pulling from Dr. Joseph Mercola, Osteopath and expert on natural health, read here.

Do you oil pull? How long have you done so or how often? Share with me below!

Be healthy and blessed! Helping you to be a good steward of your health!~Marie A. Ligorria