What does "Oil Pulling" have to do with skin care?
Oil pulling isn't just for teeth. It will also help you to achieve a clean and clear complexion. I know this sounds downright bizarre, but trust me, it works!
Why Did I Start Oral Oil Pulling?
Actually I started because of my husband, he is a Chiropractor and Naturopath. We were talking about it one morning and he told me he was going to start "oil pulling" again, so I said I'm in! I can't completely explain it, but I feel I am really pulling toxins out of my body through the oil in my mouth. Kind of odd sounding but true!
What I Have Noticed So Far...
My teeth are whiter (honest!), less sensitive and overall my oral health is very good! Plus I know I am pulling damaging toxins out of my body and skin for overall better health!
Please read on and I think you will be surprised!
Let's Start With Oral Oil Pulling...
A traditional Ayurvedic practice for removing toxins, oil pulling is a technique as simple as its ingredient list—you’ll just need coconut, sesame, or olive oil. As soon as you wake up, swish around two tablespoons of oil on an empty stomach for at least 20 minutes. Then, resume with brushing your teeth and using mouthwash to get rid of any residue.
While oil pulling has been most closely associated with teeth whitening, its benefits span past just oral health. Oil pulling in the morning removes toxins that have accumulated the night before, preventing them from entering your bloodstream and contributing to unfavorable skin. For some, oil pulling has alleviated conditions like eczema and psoriasis, while others have noticed a healthier complexion. -L'Officiel
*“Oral health is related to the health of the whole body, so when we take care of the mouth with oil pulling, we [may] support our overall health,” says Larissa Hall Carlson, an Ayurvedic practitioner in Manchester, Vermont.
Oil Skin Cleansing...
Oil cleansing also utilizes the single ingredient to rid skin of potential breakout agents like makeup, dirt, bacteria, dead skin cells, and sebum. Based on the simple chemisty of oil attracting oil (and water separating from oil), by massaging in facial oil for an extended period of time–at least 15 minutes–the oily lipids on the surface of the skin bind to the cleansing oil and are more easily washed away. Cleansing for a longer time allows for the oils to pull waxy sebum from the skin and can sometimes give physical results, extracting the oil plugs from your pores. It's important to start with dry skin, so that the skin's natural oils or the ones in your makeup have direct contact with the oil cleanser and can be dissolved. -L'Officiel
*You can use oils like extra virgin olive oil, coconut, avocado, or sesame oil (which is a bit too strong for me) these all work well.
What Toxins Does Oil Pulling Remove?
Oil pulling is believed to help in the excretion of toxic heavy metals by saliva. Oil pulling activates salivary enzymes which absorb toxins such as chemical toxins, bacterial toxins and environmental toxins from the blood and removed from the body through the tongue. Thus oil pulling detoxifies and purifies the entire human body. -NIH, National Library of Medicine Jan 2017
Original Indian Journal of Dental Research In a Nutshell:
Effect of oil pulling on plaque induced gingivitis: A randomized, controlled, triple-blind study:
Aims:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oil pulling with sesame oil on plaque-induced gingivitis and to compare its efficacy with chlorhexidine mouthwash.
Materials and Methods :
A total of 20 age-matched adolescent boys with plaque-induced gingivitis were selected for this study. An index scores was done after 10 days.
Conclusion:
The oil pulling therapy showed a reduction in the plaque index, modified gingival scores, and total colony count of aerobic microorganisms in the plaque of adolescents with plaque-induced gingivitis. -Indian Journal of Dental Research, Year 2009, Vol. 1, Issue 1, pg. 47-51
Would I recommend both Oral and Skin Oil Pulling?
100% YES! Just make sure you do not swallow the oil when you are done swishing it around in your mouth, it can actually make you sick because it is so toxic. Spitting out the used oil into a garbage can would be best.
*Find out more about "Oil Pulling" by checking with the "Genie In The Bottle", I mean Google. :)
Your health is more than just skin deep!
With Love and Blessings!
Rebecca