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.
About Oil Pulling
Posted by Bluebelle (Various, Eu) on 03/05/2011
★★★★★
I've noticed that there are lots of people asking about the reasons for oil not turning white; and some, I have noticed, seem to think it has something to do with the toxins purportedly being removed.
Oil - ANY oil - will turn white when beaten, swished or mixed with water in any other way for a period of time long enough and/or with enough energy. It is a basic characteristic of emulsions, I.E. Mixtures of non-blendable liquids, such as water and oil. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the presence (or absence) of toxins.
If the oil in your mouth does not turn white and/or watery, it could be that you are not swishing it energetically enough. (It goes without saying that too short a period - like a a minute or two - won't suffice to produce an emulsion either. )
The most common mistake with oil pulling seems to be that the initial dose of oil is simply too big, so swishing it energetically around the mouth becomes much more difficult, especially as the quantity of liquid increases with the addition of saliva.
Try swishing a small amount of oil - but energetically.
I guarantee it will turn white. :)
Dental Issues
Posted by Bessie (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 10/13/2010
Hi Carly - I have several amalgam fillings, several porcelain fillings, two root canals and my husband has crowns but neither of us have experienced any problems at all with oil pulling. I've been oil pulling for over a year now, usually with sesame oil but I've also used coconut and olive oils.
Totally off the subject, but another thing I do for oral health is massage my gums (thumb on one side of the gum, forefinger on the other) - massage with light circular motion. It strengthens and brings circulation to the gums. I do it in the shower, because it can get a bit "drooly" - hope this helps! Cheers.
Dental Issues
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 10/14/2010
Hi Dee, no, as I used to be a photographer and travel writer I had my fillings changed to modern ones a few years ago as the dentist was afraid that I would get problems due to my many flights.
By the way, I want to thank all the advice I got here after losing my tooth. I have chose to do an implant but I will do it in a very good clinic in Switzerland since we found out that I lost my tooth (which had had a root canal and the filling replaced a lot of times) only because the dentist here in France didn't care to cap the tooth. We don't know why he didn't do it yet but we have written him a letter. All the dental treatments cost a lot of money, so did pulling the tooth and now the implant is going to be awfully expensive, all for no reason! Be careful and if you don't trust some treatment get a second opinion, it may be worth the money!
Sinus Infections
Posted by Kaitlin (Chester, Va) on 05/10/2010
★★★★★
I have been incredibly ill with a sinus infection the last three days--high fever, sore throat, yellow mucus, horrible headaches, and even vomiting. This one was really a doozy; I haven't been this sick in a long time! I tried oil pulling with the extra virgin olive oil I had in the cupboard, and after three minutes I had to spit it out because I started coughing up mucus and didn't stop for five minutes. My head started clearing up, too. While my throat is now even more sore from the coughing, the rest of me feels relief for the first time in days! I will definitely continue oil pulling and update on the results.
Dental Issues
Posted by Christel (Nolanville, Tx, United States) on 03/31/2010
★★★★★
Some months ago I had this terrible tootache (not the first time-always the same one) and tried several things, all of which where short lived relief. I searched the web and came upon this strange thing called oil pulling. Curiosity made me read up on it and since I had no sunflower oil (as mostly recommended) I decided to give it a try with extra virgin olive oil (which I keep at all times). It was almost like a miracle. The throbbing subsided almost immediately and after 3 days it was all gone, including the swelling. Since then I have not had any problems with this particular tooth, I just try to keep the area very clean, and since I have learned a thing or two about toothpastes I now brush my teeth with bentonite clay. I really wish I had known a lot of things a few years ago, I might have been able to safe the rest of my teeth (I wear a full denture on top), but now I want to at least keep what I have left on the bottom, and so far it's working.
Back Pain, Severe
Posted by Toomuchswagger (Atlanta, Ga) on 10/12/2009
★★★★★
Benefits of using Sesame Oil for Oil Pulling Therapy
I tried Sesame Oil after experiencing severe back pain from a tramatic injury to my tailbone and my coccyx bone became misaligned, which caused severe pain when I'm sitting down. I also have chronic knee pain, stomach pains, occasional headaches and an infection on the right side of my mouth. I began the oil pulling therapy on July 21, 2009 and after 3-4 weeks I saw a noticeable decrease in my back pain. I used to have difficulty being seated for periods longer than one hour and had horrible pain after riding in a car or driving for long distances. I have experienced such remarkable improvements in my results that I was able to drive from Georgia to Maryland with no pain in my back or my knee, 5 weeks after I began oil pulling therapy. I no longer have headaches or pain in my stomach. I have also noticed that the pain in my mouth is gone because the infection has obviously disappeared!! I feel absolutely wonderful that I am now pain-free and I have accomplished this without surgery or chemical drugs and medication. I am happy to say that my girlfriend and family members have now begun oil pulling therapy.
Dental Issues
Posted by Hadessah (Charlotte, Nc) on 09/08/2009
★★★★★
I use 1 teaspoon extra virgin Olive Oil for 15 minutes every morning, first thing.
Oil Pulling has made my teeth stronger and whiter and it is healing a disorder I was going to doctors for nearly 20 years. I've tried all kinds of antibiotics to cure sinusitis. Now after oil-pulling, I feel the pressure in my upper gum, above where a tooth was extracted. Above the bony part of the gum. So I 've had an abcess for two decades. No wonder people stepped back when talking to me. My breath smelled like 20 year old decay.
I developed tinnitis and oil-pulling may eventually clear up all the abcess right at the base of my maxillary sinus, BUT actually above the bony part of my gum where a tooth was extracted in the 80s.
Dental Issues
Posted by Allen (Austin, MN) on 07/20/2009
★★★★★
I've tried several kinds of oil for oil pulling and I find olive oil to be the best by far. My dentist is impressed with the results too... as my gums have reattached to my teeth. I use 1 tsp twice a day for 15 mins. When I first wake up and right before bed. It doesn't taste very good at first but after 15 mins. by mouth feels very clean. It's very soothing for a tooth ache or cut inside your mouth too.
Congestion
Posted by Elliotsmum (London, United Kingdom) on 05/17/2009
★★★★★
I have just started oil pulling in a bid to help my gum disease. I tried olive oil 1T for the first time as that was all I had. I went out and bought some avacado oil with lemon as I thought that would taste a little better. It does.
I am currently using 1/2 a TBSP as I find it hard to keep in a whole TBSP due to loads of saliva.
I will update regarding my gum disease when I have visited the Periodontist in July.
I have however noticed the following: the bags under my eyes have flattened down considerably and strangely enough my sinus's cleared so well - I was not even aware how congested I was until they cleared. Will keep you updated.
Insights and Theories
Posted by Hotlava (Seattle) on 10/22/2013
Canola Oil should be strictly avoided- its ALL genetically modified, meaning genes from differing species are artificially added to the plant genetic reproduction... nothing to do with traditional agricultural genetic breeding (ex, begonias or apples)! The name itself is short for Canada Oil, and it is a modern agricultural product, not a centuries-old traditional food that has withstood the test of time in human nutrition.
Transgenic modifications were created for the sole purpose of a few corporations owning patent rights to our food supply, no matter how much they declare they are "feeding the world" and helping our meet out outrageous population needs. It's all political and economic rhetoric to increase their profit margins and corporate survival. Very little unbiased research has been PUBLISHED, meaning most scientific research on the topic is contaminated with economic agendas.
Human's have farmed for how long without the help of Monsanto/ DuPont? And now those companies own the game!
Google "Institute for Responsible Technology" to get a list of documentaries that will change your life regarding the topic (plus a host of powerpoint slides showing GMO food health implication in animal studies). Mercola.com is another good resource. Educate yourself about the health impacts of GM foods and agriculture, and don't buy into big agribusiness' political campaigns!
The best step forward is to have manditory labeling of GMO's on our food labels, so we can have personal soverignty (right to choose), and we can pay attention to what we are REALLY eating.
If avoiding GM foods improves a person's health, then so be it! If not, then we can research with a new hypothesis! This is the scientific method, currently being denied to the American Public due to corporate manipulation.
Any time I am force-fed information that is convenient to corporations or corporately-owned governments (*cough*), I ask myself "who is profiting off this information?"
Blessings to the Earth Clinic community... people's power is in learning and educating themselves!
Insights and Theories
Posted by Melissa (Marseille) on 09/16/2021
For the real oregano essential oil ... I found it in www.maisonlaget.fr amazing quality, .
Insights and Theories
Posted by Liz Turner (Devon, Uk) on 01/15/2014
Have started using coconut oil but not sure how you can fit a whole tablespoon in your mouth, even a full teaspoon feels a lot of oil! Are you sure its not meant to be a teaspoon?!
Addiction, Smoking
Posted by Tina Fina (San Juan, Puerto Rico) on 02/06/2008
★★★★★
Hola! My name is Tina. I've been a fashion model for years, a smoking fashion model, that has quit drinking alcohol but hasn't dropped the cigs. I did the oil pulling for the first time with E.Virgin Olive Oil and whoever came up with this technique is a genius! I did it for 20 minutes no problem (tasted the nicotine and the toxins emerging) It is imposible to take one drag off a cig all day. I keep tasting the nicotine coming out! I think i've found the ultimate solution! Can't wait to share it with my family and friends ! Thank you ARYUVEDA and DEIRDRE! GREAT SITE *MY FAVORITE! T.
Loose Teeth
Posted by Hollis (Hilo, Hawaii) on 11/04/2007
★★★★★
I've been pulling oil since 10/06 and feel that the most obvious improvment is in my teeth and gums.....bright white teeth and healthy gums that hold my teeth firmly in place where they used to be loose before. Also I sleep more soundly and feel refreshed in the morning. I want to do this for the rest of my life and wonder if that would be OK or not. Is there anything negative that could come from my pulling oil once a day forever.....I'm 65 and it sure beats medication.
Weight Loss
Posted by Arlene (Findlay, Ohio) on 07/27/2007
★★★★★
I have been doing oil pulling since June 1st. I have used extra virgin olive oil but today bought some sunflower oil to try. I cleaned my mouth before and after oil pulling but read today that you do it after. Anyway, I have lost 12 pounds so metabolism has increased. My mouth feels healthier. I have more energy. I plan to do it for a very long time. Let me know about cleaning mouth before and after. Thanks
Broad Benefits
Posted by Arlene (Findlay, OH) on 07/16/2007
★★★★★
I have been using extra virgin olive oil. My psychologist told me about this after studying Native American history. I am bipolar. I have noticed increased metabolism, teeth tightening, weight loss of 12 pounds since starting the oil pulling June 1, 2007. I have so much more energy, teeth seem to be whitening. A clearer mind. The weight loss has been the best for me.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Kimberly (Mineral, Virginia) on 07/08/2007
★★★★★
Hello Everyone, I hadn't intended to responded this soon, but I am so amazed at how well the OP is going that I just had to give my 2 cents. I decided to try OP because I am desperate to feel better. I am 45 years old and am sick of feeling sick all the time. I stumbled on to the web sight reading about ACV and looked at the OP while I was here. I decided to give it a try as I had extra virgin olive light oil in my kitchen at the moment and a number of reader said they had used different oils with success. I did decide I would order the cold pressed seseame oil as soon as I could though. Well, I've been oil pulling now for a week and here is what I have to report. My teeth look fantastic! I have NEVER had white teeth even as a kid!! And my face, I have had oily skin and large pores with blackheads sense I was a kid as well. I'm talking 10 year old kid! Well last night I went to do my normal, you know express the pores so they don't look so large and OMG they were so small, it was unbelievable!! I could not really find anything to express. Then I realize that my face had not been as oily has it had been in the past and I actually had two dry patches on my chin which in the past has only happened when I was pregnant with my two girls and that was 25 years ago!
And now for my hair. I have always, again sense I was a kid oily hair. My hair looks great!! It is soft and shiny and it doesn't look like an oil pit 24 hours after the last washing. It is wonderful to have my hair looking nice the entire time between washings!! I can't wait to see what other benefits come out of OP!! You have one sold customer here! I will check back later on and let you all know what else has happened. Oh yeah, one more thing, I had some generalized tooth pain that I could not pin point on one side of my right upper jaw when I started, well after the second session of OP, the tooth pain was all but gone! This is GREAT!! Kim
Asthma
Posted by Dan (Sacramento, CA) on 03/18/2007
★★★★★
About two weeks ago I was taking my inhaler about twice a day (two puffs total since I don't like using the inhaler in the first place). Then I started Oil-Pulling. You can draw your own conclusions. But all I can say is that the very next day I stopped having to use my inhaler. I didn't experience an immediate throwing-up of mucus. But what I did experience is a gradual coughing-up of mucus all throughout the day. Another thing that I've experienced at least twice is what happens if my chest becomes tight. Usually when my chest tightens it'll stay that way and gradually get worse until I take my inhaler.
What I'm seeing is that when my chest tightens , I'll go through maybe a three hour period where I'll slowly begin to cough-up mucus until my chest is clear again. I have NEVER experienced my chest clearing-up all by itself after it has tightened. I've ALWAYS had to take medicine in order to get relief. During that time, my nose was stuffed a lot of the time. Since I've been OP-ing, it hasn't been. I can only conclude that it must due to the Oil-Pulling.
Insights and Theories
Posted by Ek (Sydney) on 11/07/2025
★★★★★
Oil pulling is one of the Ayurvedic protocols used in panchakarma which originates from India. Traditionally cold pressed sesame oil is used. A lot of comments theorise what the oil is actually doing. Oil is used in a wide variety of applications in panchakarma and has a nourishing affect, aswell as a binding and drawing effect in pulling toxins out of the body. Coming from a 9th generation ayurvedic practitioner that I see in SE Asia. I go to see him for treatments that can do miraculous things like pull mercury out of the brain. Westerners wouldn't believe that a simple oil could do something like that, but I have witnessed it. Prepared in the correct way, Oil has an amazing ability to heal and draw out toxins from the body. 5 thousand years of hindu science based on Vedic scriptures. Powerful stuff.
Detoxification
Posted by Gail (US) on 10/02/2014
★★★★★BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I started oil pulling with coconut oil 5 days ago . After my first pulling, I was nauseated, but my teeth were whiter and less sensitive . The next morning I awoke with a dull headache that lasted for 3 days , and I was nauseated again after my second op with co . The 3rd day I broke out with blisters around my mouth and I felt very hot but not like a hot flash kind of hot also the third night after I did the op I was getting ready for bed and I started feeling very stressed and depressed . The next morning when I woke up I felt okay . I then read on this site that it could of been because I was detoxing copper from my brain which made me feel relieved . Also on the 3rd day my jaws started hurting and on the 5th day I notice my tongue has turned white not coated white but actually my tongue is white . My jaws still hurt . Will continue although I think I will try sunflower and olive oil I will still use co too . Like this site so very informative . It's nice to hear from people who have some of the problems I do .
