Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Health Benefits of Oil Pulling

The best health benefit you can get from oil is to use it as a mouth rinse. This has been my experience. And you will agree with me if you browse through the experience of thousands who do ‘oil pulling’ everyday. I know many people who follow this simple process and safeguard themselves from unnecessary health complications. There are diabetics who are able to maintain their blood sugar at normal level just by adding ‘oil pulling’ to their usual daily regimen. Over a period of time they have even reduced the intake of insulin.

I have been ‘oil pulling’ for a couple of months. I use sesame oil of Idhayam Group. It comes in easy to use sachets. The company gives away these sachets for free as a form of social service and well as to create awareness among the people of Tamil Nadu. Thanks to our Parish Priest, every second Sunday people from this company come to our Sacred Heart Church in Kolathur, Chennai and give away free sachets. People from all walks of life, irrespective of religion, caste or creed gather here to collect the sachets. The participants number almost hundred and each share their experiences with one another. Each participant gets 30 sachets free. The ‘oil pulling’ community here is very active. Our Parish Priest got rid of his sinus problems with ‘oil pulling’ and prescribes this to everyone he meets.

I have seen here people cured of various ailments with ‘oil pulling’. Some of the ailments cured include headaches, eye irritation, hair loss, insomnia, migraine, bad breath, excessive sweating, heel fissures, acne, ulcers, etc. People with high blood pressure were able to regulate their BP with oil pulling. Most of the women told they were able to reverse hair loss with this simple process. Some were cured of asthma and bronchitis. It has helped people with varicose veins too.

I feel fresh everyday and have lots of energy. I don’t feel tired in the evenings. The food I eat tastes good. My mouth feels fresh. I cannot keep myself awake beyond 11 o’clock at night. I sleep like a log and get up refreshed in the morning. I am able to sit before the computer for quite a long time without getting tired.

Sesame oil and sunflower oil are considered best for ‘oil pulling’. You can use coconut oil also. Some use olive oil too. One of my earlier posts details how you can do this simple process. I request everyone of my readers to try this inexpensive ‘oil pulling’ and reap rich benefits. If you need any clarifications or help you can email me.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Some Medicinal Uses of Oil

Athi Oil

Athi oil is obtained by processing leaves, bark and fruits of Athi tree (Ficus retusa). The oil is used in treating cuts, burns, sores etc. It is an excellent home remedy for cat bite. This oil is still used in Tamil villages for treating the above-mentioned conditions. To prepare this oil you need the bark of athi tree, athi leaves, sesame oil and athi fruit.

The athi bark is powdered thoroughly. Tender athi leaves are ground to a fine paste. Same with tender athi fruits. The three are mixed thoroughly. This mixture is then added to sesame oil and then stored in a cool, dark place. After a week, you can start using the oil. Apply a thin coat of oil on the body. Skin diseases like eczema, scabies, skin allergies etc can be cured with regular application. This oil is very effective in treating acne and pimples. It is found to cure even persistent and tough acne, septic and pus filled pimples, acne scars etc. Athi oil is well known for its action on chronic sores and ulcers.

Cardamom Oil

Cardamom oil is known to provide a healthy sheen when applied on skin. It can be prepared the following way. The ingredients are cardamom 5 gm, camphor 5 gm, vetti ver 5 gm and sesame oil 200 ml. Make a fine powder by griding cardamom, camphor and vettiver in a mixie. Now heat sesame oil in a mud vessel and once it nears the boiling point and starts to give off vapors, drop the powder into the oil and let it cool. Store the oil in a bottle in a cool dry place. After childbirth, women can apply this oil on stomach, thighs and breasts to strengthen the sagging muscles in those areas. Stretch marks will start to disappear on regular application.

Olive Oil

Olive oil has excellent medicinal properties and is rich in antioxidants. It is ideal for those suffering from blood pressure, ulcers, indigestion, cancer etc. Though olive oil was not used in India, its easy availability these days has resulted in Indians starting to use olive oil both internally and externally. Olive oil is an excellent remedy for skin, especially during the winter and cold season. One way to get the maximum out of olive oil is to mix it with equal quantity of sesame oil and using that mixture to make a paste with green gram powder. This combination of green gram, olive oil and sesame oil can be applied on skin once or twice a week and can be washed off after 30 minutes to one hour. This is found to soften the skin and retain moisture.

Some newborns have black scaly patches on scalp. One can apply olive oil in these affected spots and gently comb the hair. A gentle olive oil head massage once a week followed by a warm water bath will help cure this condition.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Medicinal Uses of Castor Oil

Couple of decades back castor oil was extensively used for treating ailments afflicting people of all ages from newborns to old folks. A drop or two of castor oil was applied on the fontanel of the newborn. Castor oil was applied over the eyes before bathing the newborn. The child was fed milk mixed with castor oil once in two or three days. Up to the age of 12, children were given castor oil once in a month with coffee as part of stomach cleansing. In case of boils that occur during the summer season, castor oil is mixed in hot rice and made into a poultice and applied on the affected areas.

In case of anxiety coupled with palpitation and burning sensation on top of head due to excessive thinking etc, a teaspoon of castor oil can be allowed to soak on the top of head. This is said to relieve mental tension, anxiety and burning sensation on the crown of the head.

When small children suffer from unexpected stomach pain due to indigestion or body heat, instill two to three drops of castor oil into the belly button and gently massage the area in a circular motion two or three times. This brings the pain under control very quickly.

One forgotten use of castor oil is its application on sprained areas followed by hot water fomentation. This quickly heals sprains.

Castor oil and turmeric powder is mixed thoroughly to form a paste which is applied on cracked heels or foot fissures. This is done before going to bed.

In case of choked throat one simple remedy is to prepare a paste of castor oil and slaked lime and apply a thin layer externally on the throat area before going to bed. This quickly clears choked throat.

In case of gas in stomach a take a glass of milk after adding a teaspoon of castor oil to it. Another alternative is to chew and gulp down a spoonful of cumin seeds followed by intake of a mixture of 20 drops of lemon juice, 20 drops of ginger juice and 8 drops of honey. This is another time tested remedy for gas.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Medicinal Uses of Oils

Oil massage once a week helps in relieving body pain, joint pains etc. Just a couple of decades back people in Tamil Nadu used to religiously follow this regimen to keep themselves free of joint pains and body pains. Now with the hectic lifestyle people are not able to set aside the time needed for a relaxing weekly oil massage. It has reached a stage where application of oil to the body or hair is viewed as a hassle and conveniently bypassed.

Oil prepared with herbs like nocchi, basil, cumin seeds, vadha narayana keerai, kuppaimeni etc is very effective in relieving body pain. Regular massage with this medicated oil strengthens the muscles and removes stagnant toxins. Kuppaimeni is a well known herb for its action on skin conditions like eczema, blackheads etc. For relief form body pain and joint pain, massage this oil on the affected area and then follow it with warm water fomentation.

Medicinal Benefits of Castor Oil

Castor oil is used for lighting up temple lamps in Tamil Nadu. It is also used as a medicine. Castor oil is given to pregnant women and children for easy elimination and to avoid constipation. There is a saying in Tamil which stresses the importance of oil. 'Vaithiyanukku koduppathai vaaniyanukku kodu'. If you spend money on oils, you can save money treating diseases and ailments. This stresses the role of oil in preventing various ailments.

Ayurvedic texts stress the importance of ‘Virechana’ a bowel cleansing process once in six months. Castor oil is used a purgative for this purpose. Castor oil is also used in treating stomach pain, abdomen pain, body heat etc. Castor oil is applied liberally in the naval area around the belly button for this purpose. This is said to bring down the body heat as well as relieve stomach pain etc.

In case of inflammation of the eye due to body heat, redness etc, castor oil is mixed with mother's milk and instilled into the eyes. This rapidly cures the redness of eyes. Castor oil is also used in treating dysentery due to 'body heat'. 'Sweet flag' is burnt in castor oil lamp and the ash obtained in mixed in honey and given to the person suffering from dysentery.

Constipation is considered to be the root cause of most of the diseases that afflict modern man. Fast food is one of the prime cause for constipation. Constipation leads to formation of hemorrhoids or piles.

Castor oil is used extensively in treating constipation. It expels accumulation of gas in stomach. It drives out intestinal worms and pacifies vata. It relieves mental tension and cools the body and mind.

My next entry will detail more on medicinal uses of castor oil.



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Benefits of Oil Massage and Oil Treatment

It has been age old practice in South India to apply oil to the whole body with a gentle massage followed by warm water bath. For women, this is to be observed on Fridays and for men Saturdays.

A recent study by Dr K. N. Agarwal of Delhi has shown the health benefits of oil massage on 6 week old infants. The study concluded that sesame oil as the most beneficial of all other oils. Oil massage also helps in increased secretion of thyroid and insulin.

South India is a hot region with very high temperatures during the summer. Rapid deforestation, depletion of underground water, environmental pollution etc add to the woe. The Siddha saints regard human body as a microcosm that reflects the larger Universe. When the earth gets polluted due to the reasons mentioned above, a corresponding disharmony sets in, in the human body too. This is there for all of us to see. The nature strikes back with vengeance; natural calamities and epidemics like H1N1 are on the rise. The three doshas, vata, pitta and kapha get vitiated. Oil massage and bath once a week will help pacify the vitiated doshas to a large extent.

This way of bathing benefits human body and mind immensely. The skin is able to maintain its sheen and luster. The muscles get strengthened. There is improved blood circulation. Oil massage relaxes the body and energizes it. There is a sense of complete relaxation. When the muscles and joints are massaged, the body fluids stagnant at these points move on and toxins if any get eliminated. A relaxing oil massage and bath once a week will keep you energized and alert throughout the week.

Sesame oil, coconut oil and castor oil can be used for this purpose. Take sesame oil and coconut oil in equal quantities. Castor oil of one third volume is added to this mixture. Drop a few pepper corns, betel leaves, a pinch of camphor to this mixture and heat it to a bearable level.

Apply this warm oil all over the body. This should be done ideally in the mornings. Allow this oil to soak into your body for 20 to 30 minutes. Use warm water for bathing. You can add a few drops of eucalyptus oil, or eucalyptus leaves to the warm water meant for bathing.

You can also use massage oils available in the market. These oils are made by adding basil leaves, clove, jasmine, sandalwood etc. They give out a very nice, relaxing aroma.

Abhyanga snan is observed on Deepavali day. It is a full body massage with oil followed by a ritual bathing.

You can wash away this oil using soap nut powder or handmade soaps. Handmade soaps do not contain chemicals that could harm the skin in the long run. They retain skin moisture. I will share some more benefits and tips on oil massage in subsequent posts.

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