Danielle (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 10/15/2009:
Better But With Side Effects
Hi. I have been oil pulling for approximately three weeks with coconut oil. At first with a little more than a tablespoon, more recently I have been measuring a tablespoon exactly. I do it in the morning once I get up before brushing teeth or eating breakfast. I rinse my mouth out afterwards and spit a few times.Although it seems to be draining my sinuses, and the health of my gums have improved (better shade of pink, no more bleeding) and the white coating on my tongue has disapeared, my tooth sensitivity has been getting worse and my teeth have been turning more yellow. I can also see a line in one tooth now that looks almost like an internal crack and it feels like the outer layer of another tooth, near the base of the gumline has been scraped off. This seems to be the opposite of what most people experience.
I know that sometimes there is a worening of symptoms for a bit, but I haven't read any accounts of this happening with teeth, usually more with rashes, sinues etc.
Has anyone else had this problem? Did it get worse or better in the long run? Did your teeth become damaged? Should I stop oil pulling or continue on? I am afraid that my teeth are deteriating in front of my eyes due to some strange reaction that a rare few may have.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Lisa (Layton, Ut, USA) on 09/21/2009:
Better But With Side Effects
Healing Crisis with OP w/Virgin Coconut Oil My daughter and I just heard about and started oil pulling with VCO (done mornings, probably not a full tablespoon each time), while reading ______'s book and incorporating VCO into our lives. She almost immediately started coughing up (sometimes violently) all kinds of phlegm from her lungs and this has continued for about a week now (no signs of sickness such as fever, but she does have a sore throat from coughing it all up). Inbetween coughing, she does note that she seems to have more lung capacity than she's had since a bout with shingles about 6 years ago (when she was 20) that left her with a more severe asthmatic condition than she had when she was a kid.We recognize this as a "healing crisis" and she'll continue OP. We'd just like to know if anyone else has been through this and how long to anticipate that it may last, especially since it's interfering with her whole family's sleep. She doesn't want to take cough medicine to suppress the cough because "better out than in" but wonders how long this might go. It's not constant but quite violent when it hits.
Also, she's still breastfeeding a toddler (only twice a day at this age), and wonders if there is any danger to him other than being disturbed by her coughing. Can a healing crisis like this affect breastfeeding or the breastfed child?
Thank you.
Cecelia (Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.) on 09/16/2009:
Better But With Side Effects
I was introduced to oil pulling by a friend who had tried it. I have been doing OP with CO for approximately 4 weeks now. I use 1 tbsp first thing in the mornings only for 15 mins, sometimes 30 mins and gently swish it around. When I spit it out it appears almost greeseless and like mother's milk. The first thing I noticed that I had gum bleeding which lasted for roughly one week and I always want to spit out a thick phlegm which would continue for about half an hr. On only a few occasions, I vomited phlegm after swishing a small amount mucus also drained from my nose. I can now feel air passing through my nasal passage which I cannot remember when I used to experience that and my sense of smell which was hardly functional is extremely alert. I have been diagnosed with sinusitis for some 30 years. I sleep much more easily and my energy level has also increased moderatly. Cece
Julie (Leverett, Ma Usa) on 09/01/2009:
I started OP about ten days ago with 1 tblsp of Safflower Oil for twenty minutes in the AM. I had no side effects except for a mild tummy ache after every pull. Within a week, I noticed that I was sleeping so much better. This is huge since I am always battling with sleep issues.
After reading testimonies from this site and talking with my friend who OP, I decided to try Coconut Oil. I did this one time, before bed, with 1 tsp. of VCO and I had a huge reaction! I woke up at 3AM with great pain in my neck, back , arms and feet, and my stomach was hurting. I also felt very anxious. It's hard to believe that I would have such a reaction, but there is no other explanation.. I have stopped OP for a few days, because I feel so terrible still. I even feel slight nerve pain around my face. It makes me think that I was triggering a heavy metal detox with the OP.
Has anyone else experienced such a strong reaction? I really want to get back to pulling with the Safflower oil, since this felt so healthful to me, but am afraid to start again with this pain in my body.
Thanks!
Victoria (Sacramento, CA) on 07/24/2009:
I started OP with VCO for 2 weeks ago; 1 tbls, 20 mins, twice per day (first thing in the morning and before dinner). I have been keeping a log of when I OP and how I feel about the experience of this. Reading peoples comments about this OP thing has been wonderful and helpful however I have not had these "remarkable" results as many have claimed. After doing much reading about the positive healthful results from using coconut oil and palm oil, I am convinced that using these oils is better than not using them. I am obese, diabetic and will be turning 54 this November. I have not seen any changes in my blood sugar levels but I do love the way my mouth feels after OP. The small amount of gum bleeding after flossing has completely disappeared and I do believe the OP has corrected this condition. I will continue with this form of treatment and keeping my log of experiences with it and I think I will try another type of oil after about a month of doing this. Does anyone else have similar experiences such as mine and can you tell me what other results you might be having? Are there any other suggestions people have?
Marie (Houston, TX) on 06/22/2009:
About a year ago i started oil pulling with seseme oil but after a couple of weeks I noticed black spots had appeared in clusters on my tongue. This seemed to be the only side effect, apart from that it had the desired effect. I stopped oil pulling until a couple of weeks ago (now with coconut oil) and so far, the black spots have neither increased or reduced in appearance. Any reason why the black spots appeared and whether or not they will spread? I love the benefits of oil pulling but i am too vain to walk around with a black tongue.
Michael (Grand Bay, AL) on 06/05/2009:
I recently have started oil pulling with coconut oil(6th day) listed below are my problems and the effects so far. I would like to mention that for me oil pulling is relaxing so I do it several times a day while I am going about 1.obese(400lbs) cravings for continual eating gone. Appetite suppressed, eating much lighter meals, energy levels up
2. pinched nerve in neck. pain reduced by half
3. knees pain in knees reduced while walking reduced
4. lungs (have three inorganic spots in lungs,asthma symptons)
5. breathing easier while laying down less snoring
will keep informed on progress
Rainidaze (Lakewood, CA) on 05/11/2009:
Coconut Oil Pulling: I used 1 tbl of CO 20 minutes in the morning first thing for a week straight then on and off for 2 more and I am amazed that I have no more morning breath or mid-day yucky mouth any longer after 2 days and my teeth are even whiter than before. My mouth always feels fresh teeth very dentist clean. So glad I found this site. Thanks so much!
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