Happy Wednesday!

It’s health hack time!

Today I have a special tip that is up to 10,000 years old and is called tongue scraping or tongue brushing.

Flavours from foods you’ve recently eaten can stay on your tongue for a while, re-igniting cravings again and again (sneaky right??), so after each meal, gently brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper once a day.

This will massively help crush cravings for sweets and carbs and really anything because it gives you a fresh tongue surface and fresh taste buds with no leftover micro food particles on them that can be reabsorbed and re-ignite your desire for that food again.

Recommended widely by dentists to maintain oral hygiene today, this technique has been prescribed by Ayurvedic physicians for ages. Charaka Samhita, one of the most comprehensive texts on Ayurveda mentions that scraping of the tongue removes ama (toxins), bad breath, and tastelessness in the oral cavity. Brushing your tongue can also prevent potential problems of the oral cavity such as tooth decay and periodontal disease and improve your breath.

Here are some details for those of you that like to go in-depth with things. Source: Ayurveda 101: The Benefits of Tongue Scraping (which is not a primary source reference, however, it is very well written, therefore easy to understand, and accurate).

“What is tongue scraping?

Also known as Jiwah Prakshalan in Ayurveda, this is the practice of gently grazing the tongue with the help of a u-shaped tool or a scraper to remove the debris and bad bacteria, and clear out the surface of the tongue. This is a complementary practice to brushing, flossing, and mouthwash. Toxins that accumulate due to weak metabolism or digestive agni also show up on the surface of the tongue. If not cleared out, they are absorbed back in the system and can lead to diseases and weak immunity.

Benefits of Tongue Scraping

Better sense of taste. Scraping removes dead cells and other unwanted substances and creates space for taste buds to function naturally. One can experience different tastes better and in a more distinguishable way.

Natural color of the tongue. It helps the natural color of the tongue to emerge by removing the discoloration and debris, returning the tongue to its soft pink and clean state.

Removes bad breath. At night while we sleep, bacteria gather in the mouth because the production of  saliva is reduced. Tongue scraping removes these bacteria, which are responsible for creating bad breath and tooth decay.

Immunity Booster. Gradual and consistent building up of toxins, or ama, weakens the immune system by putting it to work continuously against foreign bodies or bad bacteria. The tongue is the first line of defense in the body. Scraping aides the healthy functioning of this immune system.

Better digestion. Digestion of food starts in the mouth. Enzymes present in the saliva break food down for easier digestion by the gut. When the taste buds are blocked due to the accumulated mucus on the tongue, the messaging function of their receptors conveying to the brain to activate relevant enzymes required for digestion of the food is impaired.

Taste bud activation. Active taste buds are also important for healthy digestion because they prevent a host of ailments that contribute to poor digestion and ama formation, and lead to gut related illnesses including constipation. Tongue scraping ensures that the surface of the tongue is clean for taste buds to function better.

Activates organs. Since the tongue is connected to various organs of the body, scraping it gently activates related organs too.

How to Scrape the Tongue

• Stick your tongue as far out of your mouth as it will comfortably go.
• Place the scraper as far back as you can without gagging.
• Exert enough force that the scraper sits flat against your tongue (but not so much that it hurts).
• Slowly pull it forward to the tip of your tongue.
• Spit out any saliva and debris that has accumulated on your tongue, and rinse or wipe off the scraper.
• Repeat 7–14 times, ensuring you have scraped the whole surface.
• Rinse the mouth with warm or room temperature water. You can add rock salt and turmeric for additional benefits. The salt can keep the gum and throat healthier while the antibacterial properties of turmeric helps stave off infections.
• Clean and rinse the scraper thoroughly with warm water.

Dos and Don’ts

• Keep the scraper cleaned and sterilized.
• Do not use it harshly on the tongue, or use too much pressure. If you experience irritation, be watchful of the way you are doing it as you may be scraping too vigorously. The tongue is a delicate organ and needs to be treated gently.
• Use a good quality scraper. Plastic scrapers should be avoided.
• Scraper should not have a sharp outline. This can injure the tongue or increase the roughness.
• Do not share your scraper—consider it an extension of your toothbrush.
• Do not scrape your tongue if you have a mouth sore or wound.

Which tongue scraper is the best?

Tongue scrapers come in many shapes, sizes, and materials—both plastic and metal. Since ancient times, scrapers made from silver, copper, and gold have been used for their antibacterial properties.  Copper was found to be the first metallic antimicrobial agent. Studies have found that bacteria reduce by 80% on the surface with copper scraping. It also helps provide enzymes required for the healthy bacteria to thrive in the mouth and maintains the alkalinity of the tongue. Copper utensils were widely used to store water in ancient times. The significance is now proven scientifically as well. Copper ions have also been found to dissolve lymph congestion subsequently promoting smoother flow of lymph fluid in the lymphatic system, which is responsible for the body’s immune system. For all of these reasons, and because copper is the most authentic to Ayurvedic traditions, it is our recommended material.  We invite you to explore what works best for you and your budget—invest in the best that you can, take care of it properly, incorporate tongue scraping into your daily routine and start enjoying its many health benefits!”

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Hope that was helpful to you!

I use my toothbrush right now to be honest, but you can also buy a tongue scraper online.

Here is a list of the The 7 Best Tongue Scrapers of 2022 By Sarah Bradley.

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Stay safe, healthy and happy everyone!

With so much love,

Agathe xo

“Get FUELLED today for a healthier and happier tomorrow!”

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