Using fresh neem (Azadirachta indica) chew sticks as a toothbrush and babool bark (Acacia arabica)/walnut bark as a tongue scraper and for gum massage was a part of my morning routine in childhood. Growing up, I decided that I only needed to use a toothbrush. It was in my late teens that I was once again reminded of the importance of keeping a clear and clean tongue, not only as a part of oral hygiene, but also for optimum digestion and enjoying food. I could not resist that! My Yoga and Ayurveda Guru, Shashi Khosla, woke me up to life, taste, and health. She taught me that in order to enjoy food completely and experience satisfaction from it, my taste buds should be healthy and my tongue free of coating. This is exactly what a tongue scraper does. Once I started using it, I was hooked! My food tastes so much more delicious, my palate has become more refined, and my mouth feels fresh. Thank you, Ayurveda!
The thing is, you cannot go back from it. I’ve been a Tongue Scraper user for the last 20+ years. Every person above the age of 7 can (may I say must) start using it and should have both a steel and copper scraper. (Get the bundle!) These metals and their quality matter. Use the steel Tongue Scraper on days you see cracks and redness on the surface of tongue. Use the copper Tongue Scraper on days when you notice whitish/yellowish buildup, scalloping, teeth marks on the side, dullness/paleness on the tongue. Change your bundle of tongue scrapers every 6 months and wash them with hot water and soap weekly.
