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 Ibiza (New York, Ny) on 07/20/2010
I've been oil pulling for almost two weeks now. I use 1 Tbls. Of Virgin unrefined VCO. I do it first thing in the morning after I clean my teeth but before any food. I read about it here and also read several people's testimonies about cleansing crises. I didn't think I would have one because, prior to oil pulling, I had been on a simple cleansing diet for two months, composed only of organic fruits, vegetables, nuts and beans, teas and water. However, I have started a crisis. Let me say that, after about 5 days of doing it, I started to have slight pain while urinating. It felt like the beginning of a bladder infection. It cleared up in about 3 days without doing anything special. Afterward, I also noticed that my urine felt "heavy, " and maybe slightly darker. Mind you, I was drinking a lot of water. I just felt like toxins were being eliminated. Yesterday, during yoga class, I noticed that my perspiration tasted different. It actually burned my tongue a little and I had to wipe my mouth! I also attribute this to toxins being eliminated. I take a lot of yoga classes and sweat sometimes gets in my mouth. It's normally slightly salty and not gross at all. But the biggest thing that happened is that my heat sensitivity issue shot through the roof. I had several sweating spells when I just could not stop sweating almost all over my body. It felt like a seizure almost. (I've never had a seizure but I imagine you feel very much out of control). I was working in a tight space and it was awful! I'm lucky to have found a great natural deodorant that worked fantastically but it was still a nightmare. Before I realized that it was a healing crisis, I was so depressed, thinking that I was going backwards. I have been dealing with hormone disruption for over two years due to exposure to toxins that stopped my period, caused hot flashes, which turned into heat sensitivity. Now that I know what the crisis is, and that my body is really cleansing a lot, I feel much better about it. Still, I am going to have to slow the cleansing down. I just can't have sweating episodes. I'm going to not do the OP two days a week when I have to go into work. I also just started alkalizing my water with drops. I imagine that my system is very acidic from the toxins. Becoming more alkaline must help. I am also going to switch to sesame oil, the traditional oil used for OP. I did a lot of reading and I think it's the one I need, even though I like the VCO.
I also started taking a tsp of VCO in the evening. I read that it is really good for high cholesterol and thyroid issues. My theory is that my immune system has been compromised by allergens, both natural and artificial. As a result, my liver is working too hard and my endocrine system has been challenged. I know that my hormones are completely crazy. My inner barometer is broken. I feel like my heat sensitivity is due to that and is also a response to allergens which are not being dealt with efficiently because my liver is overworked. I know that thyroid and cholesterol issues run on both sides of my family. This bad smelling and toxic sweat, I believe, is really a secretion brought about by high cholesterol. Lipids are being excreted through my skin and they contain toxins that are being carried out of the body. The sesame oil will help internally and also externally as a nightly massage. I am going to try scrubbing my skin periodically with baking soda because it actually itches a little (I guess from the toxins) even though I use a peppermint castile soap. The liver produces cholesterol when it can't get it from dietary sources. I'm not sure but maybe VCO and sesame oil ease the production of these lipids by the liver. Eventually, I will also take a tsp of sesame oil daily too. I will report back about the progress!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Joyce (Indiapolis, In) on 02/04/2016
I suggest for you to look up Candida infection it is cause of chronic illness. Earth Clinic has a good write up on using borax to detox from it. Candida is liked to ms, fibromyalgia , and a list of numerous other issues. I had issues from antibiotics and chemo. Started having joint pain head pressure and panic attacks I went to ER 5 times within 2 months to be too nothing wrong. Then I found an article on borax and using it to flush it really helps. I was real sick for a week. It was the die off, I later learned.I'm beginning to feel better. Just read about Candida and the antibiotic syndrome.you will learn a lot.
Edema, Eczema
Posted by Jim (Charlotte , Nc) on 05/16/2010
★★★★★
my oil pulling regimine
I use both olive oil and coconut oil togather.(1 tsp ea). This seems to be very effective.My swish time varies from 10 to 20 min. depending on my tolerence for a stong herx, that day. It is clearing up a 4 year problem with leg edema/eczema
jim
Ganglion Cyst
Posted by Swanny (Swansea, West Glamorgan, United Kingdom) on 05/08/2010
★★★★★
Oil pulling with virgin coconut oil cured my ganglion cyst - I was oil pulling to help my receding gumline...the ganglion cyst (which I have had for many years and was very unsightly) was a complete and unexpected bonus.
Ganglion Cyst
Posted by Swanny (Swansea, West Glamorgan, United Kingdom) on 05/08/2010
★★★★★
I started Oil pulling with coconut oil about three weeks ago, mainly for receding gums. I haven't actually noticed any improvement yet there, although my teeth are now really white and my gums do look nice and pink, but the main thing I wanted to say was that my unsightly ganglion cyst (with which I have suffered for many,many years) has vanished. Previously I had been bashing it with a bible to get rid (I've also tried red clay mud and huge quantities of ACV with tumeric that made me quite ill).I have been putting cocnut oil in my daily porridge instead of butter (only about 1 tsp per day), and it's obviously done the business.
Well pleased.
Sinus Headaches
Posted by Chattvol (Cos, Colorado) on 04/27/2010
★★★★★
I've been Oil pulling for about 5 weeks with coconut oil. I use about 2 teaspoons in the morning and let it melt in my mouth. I've worked my way up to 17 minutes in the mouth. The most immediate change is I no longer suffer from almost daily sinus headaches. My teeth feel cleaner but unsure if they are actually whiter. My skin feels not as dry. Just the change in my sinuses is enough for me to continue. Do you guys change your oil every few months and do you oil pull more than 1x per day? Thanks
Triggered Keratosis Pilaris
Posted by Calmfire (New York, Ny, Usa) on 03/30/2010
BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Hi all!
I have been oil pulling for about 2 weeks now. Two times a day, a tablespoon at a time. I have been using virgin coconut oil. My teeth do feel cleaner, they don't look whiter yet, but I'm hoping that that will come. My gums no longer bleed when I floss, yay! I have experienced some side effects. I developed a sore on my gums about two days into it, but it went away. And then about a week into it, I developed a really bumpy, tender and itchy rash on my forearms. It didn't occur to me that this might be from oil pulling because I am using new bed sheets, but I thought to google it tonight and apparently I'm not the only one who has developed the same type of rash from pulling with virgin coconut oil...I think that it's called Keratosis Pilaris. Their thoughts are that it might be yeast being pushed out of the body. I'm treating the rash on my arms with coconut oil and cortizone right now...will update if anything else happens.
Dental Issues
Posted by Atul (Mumbai, Maharashtra, India) on 03/11/2010
★★★★★
Hi, I'd like to provide some background info first. My grandmother died at 90, all her teeth were intact and she never visited a dentist in her life. My father at 65, one tooth had to be removed otherwise no dental work. Both of them rubbed a mixture of mustard (rapeseed) oil and white rock salt on their gums. Besides this like all hygenic Indians they rinsed their mouth after every meal. This meant the the tiny bits and pieces at breakfast seldom rotted till night.
I on the other hand have had severe problems with teeth and gums. I took to the grandmas recipe, but found my gums were feeling inflammed so I stopped it.
I tried OP using sesame oil and have found that it does not irritate my gums.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Maria (Clarkesville, Georgia, Usa) on 02/27/2010
★★★★★
Hi there,
I used to use triple refined sunflower oil to oil pull with outstanding results for about 2 years. I recently moved to the US and couldn't find sunflower oil at the grocery store so I tried triple refined Peanut oil instead. I read one of the posts that said that peanut oil was dangerous since mold often grows on the peanuts that are used to make the oil. Is this true? I must say the quality of the peanut oil is really good and it has a clean, neutral taste.
Also, I quit oil pulling for about 3 months last year and all the symptoms of my ailments like stiff joints, yellow stained teets etc, returned 10 times more intense than before. So, just remember, once you start oil pulling, there is no turning back!
Kind regards,
Maria
Broad Benefits
Posted by David (Pasadena, Ca) on 04/02/2011
I highly doubt that all these testimonials are "placebo effect, " especially since so many of them had already tried other remedies without success (why didn't they have a placebo effect with those?). I've just started this treatment (yesterday), so I can't say anything about its effectiveness. But I can say that everything I've read says at least 10 and more often 15-20 minutes. If you've been doing it 4 minutes, you may not be getting any significant therapeutic effect (like gargling with Listerine for 15 seconds won't kill bacteria while 30 seconds will). As far as "toxins reabsorbing"--that sounds a little farfetched to me--either the oil "pulls" them out or it doesn't. It can't pull them out and then let them go back in, can it? Anyway, I don't think ayurvedic medicine says anything about this idea of reabsorption--maybe if you really overdid it, but I think you should try 15 minutes 2x a day before you decide whether it works for you or not.
Skin
Posted by Craig (Round Lake, Il) on 02/02/2010
★★★★★
I just started (4 Days)the 1 teaspoon of coconut oil in the morning, with diabetes the first thing I notice is that my skin became smooth like I have been putting lotion on. No longer dry and scaly, I think it is the coconut oil.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Paige (New York, United States) on 12/25/2009
★★★★★
I was using organic toasted sesame oil unrefined and I've stopped having lower back pain, I was suffering from a chronic muscle spasm that has stopped and I dont recall ever having headaches since I started oil pulling or having trouble with my vision, when I would read I see the words do this weird thing, I dont know how to explain but when I concentrate the words seem to do this 3d'ish thing its weird its like the words pop out of the background and it would happen more when im tired out but no more.
Thank You So Much For Your Time. Paige
Broad Benefits
Posted by Jagadeesh (Bangalore, India, Karnataka, India) on 12/23/2009
★★★★★
I have been doing oil pulling for 3 days now and I feel freshness. It seems to be helping in my general conditions too.
Smoking Cough
Posted by Stephen (London, UK) on 11/16/2009
Oil Pulling Causing Side Effects After 5 Months
I am really confused, i have been oil pulling for almost 10 months now, once a day i morning mostly sunflower and recently a few with olive oil. About 5 months ago every time i spat out, i did one big cough and bought up phlegm, directly after spitting one big cough. Then about two months ago the cough developed to an hour, once after spittiong out, then later in the day for an hour. That has since got more regular, not worst, but just coughing a lot up.
Also shortly since starting op, i've got some swellings on neck under jaw, no pain just slight swelling.
I am a smoker (been smoking packet a day for 30 yrs), but i'd never been a cougher till recently. i went to the dr. with my 2 months coughing, quick chest examination they said probably a virus. Seemed nothing wrong with lungs. I think it is the op'ing bringing up and clearing my mucus. is that possible.?
I also daily have a salad dressing which has ACV and Turmeric and Cayenne.
About Oil Pulling
Posted by Herb Bob (Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico) on 11/01/2009
★★★★★
Why does oil pulling work? It acts like a lubricant in your body's hydraulic systems. Sucking like a vacuum, the greasy fluid seals off access to your body's water and air availability. It pushes lymph with poisons, air and nutrients in it through any exit it can (lungs, pores, eyes, hair,etc) along with any water it needs to transport the gunk. That is why, you have to drink three glasses of fluid afterwards. Analogizing with frying oil, it does not work until your cells' water is added to the mix. Then with your cell water the oil becomes hydrogenated, less viscous and less effective after 10 or 15 minutes. The oil solution is forced into your system through the opening below your tongue, your tongue's taste cells, your gums, nasal passage, hairs, and etc. Depending who you want to be, mouthwash with Caesar's, French, Russian, Italian, Basil or Pennzoil. Paging Dr.Gupta, Paging Dr.Gupta
Side Effects
Posted by Charles (Jacksonville, Fl) on 10/25/2009
I got the same symptoms from an inner ear infection, called otitus media. I laid on my back and hung my head over the side of the bed, and filled up my sinuses with 50% H2O2 and Distilled Water. When sinuses are filled the rest will go to the inner ear. was cured in two days...
Side Effects
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) on 11/01/2009 391 posts
Side effects of oil pulling... I don't believe in regular oil pulling. I believe in a balance between oil pulling and pulling oil. The pulling oil is the taking of granulated lecithin to reduce excessive oil buildup in the body. The other thing is some people with hypothyroid may have low iodine levels, in which case 1-2 drops of lugols solution and 1-2 drops of SSKI (potassium iodide), in a cup of warm water or even a liter of water should resolve some hypothyroid in about month. It helps to take 1000 mg of vitamin C for the body to better utilize the iodine, and vice versa.
Sinus Infections
Posted by Monij (St. Louis, Mo) on 10/23/2009
★★★★★
I was miserable last night with an obvious sinus infection and I decided to google natural cures for it and found this wonderful website. I tried the oil pulling technique with extra virgin olive oil and about 35-45 minutes later, the mucous began breaking up and I was able to cough it up and blow my nose! I've been telling everyone about it. Thanks so much!
Lung Debris Expulsion
Posted by 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.
Lung Debris Expulsion
Posted by Marah (Edmonton, Alberta) on 11/05/2009
Just wanted to mention apple cider vinegar to you regarding the phlegm problem. I have been slowly coming down with a cold and my chest has felt congested for a few weeks now. Last night I took 2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with 2 tablespoons of non pasteurized honey. I drank it slowly, taking a sip at a time since I found it to strong to drink in one go. The results were amazing! By the time I was about half way through I felt the phlegm loosen in my chest and was able to cough most of it up. I thought this might help with the violent coughing because it really seems to help loosen the phlegm up.
Best Wishes!
