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.
Inner Ear Infection, Imbalance Issues
Posted by Tavora (Brooklyn, NY) on 03/29/2009
★★★★★
OP might help with inner ear infection and imbalance problems
I have a question on oil pulling. I have been suffering from an inner ear infection (or at least that's what I was told) for about 7 months now. I think I've tried everything! Tried the meds the docs/ENTs gave me but they didn't work - my condition is now beyond the acute phase and is chronic. I have two major symptoms: a rocking/imbalanced sensation....and a tightness and suffocated pain in my right ear (the affected ear). I have other mild to moderate symptoms - like tingling and nerve pain but I generally try to ignore them. I had many tests done and all came back normal. However, my upper cervical and lower back are slightly misaligned so this may be causing some compression in terms of healthy nerve flow. I don't feel at a loss - thank God for maintaining faith and hope - but I would like to restore my balance and eliminate the pain in the ear. I feel like the ear is not getting enough blood flow and because the ear houses the balance organs in the body - I surmise this is why I am still dealing with the imbalanced sensation (ie. not enough nutrients and oxygen getting into the area). I've recently seen a nutritionist/ND who is helping me fix my diet and treat other issues but I wanted to know if anyone has experienced a similar issue to mine and saw good results with oil pulling. I actually tried it today for 10 mins w/ coconut oil and it did decrease the pain in the ear - in addition to helping my sinuses drain out (this part really amazed me!) - also important to note - the ND told me he believes the infection may have stemmed from some blockage in my sinuses and that by clearing out this area, I would be in a better position to attack the virus. Well, I did want to say that after immediately doing the OP - and coughing up whatever mucus that came out - I walked around for a bit and did notice that my balance felt a bit more stabilized. Just an observation but definitely worth taking note of. Your thoughts are appreciated. :0)
Sinus Infections
Posted by Medina (Leicester, North Carolina) on 03/26/2009
Thanks for that graphic description!
Dental Issues
Posted by Patricia (Socorro, NM) on 03/26/2009
I just wanted to let you know that if you pour oil down the sink, it tends to clog the drain. Try liquid plummer and voila! Soap! Although I found it cheaper to just snake the drain.
EC: Nothing like ACV and baking soda to clear a clogged drain too! A tried and true remedy...
Congestion
Posted by Angie (Newark, DE) on 03/21/2009
★★★★★
Try using a netti pot to clear your sinuses before you proceed with the oil pulling. You may have to fill the pot 2-3 times for each nostril if you are badly plugged up. I used to suffer from severe sinus infections until I started using a netti pot.
Parasites
Posted by Penawan (London, UK) on 03/20/2009
★★★★★
Hi People,
I am a natural remedy freak and am willing to try anything short of urine therapy ;)
I tried pulling with hemp oil the last two days. I had a slight pain in the left throat area, always a sign of oncoming infection, but today it has disappeared. I gargled for 3 - 5 minutes, but the hemp oil still retained its yellow colour when I spat it out, though in increased volume because of the stimulation of saliva. I don't know if I should gargle for a bit more.
I read in your report that microscopic examination of the foamy oil after gargling showed parasite eggs, etc. As the test is apprently done only on the oil by-product, I am not sure if this is scientific. Perhaps a comparison should also be done with gargled out plain water. This is not doubting the potential benefits of oil pulling, but tests must be rigorously done to be doubly sure.
Keep up the good work!
Congestion
Posted by Joan (Kingston, Jamaica) on 03/19/2009
★★★★☆
Coconut oil OP: I read your site about OP and the use of CO to help with sinus relief. However, my sinuses are so badly infected that I cannot breathe through my nose and therefore have to breathe through my mouth. Tonight I decided to try OP with CO but could not even sustain it for 1 minute because I was suffocating. What do I need to do to be able to accomplish the procedure? Please advise. Await your response. Thanks.
Castor Oil
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 03/19/2009 490 posts
Hello Susan, Most castor oil I have seen comes in 2, 4 or 6 ounce bottles which are clearly labeled for oral ingestion, so why would you need one that states food grade when it is clearly labeled to be taken orally for a laxative effect. I agree with the one who stated that the only adverse effect you would likely have with OP with castor oil would be a laxative effect and since you would be expectorating the castor oil it wouldn't be passing through the intestines whereby it causes the laxative action, therefore there should be no laxative effect as long as you don't swallow it.
For me the worst side effect would be smelling and tasting the castor oil because I despise both the smell and taste, even the ones sold as tasteless & odorless. I had too much of the castor oil forced down in childhood, because this was my parents answer to whatever ailed us. Must have been beneficial because most of my siblings are still alive and I am #8 of 10 children and the youngest who is 6 years my junior is now 70 years old. So if you can tolerate the smell & taste, just be sure to spit the used oil out and be sure to let us know what your opinion of it is. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us.
Castor Oil
Posted by Sueli (Boston, MA) on 03/19/2009
Hello and thank you to all who contribute to this wonderful resource! I have a question regarding blood type and type of oil used. I read somewhere that there is a way to find depending on one's blood type a particular oil may work best for his/her condition (I don't know if this is only true for oil pulling, or if it holds true for ingesting the oil also). Does anyone know about this? Thanks in advance.
Castor Oil
Posted by Dianna (Austin, TX) on 03/18/2009
it seems like i read somewhere about someone using castor oil for oil pulling. i don't think it would hurt you. if it did anything 'bad' i think it might just make you have to have a bowel movement. i might try it myself in the morning. usually i use VCO. if you try it please post your results.
Castor Oil
Posted by Susan (Oshkosh, WI) on 03/18/2009
Hello everyone! I have become addicted to the site like everybody else. I have a question about oil pulling. I made it through five pages and did not see anything about food grade Castor Oil. I kept thinking about the Cayce remedies and his great results for many ailments using Castor Oil. Has anyone tried it? Does anyone know of a reason it should not be used for oil pulling? My intuition keeps telling me to try it, and I believe that we are often led to the right thing for ourselves. To everyone who is working on healing themselves, don't give up! If one thing does not work for you try again and again. In the trying you reinforce the "health"vibration around you. You are not alone in your seking and all of us who read your posts are pulling[no pun intended] for you and with you!
Dental Issues
Posted by David (Brooklyn, NY) on 03/18/2009
★★★★★
We can hardly praise your efforts enough. Came to EarthClinic for natural approaches to abcess, and have come away with so much useful information.
Again and again, you are applaused for promoting natural answers in the manner you have.
Used a generous tablespoon of raw virgin coconut oil the first time, then an hour later used extra-virgin olive oil. Four OPs so far since last night, with at least eighty percent reduction in pain, fifty to sixty percent reduction in swelling. I confess I've slipped a few drops of clove oil onto the gum area, which virtually erases the pain, but only for a half-hour or so. The oil-pulling is so surprising. Fast, simple, inexpensive.
Bless every one of you a million times. Looking forwarding to incorporating links to your site into my many sites. So MANY great stories. Thanks to you all.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Amy (Austin, TX) on 03/07/2009
★★★★★
Fantastic Oil Pulling Results in Just One Week!
I have been oil pulling with both organic cold pressed sesame oil and organic cold pressed coconut oil.
First thing I noticed was how white my teeth became after about the 3rd or 4th pull. Yesterday I became extremely tired and took a 3 hour nap. I slept extremely hard and woke up very refreshed. I felt like I could breath better. Like there was more room in my chest to breathe. I also noticed last night that my nasal passages shrunk. They opened up, like they had been swollen all along and I hadn't noticed.
But what is really weird is what happened when I went running today. I sweat profusely. I mean I sweat like I did when I was a kid. I was dripping. Even my legs where sweating. Another thing I noticed was that my hair was greasy by the end of the day yesterday and my skin is softer. When I was a kid (am 36 now) my hair would be kind of greasy by the end of the day. But as an adult I have had very dry hair and skin. Also my heels have been cracked and nasty for a long time. Today I noticed that there is a completely different texture to my heels. They are getting soft! It's incredible! I feel like oil pulling unlocked something. Maybe some glands or lymph nodes have been blocked or something. Who knows, but I feel great! Am going to keep doing this!
Oh, and I notice that the coconut oil makes me salivate much more than the sesame. Can't imagine why though. For some reason I am drawn to the coconut more.
Sinus Infections
Posted by Liz (Fairfield, CT) on 03/04/2009
★★★★★
It's day two of my oil pulling. The first shot, I felt my sinuses start to drain down my throat while doing it! This after a 10 day round of antibiotics that did not work!I was just AMAZED! As a bonus: my teeth felt like glass...as if I had just had a professional cleaning! I'm waiting for the fountain of youth thing to kick in. It was also not as unpleasant as I had imagined. I did it on my commute, then spit in the parking lot! That will give 'em something to speculate about at the water cooler! Tee-Hee!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Francesca (Merseyside, UK) on 03/03/2009
★★★★★
hi everyone came about your site by accident. Began op about 5 days ago. I used ordinary extra virgin olive oil pulled for 20mins in the morning yet oil still remained yellow when i spat out yet the next morning when i woke up the first thing i noticed was i felt energised, a totally different person who is normally lethargic upon waking. I had a lot more mental clarity . On the second day my cracked heels which were sore every time i walked were healed and soft. My hair which was dry felt softer and my skin feels softer too. I have stopped coughing as well. I have suffered from bad chest infections since i was a child yet op has stopped the wheeze and the cough dead in its tracks. Every morning - wake now i feel i am being propelled in the right way towards super health thankyou so much for this site i will report back with more news
Detoxification
Posted by Laurie (Decatur, Georgia) on 02/24/2009
★★★★★
I just discovered this site today, but wanted to share my experience. I read about oil pulling two months ago and thought it would be good to try for painful tooth that 3 dentists gave me 3 different diagnoses on. Bought a large bottle of pure sesame oil and pulled three mornings in a row with one tablespoon of oil. On the third day I noticed I had a slight sore throat. Two days later that was followed by what appeared to be the flu for four days (I now know that was the Herkximer reaction). The curious thing is I had no fever or digestive compliants the entire time of said "flu" - bad nasal congestion, eyes hurt like a headache and horrible coughing. When it was over I noticed that I was able to chew on the left side of my mouth which I had not been able to do for a few months! Was it the oil pulling? I seriously suspect so. If you were a bad microbe and could not produce your own food, where would you choose to live in the human body? Close to where the food comes in, right?
Broad Benefits
Posted by Anne (Los Angeles, CA) on 02/24/2009
★★★★★
I've been pulling about two months, using various oils but most frequently coconut and sesame. The main benefit I've noticed is that my teeth feel wonderful! The first time I pulled I noticed my teeth felt as if they had been individually polished! It was delightful! The first few days of OPing I kept running my tongue over my teeth just to enjoy the sensation!
Now I'm accustomed to the polished feeling but it's still great!
The first two weeks of OPing I tried several different oils and noticed each had different effects on me. Unfortunately, they don't have those effects any more but I'll list them here in case anyone else has the same reaction.
Sesame seed (cold-pressed): this oil made my teeth the "happiest" and smoothest.
Coconut oil (extra virgin, cold-pressed): I felt resonance with this oil. It was as if my personal vibration and the vibration of the oil were the same. Using that oil just felt correct for me. I know that sounds ridiculous but there it is, I cannot explain it better than that. Also, the coconut oil did not make my teeth as polished-feeling as the sesame.
Flax seed (cold-pressed): I loved this one. After pulling I felt very, very calm and peaceful. It was like taking a dose of Zen.
Olive oil (EVO): this gave me a mood boost. After pulling I felt joyous and buoyant.
For the last two weeks I've been exclusively using coconut oil. I'm going to switch next week and see if the olive oil still gives me an emotional boost.
Good luck to you oil pullers!
Side Effects
Posted by Joy (Solana Beach, CA) on 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.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Joy (Solana Beach, CA) on 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!
Insights and Theories
Posted by Antares (Tamuning, GU) on 02/23/2009
★★★★★
When I have an irresistable swallowing reflex while oil pulling, it's because of mucous that has been drawn out. I have to spit it out and then I can start with new oil to finish.
Congestion
Posted by Celleste (Penang, Malaysia) on 02/12/2009
(To Jules from Hampshire, England): Hi, thank you for reminding me of the proper thing to do after OP. I thought I could skip the extra gargling & go right to brushing.:) Sorry to those reading; I didn't mean to sound like OP was such a pain to do. IT'S NOT. It's probably just me who's too sensitive about the 'taste' thing. Thanks again to EC for this brilliant site!!
TMJ
Posted by Mary (Cleveland, OH) on 02/11/2009
★★★★★
After giving birth to my daughter 9 years ago, I developed TMJ. About a year ago, I started oil-pulling with organic sesame oil after reading about it at various sites. One day, I realized that my jaw didn't make noises anymore, and I also have full range of motion. In addition to oil-pulling, I also take hot, detox baths with 2 cups of Epsom Salts, and frequently cleanse my ear canals with 3% food-grade, hydrogen peroxide for approximately 10 minutes.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Jenny (Nashville, TN USA) on 02/11/2009
To Liz from Bangalore: I've read that many side effects can take place once you stop oil pulling. Oil pulling "cleans" out your insides completely. You are even more prone to infections once you've stopped because your body has become dependent on OP to clean it and does not know what to do with all this "dirt" that suddenly seems to be entering your body. I have also read that because OP brings all infections/dirt to the surface, many people have gotten sick. But they continued OP and found that their body was now officially rid of the hidden sicknesses. I can't say if that's the case with you but I would suggest you continue with OP unless you have a legitimate reason to quit. It's not hurting you in any way so why stop? Hope this helps!
Side Effects
Posted by Rita (Redwood Valley, CA) on 02/10/2009
If you are experiencing uncomfortable detox symptoms put 1 cup sea salt and 1 cup baking soda into a bathtub of warm water and soak for at least 30 minutes. This helps to pull out the toxins and alleviates major healing crisis symptoms.
Congestion
Posted by Jules (Hampshire, England) on 02/10/2009
Hi. I do oil pulling. After spitting out old oil put some bicarbonate of Soda and a little salt in warm water. Rinse a few times then use the rest with your toothbrush. Then rinse with warm water only. Gets rid of the taste of oil and makes your teeth even whiter. I got this tip from earthclinic so its not my own. Just thought I would pass it on as it is hard to read everything that was written before. Jules
Congestion
Posted by Celleste (Penang, Malaysia) on 02/09/2009
★★★★★
I tried Oil Pulling for the very first time 30min. ago. Been reading about the great results it brings, so I was really curious. I tried it with 1 TSP. EV Olive Oil; when it first entered my mouth the taste was horrible. I almost spitted it back out but told myself to hold it. Then 5 min. later I really couldn't stand the taste anymore, so after gagging repeatedly, I spit it out. Was rather disappointed at myself for not keeping it in long enough. BUT...interestingly, the oil already turned white & frothy (I'm down with flu, so I guess I must be really toxic now). Then as I was brushing my teeth, I blew out a significant amount of mucus from the left side of my nose (which had been stuffy all night), & after I finished brushing, as I was checking my teeth (do this every morning by habit), I again blew out a significant amount of mucus from the right side of my nose. So now my nose is clear & I'm breathing so much better. As I was looking in the mirror, I happened to notice that my teeth are whiter already & my tongue has a prettier pinkish shade (it had been coated for the past week coz of my flu). I have to say I'm pleasantly shocked. I didn't expect any of this after just 5 min. of what I thought to be a 'failed' OP. One thing, though, the after-taste of Olive Oil is still there, & I don't find that pleasant at all. So I'll definitely continue OP to find some more surprises, but I'll try other oils. Finally, my heartfelt thanks to Earth Clinic for running a true site like this without any gimmick of promoting certain products & to all of you out there for sharing your experiences.
Insights and Theories
Posted by M (St Louis, MO) on 02/09/2009
★★★★★
EC, Could you include with the basic instructions on oil pulling Ted's suggestion to detox for two weeks before beginning the oil pulling process? I think he recommended using 1 tablespoon ACV with 1/4 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda, stir well, add 1/2 to 1 cup of water and drink one or two times a day for two weeks; OR, take 2 tablespoons of lemon juice plus 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water taken two times a day. The alkalization tends to remove toxins if done for at least two weeks. Then on the second or third week they can start oil pulling. This regimen is supposed to greatly reduce the Herksheimer effect of getting worse before you get better. It seems like many people are just starting out with the oil pulling first and wanting to quit because they didn't prepare properly and are suffering from the Herksheimer effect.
Side Effects
Posted by M (St Louis, MO) on 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!
Side Effects
Posted by M (St Louis, Mo) on 02/09/2009
Answer for JD from Anchorage, Alaska: I too got face bumps or redness from coconut oil, I am a blood type A and found out that type A's often have a sensitivity to coconut oil. Try another oil, Sesame works for me. If my teeth get sensitive from its astringency I'll add a little bit of another type, like canola or olive oil. Like someone else suggested switch around every so often to keep the OP working well. It is also good to research individual oils for their benefits, EFA's, anti-biotic or anti-viral capabilities etc.
General Feedback
Posted by Rena (Mineral Bluff, Georgia) on 02/08/2009
Hi Abby, the loosing of sediment has happened to me twice, like you, I thought I broke my tooth or something. Pretty cool huh, Peace, Rena.
Side Effects
Posted by Matthew (Tallahassee, FL) on 02/07/2009
Genia from Madison and anyone else experiencing painful facial side effects!!
I have been oil pulling for a little over a month now. I have had the SAME reaction as you. My top left gum behind my back molar was under excruciating pain and my top right gum was also under pain (although not as much). I think that the oil pulling for some reason or another caused "trigger points" in the back of my top molars. I went to the bookstore and read everything I could about pressure points and inflammation and came across a book called the "Trigger point therapy workbook" by Clair Davies. The book is based off the studies of Dr. Travell and Dr. Simmons. It has proven to be extremely beneficial in relieving the facial pain. You basically massage the trigger points out. I'm not sure if the trigger points are what caused the pain in your mouth or not... but they definitely were in mine. Check out the book if you get the chance.
http://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-Therapy-Workbook-Self-Treatment/dp/1572243759/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234021519&sr=8-1
Also, I think I am going to switch from Coconut Oil (although it is improving my skin dramatically).. to Sesame or Sunflower
Side Effects
Posted by Brenda (Alexandria, VA) on 02/07/2009
Coconut Oil is an anti-fungal oil. The detox effect from using this oil can be pretty strong. I did oil pulling two years ago, then I let life get in the way. Lets just say I am back to where I started (so, tip . . . keep it up. Anyway, I used coconut oil after swishing with Olive Oil for a few months. Within a few hours I was coughing up lots of mucous. I remember searching all over my purse while waiting for a train to blow my nose. the Needless to say, I started oiling pulling again this morning. My oil of choice is Coconut Oil (1TB). I will post the detox effects if I have any.
If the detox effects of Coconut Oil is too strong switch oils.
Dental Issues
Posted by Sonia (Charlotte, NC) on 02/05/2009
★★★★★
Hi, I have been oil pulling for 10 days now since my dentist told me some of pockets are 6. I do see it removed some plaque in just few days from 1 tooth. My teeth are little bit whiter too. I do see benefits and will continue this.
