From ancient texts to modern routines: Oil-pulling and its ayurvedic revival

Forget expensive mouthwashes and overly complicated routines, an ancient Ayurvedic ritual is making a quiet comeback, and it's showing up in modern bathrooms everywhere. Oil-pulling, or gandusha as it’s called in classical Ayurveda, has transformed from a traditional healing practice into a trendy "oral detox" method embraced by wellness influencers and natural health seekers alike.Once confined to ancient Indian scriptures like the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, oil-pulling is now being marketed with sleek packaging, Ayurvedic branding, and social media buzz. But what’s behind the hype, and is there any science to support it?

Rooted in Ayurvedic wisdom

Oil-pulling isn’t new. Practiced for thousands of years, it involves swishing oil, traditionally sesame or coconut- in the mouth for 5 to 20 minutes to "pull" out toxins.

According to Ayurveda, this helps remove ama (toxins), strengthens the teeth and gums, improves digestion, and even supports overall vitality.In texts like the Charaka Samhita, oil-pulling is part of dinacharya, daily self-care rituals that maintain balance in the body and mind. It was prescribed not only for oral diseases but also for headaches, migraines, asthma, and even skin conditions. The theory: good health begins in the mouth.

Patanjali Ayurveda, a major force in bringing traditional wellness to mainstream India, launched Dant Kanti Gandush Oil Pulling. This ready-to-use formulation blends Ayurvedic herbs and oils like clove, peppermint, tulsi, eucalyptus, and tumburu to fight oral bacteria, freshen breath, and soothe gums. Patanjali Ayurveda has played a significant role in reviving traditional Ayurvedic practices for contemporary audiences.

Founded to integrate ancient Indian health wisdom into modern lifestyles, the organization has brought attention to routines like oil-pulling through a combination of Ayurvedic formulations and public health education. Rather than promoting oil-pulling as a standalone cure, Patanjali has framed it within a broader Ayurvedic approach to preventive care, emphasizing consistency, natural ingredients, and alignment with daily wellness routines.

Its efforts have helped increase public awareness and accessibility of such practices beyond niche wellness circles.

What science says

While large-scale clinical trials are still limited, emerging studies support some of oil-pulling’s benefits. Research has shown that swishing oil can reduce the number of Streptococcus mutans bacteria, a primary cause of cavities. Other small trials indicate that oil-pulling may help reduce plaque, bad breath, and gingivitis, especially when done consistently over a few weeks.

Benefits of oil pulling

Let’s see what people have to say :"I started oil-pulling every morning before brushing. Something as simple as swishing coconut oil for 10 minutes has made my breath fresher, and my dentist noticed less gum inflammation!"— Nirbhay Batra, GurgaonNirbhay’s experience reflects a growing number of users who turn to oil-pulling for its simplicity, affordability, and natural ingredients, often finding improvements in their oral hygiene without relying solely on commercial mouthwashes.