Oil Pulling (Gandusha)

What it is

Gandusha is the practice of taking a mouthful of oil and holding it. It belongs to the dinacharya, the classical daily routine, and sits among the measures the texts give for the care of the mouth, the teeth and the gums.

The tradition draws a fine distinction between two related practices. In Gandusha the mouth is filled with oil and the oil is held still, without movement. In Kavala a smaller amount is taken and swished gently around the mouth. The modern phrase “oil pulling” covers both, and in everyday practice the two blend into one: a mouthful of oil, held and moved gently, then spat out.

Where it sits in the day

The texts place this practice in the early morning, as part of the first round of cleansing. The classical order is simple. The mouth is rinsed, the tongue is scraped, and then the oil is taken and held. It comes before food, on a fresh mouth, so that nothing interferes with it and it interferes with nothing.

This is the heart of dinacharya: a short sequence of plain daily habits, each small in itself, that the tradition holds to be worth more together than any one of them alone.

The oil used

Sesame oil is the classical choice, valued in Ayurveda for its warming quality and its affinity for the tissues. It is the oil the texts name first for daily use.

The tradition also fits the choice to the person and the season. Where the constitution runs dry, cold and airy, the quality the texts call Vata, warming sesame oil suits it well. Where heat runs high, the quality called Pitta, a cooling oil such as coconut is preferred, and in the hot months coconut comes into its own. Medicated oils, oils cooked with herbs by the classical method, are used where a particular aim is in view. Whatever the oil, the tradition asks for it to be clean, fresh and well kept.

How it is done

The method is plain. A small amount of oil, around a teaspoon or a little more, is taken into the mouth. It is held there comfortably, or moved gently around the mouth and drawn between the teeth, without force and without strain. Breathing is through the nose throughout.

The oil is held for a few minutes, the classical texts speaking of a span of some minutes rather than a long sitting. Then it is spat out, never swallowed, and the mouth is rinsed with warm water. The practice should always be easy. If it becomes a strain, the tradition says to stop, not to push on.

Good to know

Gandusha is a daily measure, not a single dose for a single day. Like much of the dinacharya, its value in the tradition lies in the quiet repetition, the same small habit kept morning after morning, rather than in any one occasion.

This entry describes the classical Ayurvedic understanding of the practice. It is not medical advice, and anyone with a health condition should speak to a qualified practitioner.

Frequently asked

What is the difference between Gandusha and Kavala? In Gandusha the mouth is filled and the oil held still; in Kavala a smaller amount is swished around. The common phrase “oil pulling” covers both, and in practice the two are often combined.

Which oil is used? Sesame oil is the classical base. Cooling coconut oil is preferred in heat and in Pitta constitutions, and medicated oils are used for particular purposes. The oil should be clean and fresh.

Is the oil swallowed? No. The classical instruction is plain on this point: the oil is held, then spat out, and the mouth rinsed with warm water afterwards.