Coconut Oil and Virgin Coconut Oil: An Insight into its Oral and Overall Health Benefits

Abstract

Oral health is of prime importance to all individuals. The traditional use of oil in India for maintenance of good oral hygiene has been mentioned in the Vedic literature since ancient times. Oil pulling therapy also known as ‘Kavala Gandoosha’ is a traditional procedure involving rinsing or swishing of the oil in the mouth, which is said to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect thus reducing plaque formation in the oral cavity. Coconut oil is an edible oil that is highly desired and easily available in India and has antimicrobial effect against a wide range of microorganisms found within the body. The growing popularity of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) has opened up new research in its clinical application apart from its role as functional food oil. The present review aims to highlight the general benefits of coconut oil usage and the traditional concept of oil pulling with coconut oil as a supplemental oral hygiene aid and acknowledge the use of traditional medicine as part of primary healthcare.

Keywords

• antimicrobial
• oil pulling therapy
• oral cavity