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.
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Debbie (Okanogan, Wa) on 04/03/2010
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Hi, well I had been oil pulling with sunflower oil, for about a month and a half, I happen to have amalgam fillings, five in all and I noticed I was getting a metal and kind of a weird feeling in my mouth, I had read in another search area that I shouldn't oil pull with these fillings, because they will leach the mercury out of them, which I think it did, it really scared me, so I stopped, I really enjoyed op my mouth looked and felt really good, and I felt really good, but this mercury scares me, If I get these fillings pulled out I'd love to continue again, anyone out there have this problem? let me know
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Derbychick77 (Mayfield, Ky, Usa) on 03/15/2010
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I started my OP about 1 1/2 months ago. I started with Sesame Oil but found that Sunflower Oil worked just as well. I was able to eliminate the terribly sinus infection I had developed back in December which is why I started OP. I have also noticed that my teeth are much whiter and my gums are healthier. I also started implementing ACV in hopes that would lower my blood pressure (which it did)and help me lose weight. However, I am now experiencing extreme tiredness that will not go away. I have thought about implementing Rhodiola into my regimen but I really don't know. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated:)
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Lee (New York, New York) on 03/10/2010
I think you do want unrefined oil. I've tried all of the oils and you could add some clove, peppermint, or oregano oil to the EVOO to help the taste. Good luck!
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Caramella (Totnes, Devon, Uk) on 03/10/2010
Hi! I've tried oil pulling twice now with EVOO and have noticed a few positive results already (better skin, whiter teeth, lips not so dry and a generally slightly "lubricated" feeling - but didn't much like the taste of olive oil. I went and found some organic cold-pressed sunflower oil (Took a while as no supermarkets sell it cold pressed and they don't state whether it's refined or not - eventually found it in a small health food shop) but to my annoyance I got it back and found it was unrefined - aarg! I thought the preferred oil was cold pressed and refined? Would it be better to get normal sunflower cooking oil from the supermarket? confused! help! xx
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Manjeet Singh (Singapore) on 03/07/2010
★★★★★
Oil Pulling - Sunflower Oil
I began my Oil Puling on Dec 12th, just short of three months ago.
The main reason why I started was not because I had any major problem though there were some minor issues which I did not place much importance on and frankly was not looking at to seeing any change. What I really interested to see a change in was in my Belly Spare Tyre, which has seen none thus far.
However, I am very happy to report that I have seen positive changes that have taken place in me. First of all, I used to have cracked heels together with very very dry soles with very poor elasticity; so poor that if I was to step on an uneven surface, I would have tears in my soles which would take quite some time in healing and in the process of which I suffered in pain.
Today I am very happy to say that I have absolutely NO cracked heels; my heels are perfectly smooth and my soles though there are very tine traces of dryness are also clear and with the elasticity back in order. Can they be better - definitely yes as, though smooth, there is still some dryness but I neither have to scrub my heels to make them smooth or suffer from tears in my soles.
Secondly, still on my feet...for the past three decades (since 1980) I have suffered from atheletes feet i.e. rotting between the little fingers of the feet. It was so bad that it had got to be fungal in nature with deep rooted infection. Nothing helped me...Raw Honey was my best assistant but it was only while and as long as I applied it that I was relieved. When I left it, the problem returned again and my feet would stink because the flesh between the fingers was rotting and at times it was pain bad.
For the past three months since I started OP, I have not used Honey or any other antiseptic or antifungal and I am very happy to say that my feet have stopped smelling or rotting. However, I have to say that the problem is not 100% solved for though the total effected area had reduced by almost 60-70%, some whiteness still shows especially when I remove my shoes after a full days work. But my feet definitely DO NOT smell nor hurt any more.
Thirdly, I had a few head sores on my head (I am a practicing Sikh and my religion requires me to maintain unshorn hair which I have had for the past 65 years). The problem was not a serious one but at times when I perspired more than normal, it would get very itchy. Once again, though not absolutely solved, this third problem is also in good state of control at about 50% improvement.
Fourthly, I noticed that my tongue was definitely cleaner with the whiteness getting less and less as the days went by. Just to experiment, I stopped brushing my teeth for two weeks and I was very pleasantly surp[rised to note that my mouth did not have any offensive odour and nor was there any build-up of plaque on my teeth. However, I gave it up and restarted brushing my teeth as i noticed some inflamation at my gums. I plan to give it another try soon as I want to stop using floride filled toothpastes.
This all for now...I can't thank Earth Clinic enough. I hope to return to report further as I see changes.
For now, could someone please tell me where to get Coconut Oil in Singapore/Malaysia and also what do the initials MSM refer to!
Thank You.
Manjeet
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Beth (Dublin, Ireland) on 03/06/2010
Hi Linda,thanks for your reply, I think you may be right about the antibiotic being responsible for the diarrhea, as I still have it, but I finish with the antibiotic's today....... so I will start doing the OP tomorrow. Beth.
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Linda (York County, Maine, Usa) on 03/04/2010
Hi Beth - with regard to your diarrhea, I would sooner think it's from the antibiotic than the oil; I was quite ill once from using a vaginal antibiotic ointment-it took almost three weeks to get my bowels back to normal! I call antibiotics 'bad news' and hope you feel better soon. For what it's worth, I'm of the opinion that if you are going to complete the course of antibiotic you might want to let your body recover before trying anything new, such as the OP - just a thought!
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Beth (Dublin, Ireland) on 03/03/2010
I have just started to use sunflower oil, (only twice, so far, for less than 5 minutes) I have had 1 side effect so far (diarrhea)...I'm also taking antibiotic, at the moment for a gum infection.
Should I carry on with the OP while taking the antibiotic and should I keep using the sunflower oil, or change to a different oil?
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Knute (Sacramento, Ca) on 02/18/2010
Overall, it's more effective to oil pull before breakfast. However, if you absolutely can't oil pull in the morning,it's much better to do it at night before dinner, than not at all.
However, the best would be to find a way to oil pull the morning.
Remember, you can oil pull while doing any of the following:
Taking a shower, shaving, reading the news paper, doing simple morning chores, checking email or checking the latest on the internet, or anything else that does not involve eating or speaking...
However, do remember to rinse afterwards. With baking soda or a baking soda/salt combination in luke warm water - plus, apply some baking soda on the toothbrush, and brush the oral area gently, including the tongue. But that should not take more than a couple of minutes, in extra time, compared to what you already are doing. Just saying that, in this perspective, lack of time is not a reason why oil pulling can not be done.
Enjoy your (health and your) oil pulling!
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Zare (Laval, Quebec, Canada) on 02/17/2010
Hello everyone !!
I'd like to start off by saying, what an amazing site !! I'm 23 years old and in good health except for the fact that I get seizures sometimes. I am curently taking dilantin for this. I actually just started Oil Pulling today. I don't quite know if I'm doing it ok, but from evryone's explanation, sounds like I'm on the right track. I am actually using pure Sunflower oil purchased at my local grocery store. Doesn't say what type of pressed it is but I'm still looking to see what this oil can do. I swished with 1 Tsp for about 20 minutes, rinsed, brushed my teeth. I was wondering, is it ok to do this only at night? Or do I really have to do it in the morning? Thanks !!! And again, amazing site, learning a lot !!
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Kana (Hong Kong) on 02/05/2010
I have been suffering from Periodontitis with red gums, lose teeth, for a very long time. After visiting this site, quite accidently, I learnt about Oil Pulling. I started doing it with Sunflower oil back in Dec late year (2009) after I had deep cleaning etc done. Initially, I saw remarkable improvement in the conditions but now the conditions on my upper teeth and gum seems to be getting worse- at least that's what I feel. Upper teeth and gum were the most infected all these years anyway. I was told that Oil Pulling may be considered to be working if the conditions become worse. Does it mean that Oil Pulling is actually working for me? Please could someone give me your honest feedback?
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Lia (London, England) on 02/04/2010
★★★★★
I have started oil-pulling with sunflower oil one week ago for gum problems. It is a chronic condition so will report later on progress with that. But I can say that after one week my skin feels and looks clearer, cleaner, younger. Also I notice much less sinus congestion after an initial aggravation, as expected, getting worse before getting better. So far so good.
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Shabina (Uk) on 01/31/2010
Hi i have been using sunflower oil, but i have had no results, i use it every morning, i am using the cooking sunflower oil am i using the wrong oil?
EC: How long have you been oil pulling for, Shabina?
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Absaruddin Qazi (Karachi, Sind, Pakistan) on 01/29/2010
★★★★★
I am 63 years old.
I had problem with my teeth for years. About ten years before I had fillings in four or five cavities. About a year ago again there was problem of receding of gums, and gingivitis. More over one of Right side Third Molar ( Wisdom tooth) was getting loose and paining like any thing. Situation became so bad that I was not able to drink plain water without screaming. The dentist advised me use special tooth paste and mouth wash for sensitive teeth. Then I started gargling with Neem water. Some how problem came under control.
Then I searched Earth clinic and found oil pulling therapy for mouth problems. I started with Sunflower oil a table full early morning. It was amazing, within a few days every thing started settle down. I am not sure the gums receding is fully cured, but there is no more pain, no Hot and cold feeling problem and the good thing is the loosen wisdom tooth is not so loose any more. I am very comfortably eating all types of food chapatis, meat, rice hot and cold beverages. Now all my family members are doing oil pulling regularly. Most of my relatives and friends have started and getting benefit of this therapy. Thanks to Earth clinic.
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Manjeet (Singapore, Serangoon North ) on 01/13/2010
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I finally began my personal Oil-Pulling with Sunflower after reading about it and success stories of others. Today is my second day and the immediate positive feedback that I have experienced from the oil-pulling is that I feel an unbelievable cleanliness in my mouth. I purposely did not clean my tongue which needed cleaning and found that the whiteness has disappeared by about 75% - amazing! I thopught that I would feel the oiliness in my mouth after the oil-pulling but I am very happy to say that there is no such feeling though on the first day I did feel it for a short spell.
However, I find that I cannot carry on 'pulling' for more than a few minutes (3 to 4) not because of saliva accumulation as some report but because I get a pain in the back of my head (above the neck). I wonder if anyone else has experienced this. I overcome this by just stop for a few seconds and then carry on. But, despite the short time that I spend on pulling, I find that the oil that I spit out is 'milky' in colour.
So far I am happy with my pulling and will report back as I see further changes.
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Susan (New Haven, Ct, USA) on 10/15/2009
★★★★★
When I first tried oil pulling last year, I gagged, found it disgusting and vowed never to do it again. But I started reading about it again recently and thought it might be worth another try. I knew I couldn't do a tablespoon, so I've been using a teaspoon of organic, refined Sunflower oil 2 or 3 times a day. This is much more doable for me and I'm not gagging, but I can only swish for 6 or 7 minutes at a time - nowhere near the 20 minutes that's recommended. The oil does, however, turn white, so maybe my body is just very toxic.
From day 1 of this regimin, it has completely curbed my appetite! And I have lost 8 lbs in the first week! I also seem to be sleeping more deeply. It used to be that eating was a visual thing for me, having nothing to do with whether or not I was hungry. Now, after a week of oil pulling, when I see food, I don't crave it and then have to eat something. My appetite now seems to be actually connected to my stomach and if my stomach is settled and calm with a feeling of being taken care of (I don't know how else to describe it), I'm not interested in eating. This is nothing short of miraculous. And I'm so grateful.
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Tamara (Fort Collins, Colorado) on 10/07/2009
★★★★★
Oil pulling has been amazing! I OP with coconut oil and sesame oil (alternatively) and noticed that my oral health improved immediately--I mean, right after the first OP session. I've only been doing it for two weeks but I love it. For the last few months, ever since I got the flu, I haven't had a solid BM, until... oil pulling. I didn't put it together until just now when I read the post from Scott. Aha! Thanks again, EC!
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Scott (Baltimore, Md) on 10/04/2009
This poster mentions bowel movements and I also noticed that once I started Oil pulling that by bowel movements were much more regular and solid. In fact they look just about the same and happen at about the same time every day. I wondered if this could be because of the water that goes along with the oil pull. For almost 2 years I have been brushing my teeth in the morning, then oil pulling with 1 tablespoon of sun flower oil for at least 20 minutes, then rinsing, then brushing my teeth again, then rinsing, and finally drinking 3 pint glasses of water. I have always been very healthy and I only did this to prevent cavities.
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Potpourri (Farmington, Maine) on 08/30/2009
I use safflower oil and it takes away the pain but now my fillings are crumbling and breaking off. Wonder if it is related?
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by José (Lugo, Spain) on 08/27/2009
My wife and me have been OP for 3 weeks with first presure unrefined sunflower oil (once a day - 1 spoon 15 cm3 for 20 minutes). Results: gum inflamation, teeth sore, spontaneous gum bleeding, palatal ache. We've changed oil 5 days ago. My wife now is using sesame oil and I've started with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Bleeding & sores have disappeared and it seems been working OK. Had anybody suffered this effects with sunflower oil?
Thanks for this site!
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Dianna (Austin, Tx) on 08/26/2009
i use unrefined organic sesame oil. mainly i use sesame oil because i am vata in nature (dry, thin, cold) and sesame oil is calming to vata because of its warming quality. when i have used other oils - virgin coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil i also had good results. always use organic oil - it is going to be in your mouth for quite a while - who knows? it may have pesticide residue in it if it is not not organic - and this does not make for a good oil pulling session if you must worry about pesticides.
i have used refined sesame oil - it is harder to find organic refined sesame oil though.
probably the reason refined oil is recommended is that it is cheaper and more easy to find and because it has much less odor and taste and unrefined sesame oil has a strong flavor and odor and so do other unrefined oils. this is just my opinion.
try both - and make your own choice.
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Hannah (Madison, Wi) on 08/25/2009
Hello, Many users have stressed the use of Unrefined oil. Dr. Karach stresses the use of refined oil. I began oil pulling 4 days ago with 1 Tblsp, once a day, for 20 minutes. I've been using refined, organic, expeller pressed sunflower oil. Should I be using unrefined? The conflicting info has left me confused and worried that I'm doing something wrong. Any info/advice on oil type specifics will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Ahulani (Little River, Ca, USA) on 08/18/2009
I used 1 Tbs sunflower oil for 15 minutes yesterday morning for an abscessed tooth and by evening I could eat, although there was some discomfort still (I hadn't been able to close my mouth in the morning it was so painful.) By this morning the pain was almost gone and is now completely gone!!! And, in addition, some brown spots on my hand are fading. I am really amazed and will continue to see how else I benefit. Oddly (or not depending on how you see it) I picked out sesame oil to begin the treatment and the salesperson while talking to me and showing me some other things, "accidently" replaced the sesame with the sunflower. So, I am going with this gift!
Sunflower Oil Health Benefits
Posted by Nicola (London, Uk) on 08/02/2009
For 15 months I've been pulling oil (sunflower, sesame, hemp, rapeseed) most mornings when I wake up. I am really pleased with all of the phlegm that it pulls up and the condition of my skin and teeth. Occasionally my mouth becomes very dry, at which point I spit out the oil, rinse, and drink warm water. I attribute the dry days to being dehydrated. Try drinking a good amount of water before bed.
