Healthy Tongue

I just finished eating the most delicious, juicy peach. It must be summer in Oklahoma! The sense of taste is one of the most precious, but often underappreciated, abilities we have as human beings. To jump-start awareness and boost enjoyment, Yoga and Ayurveda have some suggestions:

Scrape your tongue Oh, yeah, the tongue carries a lot of bacteria, not all of it the bad kind. First thing in the morning, however, is another story altogether. From lack of swallowing, mouth breathing and use of a CPAP, unhealthy bacteria proliferates on the tongue. This contributes to bad breath and makes seasonal allergies worse. Scrape the tongue from back to front seven times first thing in the morning, even before taking a drink of water. Copper tongue scrapers are the best because they’re antimicrobial, but a stainless steel one does the job too. Follow up with

Swish some oil The lipids which make up oil are amazing at releasing and removing bacteria in the mouth and especially at the gum line. Personal testimony: When I swish oil regularly, my visits to the dental hygienist are much more pleasant because I have less plaque on my teeth and my gums don’t bleed during the cleaning. You can buy flavored oil pulling oils, but it’s just as easy to make your own with sesame oil or coconut oil (the same oils you cook with) mixed with a very small amount of essential oils. Plain oil works great too. Place 1-3 teaspoons of oil in the mouth and swish it around and through the teeth. Start with a minute or two and work up to 20 minutes. You can brush your teeth afterwards if you like, but it’s not necessary.

Eat the six tastes Ayurveda recognizes six tastes: sweet, salty, sour, pungent, bitter and astringent. Each one is associated with a different stage of digestion, so eating all six every day not only keeps the taste buds sharp, but also keeps the digestive system humming along nicely. Try these healthy choices:
-Sweet fruits and vegetables, sweeten with honey or maple syrup
-Salty in moderation, especially if you have heart issues or retain water
-Sour citrus, yogurt, cheese
-Pungent radishes, wasabi, salsa, peppers
-Bitter greens, turmeric, dandelion tea
-Astringent pomegranate, unripe banana, black tea

May your tongue be a source of vitality and joy.