Ayurvedic Tongue Cleansing, Jihva Sodhana

​​Jihva Sodhana, or tongue cleaning, is an Ayurvedic practice that is part of Dinacharya. Dinacharya is a set of rituals performed every morning upon waking.

Tongue Scraper

To clean the tongue, a tongue scraper is used. The tongue scraper is a U-shaped object. There are different materials, but copper remains the best due to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

Upon waking, we often notice deposits on the tongue. These deposits are toxins, anything that has not been digested by the body during the night. Some of these toxins rise and are deposited on the tongue.

Tongue analysis is a common practice in Ayurveda. It provides a wealth of information on digestive health as well as our general health. For example, the color of the tongue can reveal certain imbalances. A brown or black tongue indicates a Vata imbalance, a red tongue indicates a Pitta imbalance, and a white tongue indicates a Kapha imbalance, excess mucus, or the presence of toxins.

Removing these toxins with a tongue scraper helps remove them and prevent them from being swallowed again.

How to Scrape Your Tongue

It’s best to scrape your tongue on an empty stomach upon waking with a tongue scraper. If you don't have a tongue scraper, you can use a spoon.

Scrape your tongue from the back of your mouth to the tip several times to remove toxins. Then rinse the scraper with water and wipe it with cotton.

Once your tongue is clean, you can perform the other steps of Dinacharya.

The benefits of Jhiva Sodhana

• Eliminates toxins and bacteria that accumulate on the tongue overnight

• Fights bad breath

• Removes a stuffy mouth

• Promotes appetite

• Stimulates digestion

• Increases the sense of taste

And you, have you already adopted a tongue scraper in your daily life ?