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.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Robanatta (London, Ontario) on 12/16/2010
★★★★★
I was experiencing mild conjunctavitis in my left eye -not red but burning, itching, and mucous discharging. After my first OP with the coconut oil it was almost completely gone! I also felt lighter and had more energy, as well as my sinuses felt clearer. I hadn't noticed that my sinuses were congested, but they're just... Clearer?! ?
Then I did a OP with safflower oil several hours later. I'm finding that my throat is releasing toxins now. I'm starting to hack-up crap from my lungs -I'm an ex-smoker for 5 months now- and they feel like they are REALLY starting to clean out. I do have a mild head-ache, and a mild soar throat (only on the right side (weird! )), but I still feel healthy... I'm going to use the extra virgin coconut oil in the morning -I like the natural anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties of the oil as well as the MC-triglicerides- for a power cleanse in the morning. And then, I'll use the safflower oil with oregano for the other two treatments in before lunch and dinner. I might even try hemp oil before going to bed, as I've read that it makes one sleepy after using it. (I don't have trouble sleeping as it is, but any extra help might be good). GLTA... I'm glad to have heard about OP and this web-site...
After Knee Replacement
Posted by Rick S (Long Beach, California, Usa) on 11/05/2010
★★★★★BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I started oil pulling 3 weeks ago. After 5 days of OP twice a day I experienced having a terrible knee pains mostly on my left knee and my hands were painful like arthritic pain. A year and a half ago I had a complete knee replacement done. I knew and expecting to experience some sort of healing pains as the major side effects of oil pulling. Since I was not sure whether my artificial knee metal part may have loosened up due to oil pulling invading the glue that was used to bond the metal part to my knee bone or the knee metal parts have loosened due to abuse, I was not sure. My knee was painful the way it used to be before I had the replacement. I was almost in panic. I made an appointment to see an orthopedic doctor in USC, L.A. immediately. The earliest appointment that was available was 25 days from the day I called them.
After a week I noticed that all the pains were gone. In fact my left knee feels almost like a natural knee. I canceled the appointment and I decided to OP again. It has been 4 days now and my knees and hands are fine, no unusual pain.
Whitens Teeth
Posted by Sue (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) on 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.
Dental Issues
Posted by Cassie (Boston, Ma) on 10/20/2010
★★★★★
I tried this for 3 weeks before I had to go to the dentist on a lark because I hadn't been flossing and I was dreading the blood, pain, and lectures I'm used to at the dentist. I oil swish coconut oil while I'm showering every morning for about 10-15 minutes. Just got back from the dentist yesterday--she said, "Wow. You have really been trying hard! " She said there was virtually no plaque. Plus, when she flossed for me and cleaned and scraped what little plaque there was there was no pain and no bleeding! I'm never stopping! First pleasant trip to the dentist ever.
About Oil Pulling
Posted by Summerhaunt (Licking, Mo, United States) on 10/15/2010
★★★★★
I think one of the reasons they say to oil pull away from meals is because the swishing and chomping when you oil pull stimulates the gall bladder (chewing motions signal to the gall bladder that food is coming so release some bile). Waiting allows the oil pulling to stimulate the liver and gall bladder and get a mini-liver cleanse. If you do it too close to a meal, then you're not getting the added benefit of the liver/gall bladder stimulation.
Also, perhaps too close to a meal has the oil absorbing some of the nutrients your body is trying to absorb from the food. But it's good either way... Still lots of benefits to get from the oil pulling whether you do around food or not. Better to do the oil pulling whenever you can make the time than not do it at all.
Vitamin E Added
Posted by Ll (Odessa, Tx) on 10/12/2010
★★★★★
I have had an abcessed tooth for about two weeks now. I tried several of the cures on this site, and they all seemed to help a little. I decided finally to try the oil pulling this morning with sesame oil, after reading some of the theories here, I know they are basically sound, having studied pharmacy. I learned there that your mouth is easily one of the most bacteria-laden parts of your body. The stomach lining is porous, which is why alcohol is so quickly absorbed by the body: it simply goes straight through the stomach lining into the blood stream and throughout the body. If this is true of alcohol--which is a poison if not used in moderation--then it can easily be true of pretty much anything that goes into the stomach. And, of course, we swallow some saliva with everything we chew, so if there are bacteria hanging out in it, it could easily pass through the stomach lining and out into the blood stream, where it will swiftly be carried to the rest of the body. And--boom! --you have all the makings of a systemic infection (systemic is just pharmacy talk for anything affecting the whole body). Knowing from my studies and my own experience how great vitamin e is for so many things--you could call it a systemic vitamin, since it affects pretty much every part of the body when ingested--I thought, "What would happen if I added e oil to the sesame oil pull?"
(Honestly, you folks are all so obviously knowledgeable I was surprised to see no one had thought of it yet. This is some site, and I am impressed with a great deal of what I am reading! )
I used the one Tbls of sesame oil and added one capsule of 100 units vitamin e oil. Oh my God, that felt good on my gums! The longer I used it, the better my gums felt, until I had no pain at all by the end of the pull. I did have some pain coming back after, but I rinsed my mouth with some ACV and water (the baking soda I brushed with still had not got all the oil out of my mouth) and that cut the remaining oil and soothed my mouth enough that a little pain medication allowed me to sleep. I woke up a few hours later to find the swelling was significantly reduced. Will continue the oil pulls tomorrow--I think I will up the amount of vitamin e. I'd also be interested to know how it works for anyone else who decides to try it? Thanks guys: this site is great!
Dental Issues
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 10/13/2010
Dee, I had a root canal over a year before I started having problems. I think that it was a coincidence that the filling started falling a while after I started OP. The dentist kept laughing and filling the tooth again and again (and we kept paying for it.... ). When I went there the last time because I started feeling a funny sensation when I would eat or drink and was prepared to tell him that he had to find a solution for my problem the tooth was broken from so much work done to it and had to be pulled. It was a big shock as I have great teeth, to lose one at 53.... Afterwards I discovered that the tooth could have been saved if he had put a crown on it on time.... But he didn't! Was it the OP? I think that somehow that was a coincidence but I will never know. Anyway, he should have done a better work. We are going to write him a letter and see what he says. This is going to cost us a lot of money and bother because now I need an implant. It took me maybe two weeks to start to accept what had happened. Would I have done OP if I knew what I know now, even if it had nothing to do with what has happened... I don't know but I should have been more alert and have gone somewhere else for a second opinion and I would surely still have my tooth. What OP does for me is to prevent me from feeling pressure on my down teeth which is very annoying. For the rest I have never noticed anything. Once in a while I mix a drop of clove oil to give my mouth a good clean. I do have a few old porcelain filling, no problems there! My verdict and actually the one of the dentist... OP can't have had anything to do with it. After all it is nothing more than swishing a bit of oil in your mouth! What consoles me is that root canals are not always a good thing because if you have an infection and don't feel it they can cause a lot more problems without you knowing where they come from but... Implants can give infections as well and they are so awfully expensive...
Detoxification
Posted by Tech Man (Western Nc) on 09/29/2010
★★★★★
I started oil pulling with coconut oil 2.5 months ago with great results. Plaque disappeared from teeth, gums stopped bleeding after 2nd day, intestinal health improved, much better digestion, etc. The only die off symptoms I experienced were a mild candida die off in my throat and tongue, which wasn't severe at all. The other day I decided to try Olive oil. I read that by most accounts, coconut oil seemed to have the most die off reactions so I expected the olive oil to be mild in its effect. Well, after pulling with EV organic olive oil I had a healing reaction with the most die off I've had in years! The symptoms were intense intestinal duress, swollen glands and throat, body aches, extreme fatigue, severe flu, fever. This was hiding in my body and remained unaffected by the coconut oil. I will continue pulling with olive oil until the toxicity is gone. It seems that in my case, switching to another oil flushed out some unhealthy life forms living with me that the coconut oil did not affect. After these symptoms disappear, I will test out another oil to see if there is anything else lurking there. If you are interested in cleansing your body of toxicity, I highly recommend trying different oils after any die off symptoms subside. Also, for those new to cleansing, make sure your organs of elimination are working properly and assist them with herbal formulas so the toxins that are stirred out of hiding do not get reabsorbed. Three areas of focus that come to mind are the liver (coffee enemas help dramatically), kidneys, and colon.
Side Effects
Posted by Evelyn G. (San Antonio, Texas, U.s.a.) on 07/21/2010
Oil Pulling With Sesame Oil Causing Sunlight Sensitivity
This is a question for Ted.
I have been Oil Pulling for two weeks and am having some problems. I have Glaucoma plus other health problems. I am 80 years old. Since OP with Sesame oil, I seem to be very sensitive to the sun's glare. Have to use sunglasses on top of my Transition glasses. To add to this problem, I have blurred vision for around an hour. Then everything goes back to normal. The pain that I had in my shoulder disappeared and I feel fine otherwise. I stopped OP for three days and the problem went away. Now I don't know what to do. Please advise me. I would like to continue with the OP but do not want to hurt my health in other ways. I also broke out with a small rash on my chest. I presume that it was the toxins going out of my body. Should I start the ACV, bicarbonate of soda and water for two weeks to detoxify my body and then start again? Thanking you in advance. Evelyn G.
Skin
Posted by Phaedypants (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 06/24/2010
★★★★★
I`ve been oil pulling for 4 days, in hopes to reap all the great benefits... i haven`t visited the dentist in a very very long time, and was internet researching to find a safe natural way to keep my mouth clean and healthy....
I am using 1TBS of sesame oil, and pulling for 20 minutes each morning. i have no problem with it...sometimes I lose track of time and pull for 25-30 minutes....
Maybe too soon to notice anything major, but my skin looks AMAZING! even the skin on my back, which is prone to acne, is clear and smooth....i don`t think i can remember a time in the last 15 years that i didn`t have a spot on my back. I don`t know if this is just the oil pulling, (i also tone my back with apple cider vinegar) but i`m pretty pleased!
My teeth look white, but they always are pretty white, and my gums look pink, but i think they always are too...i do notice a little less bleeding when i floss, and the general smell of flossing isn`t so unpleasant.
mostly, i cannot wait to get into some slinky summer dresses and show off my glowing skin!
p.s. for those of you with alot of ayurvedic knowledge...i`ve been told on two seperate occaisions by two people who studied ayurveda that i have a vata imbalance. (way too much air...i sense instinctively that this is true.) are there any other natural health methods that might benefit this?
About Oil Pulling
Posted by Gayla1957 (Coolidge, Az) on 05/27/2010
★★★★★
I ran across this site by accident a couple of days ago, found it exciting, ordered organic sesame oil and organic sunflower oil. OP'd yesterday morning using ...extra organic grapeseed oil, for 20 minutes. It went well but I did swallow (not oil, I kept the oil in the front of my mouth). Tomorrow morning plan to use organic camelina oil, will have proper oils in a few days.
My girlfriend's granddaughter practices Chinese medicine. I sent her this website and asked her opinion, here it is verbatim:
"Interesting link. I'd have to disagree with the phrase that "According to Ayurveda, mucous is a poison." That is not what Ayurveda teaches. Saliva is very important in Ayurveda and is actually a healing aspect of the body. Saliva decreases Agni or toxins and increases the digestive and assimilation processes. In excess, saliva can be seen as an imbalance--and easily remedied. Sesame oil is good to use at night (swishing it in the mouth) to prevent teeth grinding. Sesame oil is used for a number of things in ayurveda. This type of mouth rinsing can also be done with Tea Tree oil diluted.
I'd also have to disagree with the Note #4 that things will get worse before getting better. Those that study Ayurveda or any other form of herbal medicine know that this effect does not and should not happen if you are using what is right for your body. It is sort of like the "No pain, no gain" myth. But hey, if it works for you and you feel better doing it. then that is all that should matter."
I'm still going to do OP, because it sounds compelling. I know our mouths are filled with disgusting germs because a human bite will almost not heal, it is so terrible. Perhaps it is these disgusting germs, whatever they are, that the OP'ing deals with.
About Oil Pulling
Posted by Lee (New York, NY) on 05/28/2010
★★★★★
Hi Gayla, Good luck with oil pulling. I never had a negative reaction to it. I use a variety of organic, cold pressed oils and it has become a peaceful part of my early morning ritual. Be relaxed about it and you will get to actually enjoy it! Lee
Adult Acne
Posted by Jen (Salt Lake City, Ut.) on 10/27/2009
★★★★★
I have been oil pulling with Coconut oil for about 6 months now and have noticed a lot of great results including increased energy and clarity of toughts. However the most significant is the improvement of my skin. I was haveing frequent adult breakouts of acne patches all the time, that I never had as a teenager, when one breakout would begin to clear another would begin. After oil pulling for about a month, my skin is clear and beautiful- no more breakouts. I also use Coconut oil as my primary moistureizer for my entire body and for cooking! I would like to say- if you begin to breakout a little more than usual in the beginning, don't stop, give it time- your skin will clear out! Good Luck and Thanks EC!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Jerry (Florida) on 08/01/2009
★★★★☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Hi. I recently started Oilpulling, (EVOO) before breakfast. For the first 2 weeks it was fine, I felt, more energetic, my skin started looking new, dewy, soft to the touch. Plaque started falling off my teeth, which looks whiter, gums healthier. I started to sweat, (which I havent done in years, no matter how much outdoor work I did.) I wasnt aware the sweet cravings had gone away, untill I went to my snack pantry and saw it filled.
After that I started getting chest pains, (I do have a mitral valve prolapse, which I was told, will repair itself after a period of time.) The first night with chestpains, I just laid down and waited to die, the pain being so severe. I stopped the OP because I was scared to try it again. I do want it to work because of all the positive results Ive seen so far.
Do you think that the pain was part of the detox process, or should I switch oils, or do you think its not for me.
Torn Ligaments on Feet
Posted by Gayle (Houston, TX) on 07/04/2009
★★★★★
My situation is I have multiple sclerosis and have been disabled since 1995. Have been trying to exercise for 5 years first on treadmills, eliptical, etc. to keep my muscles healthy. Developed torn ligaments on both feet which looks like a red bump on the middle of both feet which hurts alot. The podiatrist said surgery or cortisone shots. I didn't like either of those choices. At the gym a reflexologist told me about oil pulling with sesame oil, 1Tbls for 20 minutes. Then following with 32 oz. of water with 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar. The red bumps are going away after just 2 weeks of op and water with acv and no pain. He said a side benefit is whiter teeth and yes that is happening too. What a wonderful, easy way to care for myself. I hope it regenerates and heals brains too.
Insights and Theories
Posted by Chris (Paris, On) on 01/31/2011
UUUH... Rape seed oil and canola oil are the same thing... They just changed the name to please the masses... Rape seed oil sounds wrong apparently... PS, almost everything you eat, drink, and see is genetically modified... Even yourselves... Sleep tight
Insights and Theories
Posted by Al (Alvena, Sk., Canada) on 01/27/2013
Canola is a modified version of rape. I don't know if it was done by cross breeding or by GMO but it was done to reduce the acidity of the oil as the acidic rapeseed oil was considered to be unhealthy. I use grape seed oil for all my cooking as it has zero cholesterol. I am 54 and have "the blood pressure of a healthy 150 pound 18 year old" at 330 lbs.. Has anyone used grape seed oil for oil pulling?
Canola Oil
Posted by Louise (Utah) on 10/16/2016
It is my understanding that genetically modified means roundup is infused into the seeds to kill insects to protect the plant. This is the reason bees are dying. And this is the reason that wheat and corn are so dangerous to eat. And this is the reason some countries have outlawed Roundup. Farmers flood their wheat fields with roundup to create a stronger crop to make more money which is wiping out the bee population. Without bees, we have no food. It's a scary situation. Genetically modified is a misnomer.
Skin
Posted by Michele (Wolcott, Connecticut) on 04/03/2009
★★★★★
I oil pull with Cod Liver Oil. It is a popular brand that has lemon and mint added. I can't taste the fish at all. I love oil pulling with the cod liver oil. My mouth is clean and healthy. And it is great for my skin. I don't injest any cod liver oil. I do take Omega 3 fish oil caps though. I feel that plenty of the vitamin A gets into my blood stream with the oil pulling. I also oil pull with Avacado oil, and extra virgin coconut oil. The avacado oil is great for your hair. Makes it healthy and shiny. And they are all good for your skin.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Francesca (Merseyside, UK) on 03/03/2009
★★★★★
hi everyone came about your site by accident. Began op about 5 days ago. I used ordinary extra virgin olive oil pulled for 20mins in the morning yet oil still remained yellow when i spat out yet the next morning when i woke up the first thing i noticed was i felt energised, a totally different person who is normally lethargic upon waking. I had a lot more mental clarity . On the second day my cracked heels which were sore every time i walked were healed and soft. My hair which was dry felt softer and my skin feels softer too. I have stopped coughing as well. I have suffered from bad chest infections since i was a child yet op has stopped the wheeze and the cough dead in its tracks. Every morning - wake now i feel i am being propelled in the right way towards super health thankyou so much for this site i will report back with more news
