Ayurveda
Oil Pulling During Fasting
Yesterday indeed was going through a dull note. Suddenly an email appeared in my Inbox. I opened it reluctantly. What a surprise!! The question posed by this email friend was unique and kept our group engaged through out day with hot discussions and debates. Here goes the question.
Can we do *“oil pulling” after a long fast like *Ekadashi, before breaking the fast ?
Here goes the conclusion of our debate about this question.
The method of fasting during Ekadashi varies from person to person. There are many people in India who fast during Ekadashi without consuming a drop of water. This type of fasting is known as Nirjala Ekadashi. Persons who go out for work prefer fruit fasting. They consume only fruits or fruit juices throughout the day.
The process of “oil pulling”, before breaking the fast is contra-indicated when you fast for long hours without taking anything as in Nirjala Ekadashi. The reason is, Vata gets usually aggravated during fasting. Oil pulling further aggravates vata and does more harm than good. The oil pulling process can be started again after bringing back the digestive fire or agni to normal condition by breaking the fast with light foods.
If a person has done fruit fasting or juice fasting, the oil pulling process has to be done for a very short duration ( for 5 minutes instead of 10 minutes).
Happy fasting and happy oil pulling
*OIL PULLING - This is an ancient process practiced in India to maintain oral health. A table spoon of oil is held in mouth and then swishing it around your teeth for 10-20 minutes. This should not touch the throat.
*EKADASHI - Ekadasi is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Vishnu on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight in traditional Hindu calendar.
09-Sep-2013
More by :
Dr. Savitha Suri
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I do intermittent fasting, 8 hours where I can eat and 16 without eating. Would it be the same principle? So I should not practice oil pulling in the morning? When would it be indÃcate in that case? |
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