Today I want to introduce you to a simple therapy that is super cheap and very effective, known as Oil Pulling.
HISTORY
Oil pulling has its origin in Ayurvedic medicine in India and was called “oil gargling”. It dates back over 2,000 years. Ayurvedic practitioners discovered that washing the mouth with vegetable oil cleansed the mouth and restored health to the body. The process was said to cure about 30 systemic diseases, from minor problems like bad breath to serious conditions like asthma and diabetes. [1]
OUR MOUTH & HEALTH
Just as the eyes are viewed as the windows to the soul, the mouth is a window to the body. By looking into the mouth, you can tell a great deal about a person’s health. Cavities, swollen gums, bad breath, discoloration on the tongue, receding and bleeding gums, all reflect a person’s state of health. The mouth is part of the intestinal tract and if the mouth is healthy, so will the intestine be healthy, but if your teeth and gums are deteriorating, so are you deteriorating. The bacteria and other micro-organisms that inhabit our mouth influence our health. Our mouth is like a tropical rain forest. It is hot, humid and maintains a constant temperature. A great place for bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa to live and flourish. Bacteria is by far the greatest and it exceeds the number of people living on the earth. Food for them is plentiful. They thrive on sugar and carbohydrates, and love the little tasty morsels caught between our teeth or gums. According to Dr. Bruce Fife, in his book Oil Pulling Therapy, apart from conditions caused by genetics and trauma, he states “All disease starts in the mouth. . . . the majority of illness and disease that plague the human race, including chronic degenerative disease. It is through the mouth that all disease gets its start.” [2] He goes on to explain that the mouth and nasal passages are the main way into our bodies. It is through these that disease-causing toxins and germs enter our body. Disease influences the type of bacteria that grow on the lining of the mouth, tongue and throat. Medical researchers are even able to identify certain health conditions based on the micro-communities in the mouth. [3]
Our mouth can reveal evidence for diabetes, measles, leukemia, syphilis, cancer, AIDS, IBS, and more. In fact, early stages of cancer, can be detected by the types of bacteria present in the mouth.
WHY and HOW OIL PULLING WORKS
Dr. Bruce Fife states, “During my research, I was impressed with the multitude of scientific research that tied into oil pulling. Although there were few studies on the effects of oil pulling itself, there were hundreds of studies linking dental health to systemic and chronic diseases. There was a sound scientific basis for the many positive effects observed from oil pulling.” [4] He then tells about his experience with oil-pulling. Once he started, his body began to detox, then his face began to clear up from lingering redness from severe dermatitis he had as a young adult. His dandruff was gone. A wart that he had on his face disappeared. Because oil-pulling removes harmful bacteria from the mouth and from the body, many claim that it is effective in helping multiple illnesses. People have reported the following conditions to benefit from oil-pulling:
- Acne
- Allergies
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Back and Neck Pain
- Bad Breath
- Bleeding Gums
- Bronchitis
- Chronic Fatigue
- Colitis
- Crohn’s Disease
- Constipation
- Dental Cavities
- Dermatitis
- Diabetes
- Eczema
- Hemorrhoids
- Insomnia
- Migraine Headaches
- Mucous Congestion
- Peptic Ulcers
- PMS
- Sinusitis
- Tooth Abscess
There are a few published studies on the effectiveness of oil pulling. The first was a survey conducted and published by a daily newspaper in 1996, Andhra Jyoti. The purpose of the survey was to find out the effectiveness of oil pulling and what types of diseases it cured. Out of a total of 1,041 respondents, 927 (89%) reported being completely cured of one or more diseases. Only 114 (11%), people reported no significant improvement. Here are some conditions that the participates claim they were cured:
- Aches and pains in the body, neck, and head (758 cases)
- Allergy and respiratory problems: asthma, bronchitis (191 cases)
- Skin problems: itching, eczema, abnormal pigmentation (171 cases)
- Digestive problems (155 cases)
- Constipation (110 cases)
- Arthritis and joint pain (91 cases)
- Diabetes (56 cases)
- Hemorrhoids (27 cases)
- Female hormonal problems (21)
- Other: cancer, polio, leprosy, polycystic kidney, paralysis (72 cases) [5]
Oil pulling can have a powerful detoxing effect. As we learned, our mouth is a source of a large number of germs that eventually can make their way into the rest of the body. By oil pulling, we attack the source of these microscopic invaders and greatly reduce their numbers. This lifts a great deal of strain off the immune system.I know it is limited information here, but I hope this has been interesting to you. I strongly recommend that you read the book, Oil Pulling Therapy by Dr. Bruce Fife. Herbs4You carries it, and it is on sale this month, so we encourage you to buy it and apply it.
For Your HealthAmy Willis, Your Local Herbalist