During ancient times an Ayurvedic practitioner would merely look at your tongue and diagnose any disease. Your tongue is actually a mirror of your overall health and well-being. A coated tongue is a sign of bad health. The pressure points of the vital organs of the body, such as kidney, stomach, liver, intestines, lungs, heart, pancreas and the spleen are mapped onto the tongue. Hence, your tongue can be used as a medium to eliminate toxins from the body.
Ayurveda recommends two oral cleansing techniques (Oil Pulling) namely Kavala Gandusha and Kavala Graha. Kavala means the oral cavity These cleansing techniques not only help in pulling out oral toxins but also help to eliminate toxins from the vital organs. This powerful detoxifying technique has become very popular and is now recommended as an alternative and remedial medicine for many health ailments.
Sesame oil is considered as the best oil for this cleansing technique. Sesame oil has excellent antioxidant properties and is also rich in Vitamin E. Other oils like coconut oil, sunflower oil and olive oil can also be used. However, using organic oils has its own additional benefits.
In Kavala Gandush the mouth is filled with enough oil, retained for some time and then released. Whereas in Kavala Graha the mouth is completely filled with oil such that one cannot gargle. Then the oil is swished around in the mouth for some time and then released.
PROCEDURE
1. First thing in the morning on an empty stomach takes a tablespoon of oil in the mouth.
2. Swish the oil between your teeth in case of Kavala Gandusha and in the case of Kavala Graha, retain the oil without swishing and then release.
3. As the saliva mixes with the oil, it starts getting milky and watery which is an indication that it is saturated with toxins pulled out from the oral cavity and body. Once this happens, spit the water out.
4. Rinse your mouth and brush your teeth.
According to Charaka Samhita (Ancient Ayurvedic encyclopedia), over a period of time you will notice that your teeth start getting whiter, plaque disappears, improves bad breath and appetite and one feels energetic and healthy. It also cures Kapha imbalances and is believed to cure many diseases like a migraine, heart and kidney problems, women’s diseases, ulcers, intestinal disorders and many others. Ayurveda recommends inculcating this discipline for a healthy life.
Narasimham Jammi
Published : February 4, 2020
