THE TOOL: Tongue Scraping is a preventive health technique from the ancient wellness practice of Ayurveda.

WHO IT MIGHT HELP:

• People with a coating on their tongue.
• People who struggle with bad breath.
• People with an interest in good oral hygiene.
• People who wish to stimulate their sense of taste.
• People who wish to gently stimulate their internal organs and digestive system.

RESEARCH & REASONS TO BELIEVE:

• Does Tongue Scraping Actually Work?
• Benefits of Tongue Scraping

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:

I was introduced to tongue scraping after I had my first Ayurveda session for chronic fatigue. I got my tongue scraper from the National Ayurvedic Medical Association board certified Ayurvedic doctor, who is a supplier for Banyan Botanicals. (Reminder: I do not receive anything for my recommendations; they are simply based on my experiences.)

I scrape my tongue every morning as soon as I wake up. Three or four passes across the tongue from back to front with gentle pressure, rinsing off any coating after each pass. There are Ayurveda theories about what the coating on the tongue means about general health based on color, viscosity and location of coating, but I haven’t delved that far into the practice.

However, I do know that if the coating is thick and/or it isn’t clear, it usually means (according to Ayurveda) that your body is dealing with toxins, viruses, bacteria or inflammation. This appears to be true for me, as I cross reference it with how I feel and my Oura ring data.

TIPS & THINGS TO KNOW:

• Scraping the tongue is very straight forward; however, there are a few nuances that come down to personal preference. I prefer to scrape my tongue before I brush my teeth, while others I know scrape after they brush. And since I brush a few times a day, I scrape a few times a day as well as before I go to bed.
• There are different types of tongue scrapers I have tried a few different types–including the plastic ones with a triangular head and a square-ish head–but I prefer the simple metal arch as shown in the link above. It covers the entire surface of the tongue with each scrape, and it’s easy to clean by soaking in boiling water and brushing with my toothbrush a few times a week.

Tongue scraping is an important and integral part of my daily routine. It’s also a simple, easy, inexpensive way to improve health and well-being.