# Kavala and Gandusha (Ayurvedic Oil Pulling)

> Kavala and gaṇḍūṣa are two mouth-holding practices from the daily regimen. Warm oil is taken into the mouth and either swished (kavala) or held still (gaṇḍūṣa), then spat out. Caraka's Sūtrasthāna 5 and a whole chapter of the Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya set out the classical form.

## Key facts

- **Sanskrit name:** Kavala-Gaṇḍūṣa

## What it is

Two related practices, usually met in English under the single label "oil pulling". Vāgbhaṭa distinguishes them: in gaṇḍūṣa the mouth is filled and the liquid held still, without movement; in kavala the liquid is taken in and moved around by gargling. Both belong to dinacaryā, the daily regimen.

## Where it comes from in the classical literature

Caraka Saṃhitā, Sūtrasthāna 5 (Mātrāśitīya Adhyāya) treats oil gargling at verses 78 to 80, within the same daily-regimen sequence as tooth cleaning and tongue scraping. The text says oil-gargling imparts strength to the jaws, strength to the voice, and plumpness to the face.

Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya, Sūtrasthāna 22 is named Gaṇḍūṣādi-vidhi after this very practice. It sets out four kinds of gaṇḍūṣa: snigdha, śamana, śodhana and ropaṇa. Verse 4 lists sneha, oils, among the liquids that may be used, with sesame oil pointed to for routine use. Vāgbhaṭa indicates kavala in disorders of the head, neck, ear, mouth, throat and eye, and in excess salivation, dryness of the mouth, nausea, stupor, anorexia and rhinitis.

## What it involves

About 10 to 15 ml of warm taila is taken into the mouth. For kavala it is swished for five to fifteen minutes; for gaṇḍūṣa it is held still. It is then spat out. It is not swallowed.

## What is used

Tila taila (sesame oil), Irimedādi taila, or coconut oil. Sesame oil is the option the Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya points to for routine gaṇḍūṣa.

---

Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/practice/kavala-gandusha/

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.