Oil Pulling: Unlock Natural Oral Health & Detox Benefits

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184 User Reviews
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3 star (14) 
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1 star (7) 
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Posted by Leanne (Atlanta, GA) on 01/22/2009

Just wondering if it's okay to try OP during pregnancy. I'm very interested to see if it could help the nausea.

EC: Leanne - We've passed your question along to Ted.

Replied by M
(St Louis, Mo)
02/09/2009

to Leanne from Atlanta, GA -- A friend of mine had morning sickness for nine months with two of her three children. When she started her third pregnancy, she had already gotten off all sugar foods and drinks to lose weight and had no morning sickness. The one time she cheated with some dessert she got very ill and did not make that mistake again. she had a beautiful nine months pregnancy sickness free!

Replied by Gin
(Philadelphia, PA)
04/12/2009

I read on the http://www.oilpulling.org/ FAQ page that OP can be practiced by pregnant women.


General Feedback
Posted by Lucas (Santa Rosa, CA / USA) on 01/16/2009

I am just starting (today) with the OP remedy and have just one concern: I cannot go the whole 15 minutes without having to spit out some of the oil/saliva mixture in my mouth. The misture had become milky at about the 7 minute point.

This does not surprise me as I have been told by my dental hygienist that I tend to produce more than usual amounts of saliva.

After spitting 2 times (at about 10 minutes into the treatment) I decided to add some fresh oil as I sensed that the original oil had become so diluted with saliva that there was hardly any left. I pulled this for another 8 minutes and then spit everything out (it was milky again).

Any suggestions? Thanks, Lucas


General Feedback
Posted by Lucas (Santa Rosa, CA / USA) on 01/16/2009

I am just starting (today) with the OP remedy and have just one concern: I cannot go the whole 15 minutes without having to spit out some of the oil/saliva mixture in my mouth. The misture had become milky at about the 7 minute point.

This does not surprise me as I have been told by my dental hygienist that I tend to produce more than usual amounts of saliva.

After spitting 2 times (at about 10 minutes into the treatment) I decided to add some fresh oil as I sensed that the original oil had become so diluted with saliva that there was hardly any left. I pulled this for another 8 minutes and then spit everything out (it was milky again).

Any suggestions? Thanks, Lucas


General Feedback
Posted by Renate (Parrish, FL, USA) on 01/13/2009

I have been OP for about a month in am for 20 minutes. My gums and pockets are better! Many 3s are now 2s and gums are not bleeding during the cleaning. I also have been doing ACV for Acid Reflux and Molasses for anti-aging (I am 56) and general well being. The ACV gave me burning tongue and very burning throat. I did the BS remedy and now do the EC receipe of 2 TBL ACV, 1 TBL Molasses in hot water w/1/8 tsp of BS. I add the turmeric and cayenne pepper as well.

My liver enzymes are elevated for the 1st time ever and the doctor seemed concerned and I have to retest in 3 weeks. I read in one of Ted's comments that some of the oil in OP settles in the liver. Has any one experienced elevated liver levels or heard of this? Not sure if Ted's comment is a bad thing or not. Thank you EC for this site and to all that contribute.

EC: We're also going to cross-post your feedback to the Remedies Side Effects page (under Multiple Remedies Tried, page 5): https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/side_effects.html

Replied by Rosy
(Orlando, Fl)
01/14/2009

I read some place that Coconut oil isn't metabolized in the liver, while all other oils are. What kind of oil are you using? I would try to change to Virgin Coconut oil if your liver is getting grumpy from the oil pulling. I would also suggest organic, as some pesticides/herbicides affect the liver.

Replied by Ted
(Bangkok, Thailand)
01/13/2009
391 posts

A liver has a poor tolerance to oily foods in general and may cause some congestion of liver. In which case I would likely do three things:

1. One tablespoon of granulated lecithin a day.
2. No oil pulling for now.
3. Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda twice a day or three times a day.

An apple cider vinegar should always have 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda added to neutralize the acidity. Otherwise it will cause burning tongue. Usually a burning tongue or acid mouth is caused by the body's need for more potassium bicarbonate or potassium citrate, which usually neutralizes the acidity of mouth quite fast. A baking soda will require more time, but the apple cider vinegar may aggravate it.

If there is any better alternative to oil pulling (O.P.)without any problems then it is alway the P.O. (Pulling Oil) remedy, which usually the use of granulated lecithin to remove the excessive oil accumulation, usually not from oil pulling itself, but from generally high dietary oily and fatty foods. Any addition of any oil may have broke the camel's back. The effects of Pulling Oil reduces excessive fats and congestion in the liver, while baking soda is supportive to liver function.

Ted

Replied by Renate
(Parrish, FL)
01/17/2009

I am using unrefined sesame oil. I try to buy organic but can't find all the time. I'm confused about what kind of oil to use in regards to unrefined or refined. Dr. Karach (sp?) states to use refined. I do not eat fatty foods, only veggies, fruit, fish, a little chicken, whole grains. I have organic CO and will use that after a break from OP and currently starting on Ted's response. THANK YOU.

Replied by Kelly
(Nashville, TN)
01/18/2009

I have a Jack Russell Terrier that was diagnosed with elevated liver enyzmes about 5 years ago. We go to a holistic vet who prescribed SamE for her. She has been on SamE daily (200mg) for years and her liver enzymes are now normal.


General Feedback
Posted by Sandy (Bangalore, India) on 01/04/2009

Hi, it will be very useful if the oil pulling feedback page can be split up based on the type of oil used. For eg, 1 page for OP with coconut oil, 1 page for OP with sesame oil, 1 page for OP with sunflower oil, and so on. This is because various oils help with various ailments. It will be immensely helpful to know which oil we should use in OP to cure which ailment. Thanks!

EC: Thank you, Sandy, what a great idea! Starting to work on it now -- should be done in another hour or two. It's slow going, have to read through and then rename each post!

https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/oil_pulling.html

New titles for the table of contents:

Coconut Oil
Olive Oil
Safflower Oil
Sesame Oil
Sunflower Oil
Multiple Oils Tried
General Feedback (no oil specified)


General Feedback
Posted by Mithun (Bangalore, Karnataka) on 01/02/2009

does oil pulling help in curing hairfall if so which oil sould i use....


General Feedback
Posted by Nancy (Brighton, Michigan) on 12/24/2008

after op for a month my last visit to the hygenist was greatly improved. she said what ever i was doing to keep doing it. i didn't tell her about the op. now yesterday i noticed a bump about the size of an eraser on the inside of my gum near a tooth. it isn't painful but it has me concerned and wondering if i should discontinue. can't get in to the dentist as it Christmas.

Replied by Janice
(Austin, TX)
12/25/2008

Did the bump appear soon after a visit to the hygenist? If so, is it possible that the procedure at the dentist's office caused the problem? After a visit to the dentist last year, I had bad breath for weeks afterwards. I suspected that either the equipment wasn't adequately cleaned or that she pushed bacteria into my gums during the scrapping part. Yuck. Try holding a hydrogen peroxide soaked cotton ball to the area 3x a day for 5 minutes each time. Sounds like something got embedded in your gum and now you have an infection. Good luck!


General Feedback
Posted by Sri (NJ) on 12/19/2008
★★★★★

I always had Sinus issues as far as 12 years now. Allergies manifested as really quickly. Oil pulling is a god send for people with any of these issues. It became a routine for me before brushing and makes my day a whole lot better. It loosens up the phlegm in the sinuses that accumulates overnight and make it easy to sneeze it out. It seems to also take care of the stubborn plaque and teeth cleaning. Sometimes, if the brushing in the evening does not make me feel clean on teeth, i get to another round of oil pulling to clean up.

However, do not oil pull without at least 3-4 hours after eating and 30mins after drinking anything. This is also mentioned elsewhere. Please follow the instructions meticulously. One thing i noticed is that the amount of time you swish it in mouth depends on how stuffed you are. If you are good, oil takes a while to liquify and if you are stuffed, it liquifies quickly and you can feel it thinning.

This also helps me manage my allergies and I stopped using the sprays and now i am on accupucture treatment to completely get rid of these problems.

If you have that feeling of phlegm stuck in your lower sinuses even with oil pulling, you may want to use netipot. Use kosher salt and warm water. That should give you relief for atleast 24 hours, free of any stuffing what so ever. There are advanced techniques with neti pot (drug stores call it sinus rinse) which can effectively clean every part of sinus over time. Good luck!


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Posted by Tamara (BC, Canada) on 12/08/2008

I am 25 and have had RA for 1-1/2 years and am on medication but I have been oil pulling for 1 week but have cut out dairy, wheat, corn, soy, sugar, caffeine for 5 weeks, take mineral supplements but feel terrible, seem to be worsening everyday. It is very difficult to continue this when I am not feeling better, has anyone gone through this and if so how long until you will feel better? The pain and swelling is in both my feet and my fingers. So walking and anything with my hands is difficult. I need encouragement to continue on if it's going to work with this instead of resorting to more medication!

Replied by Shawn
(Toronto, ON)
12/08/2008

If RA stand for rheum. arthritis in your post, then while you are trying this oil thing, you can add turmeric and rose hip capsules. These greatly reduce inflammation. Good luck!

Replied by James Sesame
(State College, PA)
12/09/2008

Fine to quit vegetable oils & transfats. But you will have to re-introduce animal fats gradually to reanimate your gall bladder. But this will be a problem. You will not digest or absorb anything until you regenerate your gut. Dysbiosis of the gut was the original reason you had all your problems & is the reason you tried all the 'light' diets & got lighter & lighter & lighter. Now you may only tolerate chicken soup. So you are down to it. To save you life stop chasing symptoms & look at your gut & how to restore it. See articles on www.westonaprice.org like Gut & Psychology syndrome, Natasha Campbell-McBride, and others: Problems adjusting to Traditional Foods, Thomas Cowan, MD; Copper-Zinc Imbalance, Laurie Warner, MA, CNC; How to Restore Digestive Health, by Jordan S. Rubin, NMD, CNC.

Also research Clay, it will be a life saver. The winter issue of Alternatives (Dr. David G. Williams) Dec. 2008. will get you started. Beware of Big Money, Big Medicine (as in Quackwatch, and most 'science') They are not your friend. They are 'consensus' science at its best. You will know everything & be able to do nothing. Fringe 'science' is no better. Look at Life Without Bread, by Lutz for the best explanation of mitochondrial energy you will find in the Western world.

Replied by Tamara
(BC, Canada)
12/15/2008

Thanks for the info, I will try the turmeric & rose hip capsules. I have been eating chicken and some red meat but it's interesting because sometimes when I don't eat dinner I feel better the next day? It's been over 2 weeks now and still having flare-ups in areas I haven't had for a long time and am wondering how much longer they will last. I know my arthritis has worsened very much over the last 6 months and is severe so maybe that's why I am not feeling better yet?

Replied by M
(St Louis, MO)
02/09/2009

Tamara, First off, may I suggest what most arthritis. Drs. now know, sugar and caffeine really add to the PAIN of the disease. Secondly, my arthritis has been greatly helped by reading and following the advise for my blood type in Dr Peter D'Adamo's book EAT RIGHT FOR YOUR TYPE. (Blood Type). It explains why not every diet works for everyone.Dr. D' Adamo's father figured out eating patterns based on blood types to help his patients avoid the foods that caused them health problems. Dr. Peter, through science, proved the theory behind the diet for his Doctoral Thesis. In his book he details lists of foods for each blood type that act as highly beneficial to health; are neutral foods; and those foods to avoid because they are toxic to one's blood type, (this works in the same way that other blood types can be helpful or toxic to our blood type if we are given a transfusion). Check it out, you'll feel much better if you eliminate the foods that are toxic to YOUR system. Oil pulling has been very beneficial to my type (A), but NOT coconut oil. Also, blood testing for food allergies WORKS!


General Feedback
Posted by Gr8ful Gal in Cleveland (Cleveland, Ohio) on 12/07/2008
★★★★★

I just want to thank Earth Clinic for such helpful health advice. I was already using ACV. (*1/2 cup in the morning). But I noticed my depression worsening I was thinking of going to a therapist. When one night I was internet surfing and found this site. I also kept having migraine headaches. (of course) no doctor, or medicines helped. I ran across the oil pulling remedies. So, I tried it. The results are great!!!! The oil pulling (first thing in the morning) *1/2 a cup its the BEST THING I could have done. Its healthy for me and has no negative side effects. My depression has gone away!!! I sleep better, I am not restless, my mood swings have diminished. I have so much energy its ridiculous!!! I can feel and see the difference. I have also tried the BSS (Baking Soda Scrub) I add honey and a little water until it thickens to my liken. (I have oily/combo skin). I used ACV as a toner,(diluted with water on a cotton ball). VCO (Virgin Coconut Oil) as a moisturizer. (very thin amount) My face glowed. I only do it 3x a week. It is so great to have all these resources at hand. And they are so inexpensive. Thank You so much!!! Earth Clinic.

Replied by Joy
(Solana Beach, CA)
02/23/2009

You might want to also consider taking Lugol's iodine. I read on Earth Clinic that regular use of ACV affects our iodine levels...and iodine is very important for health. Check out Earth Clinic's Iodine Remedy page, if you haven't already.

But anyway, congratulations on all the great results you are having!


General Feedback
Posted by Elizabeth (Murfreesboro, TN) on 12/05/2008

Is it safe to do oil pulling during pregnancy? I would think that as it is just oil swished in your mouth it would be safe. However, many people are talking about detox effects and if that is really true I'd be worried about the effect of toxins on the baby. I was looking into it because I have bad gingivitis and I really need to clear it. I just found out that I'm also anemic (probably from pregnancy) and have an enlarged right side of my heart. I may also have developed diabetes, but I won't know that for about a week. This is why I really want to improve my oral health. Detox is good, but if toxins are circulating in my blood they could hurt the baby (isn't that why they tell you not to lose weight TOO fast if you're breastfeeding--because there could be too many toxins?) If oil pulling isn't safe, is there anything natural that is?

EC: 2 other women have asked that question on the OP Q&A page, but so far no one has responded!

Replied by Brenda
(St Saviour, Jersey Channel Islands)
01/13/2011

Hi there was a reply to this question it was: on the oil pulling website it states that it is safe for pregnant woman to oil pull. I realise that the question was a couple of years ago however hope this helps new people like me who are reading all the posts here. Thanks


General Feedback
Posted by Ashley (Durham, NC) on 12/05/2008

I have been oil pulling for the past 6 weeks with sesame oil in the beginning and for the past 4 weeks with sunflower oil. In the beginning everything was ok. for the past 3 weeks my eyes have been red and glossy. thought i had pink eye as I used to have mucos coming out of eyes that went away. Went to the doctor a week ago, he said it was allergies and perscribed some drops. WHat a waste of $70. My eyes are no better than before. Could oil pulling be causing my red eyes. They don't hurt just don't look good. Please help me make them go away!Thanks.

Replied by Marguerite
(Chapel Hill, NC)
12/28/2008

Ashley, Could you be having an allergic reation to the actual oil you are using? Perhaps change the type of oil or go to a different brand? It is hard to have red eyes during the holidays. Hope you are doing better soon!

Replied by Peachypie
(Paramus, NJ)
05/23/2009

My daughter is allergic to sunflower oil. When it touches her face she becomes red and blotchy. I would try another oil.


General Feedback
Posted by Deb (PG, UT) on 11/19/2008

I don't know if the OP pulls out toxins but I can tell you I have had chronic infections in both my lungs and sinuses for almost a yr. I started oil pulling about 6 days ago. Just once in the morning for about ten minutes. I within the hour felt aching in my shoulders. Since I do aerobics I assumed it was pulling inflamation from the muscles. Then day 3 my left hip hurt so bad I couldn't walk. Today day 6 I didn't pull because I was in such pain I couldn't stand it. In my shoulders and my hip aching throbbing pain. Can someone expand on this issue? I really want to get rid of the infections but just can't get around during the day to function. The pain is really bad.

Replied by Deb
(PG, Utah)
11/26/2008

added notes. On day 7 (I stopped OP on day 6) the pain was eased some. Day 8 much better and by day 10 the pain is not noticable. I want to do the oil pulling for my sinuses and lungs but was in such pain in my joints don't know if I can take it again. I wish someone would comment or advise.

Replied by Deb
(PT, UT)
12/07/2008

I guess I am giving up that someone will respond to my posts. I have been hopeing to get some answers about the oil pulling but maybe no one reads them. I wish all of you the best but I will not oil pull again until I find out what caused the pain in my joints.

Replied by Kate
(Greenwich, Connecticut)
12/07/2008

Deb, it does sound very strange. Possible that some kind of heavy metal (lead?) has gotten into your joints and is now being detoxed from your system? Maybe some supplements to detox from heavy metals would be helpful before you do any more oil pulling. I really don't know enough about this, just my initial thoughts. Hopefully someone will post who is more knowledgeable about joint pain. Have you tried monitoring your urinary pH? I would be interested to know what it is before and after OP. I would also research fluoride poisoning and lyme disease symptoms. The OP is flaring up some already existing condition, that's what I think.

Replied by Ted
(Bangkok, Thailand)
12/14/2008
391 posts

An alternate oil pulling is possible without use of Oil Pulling, which is Granulated Lecithin, which is a more effective form of oil pulling. Since Granulated lecithin is a fat emulsifier, it virtually pulls the oil out of the system my literally solubilizing them and is excreted via the stool, as well as free heavy metals too, which are oil soluble because they are hydrophobic. It's taken at least 1 tablespoon a day. It is the literal method of oil puling where the oil gets pulled from the body, instead of using the oil to pull out the toxins, while the body accumulates more vegetable oils.

Some people have low tolerance to any oily foods, including oil pulling. What is not mentioned is the enormous effects of health it has on eating foods with vegetable oils. While oil pulling do in few cases cause a person to be sick, if a person has low tolerance to oils in general. This happens sometimes for certain oils or an entire range of oils, including olive oil. Although I report the least problems from olive oil use, however current oil pulling use is sunflower oil. In case it doesn't work, for sunflower oil, it might work for olive oil. However, some people get a skin allergy response just applying olive oil to their skin or the use on their hair. Certain imbalances in higher chain oil is possible and a condition might be reduced by eating a small amount of beeswax, or another form, octacosanol where these very long chain fatty alcohols reduces LDL, low density lipoprotein, and other substances responsible for the negative reaction from vegetable oil use. It seems to help reduce cholesterol too. If an alternative oil pulling is used without the resultant side effects, adding some peppermint oil may reduce the problem, or if the liver has low tolerance to oil, it also helps if granulated lecithin is used instead. Granulated lecithin taken at one tablespoon per day preferably before meal. It should be noted that oil soluble compounds, including benzene, and toxic chemicals that are oil soluble recirculates in our body for the rest of our life and accumulates in the liver. There's no way out, except granulated lecithin which are a fat emulsifer, that helps the fat become water soluble so the body can rid of them much easier. It's the same thing when we take too much vitamin A or vitamin E and is stored by the liver. I have seen instances where long term used of ANY oils, whether they be aloe vera oil, olive oil, causes allergic and body's negative response. The cause is that the liver simply can't hold any more oils that's being accumulated and has to find a way out. One here I mentioned is granulated lecithin, but there's a limited extend of possible removal with the use of drinking ACV apple cider vinegar, which is also solubilizes the oil, as well as borax remedy, and alkalization remedy. They are all surfactants. The French Paradox where they consume more cholesterol then the U.S, but had less maybe due to the fact that a small amount of alcohol in wine may have helped the liver remove excessive oils and fats. However, other avenues in reducing other oils, such as triglycerides exists in drinking unsugared no artificial flavoring, no artificial sweetners such as green tea also. However, I always add a tiny pinch of borax, as some green tea may have fluoride and this aids in the removal.

While I can't say oil pulling using vegetable oil is the best, the one with the least problem is the use of oil pulling by literally pulling the accumulate oils (and bad oils) out of the system using granulated lecithin. In fish pathology, using rancid oils is about the worse things you can do to cause teh fish to be sick, but rancid oils exists in human diets to much greater extent owing to their being long on the shelf, and cooing of vegetable oils further worsen the oil tolerances, whenever the liver can no longer take any more oils from the system.

Ted

P.S. This second form of oil pulling might be named Pulling Oil instead of Oil Pulling. It's the second type of detoxification using lecithin.

Replied by Judy
(Hicktown, GA)
12/20/2008

It might be me, but I do not understand the reply to Deb from PG, UT. I also have the same symptoms she does, lung problems, and extreme joint pain after 1 month of oil pulling 1x per day for 20 minutes. I also have gum problems that have gotten much worse since op. Does anyone know why this is happening? Also, is granulated lecithin swished as with oil, or taken internally? Thanks to all who can help.

Replied by Joyce
(Joelton, Tn)
12/21/2008
495 posts

To Judy and Deb with aches & pains from oil pulling:

Hi there, I don't think I read what kind of oil either of you are using, so there is a possibility of a reaction or allergy to the oil being used. I also have lots of head/chest congestion because of allergy, but have no problem with using EV olive oil. Try switching to a different oil and see if that helps with your aches & pains.

I do have the answer to the Lecithin granules. They are taken internally - just stir them up in milk, juice or water & drink them. My preference is buttermilk.

Replied by Joy
(Solana Beach, CA)
02/23/2009

I take lecithin in a fruit smoothie every day...along with a tsp of powdered wheat grass juice and sweeten it with Stevia.

Replied by Veronica
(Welsh, Louisiana/USA)
04/15/2009

What does the Granulated Lecithin do to you? How does it work like Oil Pulling? Veronica

EC: Please read Ted's posts re: lecithin here: https://www.earthclinic.com/supplements/lecithin.html


General Feedback
Posted by Emma (London , UK) on 10/22/2008

I have been reading your site about OP and the results some have had. I have only been doing for 2 days after having had a viral infection now for weeks which seemed to have pretty much gone but now i'm feeling back to how I was when it was at it's worst almost! I have also not smoked in the past 2 weeks and am bringing up quite a bit of grose phlem all of the sudden, have a slightly heavy chest and am blowing my nose more regularly also. Is this a normal recation to the oil pulling does anyone know? I have stopped and have not continued with the practise. Thanks for any help you can give on this matter!

Replied by Tess
(Palm Beach, FL)
10/22/2008

Sounds like your body is detoxing. Have you read up on Herx reactions? I think people are supposed to take more vitamin C when they are going through a detox like that. Oh, and drink lots of water too. Hope this helps. Tess

Replied by Deborah
(Denison, TX)
10/24/2008

You need to keep doing it so that you will complete the detox. I started oil pulling a year ago and I also coughed up some ugly thick crud. But my thyroid is back to normal and I can swallow dry food again. My vision is clearer and I do not have dry skin anymore. You are just going through the healing process. Also change your oils frequently. I change mine monthly so that I get the best detox. I use sunflower oil and coconut oil from the pharmacy.

Replied by Marcus
(Virginia Beach, VA)
11/19/2008

Both of the above are correct. Please remember that you quit smoking and this will bring up additional detoxing as well. Please continue the oil pulling.

Replied by Earl
(Middleton, Wi. Us)
09/27/2012

To the person coughing up phlem etc after performing OP. It is quite natural for this to happen because OP causes you to detox. It is not a bad thing but a good thing. People must realize when you do this and obtain a "detox" result, it is working. How can you expect to "detox without detoxing?"


General Feedback
Posted by Aliesha (Newcastle, NSW, Australia) on 10/18/2008
★★★★★

My partner recently had immense toothache pain. One of his upper teeth had broken away revealing a large cavity, and the two bottom ones, had small black flecks on them - obviously needing fillings. He had seen me doing oil pulling on a regular basis, and although happy with my results, I don't think he thought it was for him. He was writhing around in pain, couldn't sleep and pain killers would not work. The earliest dental appointment was a week away. I finally convinced him to do oil pulling. To be honest, I wasn't sure it would work, as I thought perhaps his tooth was too far gone to be be saved, but he did it every morning for around 5 days. The pain completely disappeared in all teeth. He is now a big believer and is recommending it to all his clients. Thanks for a wonderful site.



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