Oil Pulling With Nirgundi Oil In Tinnitus

Our sense organs play an important role to perceive the external stimuli. One among them is our ears. The ear is an organ that helps in hearing along with that it also balances the body.

Tinnitus is a condition that pertains to ears. Tinnitus is not a disease it is merely a condition or a symptom, in which a person experiences ringing, buzzing sound in the ear when there is no external sound. The person may perceive musical sounds but these sounds are usually soft and are of low pitched. Tinnitus can affect one or both ears. Tinnitus usually affects the old age people. The affected index ratio is higher in males than in females. Tinnitus may be constant or intermittent.

According to Ayurveda tinnitus is related to "Karna Naada' a condition explained under 'Karna rogas'. Hearing is the attribution of "Akash mahabhuta" in our body and it is the prime function of Vata dosha. Hence, the vitiation of Vata dosha leads to tinnitus.

CAUSES OF TINNITUS

The most common causes of tinnitus are:-

• Exposure to loud noise
• Swimming in polluted water
• Excessive consumption of dry and cold food items.
• Malnutrition
• Health ailments like high blood pressure, thyroid disorders, other ENT problems, etc.
• Tumors or cysts in the sensory pathway of ear
• Stress and Anxiety
• Hormonal imbalance
• Nerves weakness
• History of ear infection
• Damage to cochlea
• Reduced blood flow and muscle spasm

SOME RISK FACTORS ARE

• Old age
• Habits of alcohol consumption, smoking, etc
• Excessive use of earphones
• Medicines like aspirin
• Excessive ear wax accumulation
• Cold climate

SYMPTOMS OF TINNITUS

• Hearing different sounds like ringing, buzzing, humming and some musical nodes. This is the prime symptom of tinnitus. It may or may not be associated with other symptoms like -
• Insomnia (because of this low pitched sound)
• Headache
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Nausea
• Reduced hearing
• Dizziness
• Occasionally a person may experience pain
• Depression
• In extreme conditions, may leads to vertigo.

DIAGNOSIS OF TINNITUS

1. On a clinical basis with interrogation and examination (with the help of otoscope)
2. Hearing tests - Audiogram is helpful to evaluate the intensity of tinnitus.
3. CT scan or MRI

TREATMENT PROTOCOL AS PER AYURVEDA

There is no cure in modern medicine but there are some herbs in Ayurveda that can manage this condition.

According to Ayurveda, any derangement in the equilibrium of tridoshas leads to improper functioning of the organs and causes disease. In this condition among tridoshas the prime vitiated dosha is ‘Vata’. Here, Vata vridhi takes place hence, we need to take measures to pacify this aggravated Vata.

Management includes - Palliative care (Shaman) and Purificatory measures (Shodhana).

• Palliative care helps to subside Vata with the help of rejuvenating and vatahar herbs.
• Shodhana (Purificatory methods) – Gandusha (oil pulling), Karna purna (instillation of oil in the ears) and Nasya (instillation of oil in the nasal cavity), Shirodhara, etc are beneficial.

EFFECTS OF OIL PULLING

Oil pulling (Gandusha) is one of the Panchakarma procedures. Gandusha or oil pulling means retaining the fluids inside the oral cavity for a stipulated period of time, that helps to eliminate the toxins and pacifies Vata and Kapha dosha in the head and neck region. Let us discuss the benefits that are mentioned in our classics -

Reference:- Ashtanga hrudyam / Sutrasthanam / Chapter no. 22 / Shloka no. 12

As per our Classics, benefits of gandusha are as follows -

• Manya – Treat diseases of the neck
• Shira – Treats all the neurological disorders
• Karna – Manage all the problems related to ears.
• Mukha – Beneficial in oral disorders
• Akshi – Good for eye ailments
• Kantha – Deals with all throat ailments
• Praseka – Helpful in excessive salivation
• Vaktrashosha – And also manage the dryness of the oral cavity.

BENEFITS OF NIRGUNDI OIL IN TINNITUS

Sinduwar (Nirgundi) is the main ingredient of 'Nirgundi oil'. It is a Vata shamaka and rasayan (rejuvenating) herb that helps to pacify the pain, swelling and Vata, it eliminates toxins from the body, beneficial for eyes, ears and promotes the hair growth. This oil can be used externally in various neurological conditions, ulcers, piles, wounds, etc. In tinnitus, it can be used in Gandusha, Karnapurna and Nasya procedure.

BENEFITS OF OIL PULLING WITH NIRGUNDI OIL IN TINNITUS

• As we know, Vata is the main vitiated dosha. For subsiding that Vata snehan karma (Oleation) is the best way, that too with oils. Thus, gandusha with oil is helpful in this condition.
• Gandusha helps to relieve Vata from the oral cavity. As we know, the middle ear is connected to the oral cavity or nasopharynx via the Eustachian tube. This tube helps to relieve the pressure of the air inside the ear. Air is nothing just Vata, thus gandusha helps to pacify it directly from the middle ear, hence it is beneficial.
• This procedure is helpful in managing neurological disorders. Tinnitus may also occur due to the damage of the vestibulocochlear nerve hence, effective in tinnitus.

PROCEDURE OF OIL PULLING

• Initially, brush your teeth.
• Lukewarm the oil but avoid direct heat to the oil.
• Fill the mouth with nirgundi oil.
• Hold the oil until tears appear in your eyes. Then spit it out.
• Repeat this procedure for 2-3 times.
• Afterward, you can wash the oral cavity with lukewarm water.

Time – Prefer in the early morning.

Duration of Gandusha – It varies from person to person but approx 2 to 5 minutes (It depends upon the individual's retaining capacity)

PRECAUTION

• Avoid oil pulling in bleeding disorders and in poisoning conditions.
• The patient is advised to avoid direct exposure to cold wind and weather.
• Avoid intake of heavy, spicy, sour and cold foodstuffs.
• Oil should not be hot.
• Do not swallow the medicated oil.

Oil Pulling - How to do it, Benefits, Precautions & Ayurveda View

Oil pulling involves swishing oil in mouth on empty stomach for 10 to 20 minutes to draw toxins out from the body.

Oil pulling improves oral health, skin and overall health. Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurveda method of treatment. This method was used 3,000 to 5,000 years ago, oils like sunflower and sesame oils were very much effective for bleeding gums, tooth decayed, dried throat, oral malodor, cracking lips and also to strengthen our teeth, gums and the jaw.

In Oil pulling there are two oil pulling methods with different processes. Gandusha and Kavala Graha.

1. Gandusha - in this we fill our mouth with oil. After holding it for three to five minutes we then spit it out.
2. Kavala Graha - In this method, a tablespoon of oil is placed in the mouth for 2-3 minutes swished and then spit out.

HOW TO DO OIL PULLING?

• Firstly the most important is selection of good quality vegetable oil.
• On waking up in morning, the first thing to do is drink a glass of water and let your saliva flow.
• Then fill one tablespoon of vegetable oil into your mouth.
• After that Swish the vegetable oil inside your mouth for around 5-20 minutes.
• Then Spit out the oil without swallowing it.
• Wash and rinse your mouth properly and start with your day.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Many of us don’t know but Oil also extracts oil. Toxins do have oil or lipid too. With oil pulling we attract as well as pull out bad and toxic substances from our skin and body.

Oils like Sesame oil, coconut oil and turmeric all many good effects on body. Sesame and coconut oil along with turmeric oil are used for detoxifying or “pulling”or attracting toxins from our skin. Oils are naturally lipophilic, which clearly means that they attract other oils. Layers of our skin i.e the fatty layers are actual discarding grounds for fat-soluble toxins.

Below are few fat-soluble toxins that are are body gets exposed regularly to are:

• Heavy metals
• Parasites
• Pesticides
• Preservatives
• Additives
• Hormones
• Environmental toxins

When oils are applied to our skin, they start to attract toxic fat molecules to the skin surface thus cleansing them through our body organ -the skin.

WHY SHOULD WE DO IT?

To prevent disease and maintain good health it is very important to get rid of harmful Bacteria, fungi, viruses and other germs that reside in our mouth.

BENEFITS OF OIL PULLING

• Whitens teeth
• Detoxes the body
• Aids hormonal changes
• Reduces headache
• Keeps the skin clear
• Promotes oral hygiene
• Cures tooth decay
• Kills bad breath
• Heals bleeding gums
• Prevents heart disease
• Reduces inflammation
• Boosts immune system
• Soothes dry throat
• Heals cracked lips
• Improves acne
• Strengthens gums
• Prevents cavities
• Great hangover cure
• Reduced bloating/water weight
• Hydrated skin and body

OILS FOR OIL PULLING

1. Sesame Oil - Sesame oil improves hair, skin health, cure dental problems, improve the digestive process, and lower inflammation.
2. Sunflower Oil - Sunflower oil is rich in Vitamin E and low in saturated fat.
3. Olive Oil - Olive Oil Contains Large Amounts of Antioxidants.
4. Coconut Oil - Coconut oil is high in natural saturated fats. By increasing the HDL in the body, it helps promote heart health and lower the risk of heart disease.
5. Cod Liver Oil - Cod liver oil has high Source of Anti-Inflammatory Omega- Fatty Acids.
6. Avocado Oil - Avocado oil is rich in Oleic Acid, a Very Healthy Fat....
7. Cedar Nut - Cedar nut has wound-healing properties, rejuvenates skin and makes supple and smooth, eliminates dandruff, brittleness and hair loss.
8. Canola Oil - Canola oil reduces skin problems and ageing signs like acne, fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes and spots.
9. Walnut Oil - Walnut oil improves blood circulation.
10. Castor Oil - Castor oil is beneficial to skin and hair.
11. Black Cumin Seed Oil - Black cumin seed oil has been used for health. It improves cell growth.
12. Safflower Oil - Safflower oil helps in weight loss and hair care, boost skin quality, and boost the immune. 

PRECAUTIONS WHILE DOING OIL PULLING

• To avoid the formation of biofilm it is important to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth properly after swishing oil inside your mouth.
• Avoid swallowing the oil .After swishing, the oil is full of toxins and bacteria. If we swallow it, it can result in bad consequences for your health.
• Don’t use the oil if you are allergic to it. Avoid it if you are sensitive to it.
• Never gargle. Only vegetable Oil should be swished inside the mouth.
• Oil pulling to be practiced in the morning only, as soon as you wake up. To make it more effective do it before consuming food or fluid.
• Oil pulling is not safe for children below the age of 5 years. Children might swallow the oil and vomit or suffocate themselves unknowingly.