Dr Nijil A.V MS (Shalakya) &
Dr Pavithra Vijayan, B.A.M.S
Two Ayurveda practices are gaining popularity nowadays because of their various benefits, quick action and simplicity of implementation. Gandusha an age-old Ayurvedic practice commonly popular as oil pulling may be often confused with Kavala but are two different practices. The major difference in both are in Gandusha mouth is filled with medicine and retained where as in Kavala mouth is filled with medicine leaving some space for moving or circulating it inside the mouth. For Gandusha a larger quantity of medicine is required than Kavala. Kavala is the procedure of holding a comparatively small quantity of medicine in the mouth, make it move briskly inside and spitting out quickly. It removes the loss of appetite, bad taste dirt and excess salivation from the mouth.
Now a day it is just considered as gargling among common people even though these technics are followed for centuries and offer numerous benefits. Gargle- It is the act of bubbling liquid in the mouth to wash the throat which you do not swallow. The liquid kept in motion by breathing through it with a gurgling sound. The word gargling comes from the middle French gargouiller “to gurgle or bubble” which stems from the old French gargole meaning both throat and waterspout.
Authenticity
In classics, it is mainly discussed under Dinacharya. As a part of the daily regimen, it is advised to do Kavala with organic sesame oil, coconut oil or lukewarm water mixed with powdered sesame seeds in the morning. It helps with any kind of health issue related to the mouth, voice or teeth. The substances usually prescribed for these Gandusha and Kavala are milk, honey, suitable ghee or oils, herbal decoctions-depending upon the conditions. In Sarangadhara Samhita it is told that Gandusha is done with liquids and Kavala is done with Kalka of drugs. According to Ashtanga, Sarangadhara and Bhavaprakasa, there are 4 types of Kavala and Gandusha.
Specific indications
Ø Tilakalkodaka- Dantaharsha, chala danta, vaatika mukha roga
Ø Taila and mamsa rasa-ushna, daha, mukhapaaka aagantuja kshata,visha
Ø Ghee- Visha, burn by kshara or agni, it gives mukha vaishadya and heals the wound.
Ø Madhu- Daha, trishna prasamana
Ø Dhanyamla- Aasya vairasya, mala, daourgandya naasana. Same without lavana will be mukha dosha hara and seetala
Ø Kshaarambu- Kapha apachaya
Contra indications
If a person is afflicted with visha, murcha, and mada, kshaya roga, bleeding disorders, netra roga, ksheena mala, and rooksha mala.
Method of performing Gandusha
ideally done on a warm and hot day and inside a room devoid of breeze. The person is made to sit in a comfortable position. Treatment starts with a neck and shoulder massage and fomentation to loosen up the area. Then face is tilted upwards and prescribed medicine is poured into the oral cavity. Oil needs to be retained retain inside the mouth for quite some time until the eyes start watering and kapha in the form of saliva starts to fill the mouth. There are secretions from karna and nasa due to dosha chedana. This should be done on empty stomach. According to Bhavaprakasa, it should be done till perspiration on the forehead neck and face occur or seven /five/three times till dosha is completely diminished
Tips that can help in carrying out Gandusha/Kavala
it should be done gently, no need to do it forcefully.
Be cautious not to swallow the solution.
Spit out the solution once you finish and wait 30 minutes before rinsing the mouth with warm water.
Benefits
/ Kavala help to balance the affected doshas by optimizing the sensory and motor nerve conductivity, removal of toxins and stabilizing the digestive function. It is known to help in a variety of ways including your holistic oral and dental care. Removes unwanted residue, cleanses the mouth and strengthen the teeth. It have an action on the skin by bringing a glow to your face, helps you age gracefully, cleans ear, nose, and throat pathways. It is recommended in diseases affecting the eyes, ears, teeth, gums, tongue, throat, the inner lining of the mouth, Paranasal nasal sinuses, stiffness of the muscle of the neck and shoulders, drowsiness, bad breath, loss of appetite, dryness of mouth, cracking of lips, hypersensitivity etc.
Probable mode of action
It is having both local and systemic effects but generally more local effects. Exert increased mechanical pressure inside the oral cavity. The active ingredients and chemical constituents of medicine stimulate chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors in the mouth to send signals to salivary nuclei in the mouth. As a result, the parasympathetic nervous system activity increases and impulses send via motor fibres in the facial and glosso-pharyngeal nerves. Trigger the watery output of salivary secretions. The metabolic waste, food debris and deposits as well as superficial infective microorganism gets dislodged and removed from the oral cavity. It maintains oral pH.
FAQ’s
Does it work on wounds?-Stimulate the salivary glands there by secreting more saliva which contains IgA IgM antibodies and Lysozyme. These inhibit bacterial growth in the mouth by acting like antibiotics and protect wounds from bacterial invasion. Increase local defence mechanism of the oral cavity.
Should I practice daily?-It can be Practiced daily. However, ensure that you don’t go overboard and do it multiple times a day.
Any Proof of detoxification action? A study conducted by NCBI(National Centre for Biotechnology Information) encourages oil pulling as it generates antioxidants required to keep the bacteria in check.
Is there any need for expert opinion? Oil pulling is not harmful to a healthy person. In diseased conditions or if you are unsure about how to perform it, you can consult an Ayurvedic Practitioner for guidance.
What are the side effects? As per Ayurveda, it is free from side effects when properly practised. If you swallow the oil it can cause stomach discomfort and diarrhoea because of toxins from the mouth and upper respiratory system. If it is done in excess leads to ulceration, disease in the mouth, excessive thirst and tastelessness
Comments