From an Ayurvedic perspective, tongue scraping should be performed on a daily basis. This ancient practice helps to stimulate the internal organs through energetic connections with the rest of the body, improve digestion by increasing your sense of taste, and cleanse the body by removing Ama and bacteria from your oral cavity. In addition, it increases clarity of the mind by reducing heaviness and Ama from the head. Ama refers to any accumulation of toxic residue in the mind-body. When your physical and emotional bodies are balanced, it allows you to expand your spiritual awakening as well. Tongue scraping should be done with a gold, silver, brass or stainless steel scrapers. Never use your toothbrush as this accumulates bacteria and you would be injecting bacteria instead of removing it.

Carole Tetreault, Calder Healing House, www.prairiewellnessretreat.com