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 Sue (Sarasota, FL) on 09/14/2008
★★★★★
Oil Pulling. I've been Oil Pulling since December 2007. I started because of dry eyes. I can't say that it helped my dry eyes but some of the benefits are truly amazing, in my case.
I've worn nail polish most of my adult life and, therefore, have yellow nails. After oil pulling for several months, the yellow disappeared. Now that's amazing. Additionally, without prompting, my dental hygienest asked if I was doing anything different. She said I know you drink red wine but you hardly have any stains whatsoever. I go every 6 months for cleanings. I also believe the dark circles under my eyes are much less noticeable. No one ever says... "you look tired." like they did before.
Lastly, to those of you who have asthma, I did too for about 15 years. Chiropractic fixed that. I had an x-ray which showed an old back fracture and my alignment was terrible. After about 9 months of treatment several times a week, I decided to stop my daily inhaler. Very nervous doing so. CURED. Chiropractic cured me. That's all I can say.
Hope this helps.
Sinus Infections
Posted by Simon (Panama City, Florida) on 09/13/2008
★★★★★
Yea: I was suffering from intense sinus head ache pain from a prolonged sinus infection. I read about oil pulling and tried it twice the first day I felt better that day. The next day I felt like a million bucks. I had been suffering with this for two weeks. I couldn't believe how quick this worked for me. I had tried antibiotics,the netty pot,and decongestants but they did not relieve the symptoms. It is now the third day and I still feel better. I can smell again.YEA! I will continue oil pulling once in the morning.
Detoxification
Posted by Abby (Chicago, IL) on 08/30/2008
I did the Oil Pulling with Sesame oil for about a week. I took about a tablespoon once a day in the morning according to directions. I swished for about 15 min, to 20min. About a week later I started getting bad headaches. I never get headaches, but these were bad. I also got diarreah that lasted 2 to 3 days. I felt really sick. I thought maybe this was all apart of detoxing, and I must have been really toxic. I wanted to continue to see if my symptoms would subside, but I had an important weekend that I couldn't be sick for. So I stopped. I want to try again but I'm a little afraid. Maybe it was wrong oil for me? Or maybe I need to just keep it up until I'm throughly detoxed? If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it. -Abby
Broad Benefits
Posted by Knute (Sacramento, USA ) on 08/29/2008
★★★★★
I was fortunate to find out about Dr Karach's oil pulling therapy over 16 years ago, and my objective was to improve my immune system, as a preventative. And it certainly has done so, for example, the number of colds has gone down a lot. Plus, my digestion has improved very much. Also, I can go on for more hours without feeling the need to eat.
I mostly use sesame oil, peanut oil, and sunflower oil: Once per day, one table spoon in the morning, before breakfast, 5-7 days a week. I have found that it's very important to rinse the oral cavity and tonge with baking soda/salt in warm water, and brush all of the same area - including the tongue, after applying just a little baking soda and salt on the toothbrush.
Basically, my opinion is that oil pulling is one of the very best ways to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities, and that includes detoxification. 15-20 minutes in the morning of oil pulling regularly, while taking a shower or shaving or ... - is one of the wisest things we could to, healthwise.
Allergies
Posted by Michael (Los Angeles, CA) on 08/19/2008
★★★★★
Oil-Pulling (remedy) for allergies (ailment):
I started oil-pulling with Sesame oil about 3 months ago. It took a little while to get used to 1 whole Tablespoon of oil for 15-20 minutes, but I just did my normal morning routine while oil-pulling. I have not had to take any prescription allergy medications that I usually took at least a few times per month or when pollen counts were very high in my area. I oil-pull every morning when I wake up without fail and find that I have increased energy and no allergies.
Side Effects
Posted by Hayat (Paris, France) on 08/14/2008
I'm on my 4th day of oil pulling and what I feel is very strange: Tingling all over my body except my face as though my blood had little needles and poking me all over. wanted to know if that was normal?
Nerve Tooth Damage From Drilling
Posted by Shemika (New Brunswick, NJ) on 08/10/2008
★★★★★
I found your site in June of 2007 because I allowed a dentist to talk me into repairing a chipped tooth, he even claimed he wouldn't do any drilling. But he lied & drilled so deep into my gums a nerve was damaged. I was in non stop pain from the time I left his office dispite the novacane,which got worst after it wore off. I could not sleep & cried every night for a month, almost going to the emergency room but determined not to go back to him and fearful of dentists. After searching the net I tried your herbal remedies for the pain and started oil pulling. And within a few days the pain was gone and the only thing I did to maintain it was the oil pulling. I continued it for about 9 mos and felt the tooth must have healed by then so I stopped oil pulling and about two months later the pain returned but there was swelling this time and I was told I must definately get a root canal asap. Instead I started oil pulling again along with ACV and the swelling went away and the pain stopped again. I also recently found a great book about healing cavities and tooth infections called Cure Tooth Decay by Ramiel Nagel. He has a website I believe is www.curetoothdecay.com. He advises what foods to eat to recover from cavites and pressure tecniques to restore the bodies hormonal balance which I barely tried but was amazed that they seem to work right away and I felt a difference. That tooth is now almost 100%. No sensitivity to hot or cold & I can chew any kind of foods no matter how hard, & the tooth no longer feels weeaker than the others. Unlike before when I had to chew certain foods like steak or nuts on the other side of my mouth.
Safflower Oil
Posted by Carol (Cocoa, FL) on 08/02/2008
★★★★★
First, I would like to thank the originator for this web-site. I have been oil pulling for about two months and I have an enormous burst of energy after oil pulling. Previously to oil pulling I was having a problem with my left arm. I had gone to the doctor to have it checked, I had a stress test, blood work etc, results were normal. (it felt like I had some type of pulling in my arm). I have not had any problems with it since oil pulling. My teeth are very white. I am also doing Weight Watchers along with my daily pulling I am losing weight when I started WW I was 247lbs, I am now at 237lbs I don't know yet if I can contribute this to oil pulling yet. I only use 1 tsp of safflower oil and swish for 15-20 every morning. Truly thankful for the energy it gives me. It makes me more active.(which was needed). Thank you. Carol
Skin
Posted by Tracy (Sussex, NJ) on 03/28/2023
That is a healing crisis…keep going!
Skin
Posted by Daniel C. (Phelan, CA ) on 05/24/2024
"Keep going" is correct, it's actually called HERXING, The BODY is DETOXING, so you're gonna worse, before you get better...
Side Effects
Posted by Ulrike (New York, NY) on 08/16/2008
To those who have sores/infections after OP: did you follow the directions closely? It says that you are supposed to rinse your mouth and nose out with anti-bacterial solution (salt and/or baking soda). You are also supposed to drink water after OP, and you are supposed to use a naturally anti-bacterial oil like sesame oil. You are basically bringing up all sorts of germs from your system through delicate mucous membranes, and if you don't clean said membranes after OP, expect problems! As for the tooth alignment issues, most likely you had a preexisting condition (maybe deep pockets from poor oral hygiene) and after the OP removed the bacteria your tooth shifted.
One other note: simple toxicological tests indicate that anything put on the gums will flow to the connective tissues around the organs of the body. This can be shown in a lab! So there is the potential for the health of your gums to directly impact your internal organs and visa versa.
Dental Issues
Posted by Violet (Gresham, OR) on 07/17/2008
I was curious if there was any way that Oil pulling could cause teeth to move from their normal placement or otherwise become crooked. I was oil pulling for about 2 weeks twice a day and just noticed a gap between my central and lateral incisor on the right side with the lateral starting to turn in slightly so that it doesn't line up with my other teeth. Could the oil pulling have caused this?
I used a Tbsp of cold pressed extra virgin sesame oil in the morning and at night. I first started to stop my gums from bleeding but it seemed like my gums started receding and then I later noticed the tooth becoming crooked. I don't know if the Oil pulling caused this but is there anything I can do to fix the tooth and gums?
Dental Issues
Posted by Larry (Bon Aqua, USA) on 07/10/2008
★★★★★
I learned about OP from a nurse at my VA. I thought about it and searched the internet for info.
The reason I used it was to remove the bacteria and poisonous toxins I was sure were under my teeth. I also have diabetes and that causes teeth problems. When I started I was in pain from an exposed nerve.
I used 1T seaseme oil and 1T sunflower oil combined w 5 drops black walnut, 5 drops pepperment and 6 drops cinnamon oils. The peppermint for pain and the cinnamon for the antibacterial. Note: oregano as far as I know is an anti-fungal, not an anti-bacterial.
Regardless I swished my mix for 15 min, keep in mind I was in pain at the time. The first effect I noted, there was no pain even when I drew cold air through the area of my mouth. I could eat hot or cold food w no pain. Needless to say I am hooked for life. Teeth that were rising and becoming loose over the next week returned to near normal and tight in the gum. I don't know about the rest of my ailments. My teeth are much better.
A side observation I would like to mention is directed to the lady in India who tried OP for her wrist and arm metacarpal. I had metacarpal, and the thing I knew that allowed me to overcome it was this. The nevre when damaged will swell in its pathway and this is what causes pain when the joint is moved. Nerves continue to swell if they continue to bump bone which causes more pain. The wrist has a very small passage for its nerves. The swelling that causes the pain is closer to the thumb than the elbow (I mean the swell is trapped). The nerve for the thumb and forefinger extends thru the arm up to the armpit. To releive the pain from my wrist I reach up on a door frame as high as I could. I held on to the frame and dropped my body slowly down, stretching my arm until it was fully extended way over my head. At first fire was running up my arm but when I reached full extention of my arm I felt a pop in my wrist and all pain vanished. Now I stretch to insure it doesn't happen again.
I hope this can help someone. It worked for me.
Insomnia
Posted by Maureen (Tampa, Florida) on 05/13/2008
★★★★★
I started oil pulling 4 days ago and immediately noticed some differences. First I tried Safflower and I slept better then I had in years and my gums did not bleed at all when I flossed that night. Also I am noticing my teeth are whiter and that food I eat after OP tastes better. I don't get food bad breath anymore. My sister noticed her dark circles under her eyes is gone after only 3 days. We are both using Sunflower oil and Safflower but only when I have the time to get a lot of sleep.
Swollen Glands From HIV
Posted by Will (San Antonio, Texas) on 04/30/2008
★★★★★
I've been Oil Pulling for 3 days now. I use unrefined sesame oil for 20 minutes each evening (I cant stomach it in the mornings). First and foremost I noticed my my teeth are several shades whiter already. My energy increased for the first 2 days, however today I am feeling slight nausea, however I understand this might be due to the cleansing. NOW, the most amazing thing I noticed today was that the glands at the base of my neck which have been swollen for approx 9 mos have completely disappeared!! I was recenlty diagnosed HIV+ and was told the glands would pretty much always be swollen for the rest of my life...however today they are gone at the base of my neck and the ones under my chin are about half as big as they were over the previous 9 months. I AM AMAZED! I HAVE NO REASON TO MAKE THIS UP! Do I think it will cure HIV? NO. However something big is happening here. My next appointment to check my HIV viral load is in about 30 days, I will let you know the results!!!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Annette (Roseville, California) on 04/22/2008
★★★★★
I have been oil pulling for 2 months 1 to 2 times daily. I have noticed several benefits: Immediately my gums stopped bleeding when flossed. My teeth felt more firmly seated in my gums.. and they are whiter. After a month, my skin on my neck and chest improved in smoothness and elasticity (chicken bumps gone). I have a few moles on my body that are shrinking! My elbows are so smooth. Improved morning breath odor. Cravings for caffeine diminished. Improved joint mobility. I had a fingernail that I had mashed in a car door 25 years ago that never fully grew back and it is almost fully reattached! Dandruff is gone after 2 months of regular OP. I use a variety of oils and switch between Virgin Coconut Oil, Cold-pressed Sesame Oil, Olive Oil, and Flax Oil.I can't wait to see further improvements on my body. Keep OP. You're worth it!
Anemia, Lipase Enzyme Levels
Posted by Angela (Syracuse, NY) on 04/10/2008
★★★★★
I have been anemic for 2 and half years now. I was told to take Iron pills. Well they didnt work one bit. Luckily I found this website while trying to find a natural cure for kydney damage and pancreatitis and came across the oil pulling. I read about it and even went to different sites to find out if it was true. Well everything I found sounded amazing so I went out and bought the sesame oil. The first day I took it I felt just a little better. The second day I felt 95% better than i've felt in a long time. I also had blood work done a few days ago and found out I am no longer anemic and not only that but my lipase enzyme levels were back to normal. All this change within a month. I absolutely swear by the oil pulling.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Hollis ( Hilo, Hawaii) on 04/06/2008
★★★★★
aloha Molly from SF who wrote about her oil pulling experience of 3 years.....I have done OP now for 18 months, every A.M. using sunflower oil. I appreciate your advice about switching oils every 2 months as I plan to do OP for the rest of my life.....my mouth, teeth and gums have never been better...and I really think it has kept me from getting sick with colds and such. OP is easy, cheaper than drugs and so effective..
