How Scar Therapy Can Make You Healthier

In the office we check for different stressors on the body.  These stressors can interfere with health and scar tissue is considered to be one of the five major stressors.  The reason scar tissue can be a stressor is because it is shown that 80% of nerve fibers go to the surface of the skin.  This abundance of fibers is so dense under the surface of the skin that if one were able to remove the skin from the body without upsetting the network of sympathetic nerve fibers underneath, the individual would still be recognizable.  When a scar occurs and the body heals it, the skin and nerves heal in a mish-mash way creating scar tissue.  It is in the scar tissue that electronic impulses get lost and cannot flow through properly causing stress on the body. The end result can often be a concentration of electrical energy in the area of the healing scar.  Dr. Ulan (the founder of Nutrition Response Testing) refers to this effect as acting like a condenser which collects electrical energy.  As electrical energy is collected in this area it can randomly discharge amounts of this energy.  This random discharge of energy can most certainly upset the control and balance of nervous system. When the nervous system is under stress and the brain is not communicating well with the body healing will be slow.  This is why treating scars is so important.



Considering the effects of scars it is important to realize the following facts.  The size of the scar does not correlate with how much stress it can put on the body.  A small, seemingly insignificant scar may cause a great deal of harm as compared to a large scar which may have no effect on the individual.  So size has no bearing on the effects a scar may or may not cause.  Another important point of consideration is that not all scars cause the electrical stress on the body.  A scar that causes this type of stress we call active.  A scar may be active for a protracted period of time, may be active spontaneously, may be inactive for years and suddenly, for no apparent reason, become active, and vice versa.  When the possibility of scars presents itself, it is important to check and correct the active scars as often as necessary until they no longer present as active.  Periodical checking is also a good idea because of the possibility of their becoming active again later in the future.

Topical application of wheat germ oil or sesame oil, whichever the scar tests for, often will inactivate a scar.  This may occur immediately or take several weeks to accomplish.  Cold laser application is another method of inactivating a scar.  This is done for a period of four minutes, usually done in the office but the practitioner can rent out a laser or have the patient buy one for home use.  

Oil Pulling with Banyan is the Best!

If you don't know by now, I love oil pulling! It's great for the teeth, gums, immune system, sinuses and lymphatic system. Ayurvedic medicine suggests that sesame seed oil is the best and I agree! But because organic sesame seed oil isn't always easy to find I often suggest organic coconut oil. It's easier to find in grocery stores and a lot of my patients already have it at home, using it for their skin or cooking with it. Click to read more about the benefits of coconut oil.

Sometimes when people are sick I suggest adding a drop or two of oregano oil or clove oil to the oil pulling to make the oil pulling even more potent. Sometimes people complain about the taste of the sesame seed oil or that the coconut oil is hard at first so for better patient compliance I was super excited when I found Banyan Daily Swish. It is an organic oil mix specifically made for oil pulling with not only sesame seed oil but also coconut oil. It also has medicinal herbs in it and spearmint and peppermint oil in it too for a minty fresh mouth! We carry it now in the office for $16 a bottle for about 20 pullings, depending on how big your mouth is!

To read more on the benefits oil pulling, click here.

The Benefits of Oil Pulling

Oil pulling was first introduced in Ayurvedic medicine. I finally decided to blog about it as I ask many of my patients to do it. Whether it's for oral healthcare, digestive health, to clear out the sinuses or an immune system booster I've seen it help many patients in many ways!

Oil pulling as we know it today, was introduced in 1992 by Dr. F. Karach, MD. He claimed that oil pulling could cure a variety of illnesses ranging from heart disease and digestive troubles to hormonal disorders. Dr. Karach’s method of oil pulling emphasis swishing, not gargling, the oil in the mouth. The oil is “worked” in the mouth by swishing and chewing it around the mouth and ‘swizzling’ it (pushing it through the teeth) for a period of 15 to 20 minutes. The best time is in the morning before eating breakfast, but can be done before any meal on an empty stomach.

Oil pulling instructions:

Use 1-1.5 spoonfuls of unrefined, high quality, organic sesame seed oil (non-toasted) and 'swizzle" in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Sesame seed oil is the best oil to swish with.  I love using Banyan Daily Swish

Once completed, spit the oil out (we recommend spitting in the trash as it can clog your sink or toilet over time).

Follow it by a thorough mouth rinse with water.  Warm water with sea salt is best.

Never swallow the used oil because it is loaded with bacteria, toxins, pus, and mucous. It is a good idea to brush your teeth afterwards to really clean out any leftover toxins and wash the sink afterwards as well if you don't spit it out into the trash.

Benefits:

Strengthens teeth
Can help reverse gingivitis
Prevents tooth decay/whitens teeth
Strengthen immune system
Improve digestion
Reduce skin problems (acne, eczema, psoriasis)
Reduce allergies
Lessen headaches
Help hormonal imbalance
Clear out sinuses

Tips:

Be sure you are using a high quality, organic, non-toasted sesame seed oil.
Set timer for 15-20 minutes because it's going to feel like a long time and I don't want you to guess that it's been 15 minutes when it's only been 5 minutes.

Precaution:

If you are allergic to a particular brand of oil, then change the brand of oil.

DO NOT SWALLOW.

One of the first cleansing symptoms you will experience is an increased flow of mucous from your throat and sinuses. Mucous drainage is one of the body’s methods of removing toxins. While you are oil pulling mucous may build in the back of your throat. You may even have to expel the oil and clear the mucous from your throat before reaching a full 20 minutes. If so, take another spoonful of oil and continue swishing for a full 15-20 minutes.

I usually do oil pulling when I am feeling sick to help clean my lymphatic system and boost the immune system. Your lymph takes about 7 minutes to circulate through the body. It is important to do oil pulling for a minimum of 15 minutes so you can clean out all of the lymph at least twice. But if during the 15 minutes your mouth begins to tire or stomach becomes sensitive start with 5 minutes and work your way up to 15-20 minutes.