Oil Pulling: A Simple Way to Start Improving Your Oral and Physical Health


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Oil Pulling: Why You Should Consider It

Oil pulling or oil swishing is an ancient detoxing practice that has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. Originating in India, this method of detoxing is done by taking 1 tablespoon or so of organic cold pressed oil and swishing it in your mouth, as you would a mouth wash, for 10-20 minutes (making sure not to swallow it) and then disposing of it by spitting it out. Rinse mouth out with warm water to get rid of any remaining residue. It is recommended to do this in the morning before eating or even brushing your teeth, but you can choose to do it anytime of the day really.

What oils should you use for oil pulling? 

Well, first off, whatever oil you choose to utilize, you want to make sure that its organic and cold pressed. You don’t want to be using oils that have chemicals and/or pesticides in them because that basically defeats the whole purpose of oil pulling in the first place. Sesame seed oil is deemed one of the best oils to use for oil pulling. This is probably due to the origins of oil pulling itself and how this oil is readily available in India and used for a multitude of things. It also contains many antioxidants but realistically oil pulling with sesame seed oil would be very expensive to keep up with on a daily basis. This is why you can also use other oils such as organic extra virgin cold pressed coconut, sunflower, and olive oil as they also contain a variety of antioxidants.

So how do you do it and exactly how will it benefit me?

Of course you would want to know that or why bother even going through the trouble right? Well, when you first put the oil in your mouth and start swishing it mixes with your saliva, turning it into a thin, white liquid. Lipids in those oils start to draw out toxins found in the saliva. As you swish around the mouth, teeth, gums, and tongue, the oil will continue “pulling” and absorbing toxins. In turn, this will progressively change the consistency of the liquid making it thicker and whiter. When this consistency is reached, it is to be spit out to avoid any reabsorption of the toxins in the body. Again, make sure you spit it out and whatever you do be careful not swallow any of it! There is an assortment of bacteria, toxins, and other residue up in there and you wouldn’t want to reabsorb any on that nastiness!

Tip: I recommend spitting this liquid out in the trash instead of the toilet or sink to avoid plumbing problems. But if you do decide to be a rebellious and spit it out into the sink, I suggest spitting it out directly into the drain while running hot water down the drain to be safe.

As far as what it does, oil pulling detoxifies the oral cavity in the same way soap cleans dirty dishes. Plant based fats are an emulsifier by nature. It cleans the dirt (toxins) out of your mouth, creating an antiseptic oral environment that can help with the appropriate flow of dental liquid needed to prevent cavities and disease.

Here’s an example of what you may experience:

List of benefits from oil pulling:

·Strengthens teeth, gums, and jaws

·Prevents bad breath

·Prevents diseases of the gums and mouth, such as cavities and gingivitis

·May remedy bleeding gums

·Prevents overall tooth decay

·Prevents dryness of the lips, mouth, and throat

·Kills flu and cold germs

·Whitens teeth

·Strengthens sensitive teeth

·May treat TMJ and general soreness in the jaw area

Oil pulling is definitely worth trying out, especially if you are dealing with anything oral related as you could see improvements in symptoms. Of course, it is something that is meant to be done on a consistent basis, as most everything is anyway, in order to see noticeable changes. Some even report seeing major differences in one week. Who knows, you may even end up incorporating this method into your daily life. If you use a mouth wash, you can even switch to oil pulling for a holistic solution to kill bacteria and bad breath since many mouthwashes that aren’t natural contain chemicals that are harmful to the body. Essential oils like peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, tea tree, or clove can also be added to the oil for their medicinal properties they carry. They provide awesome flavor that will add to your whole experience as well! Oil pulling, along with a healthy lifestyle in general, will be beneficial to your life and overall health for sure. I hope you would agree; this is certainly something you may want to consider implementing into your daily routine!

Try This Easy Recipe for Oil Chews: Make it Fun for the Whole Family

 Coconut Oil Pulling Chews

Ingredients you will need:

1/2 cup coconut oil

20-30 drops of therapeutic grade essential oil (peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon, clove, tea tree oils etc.- check with a doc or midwife if you are pregnant, nursing, or before using on children)

Instructions:

1.Melt the coconut oil until just barely liquid.

2.Remove from heat and add essential oils.

3.Pour into silicon candy molds and put in the fridge or freezer to harden.

4.When done, remove from molds and store in a jar.

Use one per day or as needed, to use for your oil pulling needs.

Sources:

-http://www.spiritofhealthkc.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/OIL-PULLING-The-Health-Benefits-of-Oil-Pulling.pdf

-http://wellnessmama.com/7866/oil-pulling/

-http://draxe.com/oil-pulling-coconut-oil/

Article written by: Tia & Tara AhQuin



Amazing Bone Broth

 
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You've heard the old adage "Chicken soup heals the soul". There's actually a considerable amount of truth to this old saying! Most of us haven't even given much thought as to why it was true. Little did we know, the "Chicken Soup" that was spoken about was “Bone Broth”, which, in the present day we are again rediscovering. These old adages came from the era our great-great-grandmothers were raised in. They learned from their mothers, as small children, how to cook one of the main staple meals- chicken soup! I say chicken soup only because, back in that time, chicken was the most affordable cut of meat. Few were even able to afford that. They had much appreciation for what little they had. Since vegetables and animals were their primary source of nutrition, they practiced the method of extracting and demineralizing nutrients through gentle cooking. Therefore, they made it a regular practice to use every part of the vegetable and every piece of an animal. Including the parts of the animal we wouldn’t dream of using. In other words, they had a no-waste mentality and understood the benefits and nutrients that were contained within these foods. Many families kept a pot of broth continually simmering on the hearth at all times. This provided a nourishing base for many meals and it was also a way to keep the broth fresh since this was before the invention of refrigerators. They made broths and stocks to stretch meals. Preparing nutritious soups and stews was the most efficient way to feed a family in that time. This was the context and time frame from whence that familiar adage was taken from.

The practice of making stocks and broths from all varieties of animal parts has been used for centuries. This method of boiling, simmering, demineralizing, and extracting every bit of nourishment as possible, was passed on since ancient times, through all cultures of people from generation to generation.

As the Bible says “there's absolutely nothing new under the sun, what has been will be again.” (Ecc.1:9-10) It's so true! There really is nothing new that we are learning today that wasn't already known long ago by our ancient ancestors, especially when concerning the application of strategies and tools straight out of creation to assist the body in healing. Modern culture is finally catching up to what traditional cultures have known for years… that broth is an inexpensive and versatile source full of nutrients and medicinal properties!

Bone broth may quite possibly be one of the oldest meals on record. Hippocrates was known to extol its value and importance with gut healing. As he once said " Let Food be your Medicine and Medicine be your Food".

The Incredible Health Benefits of Bone Broth 

Besides the exquisite flavor that bone broth imparts into any savory dish, it also;

  • Has an abundance of minerals

  • Fortifies the immune system

  • Enhances digestion

  • Aids in healing and sealing the gut

  • Is a great source of essential amino acids

  • Nourishes all body parts related to collagen. This means joints, tendons, ligaments, skin, mucus membranes, and bone

Additional benefits of bone broth include the following:

  1. Reduces joint pain and inflammation: Courtesy of chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, and other      compounds extracted from the boiled down cartilage and collagen.

  2. Inhibits infection: Has medicinal properties to prevent cold and flu viruses from forming.

  3. Boosts Immune System: Recent studies on cartilage, which is found abundantly in homemade broth, show it supports the immune system in a variety of ways.

  4. Combats inflammation: Amino acids such as glycine, proline, and arginine all have anti-inflammatory effect on the body.

  5. Promotes strong, healthy bones: Contains surprisingly low amounts of calcium, magnesium and other trace minerals, but "it plays an important role in healthy bone formation because of its abundant collagen. Collagen fibrils provide the latticework for mineral deposition and are the keys to the building of strong and flexible bones." –Donna Gates

  6. Helps with Hair, Nail,Wrinkles, Stretch Marks, and Cellulite: Contains collagen to make your skin supple and radiant. This delicious, mineral-rich broth can be used to make soup to support smooth, strong skin and reduce cellulite.

Drinking bone broth makes skin supple. Cellulite is not a result of carrying excess fat. Haven’t you ever seen a thin person with cellulite? It’s common! Most people are taught to choose skinless and boneless cuts of meat and to fear animal fats. This is why even those who are slender will not be able to shake cellulite until they change their diet.

  • Cellulite comes from a lack of connective tissue.

  • The smoothness of skin is from an abundance of connective tissue.

  • Collagen-rich bone broth will supply your skin with the tools that it needs to support itself.

  • Adding feet, animal joints, and knuckles to a bone broth will increase the amount of collagen available.

Not sure what kind of bones to use? 

Any kind will do. You can even use an assortment of different animals. Just make sure that all bones are sourced from animals that are organic and grass-fed or pastured and free-range. Remember, everything that the animal ate, how it lived, and where it lived all factor into the health benefits of your broth!

You can purchase bones ready to cook, or you can collect bones from meals and store them in your freezer until you have enough to build a good stock. Remember to only use bones and feet from animals that are grass-fed/finished or free range.

Make sure the bones, especially large bones, are cut into small pieces. This reduces cooking time and allows more material to become a part of the broth.

Basic Bone Broth Recipe

Cooking Suggestions-

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange bones on baking pan to roast for 30-45 mins.

  • Place bones into a crock pot or large stock pot and fill with filtered water just till bones are covered’

  • Add two-three tablespoon of Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, 32 Ounce - to water prior to cooking. Acid is necessary component in order to extract important nutrients and minerals from the bones.

  • At this time add a good amount of sea salt (The Spice Lab's - ( Food Grade ) Himalayan Crystal Salt - Dark Pink - (Coarse) - Optional Add-ins: fresh or dried herbs, free range egg shells (calcium), seaweeds (dried wakame, kombu, dulse, nori (mineral and iodine) also added collagen and gelatin can be added (Brands such as Great Lakes Gelatin, Collagen Hydrolysate (Beef Kosher). Vital Proteins are reliable sources use only from grass fed cows)

  • Heat slowly. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low to simmer for at least 6 hours. Remove scum as it arises.

  • Cook long and slow. Chicken bones can cook for 12-48 hours, if you have a good amount of bones. Beef bones can cook for 12-72 hours. A long and slow cook time is necessary in order to fully extract the nutrients in and around bone.

  • After cooking for 12-24 hours you have the option of removing meat, marrow, and fat pieces from bones. That can be used in broth, soups, or in other dishes. Place bones back in pot or crockpot and continue cooking bone broth for the duration of time.

  • When broth is finished cooking, remove bones and other additions. Strain broth out with strainer and then pour into glass quart size Mason jars, to cool. Tip: In some cases, it is possible to reuse some bones for next batch especially in the case of the larger beef bones. If the bones haven’t been completely demineralized to the point of becoming brittle and crumbly. Add them to your new bones when making a new batch of broth.

  • There will be a layer of fat that will harden on top of each jar. You have the option to use this layer of fat to flavor up your broths, soups, stews, and gravies. Also can be removed and used for other recipes, sautéing vegetables, frying eggs or omelets, sautéing meats etc. Use to cook with, like you would with any other type of healthy oil or fat. Note: This layer of fat is extremely beneficial in healing and sealing the gut. A great source of EFAS, vitally important nutrient for brain and heart health.

  • Important note: If broth will not be used within a week or so, freeze broth in Ball Regular Mouth Quart Jars with Lids and Bands, quart size Mason jars. When freezing broth in glass jars, only fill 3/4 of the jar to leave room for expansion. Otherwise the jar will crack and explode.

Sip on the broth or use as the base in a nutrient-dense soup, stew, chili, steamed vegetables, steaming ancient soaked grains etc. Use bone broth to perform a nutrient dense healing liquid fast, an incredible ancient medicinal strategy (we will discuss this in a future blog post).

Sources: Article- "Heal your guts and lose cellulite" Donna Gates-Body Ecology Diet