[QUESTION]  03/18/2009: Susan from Oshkosh, WI: "Hello everyone! I have become addicted to the site like everybody else. I have a question about oil pulling. I made it through five pages and did not see anything about food grade Castor Oil. I kept thinking about the Cayce remedies and his great results for many ailments using Castor Oil. Has anyone tried it? Does anyone know of a reason it should not be used for oil pulling? My intuition keeps telling me to try it, and I believe that we are often led to the right thing for ourselves. To everyone who is working on healing themselves, don't give up! If one thing does not work for you try again and again. In the trying you reinforce the "health"vibration around you. You are not alone in your seking and all of us who read your posts are pulling[no pun intended] for you and with you!"

03/18/2009: Dianna from Austin, TX replies: "it seems like i read somewhere about someone using castor oil for oil pulling. i don't think it would hurt you. if it did anything 'bad' i think it might just make you have to have a bowel movement. i might try it myself in the morning. usually i use VCO. if you try it please post your results."

03/19/2009: Sueli from Boston, MA replies: "Hello and thank you to all who contribute to this wonderful resource! I have a question regarding blood type and type of oil used. I read somewhere that there is a way to find depending on one's blood type a particular oil may work best for his/her condition (I don't know if this is only true for oil pulling, or if it holds true for ingesting the oil also). Does anyone know about this? Thanks in advance."

03/19/2009: Joyce from Joelton, Tn replies: "Hello Susan, Most castor oil I have seen comes in 2, 4 or 6 ounce bottles which are clearly labeled for oral ingestion, so why would you need one that states food grade when it is clearly labeled to be taken orally for a laxative effect. I agree with the one who stated that the only adverse effect you would likely have with OP with castor oil would be a laxative effect and since you would be expectorating the castor oil it wouldn't be passing through the intestines whereby it causes the laxative action, therefore there should be no laxative effect as long as you don't swallow it.

For me the worst side effect would be smelling and tasting the castor oil because I despise both the smell and taste, even the ones sold as tasteless & odorless. I had too much of the castor oil forced down in childhood, because this was my parents answer to whatever ailed us. Must have been beneficial because most of my siblings are still alive and I am #8 of 10 children and the youngest who is 6 years my junior is now 70 years old. So if you can tolerate the smell & taste, just be sure to spit the used oil out and be sure to let us know what your opinion of it is. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us."

04/12/2009: Vince from Enid, Oklahoma replies: "I have tried caster oil while oil pulling. It makes me very sleepy. After I pull."

03/11/2012: Nightfire The Mad Alchemist from Danville, Illinois, United States replies: "Hi pibbles I use VCO in the mornings for OPing and in the evening before bed I use Castor Oil and like Vince it makes me sleepy.... other benefits I noticed is that it usually helps my teeth if they have been aching and it's so darn thick that when I'm finished my jaw is usually to tired to 'grind' in my sleep which I have had a problem with on and off at nights, that leaves my jaw sore, and with a bad headache but with CO haha, no more."

01/27/2013: Al from Alvena, Sk., Canada replies: "The only thing I have seen regarding blood type and things that are good and bad depending on it are a series of books by Peter J. D'Adamo, the first of which is titled Eat Right For Your Type. The diet information is invaluable to me. Perhaps the oils that are good for your diet/blood type are the same as for oil pulling."

[YEA]  01/15/2009: Louise from Windsor, Ontario, Canada: "hello, i staretd oil pulling 3 days ago,all i can say is WOW, my teeth are whiter already and the black streaks on them disipated, by the way i still drink coffe,presently i use Siberian cedar nut oil (cold pressed)and only use a sip of it for pulling and 1Tsp, internally for tonifyng the organs. amazing !!!"

08/01/2010: Karla from Windsor Ontario, Ontario replies: "Hello,

I also live in Windsor. Can you tell me where to buy cedar nut oil?

Thanks,
Karla"

03/01/2011: Juan from Windsor, On replies: "Hello! I live in windsor too, I am very interested in a natural healthy lifestyle, but I dont know where to get oils and herbs, do you know a herbal store? any help would be much appreciated."

03/24/2013: Sevgilim1321 from Scarborough, Ontario Canada replies: "Here in Toronto there is a new store called Healthy Planet; they sell a great variety of natural and organic products, their prices are quite reasonably and I saw products that I have heard in my life!!!

You may want to give them a call: http://www.healthyplanetcanada.com"

[YEA]  05/16/2013: Sherbert from Houston, Tx: "I started pulling with olive oil on May 5th and didn't like a rancid background taste so I bought coconut oil and like it much better. I have to briefly warm it up to melt it and swoosh about 1 Tbls during my shower in the morning. I have already noticed a few changes in just this short period of time. Will get back with more details soon!"

11/29/2012: Mmsg from Somewhere, Europe replies: "Suzy, it's fine. If you want to do the whole 20 minutes, just take more oil and continue. The spit helps along."

11/29/2012: Wendy from Columbus, Oh/usa replies: "You don't need a whole lot of coconut oil. I use just 1 tablespoon and never have a problem with "spillage", but I've read here on EC that some people use 1 teaspoon. Experiment with amount, and see what works best for you."

11/05/2012: Mary from Toronto, Canada replies: "Hi Nana, what brand of coconut oil are you using? I start a week ago op with Virgin Coconut Oil first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach and I see no improvement, I also take 1-2 teaspoons internally daily and I think I gained weight from it. I might consider changing the brand or the oil."

11/30/2012: Nana from Florence, Al replies: "Hi Mary, I use Organic Coconut Oil (refined) for oil pulling and use the Organic Virgin Coconut Oil (unrefined) when I take my 2 TBS daily. Good luck!"

08/22/2012: Hope from Sacramento, Ca replies: "I also experienced great teeth whitening with coconut oil, but it raised my blood pressure rather severely.

A year later I had forgotten about that and decided to oil pull with it again, as I was going to my dentist in a few weeks for a teeth cleaning and wanted to impress him with my whiter teeth.

Unfortunately, (or fortunately), the office was now taking blood pressure readings before doing the work and my BP was Extremely high and they would not clean my teeth as a result. I remembered about the VCO and have not used it from that day on.

I also do not go to the dentist anymore, as oil pulling with sesame oil, flossing, and using baking soda, keeps my teeth in very good health :-)"

08/23/2012: Mmsg from Somewhere, Europe replies: "Vero, it seems that sesame oil is milder for OP than coconut oil. Switch and experiment. Right now you cannot afford the "detox" stuff."

[YEA]  09/08/2012: Lwcath from Pawleys Island, Sc, Usa replies: "I am also having great results with oil pulling with coconut oil for the last 3 weeks. I have also been doing a daily rinse with hydrogen peroxide. My lower cuspid teeth had horrible tartar that covered the bottom of the teeth. My gums were discolored and receding. Receding badly on the bottom. I never felt they were really clean after the most intense brushing. And I have intermittent issues of gum and tooth pain. My mouth felt better overall after just the 1st pull. 3 weeks later- Now, my upper gums have no signs of receding. My gums are pink and healthy looking. I had 2 troublesome, persistent swollen salivary glands on the floor of my mouth that are now non-existent. All tartar and plaque is gone, with the exeption of one tiny spot on one of the cuspids, and it is diminishing by the day. I told my friend who is a dental hygienist about it. She didn't believe me. So I drove over to her house, and she was amazed. Epecially in the great condition of my gums. My teeth feel so strong! I am a smoker, and my teeth are so much whiter. And when I rub my tongue over them it feels as if I have just left the dentist. Also, when I wake up, no bad breath! I was really scared I was going to ultimately lose some teeth, but now those fears are vanquished. Also, my skin is no longer dry, and my dry hair looks oily if I don't wash it every day. I also have noticed that I no longer have to use eyedrops and chapstick all day. My skin is just so nourished. I also think I am not grinding my teeth at night anymore. Thank you Earth Clinic!!!!! I have to be careful who I tell this story to because I sound like a wing nut. I would never believe it if I hadn't experienced it!"

12/12/2012: Constance from Baumholder, Germany replies: "I want to hear more about the bump under your arm. I have the same and am interested if you've seen any positive results with OP. My PCP know about it and says it nothing to worry about at this time. The mams are always clear and monthly exams prove normal for years. But, I'm curious nonetheless."

10/04/2012: Jowhitney from Portland, Or replies: "On growing bone: see recommended diet by westonaprice.org. The dentist and researcher Weston A. Price watched post-depression malnourished kids grow secondary dentin in their cavity-ridden teeth. Many of us are much less-nourished than we think. Valuable foods like raw milk (see realmilk.com for info and local listings), homemade mineral-rich bone stock and dietary sources of all-important vitamins A & D have disappeared! You CAN re-grow bone. It's a matter of nutrition."

06/02/2012: Citygirl27 from Richardson, Tx replies: "I drink a TBSP of coconut oil in my hot tea a few times a week. It takes me 15-20 minutes to finish the cup. This always coats my mouth, teeth, throat and lips with coconut oil each time. Is this having the same effect as OP? or do I need to do it with cold CO and spit it out? I want to try OP with either this or olive oil, especially if it helps facial skin puffiness! Anyone had these benefits?"

03/04/2012: Cococutie from Cincinnati, Ohio replies: "I know you made this post back in December, but I wanted to post for anyone else who may be going through something similar.

Yes, definately continue on. This is a means of detoxing. Your body is clearning out the toxins built up in your body. Please do not make the mistake of taking cold medicine or anything like that to "relieve" your symptoms as that is just making the process counter-effective."

[YEA]  07/24/2012: Cb from San Francisco, Ca, Usa replies: "Hi, I put it into a plastic squeeze bottle and leave on top of stove just near the pilot light and it melts in about 2 minutes. Also you can leave a glass jar on top of stove too and keep the whole thing melted for use. After reading some of the replies and recently reading Edgar Cayce, I just began using castor oil (glad I used VCO for the last several months first to get used to using any oil at all and knowing how nice it actually feels) and am looking forward to positive results regarding gingivitis and my arthritis. Will give update when I see something."

[YEA]  09/25/2012: Holdemexpert from Irvine, Ca, Usa replies: "I am crossing posting this with Oil Pulling since I did a combination therapy and either or both may have done the trick. I had a medium size abcess right at the junction of the gum and my cheek, above a tooth where a very large filling came out, and the tooth cracked in half.

It wasnt too painful, and not too much swelling on my cheek, but bad enough to make that side of my smile lower.. Almost a bells palsey look. I knew if it got worse Id be in deep trouble and a lot of pain. I started with Oil Pulling using EV Coconut oil, 20 minutes first thing in the morning and 20 minutes last thing at night. It seemed to arrest any growth in the infection, but didnt reduce it noticeably after 3 days. It did make the rest of my mouth feel great, and seems to be whitening my teeth a bit. I had no stomach issues, and I like the taste of coconut.

Since I was anxious to get the swelling down before leaving on a business trip, I tried the garlic method on the 3rd night. One large clove, cut in half, and lightly smashed to release the oils. I just tucked the first half clove in the corner of the gum and cheek. Some burning and tears for the first couple of minutes but not bad (I am a garlic lover to begin with). After 10 minutes I switched to the other half clove. I didnt chew or "gargle" with what was in my mouth, although I didnt spit out much either.

The next morning I thought there might be some minor reduction, but I wasnt sure. By that night it was definitely about half the original size, and this morning (a day and half after the treatment) its totally gone. The gum is almost totally healed, maybe a little bit tender.

I am going to continue with the Oil Pulling, Id like to see if it cleans up the tarter and improves my gums before I go to a dentist so he doesnt prepare a more extensive treatment plan than necessary.

Thanks to all contributors in both threads!"