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.
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!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Janine (Perth, Western Australia) on 01/23/2015
★★★★★
I'm not sure how I can contribute to this site. But obviously I can't send a message to you. There are so many people that dont believe this. I am not normally an alternate person but I have been trying this for 3 days only. I was due for a dental appointment but the plaque on my teeth is becoming lesses and lesser. I originally googled this for a throat mucous problem which I have had for 12 years and no doctors prescription has been able to fix. 3 days later my throat feels fabulous apart from being quite dried out which makes it hard to swallow but I just buy lozengers. I disagree with the dentists clean and scale treatment that we have here in oz as I think that it thins your teeth down. I am totally amazed by what coconut oil has done so far. I'm sorry to bother you but thank you.
Detoxification
Posted by Bee (New York, NY, US) on 10/02/2014
★★★★★
Hi Gail ;; (U.S.)
I am oil pulling and the first few days I felt like I had the flu.... Its def. detox or die off symtpoms.. They are less now and I have been oil pulling for a month....A lot of plague came off my teeth... gums are better and teeth are whiter. I use organic safflower oil.
Detoxification
Posted by Gail (Defuniak Springs, FL, US) on 10/02/2014
I guess I have a yeast problem and heavy metals . I'm looking forward to feeling better I just hope it doesn't take a month . Thanks for the encouragement and I hope OP continues to help you too.
Dental Issues
Posted by Rama (India) on 11/19/2014
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I had done OP off and on from the time I heard about it, which was more than 20 years ago. Sometimes , due to certain reasons I might have stopped for a short while , and would have totally forgotten about this therapy.
Then few years back again I started it, and did it regularly 3 times a day, and that was the time got so many blisters in my mouth. I still continued with great difficulty , thinking it was okay, as it must be all the toxins coming out and they would go away, as Sesame oil is also good for treating ulcers anyway in India.
But then I could not even open my mouth it was so painful, that I had to visit a doctor and get medicines to get rid of the blisters. After that, I decided I will not try OP.
Now again I suddenly remembered it and as I am in my 50s with all the associated problems related to this age, I thought I would start again.
So I started with once a day early in the morning and slowly as the week progressed I have started doing it twice a day.
Till now I have had no problems and I really like doing it.I also have not noticed any positive changes in me, but that is okay, we have to give time to healing to see results. I am willing to wait. I feel I must have got too excited and had started doing 3 times previously, that is why too many toxins were released and caused the blister problem. This time I am more sensible, if I see some problem, I would reduce it to once a day, and see when I can re start it to twice a day, or even stop it for a while I have no doubt in my mind regarding its goodness. I have done it both with sesame oil as well as coconut oil. I don't like sun flower and olive oil. I would keep alternating between Coconut and sesame oil.
I will soon get back with my updates.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Julie (Clarksburg, Md) on 04/21/2014
★★★★★
I have been oil pulling for approximately one month and my teeth feel wonderful and the cleanest they ever felt. My skin is so clear and my brown spots on my hand and arm are fading. I no longer get headaches. My nasal passages are always clean - no allergy headaches this spring! The arthritis in my knees are so much better. I am also sleeping better. I will continue to do this. Its the best thing ever!!!!!! LOVE IT!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Layla14 (San Jose, Ca) on 03/11/2014
★★★★★BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I am 28 yrs. old, female at around 148 lbs., 5'5". I am pretty healthy overall, with minor skin concerns. I made a choice to start trying different types of Ayurvedic therapy and to start using more organic body products without all the chemical/parabens. I firmly believe that I can be healthier (along with a clean diet & exercise of course) without relying on medicine/chemical crap, so that is the reason why I have taken it upon myself to do research on Ayurveda & holistic health :)
Currently suffer from certain things: occasional dandruff, some scalp psoriasis, oily skin, keratosis pilaris (upper arm), fatigue, unhealthy weight (in my opinion, I want to be at 130 lbs.), occasional mood and mild depression. Also my knee joints will start hurting if I put too much stress on them (i.e running more than 5 miles). I also feel that I drink too much alcohol/usually social binge drinking weekends and sometimes weekdays. I know, it's bad!
I started oil pulling 3 days ago with coconut oil for 10 mins. first thing in the morning. The side effects of detoxing did not start until this morning (third day), I woke up feeling hot (flu-like symptoms), groggy, and just moody. Throughout the day I have been feeling somewhat nauseated as well. I've noticed that after my first OP, I've had really deep sleep accompanied with vivid dreams!
Positives haven't been significant, since it's still too early to tell...but just like with other people... I have seen that my skin looks somewhat smoother, teeth are whiter, my vision seems a lot clearer too (colors are more vibrant), good quality sleep, and I have also been leaning on to craving healthier foods. My cravings for salt & sugar seem to be decreasing as well.
I am going to continue with OP and I'll check back in within a few weeks! Hopefully will see more benefits :)
Broad Benefits
Posted by Barbyb (Connecticut) on 07/15/2015
★★★★★
I am only into my second day of OP and have experienced clean feeling teeth and mouth only. I am committed to this process so I will check back in as I go along.
You might want to try the WO (water only) haircare routine for your scalp problems. I am into my fifth month of showering with water only. My hair has gone through some adjustments but is clean and healthy and the natural wave and curl are returning. My skin is smooth and clear. Body odor minimal and I combat that with the application of coconut oil which seems to help.
I am hoping that OP will add into my WO therapy and I can become healthier. I am 77 yrs old and this is all good.
Detoxification
Posted by Vee (Texas, Usa) on 08/13/2013
I am on day 2 of oil pulling with Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and its doing something-just not sure what. I do have questions though. This morning right after swishing I had a bowel movement. Then a small one again when I came home for lunch. About an hour and a half later I was at work & had to rush to the bathroom where I had a loose (and somewhat explosive) bowel movement that kind of scared me-sorry for the gross details. I suffer from constipation often & don't go this often & haven't eaten anything different so I guess I can contribute this to the oil. The most noticiable difference is my energy-I have none! Today I have been deathly tired-more tired than I've been in some time. I also experienced what seem to be faster heartbeats today. Is this normal? And I'm not using organic EVOO-is this ok? I have sesame seed oil in my cupboard but it's not organic & just says pure-can I use this? And what I'm most confused about is brushing afterwards. Is using your regular toothpaste ok? Hopefully I can get some help with these questions. I'll continue to post updates on my progress. Thanks in advance for the help!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Jeffrey (Hartly, Delaware) on 06/12/2013
★★★★★
I started oil pulling several months ago, using sesame oil for 20 minutes first thing in the morning. Before I started I had severe flaking of facial skin and dandruff. Since then, the facial skin flaking and dandruff has almost disappeared. Also, before oil pulling, I used a saline solution to clear my nostrils, since oil pulling my nostrils are clear, and there is no need for the saline solution. I recommend oil pulling to everyone. Great stuff!
About Oil Pulling
Posted by Alan (Homestead, Florida) on 05/22/2013
★★★★★
I believe that the positive, measurable results of oil pulling are due to the the physics of CAVITATION. The implosion of bubbles in liquid is a well studied phenomenon outside of the human mouth... It's considerable power will degrade a ships propeller in short order... In an ultrasonic parts cleaner it will strip tarnish from silver and filth from your jewelry. The variations in oil viscosity (sunflower vs. Olive etc.) WILL produce different cleaning or stimulative effect. Water will work as well but takes much more time as it's viscosity results in lower cavitational power. Very little mysticism here but a lot of misinformation.
Dental Issues
Posted by Om (Hope, B.c., Canada) on 05/21/2013
★★★★★
To Clio51 from Manchester. According to Ayurvedic books, oil pulling should be done in the early morning before drink or food with sesame oil. In twenty minutes the oil should look white when expelled. Then rinse mouth several times. The action is on all energy points on the tongue , that is why oil pulling benefits all body organs.
I have done it now for almost a year and loose teeth are firm again. Otherwise my teeth have whitened over time. Other benefits may be there as I have no other issues. Keep it up. Om
Castor Oil
Posted by Gg (Lalaland, Ca) on 04/06/2013
Castor Oil? Seriously? I have been a castor oil user for years, but only externally. The castor bean is poisonous, I used to use castor bean plants around my garden to repel gophers and moles until they were the accidental cause of death of a neighbors puppy... After reading this I decided to check my bottle in the cabinet and it clearly says on it for external use only... I'm not sure, but it is in the nightshade family isnt it?
Chronic Sinusitis
Posted by Peachytechgirl (Atlanta, Ga) on 03/22/2013
★★★★★
I wanted to comment and say that oil pulling with organic extra virgin Olive oil has worked for me in the 2 short days that I have tried it. I am very glad I found this website.
I suffer from standard sinus problems and I've found that I flush my sinuses multiple times hourly. 2 days ago, I averaged maybe 5 sinus flushes per hour (using saline spray). Then I tried oil pulling.
Day one after starting oil pulling, I flushed my sinuses maybe once an hour. Day two, I've barely flushed at all. I can breatheeee!!! I can inhale and exhale and feel deep clean breaths in my nasal cavities.
Regarding oil pulling for teeth... I have one amalgam filling and was hesitant to begin oil pulling. After research on various websites, I found that other people reported oil pulling with fillings and didn't experience issues. The general understanding is that if you do experience issues with your fillings, there was pre-existing damage anyway. I visit the dentist regularly and I know that my fillings are entact, so I went ahead and began my routine.
I have not experienced any metallic tastes or other abnormalities. I will send an update if I do. Despite only starting this routine within the last 2 days, my teeth are shiny. I floss regularly, and I don't experience bleeding, but my gums are slightly swollen. Since I've started pulling, I've noticed that my gums don't feel swollen anymore. They feel very healthy.
Here is my routine:
I oil pull first thing in the morning with 1TBL/3tsp of evoo. (The oil that I use is standard and found in the organic section of my grocery store. ) I typically pull for 10-15 minutes. I can really feel the change of the oil in my mouth once I reach the end of the swishing period.
I spit it out, and immediately rinse with warm water. I brush my teeth with a tooth powder solution consisting of baking soda and sea salt, and then I gargle again with the remaining warm water (with some of the tooth powder mixed in). I then gargle one more time with just regular warm water to ensure I've cleaned my mouth thoroughly.
In the evenings I floss and gargle with warm water and baking soda/sea salt. In the 2 short days that I've oil pulled, I've noticed that my floss is removing more plaque than before (despite not changing eating habits), so I am definitely happy with the results thus far.
If I do experience any negative effects, I will send an update, but overall I am very happy so far with my oil pulling routine.
Side Effects
Posted by Blistered (Chicago, Il) on 02/27/2013
I tried oil pulling for the first time this morning using Meditteranean blend oil, which contains soya, sunflower and extra virgin olive oil. I did this before eating and drinking anything. I swished for 20 mins. , then rinsed with warm water, brushed my teeth and drank three glasses of water. It is now evening and I now have blisters in my mouth. Never had them before. Has this happened to someone else? Am I swishing too long, using wrong oil?? What can I do to avoid getting blisters. Thank you!!
Dental Issues
Posted by Jenn (Cork, Ireland) on 01/12/2013
★★★★★
I have been oil pulling with olive oil for six months. I would use a different toothbrush for oil pulling and another for normal tooth brushing, and alway rinse my mouth out with warm salt water (one teaspoon in a small glass). I feel I am less likely to cross contaminate my mouth by using a different toothbrush.
My mouth feels much healther and my teeth are stronger, my dentist recommended for me to use a filler toothpaste as I have sensitive enamel. I choose to oil pull instead, and six months later my teeth are not as sensitive. I would recommend everyone giving it a try as it is inexpensive. It's just getting into a routine, like brushing and flossing teeth. Soon it becomes second nature. Of course you should follow your dentist advice also, I just made my own decision that suited me.
Dental Issues
Posted by Om (Hope, Bc Canada) on 12/28/2012
★★★★★
I have been oilpulling for over a year. My teeth have by nature a yellow tinge but have become whiter and brighter. My gums still bleed occasionally but are much healthier and firmer. Moreover, two molars that were lose have become firm and make no more trouble. If there is infection in the roots, take colloidal silver and keep in the mouth for a while. Do this for at least three days. The infection will go. I use only sesame oil as it penetrates all the skin levels and nourishes the tissue. I am 78 years old and have all my teeth sans one that went many years ago. Oil pulling is mandatory for sinus drainage otherwise the body becomes toxic.
Sinus Infections
Posted by Mike (Logan, Al) on 10/04/2012
★★★★★
I read for several hours about OP and then drove 20 minutes to town to fetch "OILS"... I have a sinus infection and was very uncomfortable and needed some relief. Sunflower oil for 20 minutes and my nose opened up and the sinus pressure is gone. I intend to continue with OP to see if the claims of better stomach health are true. It was not easy at first... There is a gag reflex, and I must admit that my mouth feels really fresh and clean. The baking soda brushing felt great also... Drink plenty of water and I am sure your experience will be just as good. I am amazed!
Broad Benefits
Posted by Rusty (Kaneohe, Hawaii) on 06/22/2012
★★★★★
I have been oil pulling for the past 2 years and the first thing that I have noticed is that I have not had a bad cold since then, and using olive oil at first was harsh but, I have become used to it. Losing weight I am way over weight and since I have been oil pulling I have lost 50 lbs and feel much better. I oil pull every morning before I have breakfast for about 20 minutes. When I come home from work I oil pull again this time longer over one hour while on my computer. Oil pulling is a part of my daily life. My over all condition has improved a lot. No more asthma atacks or wheezing and with the loss of the weight I find myself getting around much more instead of watching TV all the time. I am not as tired as how I used to be after losing the toxins that plays a major roll in my life. At the beginning my body was purging out all the impurities and this does happen. Depending on your condition. Everyones condition is different.
Also check on MMS by Dr. James V Humble and the cures that MMS can do for you like cancer. How the drug companies want to get rid of this Dr. Humble, because for pennies a day you can live much longer. Check him out. aloha, Rusty
