26 Mar 2024 - News

Ayurvedic Benefits Of Tongue Scraping And How To Do It

Have you ever thought about how your oral hygiene routine coincides with your health?

What if a small daily habit could not only better your dental health, but also improve digestion, immunity, and all-around vitality?

In this article, we’ll dive into the ancient Ayurvedic practice of tongue scraping that has transformative effects on holistic health. We’ll walk you through this age-old ritual and explain how it can change your self-care habits for good. 

Understanding Jihwa Prakshalana (Tongue Scraping) According to Ayurveda:

Jihwa Prakshalana — quite a mouthful for a simple practice. That’s what Ayuverdic practitioners call tongue scraping. In essence, it involves removing toxins from your tongue and keeping it as clean as possible. Ancient Indian medicine heavily revolves around the idea that outwards appearance reflects inward health. The fact that our tongues are considered “mirrors” should tell you how important they are in maintaining balance and vitality.

Health Benefits You Can Expect:

a. Oral Hygiene: Bad breath is something we all dread, but plaque buildup and dental issues aren’t much better either.

b. Enhanced Taste Perception: Unbeknownst to many people, our taste buds aren’t just on our tongues; they’re all over the inside of our mouths! Scrape off any coating or toxins that might be taking away your ability to enjoy food properly.

c. Digestive Health: Saliva plays an integral role in breaking down food before it enters our stomachs. By stimulating saliva production through Jihwa Prakshalana, we aid in digestion and metabolism.

d. Overall Well-being: You’ve probably noticed a recurring theme by now; everything on this list seems to improve “overall” well-being one way or another.

How To scrape your Tongue

a. Choose the Right Implement: Copper, stainless steel and pretty much anything non-toxic will get the job done. Just don’t use a spoon.

b. It’s All About Posture: Standing relaxed in front of a mirror is probably the easiest step to accomplish on this list.

c. Get in There: Stick your tongue out and scrape from back to front, using firm but gentle pressure.

d. Rinse and Repeat: After every stroke, run it underwater.

e. Cover All Grounds: 5–10 times should do it for each scrape session.

f. Clean Up Properly: Finish off by rinsing your mouth with warm water or herbal mouthwash.

Additional Tips by our Partner "Banyan Botanicals"

Make Tongue Scraping A Habit:

a. Add Jihwa Prakshalana to Your Routine: Ideally before brushing your teeth in the morning, but if that doesn’t work for you then try to find another convenient time of day.

b. Don’t Skip a Day: The more consistent you are with scraping your tongue, the faster you’ll feel its effects.

c. Stay Mindful: Like with any self-care practice, be present at the moment and focus on the cleansing sensation as much as possible

d. Find What Works For You: Tongue scrapers come in all shapes and sizes, so experiment until you find one that feels right for your mouth

Incorporating Ayurvedic practices into modern lifestyles isn't easy — especially when it involves something as odd as Jihwa Prakshalana! However, those who’ve tried it swear by its transformative power; they claim that a daily scrape can improve their overall health and vitality tenfold.

Christianne Madrazo. Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, graduate of Mount Madonna Institute, College of Ayurveda in California, and student of Dr. Vasant Lad, one of the world’s foremost experts in Ayurveda.

AyurVida Wellness and Clinic is located in Mission Hills, San Diego, CA.

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