Re: Oil Pulling, by MH *Edit*

Oil-pulling is about teeth but that is sort of
the side effect. The real effect is stimulating
the saliva glands which also have a ripple
effect throughout the body. I used to accomplish
this with a little technique which was touted
as a longevity exercise and associated with the
Tibetans and Taoists and stimulating chi by
flexing the salivary gland done by placing the
bottom of your tongue on the roof of your mouth
and pressing it. This would increase the flow
of saliva which was called nectar and you were
encouraged to swallow that. I did this exercise
often throughout my day, especially while
driving. Like sitz bathing which I do not *see*
working, but I can feel it working sometimes,
and certainly, I love doing it, oil-pulling for
me, does what that exercise did but actually
in a gentle way, and it also massages my gums
which has been healing and stimulates circulation
much like when a parent massages their child's
gums. I have even seen where optimally you will
hold your head in a certain way, tipped up
slightly, and in my mind, it also has to do
with the salivary glands. So, even people who
do not have teeth would benefit from oil-pulling.
I have been doing it for over a year and really
like the way I feel. I also think it is a good
way to de-stress since any tension in the facial
muscles is also released.

Here is an interesting link to more info on the
glands~~

http://www.waybuilder.net/sweethaven/MedTech/Dental/Dental01/Dental01_v1.asp?...

http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Mouth_And_Salivary_Glands

Certainly oil-pulling would most likely keep you from
having to deal with these issues~~

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/31106.html

and this link which can show the subtle shifts which
are facilitated by stimulating certain areas in the
mouth~~

http://www.geocities.com/kriyadc/kechari.html

I only pull with Sesame Oil or coconut. I add 3 drops
of pure oregano oil and so feel that the oregano oil
is what is good for my teeth and gums.

Like flying in an airplane, I do not need to understand
the details of how something that big stays in the air,
I trust that it works. I trust that oil-pulling is doing
something and I have seen the benefits. Certainly my
oral health has improved greatly, and I am sure there
have been many other benefits but since its all connected
in ways, it would be difficult to ascribe everything to
just one or two things but more so the well rounded
approach which includes oil-pulling.

blessings,
Zoe

-_-