Ayurvedic Oils for Massage, Scalp, Hair and Mouth, Tongue Scrapers

Oil pulling or “oil swishing” is the practice of swishing edible oil around your mouth for a few minutes or more to dislodge any food residue and plaque and to refresh the mouth and coat the tongue. It’s been used for centuries to maintain good oral health and keep breath fresh and teeth white.

Historically, oil pulling with coconut, vegetable or sesame oil was believed to reduce the risk of health issues like headaches and certain diseases as part of Ayurvedic medicine.

I started oil pulling once a week after I originally became interested in Ayurvedic practices like nasal breathing, sound therapy and self massage. It’s been gratifying to see these health tools enter the mainstream as wellness trends, because they’ve all had a positive impact on my wellbeing.

I started pulling with a raw, organic coconut oil. However now I make my own special pulling oil is made from a coconut, avocado, apricot-kernel and sesame-oil blend, which tastes of clove and peppermint and it’s a fragrant, heady mix that I love swishing with weekly. My mouth feels smooth and clean afterwards and I believe the practice has made my teeth whiter and my gums healthier. Practically, it helps to free up any plaque that might be stuck between my teeth and it feels nice, which is a reason enough to try any wellness practice in my opinion.

Today, some studies show that oil pulling may reduce harmful bacteria and plaque which can help reduce the risk of oral dseases, to maintain a healthy oral microbiome. A recent study linked poorly balanced oral bacteria to several health issues, including pain conditions like fibromyalgia (a long-term condition of widespread pain) and migraines.

I recommend that people who practice oil pulling maintain that alongside twice a day tooth brushing, once a day flossing/ interdental tape use and tongue brushing.

Also available for mouth hygiene are tongue scrapers (traditional Ayurvedic copper, or stainless steel).

For hair, skin and joint massage, a selection of Ayurvedic Massage Oils are also available  - including Vata, Pitta and Kapha Oils, Maha Narayan Oil, Neelibringadi Oil, Balaswagandhadi Oil and Nirgundi Oil.

Blends for Shirodhara (oil flow onto the forehead for the third eye chakra and through the hair) can also be custom made by Steve for your particular dosha/condition.