I am going through my advanced yoga teacher training and learned of this practice—once I started doing this, I wanted to share with others the benefits.

Jihwa Prakshalana (tongue scraping) has been an important part of the Ayurvedic daily routine for maintaining oral health for thousands of years. It is a method of cleaning the tongue to remove all the bacteria and toxins that accumulate overnight.

The guideline is when you wake up, scrape your tongue five to ten times with a “U” shaped scraper.

Here are the benefits:

1. Reduce bad breath, as oral bacteria lives in the crevices of the tongue and most bad breath comes from the bacteria at the back of the tongue, which is difficult to remove with a toothbrush.

2. Enhance your taste buds by opening up the pores in your tongue. Without proper removal of mucus, taste buds can become blocked and can cause an inability to recognize the taste of food as well.

3. Avoid toxins being reabsorbed in your body. By doing this first thing in the morning, you can eliminate the toxins immediately and boost your immune system.

4. Cleanse your organs. Did you know your tongue is a mirror reflection of your organs? Ayurvedic specialists will look at your tongue and examine discoloration and/or sensitivity of a particular area to determine the health of your organs.

5. Enjoy a beautiful pink tongue. Adding this daily, will over time aid in the overall appearance of your tongue.

It is easy to add the use of a tongue scraper to your daily routine.

You’ll help your body eliminate toxins, massage and awake your internal organs, enhance your immune system and jumpstart your day feeling fresh.

If you want to learn more about your tongue, check out Ayurvedic Tongue Diagnosis by Walter Shantree Kacera.

Kerry Alison Wekelo spends her time managing the internal operations at Actualize Consulting where her Leadership program has successfully influenced a teamwork environment. She teaches yoga regularly at Beloved Yoga and is the author of Audrey’s Journey, a children’s book series focused on teaching kids about compassion and yoga. Visit her website.

 

 

 

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Asst. Ed: ShaMecha Simms/Ed: Bryonie Wise