Oil Pulling for Broad Benefits

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The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

David (Anchorage AK) on 01/27/2026:
5 out of 5 stars

I've been oil pulling on and off for about 6 months. I noticed when I quit doing it that my heels became quite rough with cracked flaky skin. I remembered reading here that it is beneficial for cracked heels, and that prompted me to start pulling again. I primarily use coconut oil, and can see improvement in less than 2 weeks. Cracked heels should be added to the list of things it addresses.

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REPLY   3      

North Cascadian (Portland, Oregon) on 01/13/2017:
5 out of 5 stars

I have been doing oil pulling since 2009, eight years. I began with Sesame Oil, but now use Organic Coconut oil. All of the drama of oil pulling happens at the beginning, when I started my sinuses had been clogged for most of my life, basically unable to breath through my nose. When I started op I coughed up so much phlegm! I basically stopped going to the dentist once I started op, my overall health and resilience is quite high. I feel it when I have to skip op for any reason. My technique is once in the morning, before my partner gets up for 15 to 30 minutes. After spitting it out in the toilet I take a glass of warm/hot water with about a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of baking soda mix and then alternate between swishing and gargling until I have gone through the glass, this part often takes 5 minutes.

This one health approach can help so many people! Please try it.

REPLY   27      

Barbyb (Connecticut) on 07/15/2015:
5 out of 5 stars

I am only into my second day of OP and have experienced clean feeling teeth and mouth only. I am committed to this process so I will check back in as I go along.

You might want to try the WO (water only) haircare routine for your scalp problems. I am into my fifth month of showering with water only. My hair has gone through some adjustments but is clean and healthy and the natural wave and curl are returning. My skin is smooth and clear. Body odor minimal and I combat that with the application of coconut oil which seems to help.

I am hoping that OP will add into my WO therapy and I can become healthier. I am 77 yrs old and this is all good.

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REPLY   7      



Cherry (Fort Worth, US) on 03/18/2015:
5 out of 5 stars

Better But With Side Effects

I have been oil pulling about 3 weeks. But, recently I had been itching none stop for the past 2 days. I was wondering is this part of the process because I do not want to stop oil pulling because the way my teeth now feel. Plague stopped building up on my teeth and they absolutely feel wonderful. They feel as if they have had cleaning and a polish. I hope that the itching will stop just as the sensitivity in my teeth and headaches subsided. If anybody can clear this up for me I would be grateful. I have recommended oil pulling to my family and they can see a difference in the color of my teeth.
REPLY   1      

Tigergirl26 (New Jersey, US) on 03/11/2015:
5 out of 5 stars

I started oil pulling 4 days ago with 100 percent virgin olive oil from Italy. I started due to a gum infection. This is a miracle cure! My gums are already feeling better and an added bonus for me is that for over 15 years I have had a little bit of fluid in both of my ears that no medicine has been able to get rid of. My sinuses are draining and one ear is almost completely clear. I feel the post nasal drip and my nose runs in the day clear and this wonderful treatment is not only helping me with my gums, but it is helping me with my sinuses. A small gap between my teeth has also tightened up. I have more energy and I feel better then I have in years. I am only doing it for 10 minutes a day and once a day. I had my husband do it today and I will wait and see his results. I won't be stopping this anytime soon.
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Janine (Perth, Western Australia) on 01/23/2015:
5 out of 5 stars

I'm not sure how I can contribute to this site. But obviously I can't send a message to you. There are so many people that dont believe this. I am not normally an alternate person but I have been trying this for 3 days only. I was due for a dental appointment but the plaque on my teeth is becoming lesses and lesser. I originally googled this for a throat mucous problem which I have had for 12 years and no doctors prescription has been able to fix. 3 days later my throat feels fabulous apart from being quite dried out which makes it hard to swallow but I just buy lozengers. I disagree with the dentists clean and scale treatment that we have here in oz as I think that it thins your teeth down. I am totally amazed by what coconut oil has done so far. I'm sorry to bother you but thank you.
REPLY   6      

Perla (St. George, Utah) on 12/13/2014:
5 out of 5 stars

I've been oil pulling for just over one year. I've been alternating virgin, organic sesame oil and virgin, organic coconut oil for 20 minutes every morning. I'm happy to say that my seasonal allergies are gone, my health has been good and I've noticed white(r) teeth and better skin.

My favorite visible changes are the positive changes with my teeth. My teeth had yellow lines of Fluorosis since my kindergarten picture. (I'd also been given multiple metal fillings in my childhood. I've begun replacing them with porcelain as I can afford to safely remove them.) With OP, I've noticed a lot less yellow as well as the disappearance of vertical grooves on my teeth.

I'd also developed a couple of growths on my cheek about 10 years ago. After about 8 months of OP I noticed the growths were getting smaller. One of them is almost gone, the other remains but seems to be decreasing.

If teeth and mouth health is indicative of the health of our entire body, my health is improving. I recommend this process to anyone that is interested!

REPLY   14      

Borovinka (Ireland) on 12/05/2014:
5 out of 5 stars

Hey everyone. I totally enjoyed all the input about Oil Pulling over the years by you folks. Thank you so much for making me try it. It's time for me to share my experience.

I only started 3 week ago (3 times a day with coconut and sesame oil alternated) and I am in awe.

So far it's mostly about my mouth. It killed any sign of bad breath which happened during the day after eating, drinking lots of coffee or tea, or after I got up first thing in the morning, you know the feeling :) My solution used to be a chewing gum :) Now, for some magic reason my breath stays fresh.

My mouth feels so so good now I can't even describe it. I don't buy chewing gums anymore :)

My teeth are so much whiter, I can't believe it but I can see it and not only me :)

I have two very old veneers that have brightened up, I suppose they too took the toll of my bad habits over the years but the OP has freshened them up tremendously. The strange thing is that when I had my veneers put in, I first had a laser whitening of the rest of my teeth and my veneers were matched in colour afterwards. Everything was very white at the time.

Over the years, my veneers became the "whitest" ones in my mouth, talking about 10 years after the laser whitening but if I have to be honest the darkening effect happened not longer than two years within the laser whitening.

Within the 2nd week of OP my teeth matched the veneers and I was pretty happy and astonished about it. Right now after 3 weeks of OP, my veneers are the darkest just by a shade on day light, even took pictures myself to keep it as proof. If I go on with OP I may have a problem :)

I'd really love to know scientifically how does OP whiten teeth because the results are undisputable.

Additionally my gums stopped bleeding when I brush. It did take two full weeks for that to happen though and I didn't have bad looking gums to start with prior except my bottom molars. I was actually still bleeding two weeks into OP when reading comments online and still not believing them because it still wasn't working for me at that time, and that was the reason I had started OP.

But guys, be patient and try it for as long as you can endure because I am blood free right now as far as my gums go :)

I would guess it would take longer for receding or damaged gums but mine were at a point of receding. I had a few brown notches at the bottom teeth and the gums of my molars looked like an old man's belly, bottom of my teeth exposed and I could dig into them with my brush and it was painful, the gums were so low and literally hanging at the sides rather than being attached to the teeth. They've crept up now and they've attached themselves back up which is pretty amazing and I feel no pain when brushing at them at all anymore. The brown parts near the gum line have disappeared too. I can't measure it by a gum probe as I never did ask at the dentist and he never bothered saying anything but I can see my gums literally growing up so it's a proof good enough for me. The only worry I have is if I have to dig into the gums now when I brush to clean those notches because they were like a tiny cut and may hold bacteria. I am going to have to see what happens but I have no fear because it used to be worse than that :) And I'll let you know one day :)

I want to mention that the sensitivity of my teeth increased tremendously at first with OP. I was pretty much scared for a few days that the oil is doing something bad for my teeth. I could feel it like you could feel alcohol on an opened wound. It felt like an extensive dental cleaning or when you have your teeth whitened professionally. However, after two weeks this absolutely stopped all of a sudden and I felt absolutely better than I could ever remember. I have 0 sensitivity now to anything at all, so don't let similar experience scare you. It's seems like a healing process.

And on top of all that, my nose is clear of any stiffness. My nose used to start running like water after the morning OP session, I had to spit the oil out midways and get another dose. I didn't have a sinus problem, at least I didn't think so, but I had a problem with liquid from my nose going down my throat when I went to bed which caused breathing problems while I sleep. The OP, whether because of the movement of the face muscles or something else causes a drainage almost like a water flow after OP. Right now I actually breath a lot better and I hadn't realised before OP how much my nose is a part of that.

So I totally, totally recommend OP to everyone that is not a sceptic, can incorporate it into their routine and cares at least about their mouth.

I've been calling my relatives and my friends and telling them to try it, sounding like I've got an Oil Pulling disease :). They may think I am crazy but whoever tries it will be thankful in the long run for one reason or another:)

And on a side note, because I am still a sceptic about detoxifying effects, I need to mention I got quite a few headaches at the start and I am not a headache person, hence I noticed. It could have been a coincidence but I want to mention it.

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K Hagan (New Jersey, US) on 12/01/2014:
5 out of 5 stars

I read about oil pulling about six years ago. At that time, I oil pulled with sesame oil for a few weeks but stopped because I read somewhere that it messes up your tooth enamel. I had a post nasal drip. It cleared my nasal passage and I coughed up mucus. About four months ago, I started experiencing joint pain in my hips. I considered going to the doctors but decided to explore earth clinic once again. I have been oil pulling for the past two months with organic coconut oil. My nasal passage is clear, I coughed up mucus, (my mucus went from green to clear in color), fresher breath, whiter teeth, gums are not as sensitive, joint pain in my hips is 90% better and I less back pain too. I plan to continue oil pulling and try different oils. I am so thankful for this website. It has saved me and my children money and time spent at the doctors office.
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Julie (Clarksburg, Md) on 04/21/2014:
5 out of 5 stars

I have been oil pulling for approximately one month and my teeth feel wonderful and the cleanest they ever felt. My skin is so clear and my brown spots on my hand and arm are fading. I no longer get headaches. My nasal passages are always clean - no allergy headaches this spring! The arthritis in my knees are so much better. I am also sleeping better. I will continue to do this. Its the best thing ever!!!!!! LOVE IT!
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Sam (Uk) on 04/15/2014:
5 out of 5 stars

I wanted to write in with my own personal experience of oil pulling used in combination with my home made toothpaste which I have been doing for about 12 months now. I found the basis of my toothpaste here on earthclinic and from other research I did on the internet.

I can personally attest to the benefits of oil pulling. Definitely whiter teeth, at least two shades whiter and the oil removed the majority of stains within the first two months of use from a past history of having smoked for many years. No tartar ever since I started. The other thing it definitely does is remove particles of food which become lodged at the back of the mouth and tongue which can be missed when brushing the teeth and tongue .. oil pulling can also dislodge tonsil stones which you never knew you had. All these things can be missed and contribute to bad breath. Other things to note, while oil pulling, it will bring up phlegm which can also contribute to bad breath.

If oil pulling is done regularly and consistently with diligence .. properly .. swishing around the mouth for at least 15 - 20 minutes every night before bed you never wake up with bad breath in the morning. Gums are definitely healthier and pinker and has relieved mild tooth pain every single time.

My oil pulling regime has been done while I shower in an evening before bed and every morning when I wake up. Alongside oil pulling I have been using my homemade toothpaste. Sometimes I take my home made toothpaste and add it to my swishing mixture in my mouth which further adds to my oral hygiene routine. I am sure there are other things which have improved or that I have benefited from since I have been oil pulling which I have forgotten to add, for now this is my year long experience.

Note .. tongue brushing must be included in oral hygiene routines for good oral and dental health.

Thank you also earthclinic for having such a wonderfully diverse and informative site which helped me immensely in my journey towards better health.

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Layla14 (San Jose, Ca) on 03/11/2014:
5 out of 5 stars

Better But With Side Effects

I am 28 yrs. old, female at around 148 lbs., 5'5". I am pretty healthy overall, with minor skin concerns. I made a choice to start trying different types of Ayurvedic therapy and to start using more organic body products without all the chemical/parabens. I firmly believe that I can be healthier (along with a clean diet & exercise of course) without relying on medicine/chemical crap, so that is the reason why I have taken it upon myself to do research on Ayurveda & holistic health :)

Currently suffer from certain things: occasional dandruff, some scalp psoriasis, oily skin, keratosis pilaris (upper arm), fatigue, unhealthy weight (in my opinion, I want to be at 130 lbs.), occasional mood and mild depression. Also my knee joints will start hurting if I put too much stress on them (i.e running more than 5 miles). I also feel that I drink too much alcohol/usually social binge drinking weekends and sometimes weekdays. I know, it's bad!

I started oil pulling 3 days ago with coconut oil for 10 mins. first thing in the morning. The side effects of detoxing did not start until this morning (third day), I woke up feeling hot (flu-like symptoms), groggy, and just moody. Throughout the day I have been feeling somewhat nauseated as well. I've noticed that after my first OP, I've had really deep sleep accompanied with vivid dreams!

Positives haven't been significant, since it's still too early to tell...but just like with other people... I have seen that my skin looks somewhat smoother, teeth are whiter, my vision seems a lot clearer too (colors are more vibrant), good quality sleep, and I have also been leaning on to craving healthier foods. My cravings for salt & sugar seem to be decreasing as well.

I am going to continue with OP and I'll check back in within a few weeks! Hopefully will see more benefits :)

REPLY   7      

Kickdiver (Abu Dhabi, Uae) on 02/06/2014:
5 out of 5 stars

Had terrible allergies, doctors were prescribing pharmaceuticals with bad side effects and had no further help, no results, was getting worse by the month, pretty much every 3 weeks or so awful allergies, they'd last 3 weeks sometimes, and I was getting my first asthma-like attacks. Totally frustrated, I remembered this site and read about OP and gave it a try with Sesame Oil. After the first day the symptoms went worse, splitting headache, my eyes felt they were about to pop out of my head, not only that, my whole body felt like it was swelling up, especially my abdominal area. I almost went back to the meds but then remembered that in natural medicine one often experiences a 'healing crisis', so that's what this must have been.... After 3rd day, I am feeling substantially better. No more stuffy head, no headaches, I can breathe through my nose, throat is not hurting.. and... wow... my hot flashes, are decreased by about 90%....... THAT... my friends, makes it already worth the little effort. I look forward to this every day now, because a night without tossing and turning because of feeling hot/cold is priceless. My gums feel great, my teeth are shiny and white, my head feels clear, I also have less bloating after dinner, if I see any more health problems disappear (painful joints, food allergies, dry hair etc) I will post them on here. I feel, like I have found a wonderful (very CHEAP) and easy way to detox my body. Definitely two thumbs up!!
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Yve (Taunton, Ma) on 01/30/2014:
5 out of 5 stars

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?
REPLY         

Hema (India) on 10/15/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

Oil Pulling:

Since a week I have been trying this and I experienced these things. oil pulling reduces leg cramps, cracked heels and also gives great energy.

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Caitlin (Austin, Tx) on 09/20/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

Better But With Side Effects

Oil Pulling REALLY does cleanse as well as make your teeth whiter and improve your oral health. When I started with coconut oil, it did a number on my eczema skin, making it worse. So... I stopped! But going back to it after a couple of weeks also brought another kind of detox I did not go through the first time - i.e., headaches, backaches, blurry vision, but, better skin. Now, the heavy detox symptoms (3 days) are wearing down; skin is definitely looking better, and more importantly, if I oil pull for 15 minutes before bed, I sleep like a baby. Finally deep-sleeping through the night! Getting enough sleep by oil pulling has really improved my mood, my foggy brain, and my dark, under-eye circles -- they have all but disappeared. So, a big YES that oil pulling works where nothing else natural that I tried, did.
REPLY   4      

Adnama (Urbana, Il) on 08/07/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

I first heard of oil pulling about a year ago when I was trying to find remedies for dark circles. I gave it a shot for about a month, ran out of coconut oil, and didn't pick it back up until about 3 weeks ago. Since then I've been doing it twice a day for 20 minutes, with maybe one or two days I just didn't have the time for it. I started it up again because of a mouth sore caused by a decaying tooth. Oil pulling + peroxide + gargling with salt water made the pain go away within the night.

I am 21 years old, 5' 3", and 203 pounds according to my scale today. Since oil pulling, my keratosis pilaris has cleared up considerably. I still have a few bumps but my skin all over has a nice glow and I no longer have the red bumps that gave my skin the 'chicken skin' look. But I did recently have a visit to the beach, and I've always known that salt water + sun calms down my keratosis pilaris too. When I first started oil pulling I had the same effects but it took longer, but with the combined 'treatments' my skin is very smooth.

I've always had a glow to my face since I use the Oil Cleansing Method, but the added effect of Oil Pulling certainly helps too. My stretchmarks have faded, but I've been using organic unrefined virgin coconut oil (used for pulling as well, I got a pound of it off Amazon for fourty bucks, it's lasted me over six months and I still have 1/4 of it left) everytime I get out of the shower for over a year. I'm not sure if it has helped my dark circles. They're hereditary and have always been dark, like I got punched in both my eyes. I suppose I have been using less concealer lately...

My teeth are cleaner, whiter, and stronger. I have a tooth that is beyond being fixed, but I don't have the money to get it extracted. Oil pulling definitely keeps the pain away and helps keep food particles out. My tongue is always pink, my breath never smells bad. But I also use baking soda and peroxide to brush my teeth and tongue. I have a slightly crooked jaw caused by me chewing mostly on my left side do to my decaying tooth on the right side. It doesn't hurt anymore and I'm pretty sure my jaw line has gotten more defined. My left side is also the side that has fillings and the pulling doesn't effect them at all.

I have more energy. I'm really not a morning person but with a new job I started I have to get up around 6:30 am. Without oil pulling I don't think I'd be able to drag myself out of bed.

And since oil pulling, I haven't wanted to smoke marijuana. I actually stopped completely a week and a half ago. I'm not sure if it's because I'm oil pulling or because I stopped smoking weed or both, but I eat less and people have told me my over all appearance looks tighter like I've been working out. I have been walking a lot more, that's for sure. Probably because my energy is up. Yay!

Also, my dreams are a lot more vivid and I can remember them when I wake up. Also might be a side effect of not smoking anymore, but I have oil pulled longer than I haven't been smoking and know for a fact that my dreams started when I began oil pulling. I've probably had more energy because I have been getting a deeper sleep, and I only need 8 hours as opposed to the 10 hours I've been used to!

All in all, I've had a positive outcome to oil pulling and I don't plan to stop. Even if it's just a placebo effect, I definitely feel better and healthier. :)

REPLY   6      

Marylynn (Goldman, Oregon) on 06/12/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

I began OP 7 days ago and have 200 minutes to my credit. I don't mind the experience at all. The longest period was 25 minutes! I am a big tea drinker and my dentist cannor get the inside of my front teeth white, but OP has done wonders! White is working its way down from the top of each tooth! I wonder what my dentist will say?

I use Sesame Organic Oil and am happy with my choice. I rinse well with salt water about three times and then brush my entire mouth, not just my teeth. I do all my spitting in a zip lock bag.

I have been ill for four long months from a six and a half hour gallbladder surgery. The first day that I felt like myself was the day I began to OP. I had more energy and did chores I've not been able to do at all! I was not sitting the day away and it felt so good!

I OP in the morning after waking up and then about 9:15PM if I feel like it. I'm not binging at night on the nights that I do OP. I do have a snack and seem satisfied which is more than a small wonder!

So far so good with me! My jaw dropped when I found this site about OP! If my good health continues I will be doing this forever!

REPLY   5      



Jeffrey (Hartly, Delaware) on 06/12/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

I started oil pulling several months ago, using sesame oil for 20 minutes first thing in the morning. Before I started I had severe flaking of facial skin and dandruff. Since then, the facial skin flaking and dandruff has almost disappeared. Also, before oil pulling, I used a saline solution to clear my nostrils, since oil pulling my nostrils are clear, and there is no need for the saline solution. I recommend oil pulling to everyone. Great stuff!
REPLY   6      

Tbs (London) on 03/19/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

Better But With Side Effects

Hello all! I started oil pulling about 1 month ago after reading this site - thank you for such an information rich source to read about OP. On to my story with OP.

I am not one to shy away from a challenge so the 'healing crisis' haven't detered me, but I must say they have been intense!

Initially I started to work on my mouth, I have had braces and plates and noticed that my teeth were moving very quickly, I also had receeding gums which my dentist told me was from pressure of my bite. I immediately noticed an improvement in my oral health, teeth which felt loose tightened up and gums are growing back and teeth do look lighter. I don't need to wear my plate at night like I used to!

Secondly, I had cystic acne when I was younger and went onto roaccutane for it (evil medicine) which worked but I would still have the occasional breakout appear. The oil pulling went straight to this next and I found myself breaking out severely, I knew this was part of the healing crisis so continued, that cleared up.

Next I broke out in rashes which looked like ring worm or dermatitis which I have never had when younger but now came in full force. I have been persisting with it and now doubled up oil pulling to morning and night - I now do 20 minutes each time, and brush with aryuvedic toothpaste as well - which I recommend.

The latest and by far most severe is a red scalp irritation - so my skin is hyper sensitive at this time - even though I was using aryuvedic shampoo. This has all been about the past week or so.

I would love to hear from other people who have encountered this, how long your healing crisis go for, etc. I know and can FEEL that this is all healing and working its way out so I am not giving up. I can also attest for the notable difference in overall emotions and mindset, the regular removal of toxins you aren't even aware of lightens the mood ridiculously well!

Good luck.

REPLY   4      

Samara (Manchester, Yorkshire, England) on 02/26/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

Recently I wrote in about my experience with oil pulling and making my own home made toothpaste. I began using organic, unrefined cold pressed sesame oil for pulling, and baking soda with a minimal amount of fine sea salt and peppermint essential oil for brushing my teeth and still am.. My progress report.

It's been two months now in total and almost a month since my original post.

Initially I experienced some bad breath where I hadnt had a problem with bad breath before .. Or halitosis being the posh term :) My bad breath has disappeared.. My teeth are noticeably less stained.. Very noticeably I have to say.. My oral health, my teeth and gums are definately healthier.. not dramatically so I have noticed but definately an improvement.

The other thing I have noticed tho is that I do not ever get any plaque on my teeth .. Never.. prior to and during my menses I get very ill and sick which brings about any number of issues.. Mouth ulcers being one of them.. Oil pulling has virtually eradicated this for me. If I get one it is gone in a few hours. Other thing I have noticed is that my energy level has increased. I generally have a greater energy level than most ppl I kno anyways, and I dont kno if it is down to the oil pulling but I certainly have MORE energy than I usually do.

Also, last week I received my bottle of organic, cold pressed unrefined sunflower oil to try too, along with a tub of organic cold pressed extra virgin coconut oil to alternate and see what happens. I have been swishing with all three and eating minute pieces of the coconut oil

That's my update for the moment. I will keep you posted on any other changes. Many thanks for the site EarthClinic xx

REPLY   3      

Caitlin (Austin, Tx) on 02/07/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

Hey All! Been awhile. Here's a suggestion! As far as getting rid of the oil, make a point of keeping the plastic bags from the grocery store to spit the residue into after oil pulling. I knot the bag closed and toss into a trash container. This keeps the oil out of the pipes and the bagged oil avoids smelling up your container as it would if spat directly into it.

As far as oil-pulling goes, it is fantastic. I had stopped for a while and restarted. I must say, what a differance only 5 days has made! The grayish palor and lines on my face, forehead, and under-eyes are disappearing again. My face and body feel smoother and look less tired. Also, my bones don't crick when I roll out of bed each moring. My tongue is turning a beautiful shade of pink. Also, the oil-pulling's natural jaw exercise is refining and prominating my Indian cheekbones. The oil-pulling soothes my tummy and I'm also happier, calmer, and sleeping well after 2 months of insomnia. At the same time as oil pulling, I've up my water intake and I believe that is helping a lot, as well. As water drinking is hard for me for some reason, I went and purchased an extra large, tall beer mug from Walmt which I fill to the brim with filtered water and 1 TBLsp of ACV. I drink this 3 times a day, sipping with a straw. The jug is so large, that I barely taste the ACV. But, it is doing wonders for regulating my bowels and moistening my skin which usually stays on the dry side (DUH!).

REPLY   1      

Jane (Red Deer, Alberta, Canada) on 12/23/2012:
5 out of 5 stars

Been OP [oil pulling] since mid-November about twice a day with VCO. My first day, noticed a lot of mucus on my tongue after the second pull. I brushed my teeth & tongue after and rinsed with water as well. Most days I just have to blow my nose after & maybe spit mucus once or twice. A couple days back, I felt a scratchy feeling near the back of my mouth towards the throat when I was done. I took out a flashlight & saw a small round bump. Then I noticed what looked like mucus coming out of the throat area around the tonsils, coming through the flesh. Then, the next half hour I started coughing & spitting up phlegm continuously. Then it stopped, the bump & mucus was gone, and I had the best night's sleep I've had in awhile. The changes I've noticed so far include clear skin, I just don't seem to get acne now & I've had bouts of acne for over 25 years. My hair doesn't seem to split as bad as it used to. My teeth are whiter, tartar that has built up on the inside front of two of my lower teeth seems to be reducing, my gums are a lighter pink. I started breaking out in hives a few months back. I would feel like my heart was racing even though my pulse was normal or even slightly low. I would feel a burning inside that sometimes made me physically ill to my stomach. It looked like someone was drawing the world map on my back & legs from the hives. Numerous sleepless nights as a result. It took me awhile to figure out that the triggers were all grains & sulfites. I have had a couple of accidental exposures since the oil pulling & the hives symptoms are significantly reduced. In fact, there was only a slight feeling of racing and a couple small areas of hives. I have also noticed the fibrocystic lumps in my breasts seem to be shrinking and this has been the most pain free period in the last couple weeks than I've had for more than a year (although I should add that for the last few months I have also gone off all caffeine & no bra). Finally, there is no arthritis in my hands so far this year. By this time, last year, my hands were always either stiff or sore. Oil pulling is quite literally changing my life. I have always tried to live healthy, my weight is reasonable, in fact I've only had two periods of time my entire life where I was overweight. Once from childbirth and once from an injury that limited my movement for six months. However, despite all the healthy eating & use of natural medicine, nothing has created as noticeable a difference as oil pulling has. I want to thank you; because it was while I was trying to search for remedies for hives that I came across oil pulling on this site. Thank you!
REPLY   7      



T (Oshawa, Ontario Canada) on 10/23/2012:
5 out of 5 stars

Love this website. Very grateful for all the drug-free tips.

I've tried oil pulling for the last 3 months and I have only seen benefits. I have noticed my energy has soared and my breath is better, teeth are whiter and no more bleeding gums. I don't feel the need to smoke as much nowadays. Suppressed appetite, and I'm able sleep better and much deeper. I will now and forever keep oil pulling.

REPLY   8      

Summer (Hong Kong) on 10/19/2012:
5 out of 5 stars

Better But With Side Effects

Hello all, I have been oil pulling for a week, once in every morning with EVOO first then switched to cold pressed sesame oil. My skin glows after my first trial, however I'm unable to sleep since day one of oil pulling, thoughts keep flashing through while lying on bed, even if I finally fell asleep, I'll have dreams non-stop.

While using EVOO, I can still feel quite calm and happier mood during the day even I have trouble sleeping. But after switching to sesame oil, I started to feel anxious during daytime.

Is it a sign of detoxification? or the oil I've used does not suit me? Shall I switch of cold-pressed Sunflower oil for a mild detoxification?

Many thanks. Summer

REPLY   1      

Funmilicious (Lagos, Nigeria) on 08/10/2012:
5 out of 5 stars

I have been oil pulling with coconut oil for over 6 months now and I have had amazing results in two areas: my sinuses and my breath, I guess the two were related.

I have had terrible sinuses since I was a kid, hereditary, my father was always pulling mucous and spitting out (gross) several times every single day. Mine sinuses were not that bad, but was bad enough.

First I tried nasal rinsing with neti pots and then the sinus wash bottle. It worked great by getting rid of my tonsil stones and I still do sinus rinse occasionally.

Oil pulling does a great job of pulling out excess mucous from the sinuses a d cleaning out the nasal passages.

I have not had a cold in several months, my sinuses are clear and I have great breath. Thank you earth clinic.

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Liz (Co Springs, Co) on 07/29/2012:
5 out of 5 stars

I started pulling oil with cold pressed olive oil. It was about 3.00 for a container of it making it fairly inexpensive. I have asthma and anemia. My teeth are also super sensitive. I also constantly have green yellow crap coming out of the lower half of my lungs alot. Sorry to be graphic. Only when my lungs are open can I get the stuff out. It has been 3 days already. The first day I only felt nauseated. But my teeth were so clean. The second day I had clean teeth and I fell asleep. I just got done doing this and my gums are super pink my teeth the whitest they have been in years. The hard plaque is slowly removing. I feel alot calmer and relaxed. My muscles dont hurt as much (I have chronic pain from both a horse and car accident) and I feel like I can finally sleep. So far I have been doing this in the evening. I am hoping with the enzyme stimulation it increases my metabolism so maybe I will even burn fat while sleeping? I will post another update in a week or so and let you all know how it is going. But so far its great. I have no reason to lie or any company I run to support with this testomony. I really want my respiratory problems gone!
REPLY   9      

Rusty (Kaneohe, Hawaii) on 06/22/2012:
5 out of 5 stars

I have been oil pulling for the past 2 years and the first thing that I have noticed is that I have not had a bad cold since then, and using olive oil at first was harsh but, I have become used to it. Losing weight I am way over weight and since I have been oil pulling I have lost 50 lbs and feel much better. I oil pull every morning before I have breakfast for about 20 minutes. When I come home from work I oil pull again this time longer over one hour while on my computer. Oil pulling is a part of my daily life. My over all condition has improved a lot. No more asthma atacks or wheezing and with the loss of the weight I find myself getting around much more instead of watching TV all the time. I am not as tired as how I used to be after losing the toxins that plays a major roll in my life. At the beginning my body was purging out all the impurities and this does happen. Depending on your condition. Everyones condition is different.

Also check on MMS by Dr. James V Humble and the cures that MMS can do for you like cancer. How the drug companies want to get rid of this Dr. Humble, because for pennies a day you can live much longer. Check him out. aloha, Rusty

REPLY   5      



Catinthebag (Fort Collins, Colorado, Usa) on 06/05/2012:
4 out of 5 stars

I started oil pulling about 6 months ago due to some health issues and wanted to give it time to see how it went before I posted my results. I used Unrefined Organic Sesame Oil and oil pulled every morning for 20 minutes.

Immediately I noticed that my teeth felt 'fresh from the dentist clean', my breath also seemed fresher and my teeth were whiter. This hasn't seemed to reduce any in the past 6 months, my teeth still feel & look good, in fact I just had my 6 month check-up and my dentist said "everything looks great, keep doing what you're doing" -- mind you, last time I had 4 cavities that had to be filled! Speaking of cavities, I have a lot of fillings in my mouth and have not noticed any problems with them coming loose.

The other thing I noticed is the actual act of oil pulling makes my sinuses drain like crazy which is inconvenient since my mouth is full but I make it work.

As for noticing any reduction with the health issues that I've had, I honestly can't say that I have noticed any improvement -- or any unimprovement -- either.

I've read different theories for why oil pulling works from it 'pulling nasty bugs from your body', to 'massaging acupressure points on your tongue' to simply 'swishing out the the mouth bacteria'. Personally, I think the swishing of bacteria out of your mouth makes the most sense, why it works, I don't know, maybe having your own saliva mixed in there with the oil helps break stuff down. I did find out that if you put a small amount of oil in a bowl and whisk it, it will turn white so I don't think waiting until the oil turns white to spit it out has any credence, I think some people are probably just better swishers than others .

As for me, I will continue to oil pull because I enjoy the routine and it seems to have some benefits and no detriments thus far.

REPLY   1      

Jenn (Toronto, Ontario Canada) on 03/28/2012:
5 out of 5 stars

Better But With Side Effects

Thanks to all who contribute to this wonderful site and for giving me the gift of oil pulling. I originally started oil pulling to rid myself of a sinus infection. I am a bit wary of antibiotic overuse and big pharma in general (my family thinks I am a conspiracy theorist, LOL! ). After reading testimonials and instructions I decided to use one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil with two drops of tea tree oil for about 5-10 minutes. I was ill and didn't have cocunut oil in the house and didn't feel like going out to source it. Within two treatments I noticed teeth whitening and what seemed to be what I can only describe as pinkening and tightening of the gums. I had been diagnosed with gingivitis for many years by my dentist. My sinus condition seemed to worsen with more and more discharge and swelling. I smoked cigarettes for about 30 years, and I suddenly had an aversion to smoking. I then developed a terrible cough with lots of mucous, difficulty breathing, terrible headaches, fatigue, body aches, sticky eyes, pimples and a gum infection from heck! The gum infection was raging and I tried all the home remedies on Earth Clinic and only seemed to worsen it. I became very scared and my friends convinced me to stop oil pulling go to the hospital. I got two kinds of antibiotics and used multiple pain killers for one week. They seemed to suppress the symptoms but after I finished the doses the gum infection came back even worse than before with swelling on my cheek and lip. A lot of people told me to go an get a root canal or tooth extraction, neither of which seemed to fit with my idea that gums and teeth can heal like broken bones. There were sores and pimple like outbreaks on both my gums and cheeks. I realized that I was going through some type of cleansing/healing crisis and I needed to let it run its course, although others around me thought I would eventually expire from a septic type infection. Interestingly, the site of the gum infection was a previously identified weaker spot.

I didn't restart oil pulling immediately, as I now know that EVOO and Tea Tree Oil mixes (probably the same for other oil and oregano etc mixes) are very potent at drawing out infection and impurities. I used salt/alum poultice, baking soda/salt poultices (use with cotton balls for about 20 minutes, more and your skin will get raw) and rinses, I also got rid of regular toothpaste and started using hydrogen peroxide/baking soda/salt paste. I alternated this with raw garlic clove rubbings and garlic clove/water rinses.

Don't kid yourselves, these remedies hurt worse than childbirth but I felt that this was a bad infection that needed a multi prong approach. If you can, use aspirin rather than ibuprofen or tylenol, I tried all three but something in the aspirin seems to help the healing process. I also used tea bags between the cheek and gum to absorb any pus and blood that came out of the sore area. Use the black bags, they are more effective than other types, I tried peppermint, chai, green tea but found the old fashioned black to be best. As soon as I felt some improvement in the level of swelling, it took about one week, I resumed oil pulling with EVOO and tea tree and took epsom salt baths (rinse afterward).

One more week later, I can say that my gum infection is almost completely gone, my teeth are whiter, stronger and my gums seem to have regenerated. My sinuses and chest are clear and I feel that my energy is greater than before all of this happened. I have taken the tea tree out of my oil pulling regime (twice a day) as I feel it's probably more like an antibiotic. I also think that Ted's simple alkalizing formula (baking soda, lemon juice) will help me avoid many infections in the future so I started that process as well. I also haven't had any cigarettes since I started oil pulling one month ago. OP has the potential for unleashing the remnants of all of your previous ailments and big pharma treatments so if I had to do it again I would not start with EVOO and no Tea Tree, I would get the coconut, and backing off the pulling when the body becomes a bit overwhelmed is perfectly fine. Sorry for the long post, just wanted everyone to know that sometimes the healing crisis is very terrible and you will feel sick and lonely, but it is well worth it to go through to the other side. Thanks Again.

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