Kavala Gandoosha

There is an interesting traditional Indian folk medicine called  ‘oil pulling’ or ‘swishing’ claiming both oral and systemic health benefits. It is mentioned in the Ayurvedic text Charaka Samhita where it is called Kavala Gandoosha / Kavala Graha. Oil pulling also reduces enamel wear from stomach acid from vomiting and has been shown in studies to reduce the total bacteria count, and cure dental caries (decay of bone or tooth).

I mention the oil pulling in relation to my dental worries. I, being a Capricorn am prone to both bone issues and teeth issues. I didn’t know any of this until I found myself with a mouthful of bad dental work over the years (along with frozen shoulders). Thinking I was saving my teeth, I had many root canals- I would say at least 6, all of which could b e avoided, and several silver (deadly mercury) fillings, the 2 no-nos of going to the dentist.

But I wasn’t told hollowed out roots still contain bacteria stronger than botulism and the vapors from the poisonous mercury can be debilitating. Even extracting the root is a toxic and dangerous proposition and a special bio-something dentist is recommended for the delicate procedure.

I have 2 root canaled teeth with a bridge, bottom left- not doing too good. Dentist (traditional style) says, per x ray, there no decay or infection, but I say something is not right, and I can feel it into my jaw plus there is a redness to my gums that I don’t like. I also suffer from deep gum pockets, which is a condition I have had for over 20 years. I have refused gum surgery and just left it alone, knowing the surgery was wrong, but not knowing what was right. So now my teeth have moved substantially and I feel all this could have been avoided if I had just been swishing all along- it would have pulled the bacteria out of my gums, etc, etc.

And while we are talking dentists, lets address fluoride. I did have Alison’s teeth ‘painted’ once, but I think we stopped that pretty early on- (she has great teeth). Well, in case you didn’t know it, fluoride is highly toxic.  In fact, before fluoride was deemed a “cavity fighter,” it was used as insecticide and rat poison. Fluoridated water, which does more harm than good and does not prevent cavities. So how is fluoride bad for you? To start with, the irony is that when you consume too much fluoride, your teeth can become discolored and crumble. But that’s nothing compared to the other ways that fluoride attacks your mind and body.  In tests on laboratory animals (tests I do NOT condone, by the way), fluoride has been shown to enhance the brain’s absorption of aluminum – the substance that’s found in the brains of most Alzheimer’s patients. Three different osteoporosis studies have associated hip fractures with fluoridation. And excessive fluoride has been shown to damage the musculo-skeletal and nervous systems, leading to limited joint mobility, ligament calcification, muscular degeneration and neurological deficits. And finally (I saved the worst till last), a number of different studies have linked fluoride to as many as 10,000 cancer deaths per year, with a high incidence of bone cancer among men exposed to fluoridated water.  So avoid fluoride at all cost, and oil pull instead- easy, cheap, and non-toxic.

Just to let you know, there are homeopathic dentists, but I have never had the luxury of seeing one-  by the time I heard about them, I had joined the ranks of the uninsured, and could not afford it. There are also Sai Sanjeevini and paper doctor dental patterns for teeth and gums and tooth ache, but I would use these in combination with swishing.

other conditions oil pulling can cure, are;

• Common allergies, colds, headaches
• Allergy and respiratory problems of lungs like asthma, bronchitis
• Skin problems like pigmentation, itching, rashes, scars, eczema
• Digestive system
• Constipation
• Arthritis and joint pains
• Heart disease and Blood Pressure
• Diabetes
• Piles
• Diseases pertaining to female reproductive system reported by women

things to remember about swishing;

• do it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, 15-20 minutes, or until the oil is whitish.                                                                                                                                                                    use only cold-pressed oil- sesame or coconut are recommended

•   take a break once in a while, as you are stirring up bacteria and toxins in your system