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.
Detoxification
Posted by Brian (Minneapolis, Minnesota) on 08/08/2011
★★★★★
First time oil pulling although been winning the battle with other detox methods I figured why not try another along with them it couldn't hurt alternating. Just tried olive oil, and let me say olive oil doesn't taste bad however that being said after swooshing it through my teeth and around my tongue I started vomiting and nasal drainage was pouring out so fast I had to blow my my nose and cough much mucous up. After vomiting a few times I felt better so I went another round hoping to make it more than 15 seconds and I did for near a minute although I hit that point again and when spitting out the oil it was foamy with still a yellow tinge although this was my limit for the day.
I noticed instant results and will keep you updated as I feel over the next couple weeks, btw I had to mouthwash afterward from vomiting and to get the oil residue out and using listerine was more painful than I have ever experienced the past 40 years. I'm winning the fight of having a brain tumor, abdomen tumor, and foot tumor, along with lead and mercury poisoning over the years that left dense metaphesial lines on bones in my wrist. I'm still waiting to see doctors for treatment after diagnosed last February. I'd be dead if I hadn't taken matters in my own hands. Since my several month on off detox regimen with pectosol, chlorella, selenium, ALA, and a couple others I have felt abdomen gummed getting smaller by 60% and look like I'm 27 and not 38 in this short time. Winning as Sheen would say!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Traxxxi (San Jose, California, United States) on 06/09/2011
★★★★☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
I recently started OPing every morning with Organic Sesame Oil and noticed immediate positive results: my skin softened and pores shrank dramatically (I actually got many compliments on my skin), my dry eye symptoms were completely gone after 15 years of suffering, my eczema started to disappear, my Chronic Fatigue lessened and I had more energy, and my chronic sinusitis started to clear up. I was truly amazed and in such relief!
After two weeks of OPing, some of my symptoms have returned and even worsened. My skin looks tired and dry again, my eyes are extremely dry, bloodshot and in pain, My fatigue is worse then ever and I have barely enough energy to get out of bed, my eczema is back, and suddenly I'm having dandruff. Luckily my sinusitis has not returned. What is happening??? I was so hopeful that I had finally found a cure for the ailments that had plagued me for so long. I have a myriad of other health issues, in addition to the aforementioned, that I was also hoping would eventually improve from OPing. I can't help but feel frustrated and heartbroken. Any insight and/or suggestions will be so much appreciated. Thank you!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Marissa (Atlanta, Ga) on 03/27/2011
★★★★★
low energy: I've been oil pulling with extra virgin Coconut Oil for about 4 days now. I am sleeping through the night, I have an easier time getting out of bed in the morning. My skin is glowing so much and the little fine lines are disappearing. I still have dark circles under my eyes though. Also, I am having more bowel movements.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Tee Tee (Kingston, Jamaica) on 03/10/2011
★★★★★
I did some oil pulling today with coconut oil. Though I could only do it for 2-3 minutes I still felt the effect. I feel lighter, freeer, more energized, definitely more healthy. I have been fighting a cold/infection for a while and after OP, alot of phlegm has been coming up and each time I feel better and better. My chest is completely clear now, all congestion is gone. My sinses are clear too, no more congestion. My mind too feels more at peace.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Naturallyme (Potlatch, Idaho) on 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!
Chronic Sore Throat
Posted by Ceecee (Cape Cod, Ma) on 03/07/2011
★★★★★
My 10 y/o daughter has had a sore throat (but no strep) for 2 months. After finding this site I decided to try it for both of us. After 15 min. we spit and rinsed. My daughter started coughing up nasty phlegm for about twenty minutes! Afterwards she excitedly said-Mom-I can breathe through both sides of my nose! Sunday she woke me up at 7:00 and asked if we could do the oil pulling again because "it made me feel so good yesterday" I felt good after my treatment and enjoyed two full nights of sleep, which hasn't happened in years! Will post back in 1 week to report on daughter's sore throat. Love this site-thanks so much!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Spb (New York) on 02/09/2011
★★★★★
I have been pulling with extra virgin coconut oil for the past month and the results are amazing. I have better sleeping habits, suppression of appetite, weight loss, Candida is under control, PMS and hormonal balance (mood swings and pre-ovulation pain are gone! ). Whiter teeth, pink gums, increased energy, colon cleansing and you name it.
I have also been using coconut oil on my skin and as an oil treatment in my hair. My remains moist longer and my heels are softer. My hair is thicker. I highly recommend oil pulling with extra virgin coconut oil.
Broad Benefits
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
Improved Vision
Posted by Timh (Louisville, Ky) on 08/23/2012 2041 posts
Betty, the ammonia smell could be some kind of chemical reaction w/ your tooth brush formula as I have never read any report of this as result of O.P. so do your brushing at another time but do a post-clean w/ H2O2 gargle; then monitor for the A smell.
Bursitits, Arthritis
Posted by Laurie (Moriarty, New Mexico) on 11/24/2010
★★★★★
Ran into the phrase oil pulling while looking up natural ways to treat bursitis and arthritis. I was having severe pain in my right shoulder and arm, would hurt like crazy all day and get so much worse at night, I was about ready to go see about getting a shot for it. I knew that was not a great thing either, so went to the internet to see what else there was. Decided to give the oil a try. For the first time in months I am almost pain free, and this after only a few weeks of doing the oil pulling. I will never not do this again!! Am glad I ran into this sight, and I would recommend that everyone at least give this a good try and see what good things might come about. I use coconut oil, am going to try switching back and forth. Happy pulling! Laurie B
Sinus Infections
Posted by Arsieiuni (Arley, Al, United States Of America) on 11/02/2010
★★★★☆
I tried this yesterday morning to combat an oncoming sinus infection and it was fantastic! One tablespoon of sesame oil (it's just a brand I keep on hand for cooking, bought from the local superdepartment store but no ingredients beyond the oil listed) in my mouth and I began swishing it and pulling it through my teeth. I did this as long as I could stand (being sick a the time makes it a little unpleasant as breathing was difficult) and spit it out. It was not quite colorless as the article implied it should be but it had gone from a rich brown to a pale, pale yellow-brown. I know I probably needed to swish it longer, but I couldn't breathe (due to head congestion, unrelated to the Oil Pulling). I did feel a little better instantly. I felt better through-out the day and night. Today, I didn't do oil pulling because the congestion has gone into my throat and I knew breathing would be worse, but it is something I'll continue to do for dental health and its other benefits. I feel it did help combat the sinus infection which has gone from severe congestion to mild congestion today. I also used cayenne gargling and ACV to combat the sore throat and congestion. I LOVE EARTH CLINIC!
Vitamin E Added
Posted by Zsaqwe (Brownsville, Texas) on 10/12/2010
I just started with oil pulling. Thanks for the suggestion to add vitamin E. I am in. I will start and see what happens. Thanks
Dental Issues
Posted by Dee (Dublin, Ireland) on 10/12/2010
Hello, I have been oil pullling for 7 mins before bed for 5 nights and have found great improvements in this short space of time. I have a lot of amalgam fillings, root canals and crowns and there is no way I can afford to replace them. My question is this: Is there anyone on this site that has amalgam fillings, root canals and/or crowns that has NOT had problems with them when oil pulling? I would really appreciate hearing from people who have NOT had problems. Are there any people who could reassure me?
Thanks
Dee
Dental Issues
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 10/12/2010
Hi Carly and Dee, I did oil pulling for a few months last year and have a mouth full of fillings and two caps. One is gold and one is porcelain. I didn't have any problems at all with any of them while oil pulling. Perhaps, the problems were pre-existent for those who had trouble and the oil pulling brought light to that. By the way, the fillings are from when I was quite young and the gold cap is from when I was about 12 and the porcelain about 3 years ago. Hope this helps in your decision to try this procedure.
Dental Issues
Posted by Dee (Dublin, Ireland) on 10/13/2010
Hi Bessie, Thanks for your answer, I feel better knowing that and would love to hear from even more people still. Thanks to you all, Dee
Dental Issues
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 10/13/2010
Hi Dee, In regards to my fillings, yes, they are silver amalgams and they are over 40 years old! Strangely enough, my fillings have held just fine over the years but, two of the teeth have crumbled off around them! Thus, that is why I have the one porcelain cap. The other tooth I just left alone because it is the very back one and doesn't bother me. Honestly, I don't think oil pulling will do anything to your teeth in a negative manner. Hope that helps.
Dental Issues
Posted by Kylie (Whitianga, New Zealand) on 06/26/2013
I've been oil pulling on and off for about three years (thanks to Earthclinic) and didn't know till today that you weren't supposed to do it if you have amalgams. I have one amalgam, one cap and have had no issues to date. I had an implant put in last month in Thailand - which has already broken, but that was due to my bite rather than oil pulling. I did stop oil pulling for a few weeks after the tooth was put on though as the implant felt pulled at with the swishing - I guess the jaw was not used to any kind of pressure or movement since the actual tooth was removed some years prior. I'll continue to oil pull as I really don't think it's anything other than beneficial. I alternate between olive oil and coconut depending on my mood. I think olive oil whitens better and you can spit it down the sink (yes, I know you're not supposed to!).
Dental Issues
Posted by KT (The Usa) on 07/07/2013
I have been looking for a reason not to OP because of amalgam filings. What is the harm? I've been OP for awhile and I don't think I recognize any problems. Are there certain early warning signs?
Dental Issues
Posted by Yoli (Fontana, California) on 04/07/2014
I have the same question about porcelain crowns. I have several of them. I have been oil pulling for around a year now and I don't want them to fall out or start to come unglued. Any help with this would be appreciated! Yoli
Broad Benefits
Posted by Karen (Sydney, Nsw) on 10/02/2010
★★★★★
I have been oil pulling for 6 months now. I have experienced quite a few things. Firstly, the rash on the skin but it went away after awhile ( a few weeks). Perhaps it is removing toxins through the skin also. I have bridge work and was getting a gap between the gum and bridge. After a week, the gap closed, the dark discoloration disappeared and any plaque on my teeth is long gone. I usually rinse my mouth with warm water afterwards. I haven't had a flu or any sickness since oil pulling. I use olive oil and have used sesame seed oil but I prefer the olive oil. My breath is fresh and clean. No morning breath smell. My jawline is more chiseled (had a bit of a double chin before).
My best advice is to keep oil pulling until any side effects leave and they will. I have old metal fillings and if anything, the area around the fillings is cleaner. I originally had a sore gum when I started and eating made it worse. After the first oil pull, the inflammation went away. Oil pulling is the best thing you can do for your body. I have my kids oil pull now and the dentist couldn't believe how clean and plaque free my kids teeth were.. I oil pull usually in the morning before breakfast and then rinse my mouth out with warm water or rinse it with ACV I have in a bottle of water. Somedays I oil pull for the full twenty minutes, some days 10 minutes and 10 minutes later in the day. I only do it once a day. I usually eat or drink after pulling, about 30 minutes later. If it hurts your jaw, pull relax, pull relax, or keep your head down to take the pressure off the jaw. This is Gods miracle cure along with Castor oil. I couldn't live without either. All the best to everyone trying it for the first time. Keep at it and you will soon enough realise how wonderful oil pulling is. God Bless you
Headaches
Posted by Tasha (East Coast, Usa) on 09/23/2010
★★★★★
Oil pulling for headaches
I wanted to try oil pulling just for laugh and giggles. It seemed to be such a cheap and effective detox. I always wake up with headaches. I have insomnia and I grind my teeth terribly, all contributing factors Im sure. Usually they subside after waking, sometimes they stay with me through the day. Oil pulling with Virgin Olive Oil for 2-4 minutes(yes white and thin already) eliminated these headaches after a minute or two. In fact, I felt great after doing it. It was only after reading about the sideffects of OP on tooth fillings did I quit. I only did it for a few days. I really, REALLy hate that I had to stop. But I have metal fillings and am in need of 8 new more and cannot risk them being harmed by OP. I do, HIGHLY recommend oil pulling.
Detoxification
Posted by Maria De Suecia (London, United Kingdom) on 09/15/2010
★★★★★
I started oil pulling 3 days ago, 3 times/day, using Cold pressed Sesame Oil. I eat well and do Bikram Yoga 4 times/week and I run a couple of times per week. I don't drink and I don't smoke. I drink plenty of water with, always with apple cider vinegar for dinner, and I take Virgin Coconut Oil for my underactive thyroid. So I am doing what I can to stay healthy. Anyway, I think I must have a huge bladder because no matter how much water I drink (quite a bit daily) I rarely have to urinate, and I NEVER have to go during night.
This is what happened the night after oil pulling day 1: I had to go and empty my bladder twice! No, I did not have more or less water/tea/juice than usual. This is unheard of in my case. The 2nd day I had to urinate frequently throughout the day and the same went for day three. So I began googling "frequent urination" and read that it is a classic detox symptom. Ha! Is what I say to all narrow minded cynical sceptics. Morover my teeth have never been so white and I feel more mental clarity, more refreshed upon waking up. I'll keep doing this to see where it will take me!
Detoxification
Posted by Chris (San Antonio, Texas Usa) on 08/04/2011
This may be a little late to post, but I assume the detox is occuring. When your body has toxins that are ready to exit, it uses the liquids that you ingest to expel the toxins. Once the detox becomes less prevalent, you will notice the urination to go away.
Broad Benefits
Posted by L (San Antonio, Tx) on 08/30/2010
★★★★★
This is my 4th day of oil pulling 2x a day. After the 3rd day my bad breath was gone. Ive been suffering with this for 2 years despite flossing, brushing and using mouthwash regularly. I had hemorrhoids and the itch and yellow discharge is almost completely gone. I felt the clearing of sinuses and I've noticed a distinct diminishing of the taste for cigarettes. If this were all there was to gain it would be fine. But I'm looking forward to seeing benefits from oil pulling in my neck and low back spine injury as well... Yea!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Jan (Harper Woods, Mi) on 03/28/2012
Your reply is a bit confusing, maybe explain what your lab results were.
I too have tried oil pulling in the past, I used Sunflower oil since it had a very mild flavor and it seemed less strong in taste then the sesame seed oil did. I didn't stay with it long enough to experience results. But after reading through many of these posts I have decided to give it another try. I chose to use Coconut oil this time, since the taste is milder. I'm on day 2 now, and will commit to doing it twice a day for 20 minutes. I have gum issues with my teeth and have a continous bad taste in my mouth, so I'm hoping the oil pulling will resolve this.
