Do you know the "Oil Pulling" also called "Gandouch", a traditional practice of Ayurveda? This "detox" routine would have many benefits for oral health, while invigorating and sanitizing the entire body. In Ayurveda, the ancient traditional Indian medicine, "Gandouch" is an essential oral hygiene ritual in the morning. Its practice is simple: it involves keeping a tablespoon of sesame or coconut oil in your mouth.
The best time for this mouthwash is in the morning, on an empty stomach, because bacteria and toxins have accumulated in the mouth during the night. Preferably, the ritual is preceded by scratching the tongue with a copper scraper.
Manual
- Gargle your mouth first for 30 seconds with warm water. - Then take a tablespoon of natural organic oil, and gargle for 3 to 5 minutes. Suck the oil vigorously through the interstices of the teeth. Those with patience and time can increase the time to 10 minutes. Do not swallow the oil! - Spit the oil out or in a small bag that you throw in a trash can, as the oil could clog your sink over time. In the composition of the spit out liquid are found large amounts of toxic waste and microbes. The oil then takes on a milky white appearance. If the liquid spit out is yellow, the flushing process was too short! - Finally, rinse your mouth with hot water and brush your teeth as usual.
The benefits
According to Ayurvedic tradition, there are many benefits. Gandoush would promote: - stronger and whiter teeth - better breath - gum cleansing - reduced risk of cavities - reduction of loose teeth The effect would also benefit health overall. According to the Charaka Samhita, one of the pillar texts of Ayurvedic medicine, "mouthwashes with oil strengthen the bones of the jaw, the voice, flourish the face, beautify the lips, give more flavor to food, and purify the speech.
Gandouch would thus support the whole organism by eliminating from the oral cavity the toxins that Ayurveda calls "ama", toxic residues coming from substances incompletely digested, and not assimilated by the organism. They accumulate in the body, and especially in the mouth and on the tongue, overnight, and must be removed in order to stay healthy.
This cleansing effect leads to other benefits, as the health of the oral flora is directly related to the health of the intestinal flora:
- Less stomach and intestinal problems
- Less headaches
- Less fatigue
- Less joint pain
- Fewer colds and flu infections.
Although still poorly identified by specialists, the oral cleansing mechanism of the Gandouch ritual could be explained in various ways. It is thought to come first from the mechanical cleansing effect of the emulsion created by the saliva-oil mixture in the mouth, similar to that of a soap. This would be able to carry away germs and residues nestled in all corners of the mouth, especially responsible for the formation of dental plaque. But this would also be due to the properties of the oils themselves. That of sesame has an antioxidant and antibacterial effect, while that of coconut is capable of destroying viruses, bacteria and yeasts. Also, the practice of gandouch would strengthen salivation, natural protection against cavities and gingivitis, by neutralizing oral acidity. You must practice at least three weeks before you start to see the benefits of oil pulling.
Our selection
Coconut Rhapsody, Mira 10,90€
Organic sesam oil, Fushi 12,89€
Organic sesam oi, Cosmesana 1,75€
Organic premium coconut oil, Sunday Natural 14,90€
Organic sesam oil, My Cosmetik 3,35€
Organic coconut oil, La Tourangelle 6,99€
Notes et suggestions!
The traditional, bitter sesame oil is often replaced by coconut oil, which has a more fruity and milder taste. Note that it remains solid in the mouth for a few moments before liquefying. In any case, the information and advice offered here are not likely to replace a consultation or a diagnosis made by a doctor or a health professional.
