Kavala (Gargling) and Gandusha (Oil Pulling) In Ayurveda

Kavala (Gargling) and Gandusha (Oil Pulling) In Ayurveda

Filling the mouth in the morning with oil or medicated water daily and holding for a few minutes without moving it inside the oral cavity is called Gandusha. The procedure is ideally done on a warm and hot day and inside a room that is not exposed to wind. The Gandusha treatment first starts with a neck and shoulder massage to loosen up the area to start the procedure. Then the face is tilted slighted upwards and the prescribed oil solution is poured into the mouth cavity. This oil needs to be kept inside the mouth for quite some time until the eyes start watering and saliva starts to fill the mouth. Be cautious not to swallow the oil. This should be done on an empty stomach.Oil pulling (Gandusha) has been used to prevent decay, oral mal odor, gum bleeding, dryness of throat, cracked lips and for strengthening the teeth, gums and the jaw. It is a simple daily regimen, which, when done routinely, enhances the senses, brings about a feeling of freshness and maintains clarity in the voice. After adopting this procedure properly, one feels lightness and clarity in the mouth. It also relieves pain and discomfort. A Gandusha is to be held inside the oral cavity till there is uncontrollable salivation, secretions of tears from the eyes or mucous/watery discharge through the nose.

Kavala is a procedure of holding comparatively small quantity of liquid in the mouth; make it move briskly inside and spitting out quickly. Decoction of Khadira (Acacia catechu L.) or Kshirivrikshas like Nyagrodha (Ficus bengalensis L.), Udumbara (Ficus glomerulata Roxb.), etc may be used daily for Kavala. It removes loss of appetite, bad taste, dirt and excess salivation from the mouth.

Arimedadi Thailam is an Ayurvedic medicine for teeth and gums and is one of the products to use in oil pulling, irrespective of prakriti or doshic imbalances. When Vata Dosha is in excess, especially with typical Vata issues like toothache, the oil mixed with warm water before swishing in the mouth.

For oral health issues stemming from a Pitta excess, such as mouth ulcers, mukha pak in Sanskrit, Arimedadi Thailam can be mixed with milk. Arimedadi Thailam can also be mixed with Dasamula Kashayam when one experiences sensitive teeth and gums and toothaches.

Gargling and oil pulling with Arimedadi Thailam aids in the healing of over 30 systemic diseases ranging from headaches and migraines to tooth sensitivity. It also helps prevent tooth decay and relieve bad breath, bleeding gums, chronic dry throat and cracked and lips. Overall, it strengthens teeth, gums and jaw muscles.

Some of the studies are the following:-

In 2009 study published in the Indian Journal of Dental Research found that when compared with mouthwash, swishing with sesame oil reduced plaque, modified gingival scores, and lowered microorganisms in the plaque of adolescents with plaque-induced gingivitis.

A 2014 study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research found that oil pulling with sesame oil helped in reducing oral malodor and the microbes causing it just as much as using a chlorhexidine treatment.

AIT researchers show coconut oil could combat tooth decay (Press release). Athlone Institute of Technology. 3 September 2012. Retrieved April 30, 2015.

Tomar P, Hongal S, Jain M, Rana K, Saxena V. Oil Pulling and Oral Health: A Review. IJSS Case Report & Reviews 2014;1(3):33-37.

Kensche, A.; Reich, M.; Kümmerer, K.; Hannig, M.; Hannig, C. (2012). "Lipids in preventive dentistry". Clinical Oral Investigations. 17 (3): 669–85.

Rowena Anne Mathew, M. Sankari. Oil Pulling and its Role in Oral and Systemic Diseases- A Review Article. International Journal of PharmTech Research. Vol.6, No.2, pp 701-703, April-June 2014.

Ayurveda an ancient holistic science serves the concept of Kavala and Gandusha which are both used not only for enhancing oral hygiene but also they prevent and treat many other oral diseases. The technique of Kavala/ Gandusha is mentioned in all the three major ancient book of Ayurveda.