Oil Pulling
Health Benefits

Oil Pulling: Unlock Natural Oral Health & Detox Benefits

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.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Rosemary (White Rock, B.c., Canada) on 12/31/2011
★★★★★

I am a 55 y.o. female, blood type B-, and have only done oil pulling with sesame oil for about 2 weeks now and I am very pleased with the results. My teeth are cleaner, my skin looks youthful and my pores are smaller in the t- zone and am no longer struggling diverticulitis. I am also sleeping somewhat better. I experienced a small rash on my tongue from days 3 to 8 but it disappearred overnight. I love the information this site provides!


Dental Issues
Posted by Modern Medicine Maiden (Victoria, Bc, Canada) on 12/28/2011
★★★★★

I have discovered this website and after reading about oil pulling (and researching on other websites) I decided to try it.......... After two weeks I need to share my story.

I was diagnosed 10 years ago with a tumor/goiter on the right side of my thyroid that was noticeable in size. Oddly enough the left side is trying to compensate for it so my specialist and I decided to just leave it be and I would monitor its size and my well being (noticing any changes to my health) so after several years of blood tests etc.... I am now on yearly monitoring. Seems to be fine but the size has never changed. No matter what kind of cleanse or supplement I did. I just thought it was my little pet to carry around with me. Now I need to mention that I eat very healthy clean whole foods as I am sensitive to a lot of things (thanks goodness my body has a natural defense to all the bad stuff, makes it easier to say no! ). And then I decided to try oil pulling!!!!!!!!!!! The first day I had an awful metallic taste in the back of my throat. From the second day on I would expel a considerable amount of phlegm a few times after I had spit out the oil, IT'S SHRINKING!!!!! I have also had a slight breakout on my chin that happens to line up with my thyroid and only on the affected side so I know its pulling upwards. I honestly think that the doctor may even miss it if I had a routine check up. Not to mention my teeth are so much whiter! I am honestly telling everyone I love because this is so easy! I am fortunate to have seen direct results so I am absolutely convinced that this is another practice that I will incorporate into my daily regime for the rest of my life! Just try it..... Sesame oil, 2 tsp, empty tummy, 20 min and swish-n-spit away your potential future diseases down the drain!


Insomnia
Posted by Courtney (Granite Bay, Ca) on 12/20/2011

To Jane from Tennessee - What oil are you pulling with? I suffer from insomnia as well, and am hoping that if I use the same oil as you do, I might benefit similarly.


Insomnia
Posted by Jane (Tenneesee, Usa) on 12/19/2011
★★★★★

I started doing this as per instructions found on this website. Upon doing further research, I found a different way. This site says to do the oil pulling after brushing teeth. The other site says to do it before brushing. So which way is the correct way? Does it matter?

I will say, among the many ailments I have, one is insomnia. I slept like a baby the first nite I started. Haven't noticed improvements of any other ailment as of yet.

Dental Issues
Posted by Clay Vessel (East London, South Africa) on 12/18/2011

Hello, Earth Clinic. I am so glad to have found this site which I have already recommended to others. I have a concern about the possible danger of Oil Pulling and the presence of amalgam fillings in one's mouth.

I'd like a response from Ted, or any person who is an authority on Oil Pulling.

I have been so impressed by the experiences of others with regard to Oil Pulling and am keen to do it regularly. However, I have one amalgam filling left in my mouth, a tooth which also had root canal work done on it years ago. On all the sites I have looked at, it seems that the amalgam filling and Oil Pulling combination is not mentioned very often, and many who report great results do not say whether they have amagam fillings or not.

How can it possibly be safe to swish oil around ones mouth in the presence of a mercury filling?

I know the solution is to have the amalgam filling removed, and I have removed all of the others (slowly, over time). I am reluctant to remove this last one because a) it's expensive and I can't afford it just now and b) a doctor said that it may do more harm to remove it than to keep it in. Despite the protocol that is followed (rubber dam, charcoal drunk afterwards) there's no escaping the mercury vapour that one inhales during the procedure. So for now, it remains in. The filling is big, and old.

I have just completed ten weeks of chelation with a doctor to remove heavy metals from the body, because of all the amalgam fillings I used to have. He used weekly injections with a Vit C and calcium combination. Am concerned that by Oil Pulling, I may inadvertantly re-introduce mercury into the bloodstream again.

I so want to do Oil Pulling - it sounds so effective and makes sense to me, and my husband, who is also keen. We've done it twice already. But could it be that Oil Pulling in the presence of mercury might outweigh the benefits of Oil Pulling altogether and make the practice more harmful than good? I would value knowledgeable comments and advice. Thanks, Earth Clinic


Side Effects
Posted by Bo (Kern County, Ca) on 12/17/2011

To Dave from Toronto, Ontario, Canada...

That sounds like GERD. My S/O and a former mother-in-law use to have the exact same thing happen to them.


Multiple Oils Tried
Posted by Su Chi (India) on 12/15/2011

I started O.P. a week ago. Benefits already observed sound sleep, good BM and lost 2.2 pounds.


Detoxification
Posted by Lasvegasprwoman (Las Vegas, Nevada) on 12/14/2011

I started pulling 10 days ago with coconut oil and for the last 7 days have had bad cold like symptoms of sore throat and lot of blowing my nose. I've read this happens often after op, but was wondering for how long? I blow my nose all day and spit up stuff and most of the time it's yellow. Sometimes it never ends. Also feel fatigued and my contact lenses bother me in my eyes. Should I continue?

Leukemia
Posted by Zul Tania (Singapore ) on 12/12/2011
★★★★★

Hi,

Could anyone explain to me how Dr. Karach cured leukemia by oil pulling? It is known that he has cured a leukemia patient. I would really like to find out as I was diagnosed with Chrinic Myeloid Leukemia two years ago. I'm currently on a drug called Imatinib which keeps it in check. I just started oil pulling and found out about Dr. Karach's success with his leukemia patient. I would like to find out his therapy regiment and cure myself (God Willing). Any info would be great... Thanks. Zul Tania


Dental Issues
Posted by Scearthgirl (Summerville, Sc) on 12/11/2011

Hi, I read somewhere earlier that taking apple cider vinegar in orally could help with Sinus issues. Search on sinuses and ACV and see what you find...


Dental Issues
Posted by Hainer (London, Uk) on 12/09/2011
★★★★★

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I have been oil pulling with sesame oil and have notice great improvements in the health of my gum and the teeth becoming whiter.

The only problem I have is the side effects which includes Blocked nose which is really annoying and I have to use decongestant to clear it up and feeling lethargic and weak. Although I have been doing it for many weeks but I stopped for a while and when I started again I am getting the same symptoms.

Some times I do OP for more than 20 minutes or even 30 minutes, and I wonder could this be the reason for feeling ill.

Broad Benefits
Posted by Knute (Sacramento, USA) on 08/29/2008
★★★★★

I was fortunate to find out about Dr Karach's oil pulling therapy over 16 years ago, and my objective was to improve my immune system, as a preventative. And it certainly has done so, for example, the number of colds has gone down a lot. Plus, my digestion has improved very much. Also, I can go on for more hours without feeling the need to eat.

I mostly use sesame oil, peanut oil, and sunflower oil: Once per day, one table spoon in the morning, before breakfast, 5-7 days a week. I have found that it's very important to rinse the oral cavity and tonge with baking soda/salt in warm water, and brush all of the same area - including the tongue, after applying just a little baking soda and salt on the toothbrush.

Basically, my opinion is that oil pulling is one of the very best ways to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities, and that includes detoxification. 15-20 minutes in the morning of oil pulling regularly, while taking a shower or shaving or ... - is one of the wisest things we could to, healthwise.


Insights and Theories
Posted by Edna (Solomon, Kansas, USA) on 01/21/2009
★★★★★

I wanted to add a note concerning the addition of a drop or two of Oil of Oregano during the OP. You'll want to make sure that you get ORGANIC oil, and not only that, but make sure it is labeled as "Oil of WILD OREGANO! What sells under the label "Oil of Oregano" or "Oregano Oil" is really Marjoram, and does NOT possess the wonderful, natural, anti-biotic properties of Oil of Wild Oregano. Don't let 'em fool ya!

It is oil from a specific wild plant (not the same plant known in Spain as "oregano" and used in cooking) that grows on the hillsides of the Mediterranean region which is the real deal. It is the most powerful anti-biotic agent in nature.

I wouldn't have known the difference if someone hadn't once told me, so I wanted to pay it forward. Thank you for the opportunity.

Loving this site! :0)

Be blessed!!


Insights and Theories
Posted by Molly (San Francisco, CA USA) on 03/28/2008
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I've OPed for about three years now. And I've followed endless discussions about what it does and does not do. I now have a theory.

I don't think that OP "pulls" anything out of the system. What it does seem to do is infuse your body with EFA's sublingually (under your tongue) which enters the bloodstream bypassing gastric juices. I found a patent that uses oil as a transporter of medication for a sublingual medication. From what I read, Oleic Acid is commonly used for this transport.

It makes sense why some people have skin conditions clear up with OP. They are being dose with good oil.

Secondly, there is now no doubt that the health of your mouth is directly linked to your organ health. A well-known biologist, a friend of my Dad, said he thinks that the bacteria in the mouth, the really bad stuff that forms plague, is very attracted to the acids in the oil. So the oil melts this bad stuff, and then you spit it out. That's why your teeth get much cleaner than by conventional means, like alcohol-based rinses.

And so, when you melt this bad stuff, you simply spit it out..buh bye.

Now, I think this is the major link to why people experience healing while OP. As your mouth is populating with all this nasty bacteria (or worse, infections), you are swallowing the stuff. That bacteria is attacking you internally. That is why some people have had heart attacks after a dental procedure, like a root canal, that infuses their body with nasty stuff. Yes, it can attack the heart and other vital organs.

OP simply removes it so that it cannot go anywhere else. Dr. Karach talked about curing a long time blood disease. Perhaps his dental health was very bad.

Add a drop of Oil of Oregano to your oil pulling for about a week every 3 or so months, and you have a powerful anti-bacterial agent to kill all this stuff. Oregano Oil is natures anti-biotic, so it should not be abused, and used just like you would a pharmaceutical anti-biotic.

All these theories I have come from a long time listening and discussing this modality.

OP is very gentle. It's just food for goodness sake! And I believe that it should be a common morning occurrence, just like brushing your teeth.

I've actually used it to get rid of sinus infections and lung infections. It has cut down on the time I am sick, but darn if I've hardly gotten sick since I've started OP. Also, my long time seasonal allergies are gone. If I do have any lung complaints, I OP back to back until I don't cough anything up anymore.

I have used (always unrefined and organic) Sesame, Sunflower, Walnut, Macadamia, coconut, Udo's Oil, Total EFA Oil....amongst others. My personal all time favorite is Sesame, hand's down. I have noticed that if you change your oil about ever two months, it's like a renewed therapy. Don't know why, perhaps your body is getting used to that particular EFA formula. But I have noticed that when I change, my teeth get whiter even more.

Thought I'd weigh in since I haven't been here for awhile. Actually, it was myself and Ms Kitty from Oregon that turned Earth clinic onto this some years back. I'm so pleased to see that this is still being discovered and that people are having such good results.

OP is a no-brainer. It's not dangerous, it can't pull stuff out of your body, like medication, it's simply swishing some "food" around your mouth. But what it does do is invaluable.

Keep Swishing!!

Insights and Theories
Posted by Earth Clinic
★★★★★

These are instructions from India in which only 2 types of oil can be used. However, as you will read below in our Reader Feedback section, people are experimenting with different oils, adding anti-bacterial and anti-viral oil essences. Soon we might have a purist vs. renegade oil pulling battle!

INSTRUCTIONS:

First thing in the morning, before brushing your teeth, eating or drinking, take 1 TBSP of either sesame or sunflower oil. Put the oil in your mouth, tilt your chin up and slowly swish, suck, chomp and pull through the teeth. Do this for at least 10 minutes. 15 - 20 minutes is better. You want the oil to become a thin, white foam when you finally spit it out. If it's still yellow, you haven't done it long enough.

You can do this 2 more times during the day if you want to detox faster. Make sure you do it on an empty stomach, however. Spit it out in the toilet when your mouth is full and rinse your mouth out well.

Follow by drinking 2 - 3 glasses of water.

DO NOT SWALLOW THE OIL.
It now contains parasites and bacteria!

DO NOT GARGLE IN THE THROAT -- THE OIL IS MEANT TO BE SWISHED IN THE MOUTH ONLY.

DO IT SLOWLY.

HOW IT WORKS:
The oil pulls all mucous, bacteria and toxins from your body through your saliva. According to Ayurvedic medicine, mucous is a poison that must be removed.

Note #1:
Keeping the chin tilted up makes sure the oil gets to the back molars.

Note #2:
The old school says that only sesame and sunflower oils produce favorable results. However, our readers report success using other oils too.

Note #3:
If after meals, wait at least 4 hours before you Oil Pull. After drinking, wait 1 hour.

Note #4:
A worsening of symptoms is an excellent indication that the disease/ailment is being cured.

Note #5:
Do not stop Oil Pulling if you feel aggravated symptoms or heightened side effects after a day or two. Your body is healing.

Note #6:
Will your dental fillings fall out? It's possible but highly unlikely unless there is pre-existing damage or loose fillings.

The oil will start to thin out after a few minutes because saliva is constantly being mixed in and swished about.

Side Effects
Posted by Maeryn (Calgary, Ab, Canada) on 11/28/2011

I am not allergic to apples or apple sauce, but I'm allergic to any kind of apple juice, and ACV does not seem to work for me at all. I guess it's a fermentation thing. Instead of ACV, I use Hydrogen Peroxide, Tea Tree Oil, and/or baking soda.


Sun Spots, Bleeding Hemorrhoids
Posted by Me (Central Nj, Nj) on 11/12/2011
★★★★★

I have been oil pulling since July 2011. I started because I have Lyme disease (diagnosed 4/2010) and am desperate to feel well again. I am currently on 2 different antibiotics and have tried various natural alternatives.

Although it has not helped with Lyme it has made a difference with 2 things. My lips had dark spots that are almost gone. I had them for about 10 years and doctors said they were just discoloration from sun exposure. The second thing is I have hemorrhoids that would bleed for about 2 weeks straight every month. This has happened only once, when I stopped oil pulling for about 2 weeks. I started again the bleeding stopped in about 2 days and has not happened again. Hopefully it will start to help in other areas also. I use cold pressed sesame oil.


About Oil Pulling
Posted by Debbie (Melbourne, Australia ) on 11/02/2011

You will also need to repopulate the gut with good bacteria (probiotics, fermented foods). I wonder if the fish oil helped with chemo because of the iodine content in it?


About Oil Pulling
Posted by Gavin (Manganui, Northland, New Zealand) on 11/01/2011

Don't forget an Australian study that claimed fish oil capsules, virtually eliminated the side effects of chemo, regarding hair loss etc.


About Oil Pulling
Posted by Debbie (Melbourne, Australia ) on 11/01/2011

Patricia you would be better off taking iodine (lugols) to detoxify from the chemo.

Also the chemotherapy will according to this article kill off the good bacteria in the gut causing candida to overgrow as a result. The iodine will kill off the candida. I recommend you read the article.

http://www.whale.to/a/last1.html


About Oil Pulling
Posted by Jay (Toronto, Ont, Canada) on 10/31/2011
★★★★★

To Patricia from Carmel, Ca. Oil Pulling detoxifies by absorbing bacteria and other organisms from the mouth only. This can help the immune system by taking on this workload and freeing the immune system to concentrate on other issues.

The 2 natural products that have been proven to remove toxins in your system from past chemotherapy & radiation treatments are chlorella and cilantro.


About Oil Pulling
Posted by Patricia (Carmel, Ca) on 10/31/2011

I have been reading about OP, and wonder if it works to eliminate toxins in system from past chemotherapy & radiation treatments?

Broad Benefits
Posted by Publcviewer (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Usa ) on 10/24/2011

This is my take. (This post is about any oil used. ) First of all I used Sesame Oil… it is dark and does not say toasted; all it says is 100% pure. However, reading more and more testimonials here.. I went out and bought Sesame Oil Cold Pressed. The first day I used the dark I think I noticed the merest… the slightest lightening of some decay, and the rest of my teeth. It was so slight I'm not sure it wasn't all in my head. I felt an unbelievable energy, but then again I was hitting a second-wind and that usually happens, so still… in my head I don't know. In using the cold pressed for the following four days after.. I noticed absolutely nothing at all; nothing. This morning after using the cold pressed and still nothing.. I decided to try the dark again. It seems as if I may be noticing a little more lightening in the decay and the rest of my teeth, but again I'm unsure if this is in my head or not; time will tell.

If this does work on whitening teeth and cleaning decay… we'll see, but if so, it is my very strong belief that that's all it would do (except for one other thing that is a possibility), and here's why:

Sesame oil is one of most oils that are acidic, and that's really why it is important to brush your teeth after, or that acid will eat away at your teeth and gums. In fact it is most likely this acid that is eating away at the yellow and decay, and nothing else is responsible for it. Secondly.. Just after using when swishing your mouth with Hydrogen Peroxide there is no foam, and there certainly would be if there were any remote traces of toxins. (Brush your teeth before bed and see. ) Third.. the only other thing it may possibly do is ease up on the fine lines in the face, because the oil is reaching throughout the face via the sinus cavities.

I believe the people that are claiming it works wonders on this are merely responding to not only a placebo effect, but also they're taking medications and therapy for their medical problems, because not one person said they went off their meds, and no one would risk going off their meds for such a gamble. Maybe the people that say their feeling awful; in a number of different ways are the ones going off their meds, because I'm quite sure this is a crock beyond the merest of basics, and if even those exist, or maybe it's the oil penetrating throughout the face and causing reactions in the entire cranial cavity. I'm just thankful that I'm not trying for a miracle cure to reverse or restore anything, and at best the only thing that will do that is eating a proper 80% alkaline to 20% acidic food/drink intake daily. If you really want to see results throughout your body that's what you'll have to do.

Now at this point for studies alone I will continue for the teeth whitening, and I'll report back at a later date to give my results. Many of you will swear up and down - as you already have and in response to this, but my take on it stands firm regardless.


Whitens Teeth
Posted by Carlos (Barcelona, Spain) on 10/23/2011
★★★★★

Ok I just want to report after few days I have those white teeth that when I look in the mirror I'm amazed.

I always had beautiful big teeth but yellow in color so my smile wasn't such a remarkable thing. I don't smoke or drink coffee but they were yellow no matter the toothpaste I used. I don't know if I should keep doing it cause people will really notice it's getting to be a hollywood smile lol!


Side Effects
Posted by Dave (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 10/18/2011

I've been Oil Pulling off and on for about 4 years now. I always use organic sunflower oil. From reading all the posts here and my own experiences, clearly OP affects everyone differently.
To be honest, nowadays the only time I 'swish' is about 2 -3 weeks before a dentist appointment. For me, it definitely whitens my teeth and seems to tighten my gums slightly, but not much else. I have consistently observed that (for me) after about 3 days I actually start to sleep worse, unsettled and broken.

I am about 5 days into my vigorous routine as I write and last night had a quite a terrifying experience. Not sure if it was from OP or that it was just a coincidence, but while sleeping, I threw up, awoke and could not breathe, inhaled and all I got was stomach acid. Horrible. About 12 hours later, I can still taste it when I breathe. (Sorry to creep you out). Again, it could have been something I ate, but nothing like that has ever happened to me before. Bedtime is approaching.... but as of now, I do plan to continue with the OP.

Thanks for reading and best of luck to you all.

Coated Tongue
Posted by Miss. Burch (Brooklyn, N.y.) on 09/24/2011
★★★★★

I did the oil pulling with the sesame seed oil because I had a white coating on my tongue for years I could not get rid of and it worked wonders! I could tell a difference the same day I begin using it. I'm now on my third day and my tongue is nearly completely pink. I Love it! After I eat something, I check my tongue to see if the white coating has return and it have not. In the mornings, when I check it, it's still pretty in pinkish color! Again, I love this home remedy! So, thanks to whomever discovered this!!!


Chronic Fatigue
Posted by Hef (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 09/22/2011
★★★★★

I have started oil pulling along with Black Strap Molasses for the last two days to address my consistent fatigue (day and night )issues. I was trying to get 8 hours of sleep every day along with exercising in the evening I was feeling better but couldn't get rid of morning lethargy and the tiredness during the day. I read about BSM and O.P here and started doing it. Today is my second day.

Surprisingly enough, I am waking up up quite alert in the morning, without the urge to keep lying on the bed and snoozing. I really woke and wanted to get out of the bed..... otherwise I would feel lethargic even after 8-9 hours of sleep and flee like going to bed again.

Last two day were really different I must day. I'll continue doing both for next few weeks and post my update here.

It just feels amazing to be alert .... During the day!



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