Summary
Dr. Stephen Cabral breaks down oil pulling on this Total Wellness Tuesday episode, explaining its roots in Ayurvedic medicine and why he recommends sesame oil over the more commonly promoted coconut oil. He notes that while many people attribute systemic benefits like hormone balancing and blood sugar reduction to oil pulling, the primary mechanism is its ability to break down plaque and bacteria in the mouth. Cabral explains that oral bacteria and plaque can enter the bloodstream through capillaries in the gums, contributing to heart disease and other conditions. He recommends swishing one to two teaspoons of oil for 10 to 20 minutes, then spitting into the trash and rinsing with water. He highlights that Ayurvedic practitioners historically chose sesame oil for its antimicrobial properties and copper content, even though coconut was readily available in southern India where Ayurveda originated.
Key Points
- Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy thousands of years old, not a modern invention
- Sesame oil is the traditional and recommended choice due to its antimicrobial properties and copper content
- Coconut oil works well specifically for thrush, candida, and strep-based oral bacteria
- The main proven benefit is breaking down plaque and bacteria in the mouth
- Oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream through gum capillaries, contributing to heart disease
- Swish 1-2 teaspoons for 10-20 minutes, spit into trash (not sink), rinse with water, then brush
- Research on oil pulling began appearing around 2008 in periodontics and preventative dentistry journals
- Can be done daily or a few times per week; even a 10-12 week course provides lasting benefit
Key Moments
Oil pulling breaks down plaque and bacteria that enter your bloodstream through the gums
Dr. Cabral explains that while oil pulling may not pull toxins from the bloodstream as commonly claimed, it does break down plaque and bacteria in the mouth. These substances can enter the bloodstream through gum capillaries and contribute to heart disease.
"Your bloodstream, your capillaries are right there in all of your gums, in your teeth. And any bacteria, any plaque can actually be absorbed right into your bloodstream. And that's why it said flossing every day, removing plaque, making sure there's no buildup of tartar and plaque in the mouth, on the teeth, has led to less issues of heart disease."
Why sesame oil beats coconut oil — the Ayurvedic tradition chose it for a reason
Cabral explains that traditional Ayurvedic medicine uses sesame oil rather than coconut oil for oil pulling, despite coconut being abundant in southern India where Ayurveda originated. Sesame oil contains copper and has strong antimicrobial properties as a polyunsaturated fatty acid.
"They don't use coconut oil. And coconut oil is what's talked about so much today in modern day oil pulling. They use sesame oil. And that's because sesame oil is incredibly antimicrobial. It works fantastically well as a polyunsaturated fatty acid. It does not clog the pores. It is not a saturated fat. It contains copper, which again is antimicrobial. Sesame oil is what I recommend."
Simple protocol — swish sesame oil for 10-20 minutes and spit into the trash
Cabral summarizes the oil pulling protocol: use a couple teaspoons of sesame oil, swish vigorously for 10 to 20 minutes, spit into the trash, rinse with water, and then brush teeth if desired. He emphasizes it is a simple, safe practice with no downsides.
"Simple, use a couple teaspoons of oil, ideally sesame oil to start with. Swish it around vigorously in your mouth. After about 10 minutes to 20 minutes, do spit it out into the trash barrel, swish other water around in your mouth, and then you can be on your way."
