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.
Adult Acne
Posted by Jen (Salt Lake City, Ut.) on 10/27/2009
★★★★★
I have been oil pulling with Coconut oil for about 6 months now and have noticed a lot of great results including increased energy and clarity of toughts. However the most significant is the improvement of my skin. I was haveing frequent adult breakouts of acne patches all the time, that I never had as a teenager, when one breakout would begin to clear another would begin. After oil pulling for about a month, my skin is clear and beautiful- no more breakouts. I also use Coconut oil as my primary moistureizer for my entire body and for cooking! I would like to say- if you begin to breakout a little more than usual in the beginning, don't stop, give it time- your skin will clear out! Good Luck and Thanks EC!
After Knee Replacement
Posted by Rick S (Long Beach, California, Usa) on 11/05/2010
★★★★★BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I started oil pulling 3 weeks ago. After 5 days of OP twice a day I experienced having a terrible knee pains mostly on my left knee and my hands were painful like arthritic pain. A year and a half ago I had a complete knee replacement done. I knew and expecting to experience some sort of healing pains as the major side effects of oil pulling. Since I was not sure whether my artificial knee metal part may have loosened up due to oil pulling invading the glue that was used to bond the metal part to my knee bone or the knee metal parts have loosened due to abuse, I was not sure. My knee was painful the way it used to be before I had the replacement. I was almost in panic. I made an appointment to see an orthopedic doctor in USC, L.A. immediately. The earliest appointment that was available was 25 days from the day I called them.
After a week I noticed that all the pains were gone. In fact my left knee feels almost like a natural knee. I canceled the appointment and I decided to OP again. It has been 4 days now and my knees and hands are fine, no unusual pain.
Replied by Coregon
(San Diego, Ca)
06/09/2013
Agent Orange Poisoning
Posted by Kendra Rose (Haiku, Hawaii) on 08/24/2007
★★★★★
I have now been oil pulling for two months both morning and night. Twenty-eight years ago I was exposed to agent orange here in Hawaii from the pineapple fields. It had gotten into the water supply. I have been ill ever since, I especially suffered from migraines. To make things worse I have heavy metal poisoning that is off the charts.
Two friends put their grandmother's rosaries on me and prayed for me by my request... as I had been feeling so terrible.. kept telling my friends that my blood feels poisoned. That night I found EarthClinic and my prayer was answered. My life has been restored to me. Glory be to Buddha, Marys, Christ, angels and all the Saints! HO!
I have consistent energy. I no longer feel poisoned, my blood feels joyous! I am sleeping so deeply from the very first day I tried it. Now that I feel so good, I understand how deeply sick I've been all this time. My body feels so relieved not to start the day with a toxic overload. A new acquaintance of mine said that since she's known me she can't believe the quality of my skin...
I have tried for over 28 years many modalities, herbal medicines, prescription medicines.. nothing helped me.. I began to feel I was the only person on earth who could not heal... and I'm a healer... I am healing and everyday I am amazed, startled, surprised, delighted that I wake up feeling grrreat! Blessed Be!
Alcohol Allergy
Posted by Bob (Northridge, CA) on 02/07/2007
★★★★★
I was close to twenty years allergic to alcohol. I've been using Olive oil Sunflower oil and Sesame oil for about a month and a half to get rid of psoriasis it did not help at all-what it did was cure my allergy to alcohol-that's for now.
Replied by Lese
(Mclean, Va)
07/30/2012
Allergies
Posted by April Crowder (Charlotte Nc) on 12/26/2015
★★★★★
I have been using coconut oil for oil pulling for about 3 years now. I have never had any gagging or side effects from it. I do it every day for 20 minutes. I have allergies and the oil pulling makes my teeth feel much cleaner. I do also cough up some phlegm right after the oil pulling. Between the oil pulling and the All Natural Apple Cider Vinegar I take everyday, my allergies are much better and I have a lot more energy than I did before. No aches or pains either!
Allergies
Posted by Mindy (London, England) on 08/13/2009
★★★★★BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I have just started OP and have found that on each occasion (first thing in the morning for 3 mornings now) I couldn't get past the 5 to 6 minute mark of 'swishing' before I would start gagging and have to spit out. What I have noticed is that the oil I'm swishing seems to change - we all know that it needs to thin out and goes white but it's as though the toxins are infusing the oil, taste absolutely vile and thereby make me want to puke. I'm guessing that as I continue with the OP, this will lessen. Has anyone else experienced anything similar.
I should also add that I have horrid allergies which seem to have significantly reduced even from day 1. I also feel alot more engergised in the morning after OP. So I'm definately feeling benefits which is why I'm keen to continue and indeed make this a part of my daily ablutions.
Thank U. Mx
Replied by Villageofone
(Euless, Tx, USA)
11/05/2009
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.
Allergies
Posted by Mark K (Ellensburg, WA) on 10/10/2007
★★★★★
I stumbled across this website looking for a cure for my allergies. I have missed weeks from work due to allergies in the last year. I used ACV and that helped with the allergies but I still had some problems. I started oil pulling and I could really see the toxins leaving my body thru mucas ect.. After two weeks my allergies have been cured and I feel great.
Allergies, Vocal Issues
Posted by Amy J (Oregon, US) on 01/26/2015
★★★★★
I have no negatives when it comes to oil pulling.
I have been doing it with coconut oil for nearly one month, and while I do not have any miraculous things going on, there are a few major differences I noticed after a couple weeks of doing it, and if I miss a day, I notice things start to regress in some areas.
Being that I am a singer, the biggest change I have noticed, though I didn't realise until a few days ago it was related, was the regaining the lowest parts of my low register. I lost it some time ago due to allergies, occasionally I'd get glimpses of it, but it never quite came back for good.
Over the last few weeks, I noticed my voice deepening a lot. Now, I have a huge vocal range spanning close to 4 octaves, but I lost a good octave due to the allergies, maybe more than that. I still haven't regained the highest parts of my upper register, but we'll see if over time, oil pulling helps that as well.
It has certainly helped with gum inflammation, I had some inflamed areas, and they are now normal and my gums don't look red anymore either, but healthy and pink. :)
I got frequent sinus infections, and while I may get some sinus pressure every now and then, for the most part, my sinuses are pretty cleared up and I don't get massive sinus headaches anymore.
For me, those 3 things are enough to keep oil pulling, even if I never see any new benefits down the road.
God Bless ~Amy
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.
Replied by Ulrike
(New York, NY)
08/16/2008
Armpit Bumps
Posted by Julie (Southern, Illinois) on 08/03/2008
★★★★★
Regarding swelling lymph nodes as a side effect of Oil Pulling. I have had bumps under my arms all my life -- just thought that's what armpits looked like. I tried oil pulling for a week or so last year (Sesame oil, tablespoon or so). I only swished for 1 or 2 minutes (hoped to work up to longer). I immediately noticed my teeth were whiter, or maybe just shinier. But what absolutely astonished me was that the lumps/bumps under my arms were GONE. Completely! I had never in my life had smooth armpits before! I was flabbergasted. Well, life got busy and I quit oil pulling. My armpits returned to their former lumpiness. The Sesame oil sat on a shelf in the bathroom for about a year. I recently decided to try it again. I had no idea if the oil was still good -- but thought it couldn't hurt. I have only been oil pulling for 3 days, again just for a minute or so, and -- unbelievable -- the bumps under my arms are almost gone again! It's so blatant, it makes me laugh! Well, I am definitely going to keep up the Oil pulling routine (btw I only did it in the a.m.) -- and also am going to try to work up to doing it for a longer time. The longer I swish, as others know, the more the oily stuff becomes watery and you have to go longer to reach this stage. I don't know if the bumps under my arms are lymph nodes (they aren't painful or anything) -- whatever they are, they are almost gone again! I have also been feeling a renewed energy in the morning and hadn't known why, maybe because I was trying to drink my 8+ glasses of water a day-- now I think it's due to the oil pulling. I'm going to keep oil pulling and see if I keep feeling energetic, watch those bumps disappear, and see what else happens! If my half-hearted attempt yields these phenomenal and immediate results . . . something is definitely going on.
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.
Asthma
Posted by Mary (Nevada City, CA) on 02/06/2007
★★★★★
This winter my asthma came back - but not quite as badly as last year. I came back to your site and found oil pulling. What an amazing thig! I was waking up each night needing to cough - but the oil pulling allowed me to cough up mucus in a gentle way - I have been doing the oil for 3-4 weeks and the progress has been steady. Interestingly, I felt the oil pulling clear my sinuses fist - and I didn't think I really had a problem with that. The lungs have been more gradual - but there is definite progress and I don't need the inhaler unless I exercise too hard. The oil pulling was creating such a cleanse in me that in the first week i was feeling very tired and out of sorts. The I decided to do ACV -that was like a miracle - I was no longer tired. My feeling is that the oil pulling pulls toxins out from deeply stored areas of the body - but once the toxins are circulating - the ACV helps to flush them out. The same thing thing happened for my daughter... A side benefit of the ACV is that my blood pressure went down more than 20 points. I do think the ACV is also helpful for the asthma - I also find it very hlpful to take 1 teaspoon of turmeric in a bit of hot water or coffee each morning - with milk and honey to taste - this also helps the asthma very much - and I hope it will help create a longer ter cure...
Replied by Marion
(Riverside, California)
11/11/2008
Replied by Chris
(Austin, TX)
12/23/2008
Asthma
Posted by Shakti (Chicago, IL) on 11/06/2006
★★★★★
Please post this where asthma sufferers can view it, this is important because I had a hard time finding a cure for asthma on your site but thank God I did. I began a regimen of oil pulling shortly after a lingering cold went to my lungs, I just couldn't get rid of the mucus. I prayed for relief. It got even worse after a chemical pesticide was sprayed in my home for pest control. The next day after the extermination I had the worst attack of my life, I couldn't stand it anymore, so after 10 years of not having to put any poison into my lungs I had to once again use an inhaler to control the attacks. After the second night of waking up feeling side effects of nervousness anxiety and panic I decided enough was enough. I went to the computer in the middle of the night and began hours of research to find a natural cure. That's how I found this miracle of a web site. The next day I went out a purchased some sesame oil and took one table spoon 3x a day at the onset of my asthma attack and Immediately after the very first dose the mucus expelled out of my longs, and within 10 minutes what had plagued me for over 10 years was no more. Since then If I have any tightening in my chest or shortness of breath I IMMEDIATELY do the oil pulling and the problem subsides in 10 minutes or less. ~~~Oh I'd be remiss if I did not mention the side effect, I took oil pulling for Bronchial Asthma but as a result I got a dazzling white smile, sinus relief, not to mention it remarkably helped to subside my symptoms PMS all unexpected but welcomed side effects. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! P.S. thanks my husband thanks you too, lol.
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.