December 27, 2024, 3:55 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
Oil pulling is a detoxification method from Ayurveda, a traditional Indian school of medicine. The list of ailments for which oil pulling, or gandusha, is said to be helpful is long. Not only are bad breath, tooth discoloration, and headaches said to be alleviated, but experience has shown that oil pulling can even help with heart disease and cancer. But what is the current state of research? FITBOOK editor Sophie Brünke gives an overview.
This centuries-old detox method holds significant esteem in Ayurveda and has become a common practice in many American bathrooms. Why in the bathroom? It’s simple: after brushing your teeth, put a tablespoon of a high-quality (organic) oil in your mouth and then rinse thoroughly. Indeed, some individuals may step out of the bathroom temporarily, given that the application process can extend up to 20 minutes. When spitting out the oil, bacteria and toxins dissolved in the oil are supposed to find their way out. Read on to discover whether this method is effective, the true health benefits of oil pulling, and what current research has to say on the subject.
Overview
The Active Principle of Oil Pulling
As already described, the use of oil pulling is very simple and an inexpensive way to do something good for your health. The relevant Ayurveda portals recommend organic coconut and sesame oil or ghee, a specially produced cooking fat from Indian cuisine.
The effect of oil pulling is based on the assumption that swishing the oil in the mouth stimulates the oral mucosa to release harmful substances such as pathogens and toxins. These substances are supposed to bind in the oil, which is why it should definitely be spat out and not swallowed.
Notably, those who have experimented with this detox method may observe that the oil changes color upon disposal. Proponents of oil pulling attribute the milky white color to the substances dissolved in the oil. In fact, however, the oil is only emulsified during the application period. This is due to the enzymes contained in the saliva, which normally prepare food for the stomach.
Oil Pulling is Said to Help with These Diseases
Oil pulling is purported to offer benefits for oral hygiene, among other health advantages. Possible areas of application are
- Bleeding and inflammation of the gums
- Dental plaque and discoloration
- Periodontitis
- Toothache
- Bad breath
- Tooth decay
- Dry mouth
- Chapped lips
Yet, the purported benefits of oil pulling extend beyond the oral cavity. It can also help with the following conditions:
- Headaches
- Bronchitis and flu-like infections
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
- Heart disease
- Blood disorders
- Liver diseases
- Kidney diseases
- Thrombosis
- Chronic insomnia
- Eczema, acne, psoriasis, neurodermatitis
- PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
It is crucial to note that not all the aforementioned benefits are supported by scientific research; many are based solely on anecdotal evidence.
Where Oil Pulling Can Really Help – and Where It Doesn’t
In various aspects of life, including health, we often depend on advice and recommendations from friends, family, and acquaintances. And if, for example, a friend has had good experiences with a certain diet or oil pulling, we feel like trying out these methods ourselves. However, in addition to personal experience, it is also worth taking a look at the current state of research. A brief forewarning: Regrettably, there is a scarcity of substantial findings.
Oral Hygiene Is the “Best” Researched Area
In the relevant literature databases, you can find at least several research papers dedicated to the topic of oil pulling and oral hygiene.
A review from 2016 examined 21 research papers and found that oil pulling may be just as effective as mouthwash containing chlorhexidine in reducing plaque. However, the authors emphasize that further clinical studies are needed, as the studies considered differed greatly in their design and the quality of reporting.1 The following year, another review was published, which analyzed 21 research studies – however, only six of them had an appropriate study design. After closer examination, the study author concluded that there was no reliable scientific evidence for oil pulling in relation to oral hygiene.2
A recent, small source from Germany is a bachelor thesis, the results of which were published by Dr. Peter Hahner in an article in dentalwelt. The thesis describes how oil pulling affected gum health in 25 patients at a dental practice in Kettwig. According to the conclusion of the study, this actually improved, but oral hygiene did not.
Oil Pulling to Fight Cancer and Other Systemic Diseases – Can It Work?
There is no study investigating the effect of oil pulling on the success of cancer treatment. Recommendations made in this context are only limited to the oral cavity. For example, the North Rhine-Westphalia Cancer Society rates oil pulling as a method that can “at best be used to reduce bad breath,” “but not for the prevention or treatment of cancer or other diseases”.3 The background to this is that patients with certain cancers, e.g. in the mouth and throat, often suffer from bad breath.
Overall, oil pulling is believed to have a positive effect on numerous diseases, as inflammation in the mouth can have a negative effect on the entire body. In particular, chronic inflammation over a long period of time makes it easier for bacteria to enter the bloodstream or lungs and thus damage other organs.
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Conclusion
The present body of research on oil pulling is limited, with studies frequently characterized by small sample sizes and a considerable risk of result bias. Clinical studies are needed to prove (or disprove) the health claims associated with oil pulling. So far, it appears that the traditional method has predominantly health benefits for the oral cavity. It is also inexpensive compared to conventional oral hygiene practices. Ultimately, however, anyone can practice oil pulling if they recognize a benefit for themselves, as the risk of side effects can be considered low.