Oil Pulling with Coconut Oil

Functional Profile of

Oil Pulling with Coconut Oil

Oil pulling uses swishing oil in the mouth to bind and remove irritants, bacteria, and inflammatory debris from the oral cavity. The process reduces oral inflammation, supports the microbiome, and indirectly decreases systemic inflammation through the oral–gut–immune axis.

• Qualities (Gunas)

  👉Qualities describe the felt nature of a substance or practice, and how it acts in the body beyond nutrients or chemistry.

  Absorbing, stabilizing, soothing, cooling, nourishing

  Absorbing – binds irritants, bacteria, and toxins through lipid attraction.

  Stabilizing – tones gums and reduces inflammatory reactivity.

  Soothing – calms irritation and sensitivity in mucous membranes. and reduces irritation-driven gum inflammation.

  Nourishing – restores moisture to dry mouth tissues.

• Physiological Actions

  Primary Actions

  Reduces pathogenic bacteria + biofilm adhesion (lipophilic binding)

  Improves gum tone + decreases gingival inflammation

  Supports oral microbiome balance

  Reduces halitosis (bad breath)

  Lowers overall inflammatory load due to oral–immune connection

  Secondary Actions

  Supports lymphatic drainage of submandibular and cervical nodes

  Improves TMJ relaxation through jaw movement

  Moisturizes dry oral mucosa (especially in dry terrain constitutions)

  Oil binds things water cannot like biofilm, bacteria, inflammatory debris.

• Indicated Patterns by Affinity

  The Primary Indicated Pattern is the main state where this remedy works best. Secondary Indicated Pattern(s) are the patterns that often develop over time when the primary state is left unaddressed. The primary pattern must be supported first, as this allows the secondary patterns to naturally ease or resolve. Affinities are the organ systems and tissues where the remedy acts most strongly.

  —————————————————-

  Oral / Immune / Lymphatic (Primary Affinity)

  Primary Indicated Pattern - Irritation + Dryness (oral inflammation + tissue sensitivity)
  Oral mucosa is dry, inflamed, irritated, or reactive, often from mouth breathing, dehydration, or inflammatory foods. Examples: Gum redness or bleeding when brushing, Bad breath (volatile sulfur compounds), Dry mouth upon waking, Post-nasal drip irritation in throat

  Coconut oil binds bacteria and inflammatory debris while coating and hydrating the gums, reducing irritation without stripping tissue.

  —————————————————

  Gut–Immune / Microbiome (Secondary Affinity)

  Secondary Indicated Pattern - Congestive + Toxic Load (biofilm + inflammatory burden)
  Excess bacterial load or stagnation in the oral cavity contributes to downstream gut or immune burden.

  Examples: Tongue coating, Chronic bad breath, Recurrent sore throat or congestion from post-nasal drainage

  By reducing oral inflammatory load, the immune system is freed to focus on deeper terrain repair.

• How to Practice

  Place 1 teaspoon – 1 tablespoon coconut oil in mouth.
  (Start small if mouth is dry or jaw is tight.)

  Swish gently and don’t chew or gargle.

  Duration: 5–15 minutes (10 is ideal).

  Spit into trash (not sink because oil solidifies).

  Rinse with warm water or salt water afterward.

  Do NOT swallow.
  Oil now contains bacteria and debris.

  Timing:

  Best first thing in the morning before brushing. Can also be used before sleep for dry mouth

  Consistency matters more than duration.

• Balancing Pairings

  Pair with tongue scraping → then hydration to complete the drainage:

  Sole water

  Warm water + lemon + pinch mineral salt

  Green apple or kiwi (enzymatic cleansing)

  Clean → drain → hydrate.

• When to Avoid

  Active mouth ulcers that are bleeding

  Severe TMJ pain (shorten duration)

  If coconut allergy is present (use sesame oil instead)

  After dental extractions or open wounds (wait until healed)

• References

  Peedikayil, F. C., et al. (2016). Oil pulling therapy in oral health: A review. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 10(5), ZE01–ZE03.

  Asokan, S., et al. (2011). Effect of oil pulling on plaque-induced gingivitis. Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, 29(1), 49–52.

  Amith, H. V., et al. (2007). Effect of oil pulling on halitosis and microorganisms causing it. Journal of Oral Health and Community Dentistry, 1(1), 12–18.

  Lad, V. (2002). Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing. Lotus Press.
  → Traditional use of sesame and coconut oil for oral cleansing.

  Guyton, A.C., & Hall, J.E. (2020). Textbook of Medical Physiology (14th ed.). Elsevier.
  → Oral–immune–lymphatic connections.