Oils & Their Benefits:

I have researched a couple of the most popular oils used in oil pulling and have wrote down some (most) of their benefits. This isn't exclusively for oil pulling itself; its also when you have the oils in your diets, use them on your skin or scalp/hair. So feel free to have a read. You may just find it interesting. Or some bits that you never knew. I did :-)

 

 SESEAME OIL:

1.Collagen, Zinc, Copper & Calcium.

Collagen is the key to healthy skin (and ageing!). Zinc in sesame oil can boost collagen production (YAY), zinc is beneficial in the body’s repair process, also can soothe skin conditions, a high content of zinc & calcium in sesame seeds can help prevent osteoporosis. Copper in sesame seeds can help strengthen blood vessels & joints. Copper is also anti-inflammatory, so it helps swelling from rheumatoid arthritis.

2. Oral Health.

Reduce plaque & whiten teeth. Oil pulling, boosts oral health by lessening the harmful bacteria.

3. Antioxidant & Anti-Inflammatory.

Heart disease is partially caused by stress and free radicals (Boo!). Sesame seeds contain a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, called sesamol that's beneficial in battling heart disease & atherosclerosis. Research has revealed that sesamol contains two dozen helpful pharmacologic properties.

4. UV Protection.

Sesame seeds help our bodies protect themselves from DNA damage due to radiation. Obviously still apply your sun lotion, SPF day cream and foundation/tinted moisturiser with SPF in daily!!!

5. Magnesium.

Research reported that magnesium intake decreased the risk of colorectal cancer (FAB). The rich magnesium content of sesame seeds have shown to lower blood pressure. Sesame oil has proven to bring down blood glucose levels in diabetes patients, due to magnesium and other nutrients in sesame seeds. Magnesium is used to decrease the severe spasm in bronchiole tubes by physicians worldwide. The rich magnesium content of sesame seeds can be helpful for those suffering respiratory problems like asthma. (Go Mr Magnesium!!)

6. Digestive Health.

Sesame seeds are loaded with fibre and are key for improving and maintaining colon health. Got to keep eating your fibre to keep it all moving south!! ;-)

7. Been used Culturally for Centuries.

In Ayurvedic medicine & practitioners believe that sesame seed oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Holistic medicine practitioners have been using the oil for treating a number of ailments. Not all regulated! Worth giving all things a try, but don't give up your regular treatments prescribed by your quack!

 

 

         COCONUT OIL:

 

Has antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that come from the existence of capric, caprylic and lauric acids found in the coconut oil. The body uses these acids to combat stress, infections and diseases inside and out. Coconut oil is often used by dieters, athletes, & holistic and registered Doctors. It increases energy & endurance, but the best thing of all it doesn't leave fatty deposits in arteries or the heart and is lower in calories than many other dietary oils.

 

 

Weight Loss.

• Coconut oil boosts the body's metabolism as is relieves stress on the pancreas. Coconut oil has healthy sat fats so food gets completely digested; which aids thyroid function. Coconut oil naturally makes people feel fuller, quicker, than if they had ingested other dietary oils. The coconut diet is not necessarily a "diet" because rather than stopping any foods completely, you just replace your 'normal' oil with coconut oil.

Skin Care.

• Dry skin? Coconut oil is your new best friend! It helps you get rid of skin flaking. Coconut oil is extremely rich in vitamin E. So it clears blocked skin and helps so many different skin complaints (psoriasis, acne, eczema, dermatitis). Coconut oil also helps the ageing process (YAY) face wrinkling and prevents overall skin sagging (DOUBLE YAY) therefore, it is widely used as the basis for skin lotions, soaps & creams. P.S. Great for massages!

Hair & Scalp.

• Lots of countries use coconut oil as a conditioner as it naturally softens hair & moisturizes the scalp which in turn helps with dandruff. Also it apparently helps stimulate hair growth! BONUS! Ayurvedic (traditional Indian medicine) practitioners use warm coconut oil in Indian Head Massages to relive stress, calm the central nervous system & clear your mind.

Bones & Teeth.

• Coconut oil improves calcium & magnesium absorption in the body, fab for dental and bone health. Calcium absorption, by coconut oil use, stops tooth decay & aids the development of strong teeth (So great for kids to use! Natural and healthy!). Calcium and magnesium both being increased together are said to be of benefit to middle-aged women who are at risk of osteoporosis. 

 

I'm going to try both of these oils. I will start with the sesame oil first and then move onto the coconut oil. As you may have read, it is apparently beneficial to swap around the oils when oil pulling, as this is meant to help their effectiveness. I will document my findings as I am doing the oil pulling and what I think of both the oils and if I prefer one or the other. So, watch this space!