Oil Pulling

(The following article was taken from the archives of my blog, Apassionata.)

 

Who here has ever heard of oil pulling? If you have, you probably already know about the amazing health benefits of this interesting practice. But for those of you, who, like me, until about a year ago, had no clue about what it is, this post is for you.

What is oil pulling?

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy for oral health and detoxification. It involves the use of pure oils as agents for pulling harmful bacteria, fungus, and other organisms out of the mouth, teeth, gums and even throat. How this works? You take a tablespoon of melted organic coconut oil (We get ours from TropicalTraditions.com and highly recommend them) OR organic sesame seed oil and swish it around in your mouth for anywhere from 10-20 minutes.

It may seem like a while to hold the oil in your mouth. And in the beginning, it can certainly feel that way. It is something you must get accustomed to doing. What I did is set the timer for 20 minutes, and then try to go about my regular business....chores, writing, school, etc.  Maybe this could be your computer time spell since time seems to go by quicker while on the internet. Just remember to keep that oil moving inside your mouth. If you get tired of swishing, use your tongue to push the oil around. Just don't swallow! The oil is pulling toxins and bacteria from your gums, tongue, and roof of your mouth, you don't want to reabsorb these toxins again by ingesting. Also, do not lean your head back and gargle the oil.

If 20 minutes is too long (or even 10 minutes, for that matter) and gets tiring for you, spit out the oil in the toilet and get another fresh tablespoon. Swish it around for the remainder of the time.

When you're done, spit the oil into the toilet and rinse very thoroughly. Keep in mind all the bacteria, germs and toxins which were just extracted, and this should cause you to want to rinse very, very well. I like to even brush my teeth after a oil pull. (I do it in the morning after breakfast which is convenient for the teeth-brushing)

What are the health benefits of oil pulling?

• Overall strengthening of the teeth and gums and jaws.
• Prevention of diseases of the gums and mouth, such as cavities and gingivitis.
• Prevention for bad breath
• Potential holistic remedy for bleeding gums
• Prevention of dryness of the lips, mouth and throat.
• Possible holistic treatment for TMJ and general soreness in the jaw area.
• Migraine headache relief
• Correcting hormone imbalances
• Reducing inflammation of arthritis
• May help with gastro-enteritis
• Aids in the reduction of eczema
• May reduce symptoms of bronchitis
• Helps support normal kidney function
• May help reduce sinus congestion
• Some people report improved vision
• Helps reduce insomnia
• Reduced hangover after alcohol consumption
• Aids in reducing pain
• Reduces the symptoms of allergies
• Helps detoxify the body of harmful metals and organisms

Scientists believe that the lipids in the oil both pull out bacteria, as well as stop bacterial from sticking to the walls of the oral cavity. Oil pulling reduces the amount of S. mutans (germ) count in both teeth plaque and mouth saliva.

 In addition, oil pulling may also increase saponification in the mouth, creating a soapy environment that cleanses the mouth as vegetable fat is an emulsifier by nature. Oil pulling cleanses out harmful bacteria, as well as reduces fungal overgrowth. These oils also possibly help in cellular restructuring, and are related to the proper functioning of the lymph nodes and other internal organs.

Oil pulling has been said to aid people in weight loss. So if you're wanting to shed a couple pounds, add this routine to your day and see what happens!

Blown away yet? I could go on. There is lots of information which you can find further on oil pulling, I only gave you the basics today.

  Have you ever tried oil pulling? Have any success stories? I'd love to hear about it!

 

Plant Therapy Essential Oils {review}

 

 

Essential oils are a pivotal point in herbal home healing. I don't know how many of you ladies are already acquainted with them, but we've had a couple posts concerning them in the past here at APOC so hopefully you've had the pleasure of getting to use them at some point!

 

There are many different types of essential oils available on the market these days. How can you know what is good and what's to be avoided? While that question is one to be covered extensively on another post, we're going to take a look at some good, quality oils today.

 

Plant Therapy sent me two different oils to test in a recipe of some sort. I originally chose the oils based on the idea that I would make a homemade perfume from them.

 

The plan actually changed a bit though due to a reaction I had with one of the oils. Well, not quite a reaction, just...well, I wasn't so fond of wearing that particular oil on my skin, is all.

 

So.

 

 Firstly, I was sent a Pink Grapefruit essential oil, and a Ylang Ylang . 

 

The Pink Grapefruit (citrus racemosa) oil I am very fond of. It smells exactly like pink grapefruit, as it should.

 

Some of its suggested uses, according to the Plant Therapy website: Diffuse Grapefruit into the air to help with headaches, mental exhaustion and depression. It may be diluted in a bath, lotion or cream to assist with cellulite, colds and flu, lack of energy, jet lag, muscle fatigue, overweight, headaches, moodiness and mental and physical tiredness.

 

I read that pink grapefruit oil is excellent for cleansing the skin. It's supposed to be great for dealing with acne and excess oil, so this has been the main way I've been utilizing it. As I said earlier I was planning to include it in a perfume recipe but personally I actually like using it by itself! I just dab a little over the zits and leave it to work. Easy, natural pimple-elimination method!

 

Pink grapefruit oil is also great in helping to relieve muscle cramps and stiffness. It has a wide variety of other health benefits, a few of which include it being an anti-depressant, antiseptic, aperitif, lymphatic, stimulant, disinfectant and diuretic!

 

All in all, I've grateful for my pink grapefruit oil from Plant Therapy. I am interested to see how it will help with jet lag because I travel to California once a year with my dad, and gosh is it a struggle dealing with the five hour time difference! The oil is decently priced, and is 100% pure essential oil, cold-pressed.

 

 

 

The other oil I received was a Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) essential oil. This oil I had originally picked because I've seen it used before in perfumes and heard that it mixed well with pink grapefruit oil.

 

Unfortunately, this wasn't the case for me. There was nothing wrong with the oil itself, this was strictly a matter of personal opinion/preference.

 

I hate the smell.

 

I don't know how I've used other beauty items which had Ylang Ylang in them, because there's no way I'd wear something that smelled remotely like this oil. Perhaps the other products simply didn't have the real thing in them...and this is what the real thing smells like.

 

 The aroma is hard to describe. I'm sure there are people out there who probably love it, but nobody in my house was included in that group.

 

Now, I will give it this: There are still a number of health benefits.

According to Plant Therapy,

Ylang-ylang Essential Oil can assist with problems such as high blood pressure, rapid breathing and heartbeat, nervous conditions, as well as impotence and frigidity. Spiritual practitioners claim that the users of Ylang-ylang are those who have been drawn to the oil, and who in turn, suit it. Ylang-ylang Essential Oil is best suited for use in the perfumery and skincare industries.

 

 It is applied to the skin to promote relaxation, kill bacteria, and can even be used in a spray to kill head lice. Its suggested uses are, to defuse it into the air or add 3-4 drops to a warm bath to act as a natural aphrodisiac, help with a rapid heartbeat and breathing, and to help with anxiety.

 

So, it's definitely something to still consider using if you have any of these ailments. Personally these don't really apply to me, and the smell drives me crazy, but don't let that stop you if you were thinking of getting a bottle of this oil. This is just my own opinion - everybody has different tastes!

 

I hope everybody has been having a blessed, productive summer! Can you believe we're already more than half-way through 2013?!

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Note: I was provided these items from Plant Therapy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions remain mine and mine alone.

 

Woman to Woman

In case we have any male readers, I'd like to just say that this is a women-only blog post.  So if you're a guy, move along please, nothing to see here. :)

Yesterday morning, I woke up to what should have been a perfect day.  The weather was gorgeous and we started a fire and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows for s'mores.  My brother and his wife arrived to announce an expected new addition to their little nest, empty for far too long.  My beautiful new head coverings arrived in the mail and I wrote this post relaxing on the couch with the sun streaming through the windows and a cup of wild orange tea.  Yes, a wonderful day.  Except for one thing.  Several things that I did not or did do that ruin my day until 3:00 in the afternoon.

What, you might ask, happened?

About a year after I got my period, I started having regular menstrual cramps....every month.  Awful cramps that sent me to bed moaning and groaning for several hours.  My family thought I was just being dramatic (I did have a reputation for being a bit of a drama queen) and getting used to being a woman.  They used to say, "What will you do when you have a baby?  It's WAY worse!"  One woman I know had the same problem and after marrying and having children, she told me that it's really not worse.  That in fact, labor was easier.

Anyway, over the past 10 years I have tried everything.  I know what works and what doesn't.  I'm a walking cramp doctor.  I've also discovered that I am not the only one.  So when I finally found something that works for me, I started sharing more openly about it.  This however, is the first time publishing my solution in public and I think it's long overdue.

After trying everything, I discovered Young Living essential oils and started using Lavender, Clary Sage and Ylang Ylang which helped immensely.  I had several ladies talk about using an oil blend called Progessence Plus to balance hormones, but I didn't actually try it until last summer.  I started using 4 drops a day and extra once a month.  By this time, my cramps had lessened somewhat and I had learned to manage them a little better by dropping everything, using oils and going to bed.  I didn't notice a difference with the Pro.+ at first but after 4-5 months I realized that I wasn't having any trouble at all during my monthly cycles.  This has continued since then so long as I kept using the oil....

Which I haven't.  I'm not always diligent in using the Progessence and this past month I hardly used any at all.  Add to that, I did a lot of walking and some squats the day before starting this month.  Very bad idea.

Someone told me not too long ago that her cramps were like contractions.  That, dear sisters, is exactly what happened to me.  I don't think I've been in that much pain since years past when I didn't know anything to use for it.  Everything that usually helps almost right away, did little or nothing.  While my sister-in-law was announcing her baby, I was huddled in my bed feeling like I was having one.

All that to say, I have been reminded of how awful it is to have to deal with this and I won't be skipping my Pro+ for anything!  How silly of me, to know of and have in my possession these wonderful healing oils given by YHWH and not use them!  Also how silly of me to know and have and not share with others.

Progessence Plus is a blend of natural progesterone and essential oils like frankincense, cedar, rosewood, peppermint, clove and others.  One bottle lasts me about 3-4 months if I use it diligently.  Unlike a lot of progesterone supplements, it does not have to be rotated.  You just use it every day and your body will absorb what you need, when you need it and the oils included in it have more uses than just hormone balance so instead of negative side effects like Acetaminaphen, regular Tylenol, Advil, etc. it can actually have positive side effects. :)  It is not only for cramps, it balances your hormones whatever the problem (mood swings, infertility, irregular cycles, etc.) and I believe every woman should be using this wonderful blend! :)