Impressive Health Benefits of Oil Pulling

I keep seeing this term that I am totally unfamiliar with and different oils being used. Would someone please tell me exactly what it is or how to do it? I am having some difficulty and cannot continue to sit here trying to look up things.

EC: Here's the oil pulling section: https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/oil_pulling.html

Has anyone tried Kukui Nut Oil for Oil Pulling?

You say that oil pulling took away your allergy to alcohol? I have an allergy either to the alcohol, sulfites, the fermenation process or something for over 20 years. I would like to hear more about how you believe oil pulling solved that issue? Please help. Thanks!

I have had asthma for years and tried all kinds of herbal remedies but nothing really helped until I started taking a Tablespoon of good quality fish oil, a Tablespoon of organic flax oil and several scoops of probiotics in a morning smoothy. After two weeks of a daily smoothy I noticed that I didn't need my rescue inhaler. I had been taking it every day for years. It was allergy season also. Previously I would have an asthma attack every time I sneezed, but after taking the above mentioned in the smoothy I noticed significant improvement of allergy symptoms as well. I went for three months without having to use my rescue inhaler but twice, then I ran out of ingredients and got lazy about making the smoothy. I actually stumbled on the concoction so I didn't put two and two together right away. It only worked for me when taken together not separately. I also was drinking a green drink during that time.

I saw the discussion regarding mouth wash vs. using Baking Soda after the oil pulling. It is really important, if you use baking soda (I do) to use one without Aluminum. Red Mill for example, makes Baking Soda that states on the package that it is Aluminum Free. Personally, I also mix in salt with the baking soda. I use Celtic Sea Salt.

All the best, Dorit

Hi Mary, Your question was sent in a long time ago and saw that no one had answered. I'm afraid I don't have an answer too, but I was wondering if you know by now what to do. My husband is taking the same medicine in the morning. And we both want to try the oil pulling. But I was wondering the same thing. It's a medicine you can't be very flexible about.

Thank you for the effort. Kind regards.

I started OPing 8 days ago. I'm amazed! My gums are firmer..... My teeth are tighter, they're whiter! I feel like I get my teeth cleaned daily by my hygenist. I actually love smiling big! Before I began OPing, I had a web of loose skin inside my mouth, It felt nasty. Since I've been OPing, that is gone!! Today, my lips and face feel dry. I don't know if it's from the OPing or because I've been using coconut oil on my skin as a moisturizer. I OP with sesame oil. Sometimes, I put a drop of orange oil essence to give the oil a different flavor. I believe OPing is an excellent method for preventative medicine. I know this isn't in my head. Too many people are all saying the same thing. What would be the benefit for all these people on all the sites on OPing to say how it's working for them, if it really wasn't? Sometimes, certain methods aren't for everyone and that's okay! I just know it works for me and that's my story and I'm sticking with it!!

I have a question about oil pulling, preferably with coconut oil, which I would use to improve my general oral health.

I was born with hip dysplasia and when I was about 3 or 4 years old, I had pins and screws inserted into each of my hips to hold things in place. I am now 19. Now this might be a silly question, but will oil pulling affect these metal screws and pins at all? Will it damage them or make them weaker?

Dear Bess, I surely do share your feelings of gratitude for this life saving and enhancing forum. Thank you EARTH CLINIC for all that you do for all of us....Oscar

To Jack from Northport - What a lovely and true sentiment about the oneness of our world and how we all can help one another. You have a wonderful "gratitude attitude"! Cheers, Bess.

Thank you so much for this wonderful site. And god bless everyone for contributing from around the world. This is a great example of our potential and the oneness of our world
Peace, love, heal

So I just noticed when I looked at the oilpulling.org web site, They say AFTER brushing your teeth and scraping your tongue. EC instructions is before brushing. Which one is correct?

Just wanted to update you. My dry mouth has stopped without me making any changes, so it must just have been my body getting used to the oil pulling. I maybe should have mentioned I exercise a lot with respect to the amount of water I drink, twice a day most days so I need to keep hydrated. I also take multivitamins because of the goodness I lose in my sweat as recommended by a fitness trainer.

My spots on my face seem to be going and my skin is looking nice. I still have a decreased appetite and don't crave sugar at all.

Everything I've read on OP says to keep doing it through the difficulties, and the situation will improve.

Hi Ted: I'm curious what your opinion is on my situation. I started oil pulling a week ago, and have not noticed any significant changes. I have 7 root canals and 14 crowns. I suffer from osteoarthritis of the knees and shoulders mostly, but also fatigue and depression. I eat gluten free, sugar free and very low starch, mostly organic; no packaged food, pop or even juice. Just quinoa, flax and chia seed, organic vegetables, and some local fish, and free range chicken with an apple here and there. I am wondering if the op is going to remove the bacteria at the base of the root canals, and as I have read recently, could be the cause of my arthritis. I'm thinking of having all the root canals pulled, but I can't afford all the bridge work to replace them. Any advice from you would be appreciated.

Thank you so much for your time, Donna

This is a reply to Lily from Australia. Where did you get that 4 litres of water is too much intake? I'm not a health professional at all but when you detox the body you're supposed to drink as much water as possible. Just look up other responses about detoxifying the body on here. Bill & Ted both will say in wouldn't hurt to drink a gallon of water a day. Of course, that would be purified water only. We need to rid the body of these toxins so flushing them out with plenty of water is the way to go. Thanks!

Hi Betsy, you are drinking too much water and washing away your minerals eg: potassium and magnesium. If you cut back your water intake your thirst will eventually go away but you have to persevere. The recommended amount of water is 2 litres a day. 4 is far too much. I take in less than 2 litres in the winter. You may need to supplement with magnesium tablets to stop your thirst faster. Potassium is in many foods, you can look up potassium rich foods on the net. Hope this helps. Lily.

I tried it for awhile and found the same dry mouth thing and took it for a "yes, I should be drinking more water" phenomenon. I stopped OP because it was inconvenient--shame on me? I only personally knew of one person doing it and I suppose I needed more encouragement/confirmation.

Better But With Side Effects

I am on my fourth day of OP with Coconut oil and since day 3 I have had a really dry mouth. This is not something I have ever suffered from before. I am drinking about 4 litres of water a day. I am ok when I eat something but about an hour later I am really dry again. Has anyone else suffered from this because I have read a lot of posts and not come across this side effect. I have also come out with a very spotty face which I am hoping is just my body detoxing. On the plus side I have much less hunger and don't crave any sweet food at all, most unlike me.

I have been using Rice Bran oil for about 4 weeks now. I have seen no other comments about the use of this oil so would like confirmation that it is ok to use (all I had in the store cupboard when I began). It seems to have cured my gum problem - I can safely rinse my mouth with cold water without pain - something impossible to do before. There doesn't seem to be any other improvements so far, however I think I have a cleaner tongue. How long does one keep going with this?

Hi, I try grape seed oil for oil pulling first day and time. (16/5/2012). I only lasted less then 5mins. I think I swish to hard till my mouth/throat is swollen.. Anyway after the first round there's this super thick white coat on my tongue. I mean I have white coated tongue like always. but it isn't that thick before I did oil pulling.

Why is this happening? I hope by tomorrow morning or afternoon when I do oil pulling again will be gone. Anyone had white coated tongue after oil pulling Is this the detox or what you called die off symptoms?

thanks. :)

95 heartbeat is nothing. I was put on heart monitor for a day because of the stress and palpatations I was getting. My heart rate was shooting up over 160 several times a day. No wonder it felt uncomfortable. I am only in my 30s.

I do not think it is the oil pulling. It could be a health crisis but it should not have lasted so long. I have been oil pulling for some months and it has been all good and improving all the time.

Better But With Side Effects

Hi I have been oil pulling for two weeks, in the first week I felt energised and my mouth felt wonderful, my blocked ear and nose became clear after a year of trying every thing for this, however in the second week I feel very tierd to the point of not wanting to get out of bed my bags under my eyes have doubled and I have had pain in my shoulders and elbows that I have never had I am wondering is this normal or should I stop oil pulling. I thank you for taking the time for reading my question. Kindess Regards Wendy

I would not suggest using canola oil for op or anything period! I was getting constant headaches and congestion and awakening sick and sore and finally pin pointed it to ingesting canola oil, (not OP). In fact, OP with sesame oil was the only thing that would help with the headache. If your feeling icky and dont know why, try eliminating canola oil. This is not easy as they put it in near everything, including so called health food. But once I stopped ingesting it I felt sooo much better. Its one nasty oil, not meant for man nor beast!

In response to: Francisca from Zug, Switzerland, I find it arrogant to claim that thousands of years of proven eastern medicine is a "placebo" because you personally don't understand it. Yes, there is a potent mind-body connection, the effect of this type of healing is beyond a chemistry class, and beyond typical western understanding in general. Be careful before you discount these types of remedies as nonsense. You say these people's messages "can't be true", how on earth could you know that to make such a definitive statement? Try to rid yourself of preconceptions and you may gain some insight as well as a healthy body and mind! You say you are a "fan" of alternative medicine, but you only gain half the helpful effects with such a negative mindset.

Try organic virgin coconut oil for oil pulling. I started with that, and have had no negative effects. I actually just a tooth that couldn't be saved extracted on Friday, no pain, no swelling, nothing. I can't say for sure, but I definitely think the coconut oil had a lot to do with it! Definitely kept it from becoming infected, amazing antibacterial properties.

For candida just take a garlic capsule every day.

It's possible you are allergic to the sesame oil. That could be causing your weakness, lethargy, etc. Might try a different oil.

Thanks for your reply - I haven't found any answers in relation to the 4 hour wait after eating - I did notice that I have fewer side effects when I have something in my stomach so I rarely oil pull on an empty stomach.

I asked why wait four hours after eating and one hour after drinking water and never found an answer. Recently I added a second oil pulling, before bed--sometimes less than a full hour after drinking water--and I haven't noticed bad effects. I use coconut oil in the morning and olive oil at night.

I am mainly doing it for dental health and consider oil pulling an alternative to mouth wash. Rules like waiting four hours could just be part of making it sound mysterious and magical. I haven't noticed any magical cures, but my gums bleed much less during teeth cleanings and, for the first time, a dentist told me I have excellent oral hygiene.

I just started oil pulling 3 days ago. My main desire is to cure joint pain, but one thing I noticed after only 3 times is that my mouth feels great. I was having a lot of pain in a tooth that has had a root canal & another tooth with a cavity. I was getting ready to get a dentist appt. But the pain is completely gone after the oil pulling. I hope it works that well on my joints.

I have been using Coconut oil for about 6 months now.

I stopped during a period of dental treatment (I had a wisdom tooth removed that was more filling than tooth, I strongly believed it was the cause of a strange cough I had had since the filling was done, the cough was difficult to describe, but it would disappear if I didn't brush my teeth???), I opted to have the tooth removed. A few days after the extraction and still not back to oil pulling, I suffered what can only be described as hell, my blood pressure shot up and I experienced palpitations like never before. The inflammation and discharge at the wound in my gum had allowed an infection to spread throughout my body.

The advice from my Doctor "go and see the Dentist", the advice from my Dentist "That's normal, just use some some salt water to clean the area", the advice from the emergency room I quickly visited shortly after that same day "It's not a heart attack, try to exercise more and stop smoking", the advice from a Consultant after I had completely lost my patience (and mind) five minutes later, "Take this Amoxicillin (Penicillin), and go and see your Doctor if it doesn't improve".

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I didn't bother with the antibiotics and went back to oil pulling, 3 days later, all was well (I did go crazy on my "cure all" Ginger as well), in hindsight, I should have just stuck with the oil pulling and sucking on a cut piece of Ginger root after the extraction, and when I get trouble with my teeth again (as we all will), I don't intend pausing the oil pulling.

Has anybody ever had a bad reaction to Coconut or Ginger when used together or alone, in any form?

(I should add with respect to the coughing situation above, the cough disappeared within a day or so after the tooth removal, and the only other way I could stop it was by oil pulling, but this would only last for about two hours or so).

This is an excellent site by the way and was the source of my original discovery of oil pulling.

As for the saturated fat issue with Coconuts, I don't sell Coconuts or have any interests in the Coconut industry, I personally feel that they are doing me no harm, your experience may be different, good luck and God bless to all (I hope this helps someone).

Please google "the pulse test" you may find the answer to your question.

Thank you, Hope, for your suggestion! I did buy some sesame oil to oil pull with originally, then opted for coconut oil. I wonder what it is about the coconut oil that causes rapid heart rate and sky-high blood pressure? I didn't take my blood pressure as it scared me just having a 95 bpm heart rate.

Hi Dorothy -You may want to try sesame or sunflower oil for pulling. More than once, when I pulled with coconut oil, my blood pressure went sky high. Although it made my teeth much whiter than op-ing with other oils, it did not agree with my heart.....

I still, after more than a year, pull only with sesame and sunflower oil without side effects.

Hi EC, Thanks for responding to my post! I've been using ____ Organic Coconut Oil.

Hi Dane, I have the same problem, an increased heart rate with OPing. I haven't found much info on it. I use ________ organic coconut oil, and I'm wondering if I ought to use another one. I'm afraid that my blood pressure has also gone up, although I haven't taken it. I've had to cut way down on OPing. I used to OP daily, each morning for five months, but I had to stop for awhile, and now I'm only doing it twice a week. My heart rate actually went up to around 95, and it's usually in the 60-72 range. I'm also having heart palpitations. I keep researching for answers. I don't want to stop OPing as it does give me increased energy and is a mood enhancer, but I don't like having a rapid heart rate.

I have a similar question, I'm a 26 year old male in very good health, but ever since moving back to Portland, OR (cloudy wet and rainy) 3 years ago I have had sinus congestion and seasonal allergies pretty badly (I struggled with these issues as a child here as well throughout the grey winters and into spring). I started oil pulling and am now on day 7, the first four days I had really red eyes and heavier bags than usual every morning, which I assumed were detox symptoms and now the past three days I have had an increased heart rate with palpitations upon any activity, restlessness and minor abdominal pains. I have been taking some organic food-based vitamins with probiotics and making sure to drink plenty of fluids and electrolytes, but don't want to overconsume any minerals. Are these normal symptoms?

I have been alternating sunflower and EVCO every morning.

I feel great every year by the end of summer so I think there may be some sort of seasonal deficiency that I suffer from, but I wanted to get on top of this if I am going to live here any longer. Should I keep OPing? Are symptoms I am experiencing very unusual?

I've been oil pulling for five months, and I've noticed an increasing heart rate, which got up to around 95 bpm at the most. Usually my heart rate is around 65-72 bpm. I've felt increased energy and have lost weight, even more than I would like. After my heart rate shot up, I quit OPing altogether for a about a week and a half and am now OPing every few days. I realize that I could be going through a healing crisis, but how long do these crises usually last? I've had difficulty sleeping and feel very fidgety frequently. I don't understand it. Can anyone shed light on this? I want to continue OPing, but I don't want my heart rate to be out of control. I'm nearing 60 years of age. Thanks for any feedback!

EC: Hi Dorothy, what type of oil are you using?

Better But With Side Effects

Thanks to all who contribute to this wonderful site and for giving me the gift of oil pulling. I originally started oil pulling to rid myself of a sinus infection. I am a bit wary of antibiotic overuse and big pharma in general (my family thinks I am a conspiracy theorist, LOL! ). After reading testimonials and instructions I decided to use one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil with two drops of tea tree oil for about 5-10 minutes. I was ill and didn't have cocunut oil in the house and didn't feel like going out to source it. Within two treatments I noticed teeth whitening and what seemed to be what I can only describe as pinkening and tightening of the gums. I had been diagnosed with gingivitis for many years by my dentist. My sinus condition seemed to worsen with more and more discharge and swelling. I smoked cigarettes for about 30 years, and I suddenly had an aversion to smoking. I then developed a terrible cough with lots of mucous, difficulty breathing, terrible headaches, fatigue, body aches, sticky eyes, pimples and a gum infection from heck! The gum infection was raging and I tried all the home remedies on Earth Clinic and only seemed to worsen it. I became very scared and my friends convinced me to stop oil pulling go to the hospital. I got two kinds of antibiotics and used multiple pain killers for one week. They seemed to suppress the symptoms but after I finished the doses the gum infection came back even worse than before with swelling on my cheek and lip. A lot of people told me to go an get a root canal or tooth extraction, neither of which seemed to fit with my idea that gums and teeth can heal like broken bones. There were sores and pimple like outbreaks on both my gums and cheeks. I realized that I was going through some type of cleansing/healing crisis and I needed to let it run its course, although others around me thought I would eventually expire from a septic type infection. Interestingly, the site of the gum infection was a previously identified weaker spot.

I didn't restart oil pulling immediately, as I now know that EVOO and Tea Tree Oil mixes (probably the same for other oil and oregano etc mixes) are very potent at drawing out infection and impurities. I used salt/alum poultice, baking soda/salt poultices (use with cotton balls for about 20 minutes, more and your skin will get raw) and rinses, I also got rid of regular toothpaste and started using hydrogen peroxide/baking soda/salt paste. I alternated this with raw garlic clove rubbings and garlic clove/water rinses.

Don't kid yourselves, these remedies hurt worse than childbirth but I felt that this was a bad infection that needed a multi prong approach. If you can, use aspirin rather than ibuprofen or tylenol, I tried all three but something in the aspirin seems to help the healing process. I also used tea bags between the cheek and gum to absorb any pus and blood that came out of the sore area. Use the black bags, they are more effective than other types, I tried peppermint, chai, green tea but found the old fashioned black to be best. As soon as I felt some improvement in the level of swelling, it took about one week, I resumed oil pulling with EVOO and tea tree and took epsom salt baths (rinse afterward).

One more week later, I can say that my gum infection is almost completely gone, my teeth are whiter, stronger and my gums seem to have regenerated. My sinuses and chest are clear and I feel that my energy is greater than before all of this happened. I have taken the tea tree out of my oil pulling regime (twice a day) as I feel it's probably more like an antibiotic. I also think that Ted's simple alkalizing formula (baking soda, lemon juice) will help me avoid many infections in the future so I started that process as well. I also haven't had any cigarettes since I started oil pulling one month ago. OP has the potential for unleashing the remnants of all of your previous ailments and big pharma treatments so if I had to do it again I would not start with EVOO and no Tea Tree, I would get the coconut, and backing off the pulling when the body becomes a bit overwhelmed is perfectly fine. Sorry for the long post, just wanted everyone to know that sometimes the healing crisis is very terrible and you will feel sick and lonely, but it is well worth it to go through to the other side. Thanks Again.

Hi could someone please post on how to do oil pulling? I LOVE this site. I jus found it and already am trying out remedies. I am interested in oil pulling for gingivitis. Thank you so much.

Hi pibbles I use VCO in the mornings for OPing and in the evening before bed I use Castor Oil and like Vince it makes me sleepy.... other benefits I noticed is that it usually helps my teeth if they have been aching and it's so darn thick that when I'm finished my jaw is usually to tired to 'grind' in my sleep which I have had a problem with on and off at nights, that leaves my jaw sore, and with a bad headache but with CO haha, no more.

I am so happy to have found your site. I was having a toothache and pain all around my gums. I read about oil pulling and decided to try it for a couple of days. My toothache and gum pains were gone. However, I stopped for a few days because I was having some pain on my right side starting in the front around the liver area and radiating to the kidneys.

Since, I was also doing hydrogen peroxide, so I am not sure which was creating the effect.

I just slowly started oil pulling again using coconut oil and the pain is less. I will try to use black seed oil for op in the future to see if there is any difference.

Thank you so much for your site and for sharing your knowledge.

I have had great results with oil pulling (sunflower in the morning and EVO at night). To everyone : you may need to boost your immune system withhedge apple doses (2 caps/day for 30 days - twice a year). Dagmar

I'm in the affirmative group on this one. I began OP last of Aug 2011 w/ my health having been deteriorating consistently since 2009; and hitting some real lows especially because I have limited support and live alone. In desperation I began reading E.C. site for anything that might help me in any way. "Oil Pulling, proly not" was my skeptical reasoning despite open-mindedness and desperation. Completely out of solutions I tried the OP w/ Canola Oil once then twice daily and regained the long lost ability to fall asleep before daybreak. I continued a temporary major recovery of daily functions over a period of about 1 mo then tapered back down as it appeared my condition was too severe for only OP. Unfortunately for me, I never read about the need for extra mouth sanitation especially for individuals like myself who are infected w/ multiple chronic pathogens. I'm afraid my teeth have suffered some loss, but of course I am dealing w/ that. I also felt heavy metal releasing during many of the OP sessions as I have very high Manganese levels confirmed by hair analysis. The sensation (which has been common for yrs) feels like electrocution especially thru the legs and feet.

My theory on pulling is that it's simply an oral Oil method of chelation. Since many heavy metals, biological pathogens, and chemical toxins are lipophilic, the oil reservoir established in the mouth (I always get almost as much as I can hold) forces those toxins from a lipo gradient of lesser value and "pulls" them to the reservoir of greater value, much like a crowed pool of Salmon or Trout brave all obstacles to make it to the spacious unpopulated lake upstream. It's not an issue of "solubility" as an EC poster viewed it but of molecular weight & mass. Not an issue of "dissolve" but of "attachment". All of course IMHO.

I pull once a day now w/ good results (I can actually feel a very strong pull from my liver/pancreas region). I do back-to-back pull, both for about 20 min as this seems to be a stronger method than way apart times.

"Love is the only answer - hate is the root of cancer" --YES

I'm not really sure any of us understand how it works. We just know it DOES. I wouldn't be without OP now, I do it probably 5 days a week and I can't tell enough people how much different I feel. I'm keen to go to the dentist and get him to take a look at my teeth just for the hell of it!!