3 SIMPLE AYURVEDIC HYGIENE PRACTICES
Saucha: Cleanliness
The concept of Saucha, or cleanliness is a Niyama originating from the well known text ‘The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali’. The word Niyama translates to ‘positive duties’ or ‘observances’. Essentially, the Niyamas serve as recommendations for establishing a healthy relationship to self & spirit.
Self care is the key to longevity, and adequate personal hygiene is a huge part of that! Intentional and proper hygiene practices help prevent the build up of ama (toxins), which is said to be the cause of all disease. I’m sure we all have the basics down, but here are a few Ayurvedic practices to take your daily routine to the next level.
Neti Pot
Neti Pots are small ceramic pots used to cleanse the sinuses. The nasal passages are lined with a thin layer of mucus that operates as the body’s first line of defense against disease. A nasal wash keeps this layer of mucus moist, clean, and healthy, and will clear lingering pathogens, pollens or irritants from the sinuses. Use of a Neti Pot can also be beneficial prior to a yoga or pranayama (breath work) practice to allow the breath to travel the nasal passage with ease.
how to use a neti pot:
Mix warm, salt water solution inside neti pot. Begin with ¼ tsp of salt per ½ cup of water.
Place the tip of the pot’s spout in one nostril.
As you tip the pot, the solution enters the nasal passage and flows in one nostril and out the other. It is important to keep the mouth open and the head tilted.
Mix more solution and repeat for other nostril.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is referred to in Ayurvedic texts as kavala or gundusha and is the process of gently swishing oil around the mouth to cleanse the teeth and gums. Oil pulling supports oral health by combatting unwanted bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria are attracted to the lipid structure of the oil, so when we oil pull, the bacteria adheres to the fat molecules of the oil, and is flushed away when the oil is discarded! Practicing good oral hygiene is vital to support the rest of our bodily systems. The oral cavity adjoins the esophagus, nasal passages, sinuses, and the intricate ear cavities, so if we can combat the accumulation of ama (toxins) in the oral cavity, we can prevent it from spreading further.
how to oil pull:
Start by putting 1 tablespoon of oil in your mouth. High quality, organic coconut or sesame oil is best. I recommend Daily Swish™ by Bayan Botanicals.
Swish and pull the oil in the mouth, making sure it reaches both sides of the mouth, and in front of, behind, and through the teeth.
Swish for at least 5 minutes for the best results. Work your way up to 15-20 minutes.
Do not swallow the oil. Discard the oil in the trash or toilet, rather than down the drain, to avoid clogging the drain.
Rinse the mouth with warm water.
Tongue Scraping
According to Ayurveda, the simple practice of scraping your tongue each morning is a direct way to remove ama (toxicity) from your physiology. Tongue scraping helps prevent oral diseases, improves our ability to taste and prevents bad breath. The tongue is a mirror of your intestines, so make sure to observe what the coating on your tongue looks like in the morning. A thicker or discolored tongue coating could indicate a doshic imbalance.
how to tongue scrape:
Purchase a stainless steel tongue scraper.
It’s best to scrape your tongue each morning before ingesting any liquids, to avoid washing the tongue coating back into the system.
Scrape the tongue, gently, from back to front!
Repeat daily.
