Ayurvedic Tongue Cleaner

Scraping the tongue removes bacteria and toxic metabolic substances of the gut which are produced over night during the process of digestion, and deposited on the tongue. You can see it during scraping. This white, yellowish, black, bluish or different colour coating is a waste product which should be cleaned away every day; otherwise it will be re-ingested with eating breakfast. Build up of bacteria on the tongue causes bad breath (Halitosis), and according to Ayurveda, various types of digestive and respiratory problems can result from continued re-absorption of these waste products.

An implement to clean the tongue, the tongue scraper has been utilised for thousands of years in Ayurveda as an important part of the morning personal cleansing routine.  In ancient times, people were using the green stem of various kinds of trees and plants, but nowadays tongue scrapers are made from stainless steel, brass, gold or silver.

You should consider scraping the tongue as essential a part of your daily oral hygiene routine as brushing your teeth and using floss.

Using a Tongue Scraper

Cleaning your tongue should be done first thing in the morning, before drinking or eating.  This maximises removal of any ama (digestive toxins) from the tongue.

Hold the tongue scraper gently in both hands, and opening the mouth, place the curved part as far back on the tongue as is comfortable without gagging.  Gently pull the scraper forward over the surface of the tongue to the tip of the tongue.

Rinse any debris under running water and repeat the scraping action 4 or 5 times, ensuring the full surface of the tongue is covered.  When finished, thoroughly rinse the tongue scraper under running water and hang to dry in your toothbrush holder.

Over time and in conjunction with appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes you should find any coating significantly reduced.

Note:  everyone should have their own tongue scraper, for hygienic reasons.  

Cleaning your Tongue Scraper

As with jewellery, your tongue cleaner may tarnish in time.  A quick and effective way to remove the tarnish is to gently rub slightly moistened bi-carb soda (baking soda) along the tongue cleaner, using your index finger and thumb.   Then rinse well with clean water and dry.

Directions:

Step 1: Stick out your tongue

Step 2: Take the two ends of the tongue scraper in your hand and reach the arch of it to the back of your tongue.

Step 3: Scrape forward several times, rinsing the mucous off the scraper between scrapings

Step 4: Rinse out the mouth once you are done and dry the tongue cleaner