Oil Pulling: Unlock Natural Oral Health & Detox Benefits

Multiple Oils Tried

62 User Reviews
5 star (41) 
  66%
4 star (3) 
  5%
3 star (8) 
  13%
1 star (2) 
  3%
(8) 
  13%

Posted by Yve (Taunton, Ma) on 01/30/2014
★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I've been oil pulling over a year. Using varies organic extra virgin oil, coconut oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, evoo, 20 minutes in the morning everyday. The result is great! No more bad breath, aches and pains. sleep better (used to be a light sleeper). No more cracked heels. Overall health improvement except my hair. I have very fine, thin hair and short, and used to be able to shampoo when needed, about twice a week. But after two months of oil pulling, I noticed my hair gets stringing and oily next day after wash, it wasn't dirty, smelly or itchy. it looks awful. my scalp is normal. I've tried all the remedies online recommended. that includes baking soda, acv, and dish detergent, nothing works. it only makes the scalp and hair dry because of the stuffs I used. I use rinse just to help smooth the hair for easy combing, not on the scalp. Does this happen to anyone? Any suggestion?


Multiple Oils Tried
Posted by Jannis (Greece) on 07/31/2013
★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Hello everybody at earth clinic. I find your site very helpful and I am addicted to it every day for hours. Before 2 months I had a terible pain in my wisdom tooth, I started immediately oil pulling (after reading about it in this site) and within hours my pain went away. From that day I am oil pulling everyday many times a day, with different high quality oils. My gums are not swollen anymore and I felt better. I am a heavy smoker, and my teeth feel cleaner and whiter now. But my teeth have now many brown stains, (is it beacause they are whiter now?). Some teeth got a bit black like they are rotten, and my breath smell like rot). The last 3 days I feel very under the weather, depression like symptoms (i suffered from depression few years ago). I keep oil pulling in hope that everything is gonna get better. Are these symptoms a side effect of oil pulling? Or is it healing process? Please any similar conditions happened in anybody else? Thank you, I need your guidance.

Replied by Timh
(Ky, Usa)
08/02/2013
2063 posts

@Jannis: Same thing happened to me. Oil Pulling is an effective detox method as well as oral hygiene BUT if one has some type chronic infection or perhaps parasitic infestation, the oil reservoir in the mouth draws those poisons and over-saturates until the mouth and teeth become filthy. In this case, one must always use an antiseptic mouth rinse (natural or synthetic) before and after the oil pull. Hydrogen Peroxide will be one of the mandatory cleaners on your list.

Now, lets back up and treat that chronic infection w/ some natural antibiotic herbs like Garlic, Oregano, Grapefruitseed, Olive Leaf, Pau de Arco, Cats Claw, Oregon Grape Root.

If you get no lasting results from the above list of herbs do a parasite cleanse with Black Walnut Hulls, Clove, and Wormwood.

If you get no lasting results from above, a Colon Cleanse would be advised.

Replied by Jannis
(Greece)
08/02/2013

@Timh from Ky, Usa

Thank you so much for your answer, I was so worried in the thought of quitting oil pulling, as I think it has an overall positive effect on me. I will follow immediately your advice. I have oregano and clove oil available. Shall I add 2-3 drops in the coconut/sesame/olive oil I use for oil pulling everytime? How often shall I use it, and how often should I use hydrogen peroxide as mouth wash? I take good care of my mouth but nothing seems to work (even my gum recession seems worse). I have no pain. Shall I wait for better results soon? or go to the dentist as soon as possible.

Thank you again. Wishing you all the best

Replied by Timh
(Ky, Usa)
08/03/2013
2063 posts

@Jannis: As for adding herbals to the oil pull, I personally began adding Grapefruitseed Liquid Concentrate to my oil for pulling with very good results. After about 15 or 20 pulls the infection in the gums seems mostly gone so I am now cutting way back on the Grapefruitseed. Same with Hydrogen Peroxide; after about 10 swishes with 3% H2O2 (one a day) the need drops to maybe once per weak.

As for infections, the most likely culprit is Candida or Fungal so there is lots of info on treating that here on E.C., but hopefully the herbs I suggested will work fine for you. Extracts will be best.

Your gratitude is most appreciated and do keep us updated as to your progress.

Replied by Jannis
(Greece)
08/03/2013

@Timh, I have both remedies in hand, so I am gonna use them as soon as possible.

I cant help thanking you again, for giving me a prospective continuing oil pulling treatment. I was really stuck what I shall do next.

Of course I will inform you about the progress in my teeth/gum situation. I owe that to you and to everyone in earthclinic community. I wish I will have good news to share. My best regards.

Replied by Jannis
(Greece)
08/17/2013

Hello, to everybody. As I mentioned, I've been oil pulling with different oil (coconut, olive, sesame) for nearly three months now, and I really love it. The problem is that I noticed heavy gum recession and dark stains in my teeth (between teeth and the inside sides on my front teeth)

The dark stains must have come from nicotine and nothing seems to remove them.

I am also drinking AVC, 2 tbsp twice daily also for 3 months

I tried what @timh suggested swishing with peroxide and grapefruit seed extract for 2 weeks but it has not worked satisfactory. (My teeth seem a little whiter but the stains are still there and gum recession is worsening). Thank you very much @Timh for your interest I hope you have another method for me to try :).

Now I am gonna quit Acv, to see if that had something to do with my problems. I am gonna keep oil pulling and gonna keep swishing with peroxide. I don't wanna go to the dentist, I will keep trying solve the problem with home remedies.

Sorry for the long post. Wishing you all the best. Any ideas would be appreciated for fighting the stains and recession

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee, USA)
08/17/2013

Dear Jannis, I am not sure about the stains... But I have something that I am trying for receding gums that seems to be working. I have one tooth from which the gum has been receding for a decade or two. I started using a homemade tooth powder for brushing twice a day. (I don't use toothpaste, just the powder.) My receding gum is looking less receded. I am hopeful that it will be fully healed over time.

Here is my recipe:

1 part myrrh gum powder
1 part black walnut powder
1/2 part cayenne pepper
1/2 part goldenseal root powder

I mix it up and put my damp toothbrush in it and brush. It doesn't taste good and feels very spicy the first few times. But now it feels refreshing to me and my mouth feels very clean. Black walnut is very good for the enamel of your teeth. The cayenne brings the blood for healing (Don't floss right after brushing or you will bleed!) The goldenseal helps with infection. Myrrh is antiseptic. You could do just mix equal parts of cayenne and goldenseal root or even just brush with cayenne. Lalitha Thomas, in her book, Ten Essential Herbs recommends that last two things for receding gums and has found them to be effective.

I have read the brushing with activated charcoal powder is good for whitening teeth. You could add one part of that to the mix. I have done that in the past, but it really makes a mess of the sink, even worse than the above recipe. Let us know what helps you!

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Timh
(Ky, Usa)
08/18/2013
2063 posts

You must first remedy the problem of toxicity in the body and the first place to begin is the colon. Do a colon cleanse and you must improve; here's a link: https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/colon-cleansing.html.

If you were or are a smoker, you will also need to cleanse the lungs. The single most effective way to accomplish this is nebulizing hydrogen peroxide. The H2O2 oxidizes that black tar on contact.

I had one front tooth to become noticiably stained and the general 3% H2O2 swishing didn't clear so I began applying 35% H2O2 w/ a cotton swab. It's time consuming but 5 or 10 min a day for a week cleared my stain quite effectively.

Hope this helps.


Multiple Oils Tried
Posted by Blistered (Chicago, Il) on 02/27/2013

I tried oil pulling for the first time this morning using Meditteranean blend oil, which contains soya, sunflower and extra virgin olive oil. I did this before eating and drinking anything. I swished for 20 mins. , then rinsed with warm water, brushed my teeth and drank three glasses of water. It is now evening and I now have blisters in my mouth. Never had them before. Has this happened to someone else? Am I swishing too long, using wrong oil?? What can I do to avoid getting blisters. Thank you!!

Replied by Cat
(Austin, Tx)
03/02/2013

I had this once when I used sunflower oil and when I switched to virgin coconut oil, I have not had this problem again. I will say, when I eat sunflower seeds, I get a rash around my mouth. I think perhaps that I may be allergic to sunflower seed and oil. If I were you, once my mouth healed, I would go with testing one oil at a time until I found one that did not cause blisters. Many recommend starting with sesame.


Multiple Oils Tried
Posted by Lee (Lake Wylie, Sc, Usa) on 01/04/2012

I would like to thank Earth Clinic and Ted for such a wonderful site. Earth Clinic has changed my life literally! Thank you!

I started Oil Pulling about 5 days ago and let me tell you immediately My clogged up sinuses cleared up drastically! I have lived with stopped up sinuses and all the misery that comes with it for years! Not breathing, constantly trying to clear my throat, just awful. So when I started oil pulling, I could not believe it, I can breathe again! Everyday it has gotten better and better! I started with Coconut oil and alternate with sesame and sunflower oil. I oil pull 2 times a day sometimes 3. I do not take prescription medicine, never ever! I do not believe in the traditional methods of healing anymore. Because the side effects of the medicine are worse than the benefits. Any prescribed medicine I have ever known about is just to treat the symptoms not heal. Home remedies heal! I have not been to the doctor in years because everything I take is natural. I have completely converted over to a hollistic natural way of living.

I recently took my daughter to the emergency room because she hit her head and I was concerned. The nurse asked if she had her flu shot for the season and I said no we do not get flu shots, we choose natural methods. She looked at me like I was crazy. That is ok because we never get sick! By the way, after the doctor looked at her for 20 seconds and did not allow me to ask any questions, the emergency room bill was 1200.00! Ridiculous!

Remember the body is designed to heal itself!

Replied by Timh
(Louisville, Usa)
01/05/2012
2063 posts

Lee, the flu-shot question was quite inappropriate, but the medical industry has the clout to push their agendas on we general public; so it is not wise to be point blank on something like this. I would have said something like "Oh yes, we've been considering that but have not yet made a decision". Rick Perry down in Tx lost his Pres bid on his cervical cancer vaccine mandate for girls not of age or at risk. Obamacare insurance mandate, same thing; loss of peoples/patients choices.

The nurse was just following protocol and pushing the big profits agenda. I had an endocrinologist interrogate me of my medical history concerning several different doctors, and several yrs agone, and their treatment recommendations to the point that I shut my lips and prepared to walk out of the office. It's not about public health (choices), it is about corporate profits! Be very careful how you vote, because health care choices and freedoms are, to some degree, under attack. Join Citizensforhealth. com and singe up for the free newsletter and become active in your constitutional rights for choices.

Replied by Carly
(Seattle, Wa - Usa)
01/05/2012

I could not agree more with Timh -

The flu shot question from the MD's office was out of line. It seems that last year (and this year especially) the medical community - ie big Pharma and the Government - have been SHOVING the flu shots at us like our lives DEPENDED upon receiving them.

They DO NOT.

Research the stats on if the flu shot is effective. You will pull up something like "There is a 62% chance that the flu shot in any given year will be effective".

PLEASE, Dig deeper.... read more....

Statistics being what they are, they are molded to the needs of the person or conglomerate who has a vested interest in convincing you that you need their product.

In fact, the flu shot has about a 12% chance of protecting you. You will find this to be true if you read enough about it, and how the statistics are read / formulated.

Ask yourself if the CRAP in those shots is worth the benefit they MAY provide.

I say emphatically - NO, they are NOT.

Sidebar: My neighborhood Safeway grocery store just constructed a brand new, and very LARGE enclosed room off of the pharmacy for the sole purpose of giving flu shots. We all know how valuable grocery store floor space is. I figure they plan on giving a LOT of flu shots.

This crap makes me insane. No offense to the mentally ill.... I truly do feel insane at times with what is going on in the medical field. It is SO WRONG.

Okay, off the soap box. Thank you for listening to my rant if you have read this far.

Have a wonderful and very healthy day!

~Carly :-)

Replied by Jen
(Bozeman, Mt, Us)
01/06/2012

I too have been driven absolutely crazy by the efforts of the medical community and government with the flu shot. I am recieving pamphlets in the mail for goodness sakes. I am sick to death of them making people believe that if you don't get it you are inconsiderate and dumb... Grrrr. Don't believe the hype. I have gotten a total of 2 flu shots in my life and both did nothing but make me sicker. My kids have never had one and I will never get them one. Back when my two oldest were little and in daycare they did not allow children to get flu shots at all. Thank God since I probably would have been naive enough to believe the hype back then.

Replied by Marc
(Higgins Lake, Mi)
01/06/2012

.... Another point is that a mutating virus means that if you take something for it today, it will have mutated by the next day, rendering the effect of the medicine useless...... but hey, what do we know??? Shots are big money for big pharma, playing on the heartstrings of the not-so-informed.

Replied by Ladyliza
(Granada Hills, Ca, Usa)
01/07/2012
32 posts

I have found something to replace flu shots. I haven't had so much as a sniffle since I upped my vitamin D. Flu shots are approx 50% mercury and there is aluminum in there too. Not to mention the shot only covers a couple of specific strains and often the flu that comes around is a noncovered strain. They are a waste if you ask me. I take 5000 units a day. I started with a 1000 and worked my way up. My doctor tests my levels with a blood test just to make sure I need it.


Multiple Oils Tried
Posted by Letitia (Halifax, Nova Scotia) on 03/07/2011
★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Hey! I have some feedback and a question. I've been Oil pulling with EVOO and Pure Sunflower Oil for 5 days now. I know it's suppose to be Cold-pressed, I'm working on it. I read a blog entry on oil pulling, and how it helped with whitening teeth and over all oral health. I thought BINGO! My prayers have been answered. I have soft teeth, and get cavities pretty easy. I started to do my research before trying it and found this site. I am happy to say that in just 5 days of oil pulling my skin is softer, my teeth are whiter, my mouth feels clean longer, my breath smells good, and I feel more alive!

I did get some detox side effects, like headaches and nausea, but that's about it. The only other problem I'm having while oil pulling is pain in my teeth. I took this to reduce the pain not increase it. Also weird discomfort in the back of my throat. I'm wondering if anyone else experienced the same thing? does anyone know what I should do, whether I should stop the oil pulling, is it making my teeth worse? I don't know.

Replied by Blanche
(Iberia Parish, Louisiana)
03/07/2011

Well, I don't know about why it would make your teeth hurt, but I also get an irritated feeling in my throat when the Virgin Coconut Oil touches it. Just make sure you don't get it back into your throat when you pull, and also if you eat it, eat it with food and it won't irritate your throat.


Multiple Oils Tried
Posted by Bluebelle (Various, EU) on 03/04/2011
★☆☆☆☆

Hello,

what I'd like to know is why I never get any sort of effect, bad or good, after oil pulling.

I have been doing this on and off (mostly "off" :)) for five years now. I've used mostly cold pressed sesame oil for periods of 10 days or so, and coconut oil for periods lasting a week or so.

I kept swishing it around my mouth for half an hour every day.

Now, I know that a week or 10 days is an awfully short time... But after reading many testimonies, here and elsewhere, I've noticed that people started noticing effects right away or after a few days, at the latest.

In fact, the only reason I stopped doing it was because of a total lack of effects, bad or good.

I am very attuned to my body, so I would have noticed even subtle changes.

And I always buy high quality oils (and everything else), so it couldn't have been that.

It is true that I appear to be very healthy. I haven't had a cold since 1999, haven't been to a doctor's office since the early 1980s, have no aches or pains, very good skin and hair, and apparently look more than 10 years younger than I am (I know this because I've actually overheard people talking about me ; )).

But I find it difficult to believe that there would be no toxins in me, because I've been smoking 30 cigarettes a day for years now. :)

I do not cough or anything, my skin looks fabulous, but I am sure there is something that could come out in the open, if oil pulling really works, even after only a week or 10 days?

Anyway, I am going to give it another try starting today. I'll be using unrefined coconut oil. I intend to post again in a few weeks.

Replied by Gean
(Salina, Ks)
03/06/2011

Try oil pulling for only 10 minutes with virgin coconut oil, then spit it out, rinse your mouth well, and drink a quart of warm water. I read somewhere that if you swish for too long the toxins are reabsorbed into your system.

Replied by Mary
(Arizona)
05/04/2013

You wrote that you "swished" the oil. Oil pulling requires that you "chew" the oil like food. Give that a try for a week and see what happens. Blessings, Mary


Multiple Oils Tried
Posted by Jtk (Independence, Missouri) on 02/22/2011
★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I have been pulling oil for about six weeks & though I'm not cured, my condition is dramatically better than on any previous day over the past 10 years.

I first heard of oil pulling in Dr Ott's column in our local newspaper, I then looked it up on the web. I bought a bottle of sesame oil at the grocery that tasted awful as it was pure but toasted. I misremembered what I'd quickly read/scanned on the web and bought a big bottle of safflower oil at a local health food store and started using it. I immediately began to see results and within a week or so my mouth was mostly healed up. The first time in over ten years without constant pain.

Enjoying such remarkable results I started reading more about oil pulling and realized that sunflower not safflower was the preferred oil. The next time I visited the health food store I picked up big bottles of sesame and sunflower and a bottle of hemp oil. I began pulling three times a day, with the very delicious hemp mid-day, in a couple of days I suddenly had day long diarrhea every 30-40 minutes followed by a half day of the same. I quit the hemp oil and my stool firmed up. I continued twice a day alternating between the sesame and sunflower, then I went to once a day first with sesame for a few days then sunflower for a few days all the while my old symptoms were resurfacing though not nearly so virulently. I then decided to revert to the safflower oil that seemed to have done so much good at first and my mouth seems better by the day; not perfect but lots better. Once a day seems sufficient though I sometimes pull at bedtime as well as morning.

My point here is that different oils definitely do different things and those things may differ with the individual. There is no question in my mind as to the power of oil pulling.

To give some idea of my condition:

I have had clinically diagnosed (biopsy) oral lichen planus which has persisted and worsened for more than 10 years. Modern medical science can only offer steroids to lessen symptoms (and the one med- pack I took didn't help at all) or oral steroid ointments, that also did no good. Alternative medicine offers three basic cures that list different countries of origin but all mail out of Pakistan, modest benefit if any. Limiting spicy and acidic foods helped slightly. Various homeopathic, vitamin, colloidal silver and nutritional protocols weren't helpful. A tea tree oil mouthwash did about as much as anything. For much of the time brushing my teeth was out of the question.

My condition has been a never ending series of almost healing for a few days followed by blisters that cover the inside of the cheeks and over the gums which burst and then peel in layers for days & weeks on end keeping the inside of my mouth raw to the point it hurt to drink water and it hurt even more when eating. As I write this I can still find sore spots in my mouth, but I have to seek them out. I am noticing other changes like smelling things I haven't smelled in years.

I am only 6 weeks into this we'll see how it is in 12. JTK

Replied by Dagmar
(Williamstown, Ky Usa)
02/29/2012

I have had great results with oil pulling (sunflower in the morning and EVO at night). To everyone : you may need to boost your immune system withhedge apple doses (2 caps/day for 30 days - twice a year). Dagmar


Multiple Oils Tried
Posted by Metou (Trenton, Nj, Usa) on 01/30/2011
★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Hi,

I just wanted to submit some feedback: I've been doing oil pulling for 2 months. In the first few weeks, I slept much better, and had a cleared up feminine problem. This is notable. I started the first month on organic unrefined sesame oil. The next month, I went to organic extra virgin cold pressed olive oil. Just this week I started with organic refined sunflower oil.

I am coming upon the third month oil pulling, and I seem to have some sort of gland issue: I sweat profusely, especially my feet and underarms, and am having a small odour problem.

Just this week, I have had swollen lymph nodes under my arms. It is painful, and I have been trying not to wear tight clothes till it goes down. I have had this a couple years ago, but not as bad as now. I feel some sort of inflamatory pain in almost all my lymph area- neck, groin as well.

I read how for this problem, you can take 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in a glass of water, with some sea salt. I did that for two days, and nothing happened. I then did just baking soda, for three more days, and still nothing. Except that my face seemed to glow after I took it.

I wanted to share these things. I love remedies for health, ayurevedic cures, and "potions". Thanks for the site, it is a gem.

Metou

Replied by Richard
(Chertsey, United Kingdom)
04/20/2011

@Metou

Glad to see you've committed yourself to this alternative treatment however I felt it was important that I point something out to you.

Many professionals who treat with alternative remedies for example homeopathic doctors, will tell you that anyone who has been using conventional medication/treatments for a long period of time will have accumulated symptoms over symptoms. Basically creating one symptom to mask over another. This is how the pharmaceutical companies treat the ill. They don't CURE the patient, instead they remove the symptom and this usually creates new symptoms which they call side-effects. Side-effects is a clever word because in reality they are just EFFECTS, nothing more, nothing less. These EFFECTS keep the profits coming in. Anyone who has been using conventional treatments for a long period of time will have accumulated many, many, MANY symptoms which are all a follow on symptoms from an original problem they had. Even if they seem completely unrelated this is still the case.

So, as you mentioned in your post, you now have painful lymph nodes under your arms and you say you USED to have this problem before but not as bad as you do now. Well, the way I'm interpreting this is you have managed to get yourself BACK to the original problem where all your medical problems stem from. My advice would be to now visit a homeopathic doctor and explain your full situation because you will now need a homeopathic doctor to cure your Lymph nodes. Once these are cured you will have freed yourself from the pharmaceutical practices. In a sense, you should be incredibly happy that this Oil Pulling has restored your health, located and singled-out your original SOURCE problem.

Nobody but you can make the next choice but if I was you I would stay away from the pharmaceutical treatments because they will just do the same all over again. They may make your Lymph nodes disappear faster but they are NOT curing them by any stretch of the imagination... Instead they will just replace this symptom with another and keep building and building on it with more and more problems.

It all makes perfect sense when you understand. Because you never cured you Lymph nodes when you last had them, they never really went away and over time they have gotten worse. They may not of been visible to you because the pharma companies just hid them from you and gave you other symptoms to worry about instead. Its so so sad when you think about all the people who rely on them for good heath. These people will NEVER get back their peak health until they manage to reverse all the symptoms they've ever had to get back to the SOUCE problem.

People are not supposed to be sick or ill, naturally, this is supposed to be very rare but the public's heath has become a profit based business and they want people to think that being sick/ill is very common and perfectly normal. Speak to any indigenous person about this and they will paint a very VERY different truth for you. :-)

Keep up with the OIL PULLING because now your lymph nodes have returned and reared their ugly head again, this will now begin to fight them so by continuing with this and seeking advice from a homeopathic doctor, you will finally get back your well deserved good health and rid yourself of the evil big pharma's pyramid of symptoms... Actually, very quickly, that's a brilliant way of explaining what conventional medicine does! Picture a reversed pyramid with your medical problem at the bottom point, the pharmaceutical companies push their patients further and further up the pyramid making their symptoms broader and broader. Can you picture it? Its very wrong isn't it? Almost Evil really!

I hope I've helped you :-)
Bless you.

Replied by Knute
(Sacramento, Ca)
04/20/2011

I could not agree more with Richard from UK about the effects of pharmaceutical treatments. (Also, it was good to find that there was much focus on the effects of the highest selling pharmaceuticals in the US in the US news today: The mainstream seems to wake up! )
And, about the lymph nodes - seeking a homeopath is a very good advice.

I would like to add that I have found two excellent things that seems to help very much regarding lymphatic drainage (in addition to many other benefits. ) The first is a good rebounder, the second is what's called a chi machine.

There are many good rebounders to choose from.
First I would educate myself by doing a google search for "rebounder benefits" or "rebounder lymphatic drainage".
You may do similar google searches for benefits of chi machine.
It's wise to have an open mind - combined with healthy a skepticism.
Anyway, having personally tried both a rebounder and a chi machine, I found that they are both very effective.


And, please continue oil pulling, my favourite for over 19 years!


Multiple Oils Tried
Posted by Lilac7779 (Loudon, Tn, Usa) on 10/24/2010

I just recently (within last week) discovered EC and OP. I had Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and tried that. The first day I did 15 min. And when I spit, the oil was yellow. The next day I went 20 min. And oil was still yellow. In the meantime I had gone online and ordered sesame oil. It came in the mail and I tried it and after 15 min. It is white, as it should be. I read on another site where a lady said her EVOO was yellow when she spit. I don't know why that is, but apparently I'm not the only one who maybe shouldn't use EVOO for some reason. I had concerns about my amalgam fillings that I have had for almost 40 years. I was reading other's feedback and it reassured me to know that others were OPing with no problems. Thanks to everyone for all the info. Boy, do my teeth feel clean after I OP.

Replied by Francisca
(Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France)
10/25/2010

Olive oil is greenish so when you pull it will never turn white. At least it never has with me and if you look for information online or read a book you will find out that not all oils turn white. The important thing is that you swish it for a while. It is not even sure that you need to do it for a long time. I think that Ted even advises you to do it short. I would say... Do whatever you feel comfortable with and don't worry about the color!

Replied by Sue
(Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)
10/25/2010

Hi There,
The best oil to oil pull with is coconut oil by far. Coconut oil is anti-inflamatory, antiparasitic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antivirus. It truly cleans your mouth, literally. It's the only oil I used that whitened my teeth. When I started using coconut oil, my teeth visibly turned white within a week. My gums looked healthier and plaque disappeared. If you research coconut oil you will know yourself how beautiful an oil it is. I would never used anything else for this or for cooking. It is also the best moisterizer as well. I look ten years younger since starting to use it as a moisterizer and adding it to my diet, truly. Good luck and keep oil pulling, you are doing your body a lot of good.


Multiple Oils Tried
Posted by Cyngi (Philadelphia, Pa) on 10/21/2010

I have been oil pulling for a week today day #1pain in my head was gone. I feel like I am coming down with the flu , runny eyes /lots of mucus/pain in my shoulder/heel I think I will go back to using sesame oil maybe coconut oil is not good for me , let me know if these symtoms are part of a healing process.


Multiple Oils Tried
Posted by Nicole (New Jersey) on 06/25/2010
★★★★★

This really works - sunflower and sesame oils tried!

I found this site just a week ago after coming home from the dentist extremely frustrated (on top of having a 1/2 numb face for the next two hours). Over the last few months I've been drawn to natural cures actually for my spouse, not myself, to help cure her polymyositis and fibromyalgia (off topic, but magnet therapy is helping). Anyway, after that trip to the dentist I said, "there HAS to be a better way!" Briefly, I'll state my history as having struggled with gum disease for at least the last ten years. It has gotten much worse in the last year. Unfortunately, I had an accident last fall that further irritated two of my teeth that were already slightly loose. When I went to the dentist last Thursday to see what could be done I was really upset that 1) my insurance wouldn't cover a deep cleaning because I'd had one within the last three years 2) I needed to get that cleaning (I agreed) to help keep my teeth clean and 3) that it would cost me ~$500 for just ONE side of my mouth ~ and the total would have been ~$1,600 out of pocket (includes injecting antibiotics directly into eight teeth/gum areas at ~$40/tooth)! Because I thought I *needed it,* I bit the bullet and got one side done but when I got home I was determined to find another way. It was too much discomfort and I didn't want to pay for it if I didn't have to. That's when I stumbled upon oil pulling. I thought it sounded absolutely too good to be true but with all of the testimonials and the fact that it had very little risk why not try it? Well, last Friday morning, 6/18/2010, I started with Sunflower oil. I lasted about 12 minutes. I thought it taste rather bland so I switched to organic, virgin sesame oil the next day and have been using that up until today, Friday, 6/24/2010. My results are as follows:

1-After day one I immediately noticed that my teeth became a little whiter
2-After day two I became really congested and had to blow my nose a LOT. I also had a couple of pimples pop up, which have since cleared. I think the sunflower was better for whitening quickly.
3-After day three I noticed that I was sleeping a lot deeper and had a ton of energy during the day
4-As of last night I noticed that both of my loose teeth are secured. I would say that one is 95% while the other is trailing at 90%!
5-My skin seems a little clearer.

I am ASTOUNDED by these results as I'm 29 years old and was worried to death about losing them. My own sibling who is a dentist in another state told me that something drastic needed to be done or I would lose them. :( Also, a dentist that I was going to every three months up until earlier this year (I've recently relocated) wanted to do a LASER procedure to penetrate the gums and fix the problem. I'm SO glad I didn't do that! The only reason I didn't do it is because the timing was bad with me preparing to relocate and that procedure would have also been ~$1,600 out of pocket. (My sister did tell me not to do laser because it was too invasive and not necessary).

At any rate, that's my report after a full seven days. I'm grateful to not lose my appetite like some others here because I'm underweight and am consuming a lot in order try and gain 10 pounds. That is another journey in itself, but it's coming along now that I'm tracking my caloric intake. OP has made junk food less appealing, which is a good thing. My process is to brush and floss as usual, OP for 5-10 minutes, spit, rinse, brush with water and baking soda and rinse one more time. It sounds like a lot but it's not that bad. Fifteen minutes go by quickly if you just fill it by checking your email. Besides, 15 minutes a day to save thousands of dollars and unnecessary pain is worth it! Oh, I also cut down on sodas tremendously over the last week. I had about three rather than one a day. I drank mostly water - had no desire for soda.

I'm so excited about this I want to tell my family and friends but I'm going to wait until 30 days go by. I know they're going to be skeptical, especially the dentist, but if she can get a hold of my dental records then there will be proof! My wife has now decided to try it. Yesterday was her first day and not more than ten minutes after doing it she felt "different" and had to release phlegm. This morning she woke up with me at 5:00 as chipper as ever, very energetic without the aid of coffee, an energy drink or Adderall. We're both amazed. I do worry that her healing process may be unbearable as she's been struggling with chronic illnesses for at least eight years, but it would worth it if she no longer had to deal with them or prescription drugs with horrific side effects.

Sorry, this post is a lot longer than I intended it to be.

Replied by Joyce
(Indiapolis, In)
02/04/2016

I suggest for you to look up Candida infection it is cause of chronic illness. Earth Clinic has a good write up on using borax to detox from it. Candida is liked to ms, fibromyalgia , and a list of numerous other issues. I had issues from antibiotics and chemo. Started having joint pain head pressure and panic attacks I went to ER 5 times within 2 months to be too nothing wrong. Then I found an article on borax and using it to flush it really helps. I was real sick for a week. It was the die off, I later learned.I'm beginning to feel better. Just read about Candida and the antibiotic syndrome.you will learn a lot.


Multiple Oils Tried
Posted by Jim (Charlotte , Nc) on 05/16/2010
★★★★★

my oil pulling regimine

I use both olive oil and coconut oil togather.(1 tsp ea). This seems to be very effective.My swish time varies from 10 to 20 min. depending on my tolerence for a stong herx, that day. It is clearing up a 4 year problem with leg edema/eczema

jim

Replied by Naturallyme
(Potlatch, Idaho)
03/10/2011
★★★★★

I have been oil pulling with coconut oil for the past week and it has helped me a lot, I usually have a horrible hack from COPD and it seems to really help that, today, I am starting to pull with Extra virgin Olive oil for a change just to try it out. The coconut oil has made my face more radiant, I still have bags under my eyes but they are improving I think.. I will let everyone know how the Olive oil does for me. Also, the coconut oil has made my mouth so fresh, and I take prescription pain releivers for back problems, so having a fresher mouth is a plus!


Multiple Oils Tried
Posted by V.srikanth (Bangalore, Karnataka-india) on 04/19/2010
★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I started oil pulling almost two months back.The following advantages are seen.

1)No bad or sour from the mouth
2)Sleeping habits has improved
3)Frequent urination stopped during night times

Following disadvantage is seen
My eye sight has become dull
We use multiple oils for oil pulling

Replied by Francisca
(Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France)
04/19/2010

Hi, I have started oil pulling again after some problems with a filling in my tooth. First with sunflower oil and now with walnut oil as someone here had had great results with eye floaters. The floaters haven't disappeared (well, I have done it only three days), but I notice that I see a lot less with my contact lenses and that really worries me. Now I read your comment..... can oil pulling affect the eye sight? I thought that it would affect it in a positive way..... Maybe I will stop for a few days and see because I don't want my eyes which are rather weak to get any worse! I never had any problems while I did it with sunflower oil.....


Multiple Oils Tried
Posted by Eveline (Toronto, Canada) on 02/14/2010
★☆☆☆☆

I have been oil pulling for about a year now, switching oils between sunflower, olive, grapeseed. Sometimes it's only about which oil is at a better price. I was quite dismayed to see my dentist this week to find I have an infection in the gum around one tooth. There is a gapping there larger than they like and she said there is some pus in there. She also said that I have less plaque than most people. I would hope that is from using my special toothbrush that I bought last year that is supposed to zap the plague . But this infection thing has me really bothered. I would think that with my religious o/ping there shouldn't even be a remote possibility of this happening. I have been following another famous health practitioners advice and spitting the oil every 4 mins. He feels that keeping the oil in longer will allow the toxins to reabsorb. But reading all the testimonials here and seeing that most everyone pulls with the same Tbs. of oil for 15 - 20 mins. I think I might change that practice. Having been out of work now for 3 months anything that will help save money is a bonus. Using 3 - 4 Tbs. a day makes a bottle of oil go rather quickly.

On an unrelated note, I have been working with a Naturopath to deal with stagnant blood in my system. Not with much success yet but it's been hard to see the Naturopath consistently lately. There are indications on my tongue of liver stagnation. I desperately want to clear that up and since having a very stressful two months moving my aging parents into a seniors home I have had a relapse with very bad pain in both knees (seems to happen whenever I work too hard lifting and schlepping boxes as in a move). They hurt standing from sitting, going down stairs, and when I walk it just feels like the knees are not connected properly and are wobbling all over the place, like a broken marionette. Long walks make it worse. I have tried castor oil packs, take D, E, Omega 3's, ACV, bentoninte clay, drink a green drink every morning with aloe juice, eat lots of raw. I have a suspicion I need to get back off wheat products. I was doing really well on an alkaline diet before Christmas and avoiding wheat but since Christmas have been off the regime there.

Mostly I would wish to have the success many people write about. They oil pull for some weeks and now everything seems cured. As I said, I was shocked and dismayed to find this infection in my mouth. I told the dentist I would work on this and see her again in 3 months. They, of course, wanted to do costly laser repair including freezing etc. I like to have as few "procedures" as possible. But about 2 years ago I lost a back tooth to infection. The dentist was amazed that I wasn't sick from how bad it was when she went in there to extract it. So I was happy to have that out and thought I was on my way to full health. Now another area has got an infection. I just don't get it.

Thanks for any helpful hints. I love this website and have recommended it to many people.

Replied by Joyce
(Joelton,, Tn)
02/14/2010
495 posts

Hello Eveline, from Toronto:

Didn't see any mention of MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) in what you are using and this is good for keeping down inflammation and those joint pains. If you have a farmers co-op store there, check the animal section for it in crystal form and you will probably get it much cheaper than buying capsule form.

Now for that gum infection, having seen hot epsom salts compresses used 4 times a day pull infection out after a red streak was running up the arm, we know that it will heal infection. Since we also know that your body needs magnesium, it is not likely to harm you by using it in your mouth. Hot compresses might prove a little difficult to manage in your mouth but fortunately you can make like oil pulling, only using a supersaturated solution of epsom salts instead of oil. The only downside likely to occur from this is a bad taste in your mouth, but rinsing with water should remove that immediately. Another thing you might want to add to this solution is a small amount of ground cayenne pepper as it also has some anti-inflammatory as well as pain relieving actions.

To make a supersaturated solution of epsom salts, bring 4 ounces of water to a boil. Add epsom salts until no more will dissolve. If you can take the heat, add 1/8th teaspoon of cayenne pepper. As soon as your solution cools enough to hold in your mouth, use it swishing it around in your mouth. You might want to keep it in a jar sitting in a pan of hot water to keep it warm until finished using it. Doing this 3 to 4 times a day should get rid of that gum infection.

Replied by Laurie
(Belleville, Ont)
02/14/2010

Hello Eveline

I don't know if this will help or not...but its worth a try. Its been helping me to reduce a severe infection in 2 teeth (it could only be from 1 tooth, but the nerves sending pain on to the other tooth)

I put 1/2 - 1 tsp Sea salt (I tried table salt..& it made it worse) dissolved in 1/2 a glass of warm water (never hot).
I very gently swish and hold water around the infected area 2-4 times, 3times or more a day. Make sure to spit it all out, I believe to swallow this would only introduce the infection into the body (although I could be wrong)

Don't forget to do the areas on either side too. It may just stop the infection from spreading.

From what I've read in the past... the sea salt helps to draw the infection out. Make sure to rinse with plain warm water afterward too. I'm not so sure leaving any kind of salt in the mouth is a good thing.

Anywhere from a 10 mins to an hour later I can really feel the difference. Either the pain is gone or significantly reduced.

I really hope this does help you.
Good luck to you ..sincerely

Replied by Rob
(Toronto, Ontario)
02/14/2010

it may help to add a few drops of Oil of Oregano into the oil of choice. Not to knock oil pulling too much but I feel many of the claims are placebo effect. Also, flossing would be my 1st choice for oral/gum health. You could even rub a little diluted oregano oil on the floss.

Also use a gum stimulator to get blood flowing into the area. re: pulling...I doubt the notion that it "pulls" toxins from the body. (has anyone ever measured this in a lab. etc) That is not to say it may have health effects beyond placebo.. perhaps it stimulates one of the many glands in the face, neck area..perhaps it provides fatty acids sublingually or ?? but to speak in absolutes without proof is just...sorry to say...religion.

Replied by Eveline
(Toronto, Canada)
02/15/2010

Thanks everyone for your feedback on the tooth infection. I am pretty sure I can get rid of that localized problem. I like to use Neem tincture and will definitely get back to that and work with some of the other remedies mentioned as well. I have no pain or any symptoms of this infection so it was a surprise when the hygienist mentioned it. What I am more concerned with is that there infection at all. It has to mean there is something going on IN my body. Along with the knee pain and stagnant blood diagnosis, I am just flummoxed about what is going on. I oil pull, I take good cleaning supplements, I dry brush massage, I use a rebounder, I do a lot of things that seem right, eat a pretty healthy diet, don't drink coffee, eat dairy products, work at staying off wheat etc. and then I still feel like I'm not winning at having a really healthy body. The knee pain makes me feel like I'm very old and I'm not.

However, I will get to the bottom of this and I thank all those who replied and will definitely get that gum infection gone. Many happy days in this Chinese New Year to all.

Eveline

Replied by Eveline
(Toronto, Canada)
02/18/2010

To The Phoenix from Townsville

Hello and thanks for your input on my issue with the joint pain and tooth infection. I have also been quite dismayed that my healthy lifestyle has not protected me from this incapacitating problem with my knees. Mind you, in 2000 I was in an accident and think that perhaps some of this stems from that situation.

I also have been concerned about the bioavailability of supplementation so will definitely check out your suggestion on borax/boron.

I take it you are referring to F--e's Detox book? I have done so many detoxes in my day, but I am also always still open to learning more and more. Thanks again. Eveline

EC: Yes, he was referring to that book. Sorry, this particular author's name has been edited out of most posts on this site (for reasons that a few of you know about).

Replied by Eveline
(Toronto, Canada)
02/19/2010

Dear Phoenix

Thanks again for a very informed response. I see that you completely understand my feelings of somehow failing with regard to being healthy and appreciate your sharing your experiences. I'm with you. I don't want to do any extreme measures, fasting or denying myself. My metabolism is too sluggish to do any fasting. That slows it down even more. With my Naturopath I am exploring the low body temperature, the blood stagnation with Chinese Medicine and I do hope to be feeling pain free again before too long.

This morning I used VCO for oil pulling and I must say it was a very different experience than using other oils. Not sure that it was as satisfactory. I wonder if you would recommend using VCO for the topical application to joints as you would the PO? I know I did about 10 days with castor oil packs on both knees, which is also very hard to remove and gets on everything, but that seemed to do nothing. I'd be willing to work with the PO however.

You certainly seem to have a font of knowledge and I do appreciate your input on this forum. Thanks again.
Eveline

Replied by Eveline
(Toronto, Canada)
03/04/2010

Good Morning The Phoenix, how are things in Townsville? Have been offline for a couple of weeks (traveling) and was pleased to get your response and further encouragement.

I have been considering the toxic overloads most of us are living with and while I have had all my amalgams removed (which I 'm sure was helpful) we still live in a polluted world. So I'm thinking to somehow get rid of those toxins, without that drastic fasting or detox protocols that are often prescribed. I found a volcanic rock powder called zeolite and have started taking it in the last week. It's easy to take, doesn't have a taste really, has some logical sounding explanations about why it will work and of course, the requisite testimonials. Also it's not expensive. However, I've not seen any info on EC about it and since you are admittedly the health researcher I wonder if you have a view on zeolite? I did search for it here on EC and while there are google pages that show it referenced, I've yet to actually find anything about it here. (it feels like looking for a needle in a haystack.) I would think it belongs on the Remedy page if it's as good as reported.

I appreciated your views on the acid/alkaline balance, giving a thoughtful response to the desire for the perfect pH. It's letting me feel less errant about what I eat. I know I eat better than the average person and so can relax about eating that banana or mango instead of limiting myself to only grapefruits or lemons.

Always great to read your responses and again thanks for your continued encouragement. I am off to give myself a Moxabustion treatment and then I'm going to massage with CO! I haven't continued oil pulling with it as I bought a nice bottle of sesame oil and am working with that this month. I will switch to CO next month and then liquify it first!! LOL that was a weird experience letting it melt in my mouth.

Have a great day.
Eveline

p.s. would love to hear from anyone else who has had experience taking this volcanic powder with it's unique molecular framework.

Replied by David
(Pasadena, Ca)
04/02/2011

I highly doubt that all these testimonials are "placebo effect, " especially since so many of them had already tried other remedies without success (why didn't they have a placebo effect with those?). I've just started this treatment (yesterday), so I can't say anything about its effectiveness. But I can say that everything I've read says at least 10 and more often 15-20 minutes. If you've been doing it 4 minutes, you may not be getting any significant therapeutic effect (like gargling with Listerine for 15 seconds won't kill bacteria while 30 seconds will). As far as "toxins reabsorbing"--that sounds a little farfetched to me--either the oil "pulls" them out or it doesn't. It can't pull them out and then let them go back in, can it? Anyway, I don't think ayurvedic medicine says anything about this idea of reabsorption--maybe if you really overdid it, but I think you should try 15 minutes 2x a day before you decide whether it works for you or not.


Multiple Oils Tried
Posted by Mike (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) on 01/05/2010
★★★★★

Cure for the dentist!

I've been oil pulling off and on for over a year with sesame/sunflower oil. Extreme tooth sensitivity (hot, cold, and warm) completely gone, toothaches from 1 troublesome tooth completely gone, teeth ridiculously clean smooth (stains tartar are gone). I dont think im ever going to the dentist again! I use in combination with a few drops of oil of oregano as i no longer use toothpaste (tried every brand/type of toothpaste, they all aggravated sensitivity and toothache and don't do squat for healthy teeth (in my opinion)).



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