Daily Ritual: Tongue Scraping

A quick but potent daily ritual that improves oral hygiene in a natural way is tongue scraping. This isn’t something many Westerners do or even know about but it is easy, it is fast, and it promotes healthy oral hygiene.

WHY TONGUE SCRAPE

The tongue is the first major organ in the body to come into contact with food. Undigested food particles that linger upon the tongue can prevent the tongue from fully tasting flavors and contribute to bad breath and create unwanted toxicity within the body. Have you ever noticed a yellow or white-colored coating on your tongue? Now you know what it is!

Tongue scraping, or jihwa prakshalana, is a traditional part of daily Ayurvedic self-care rituals and also a great way to check-in with your body each morning. The color of the coating and the quantity of it is a good indication as to whether or not your body was able to digest the food you consumed the previous day. 

DE-CODING YOUR TONGUE’S COLOR

The coating found on the tongue changes color according to your dosha or constitution. For example, if the ama (toxin) is more on the white side, then it’s related to the Kapha dosha. If the coating is more yellow, that’s related to the Pitta dosha. If it’s more brown or grey, that’s Vata dosha.

HOW DOES TONGUE SCRAPING WORK? 

Scrape your tongue after oil pulling. 

Use either a stainless steel or copper tongue scraper (I use this one).  

Stick your tongue out and allow it to be loose and heavy. Work the tongue scraper from the back of the tongue to the tip of the tongue seven-ten times covering the whole tongue. Apply a gentle pressure but don’t scrape too hard or you might injure your tongue.

After tongue scraping, brush your teeth with a good quality natural toothpaste and enjoy how clean your mouth, tongue, and teeth now feel!

If you want to get personal advice and powerful tips on how to identify your dosha and stay in balance, get in touch!