What is it: Oil Pulling
Posted by Copley
For anyone who has heard of “oil pulling,“ you are way ahead of me in terms of nontraditional tricks of the trade. I looked into this harmless healing process using cold-pressed oils thanks to a tip from Julie. Assuming that it was some form of New Age absurdity, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that oil pulling is not new at all, but borrowed from ancient Ayurvedic teachings.
What is remarkable about this remedy is its rare simplicity. All you need is a little spare time and dedication to your treatment. The only ingredient required is cold-pressed oil, which does not necessarily need to be organic. If cold-pressed oil is unavailable, any refined sunflower or sesame oil purchased at the supermarket will do. Though oils extracted from other sources, such as peanuts and olives, may be substituted, they have not been proven to be as effective.
Here is a step-by-step guide to the oil pulling process:
- First thing in the morning, or at any time of day on an empty stomach, take one tablespoon of your oil of choice and hold it in your mouth without swallowing.
- Move it around your mouth by swishing the solution within your cheeks and sucking it through your teeth. Try to keep your chin up so that the oil touches all portions of the oral cavity.
- It is recommended to continue “pulling” for fifteen to twenty minutes, though it may seem tedious. Keep yourself busy with routine tasks (ie. showering, applying your makeup, feeding your pet/plants, making breakfast) so that you aren’t tempted to spit too soon. I am oil pulling for my fourth time as I write this post.
- It is critical that you DO NOT SWALLOW the mixture after pulling since it will have become toxic, as evidenced by its milky color and runny consistency. Perform a test spit in the sink to check the status of the solution. If the color remains a golden yellow, you’re not finished pulling.
- Spit the mixture into the toilet or sink, treating it as toxic waste. Rinse your oral cavity thoroughly with water and use clean fingers to remove any residual oil. There’s no need to brush your teeth before eating and continuing with your day.
By now, you might be asking “Why would I go through all that?” The reasons are too numerous to describe in detail here. Testimonials have touted boosts to personal well-being, from a clearer mind and less headaches to increased energy and faster metabolism. In a survey conducted in India in 1996, 89% of respondents reported that oil pulling cured at least one chronic disease, including respiratory problems, skin conditions, joint pains, allergies, constipation, and diabetes. One of the first outward signs of this remedy is on the teeth. Not only has it been proven to whiten teeth and remove stains, but it can also eliminate bleeding gums and fasten loose teeth.
And all of this is possible by replacing your mouthwash with oil?? As you know, oil and water don’t mix. But by allowing the oil to commingle with your saliva, this process activates key enzymes which draw toxins out of the blood through the mucous membrane of your mouth. According to Dr. Karach, who discovered the regimen and authored a seminal paper on oil pulling, what is contained in your spittle post-pulling is so noxious that one drop magnified 600 times under a microscope would show living microbes in their first stage of development. By stimulating the eliminatory system, oil pulling rids the body of toxic waste without disturbing its healthy balance of microflora.
Dr. Karach claims that oil therapy can simultaneously heal individual cells and cell conglomerates, such as lymph nodes, in addition to more complex tissues like internal organs. Ultimately, he theorizes that regular application can reverse the body’s trend toward illness, warding off tumors and heart attacks and increasing the average human lifespan to approximately 150 years. Wait- it gets even better. Dr. Karach’s studies have demonstrated that oil pulling can even successfully replace treatments for terminal diseases such as Aids, cancer, and chronic infections. Patients with acute illnesses such as arthritis will experience respite within a few days of an oil pulling treatment, while chronic diseases, such as leukemia will take up to a year.
I used pure sesame oil, since that is what I could scrounge up from the back of the refrigerator. Because of sesame oil’s pungent flavor (which I could detect deep in my throat without ingesting a drop), this particular type might be a bit off-putting if you are not a fan of Asian food before breakfast. As much as I tried to block the idea that a blend of noxious waste was brewing in my mouth, I started to get queasy towards the end of the regimen and noticed a decrease in appetite afterward (perhaps a welcome side-effect for shedding those post-holiday pounds).
After my first three experiences with oil pulling, I have noticed that my gums feel healthier than usual and that a new stain in the recess of one of my front teeth appears to have been lifted. Despite my reservations about Dr. Karach’s miraculous promises, all I know for sure is that oil pulling is not some marketing ploy by a cooking oil manufacturer and that it has not been implicated in any health risks. A firm believer of holistic healing, non-Western therapies, and natural remedies, I am going to keep up my oil pulling treatment for the next month and will report back if I see any change in a chronic malady I am battling.
The biggest challenge of oil pulling is ignoring the taste by focusing on the prize. If you visualize the process as leeching toxins from your body as the oil changes color and consistency inside your mouth, it seems well worth your time. Considering the cure-all reputation that oil pulling has acquired, it is worth a try for any sort of ailment. Even if it doesn’t address specific bodily symptoms, it will undoubtedly deliver some sort of benefits to your overall health.
UPDATE 7/28/09:
We recently came across additional research pointing toward the medicinal benefits of sesame seed oil. An experiment at the Maharishi International College in Fairfield, Iowa showed that sesame seed oil is an effective treatment for gingivitis. 85% of participants in this study experienced a reduction of the bacteria that causes this disease. Though this finding is worth mentioning here, the benefits of sesame oil are referenced across the internet on sites such as Youthing Strategies with scant citations. Long term usage of sesame oil for medicinal purposes has not been fully studied.
Elgydium toothpaste promotes healthy teeth too
Dept of Daft: the bird shit facial
Posted in:
Related Posts:
| « « Dept of Daft: Pepsi gets into skincare with Aquafina | AminoGenesis Therapeutic Facial Repair is a copycat of Cocoon » » |
Thank you for perpetuating this. I have heard of it in passing but never focused on it enough to realize the possible benefits. I will begin mine this very evening.
Bloody well done, Copley! I was worried (as I tend to do) I was gonna be judged as a beat off on this one. ~jk
I tried to pursue this in Community, but I can’t seem to post there (errors!), so Comments will suffice, eh.
I heard about oil pulling from a friend who’s into all things organic, holistic and herbal. One day he said, “I’m thinking of trying oil pulling.” And I’m like “huh?” But since I know he’s totally sincere, I don’t bother making a quip, but go straight to Google. Where, to my surprise, pages of information pop up. I began that very day!
I’ve been pulling for roughly 4 months now, and it’s changed my life. Of course there’s the oral hygiene aspect, which aint small potatoes. But let’s talk about the immune system! I’ll give you a specific example: First off, lemme tell you my immune system, for wont of a better word, sucks. About 3 weeks into pulling, I had my granddaughter over for a 4-day weekend stay. It turned out she’d been exposed to strep throat just prior to arriving and started showing signs of illness immediately. My daughter’s family doesn’t live close, so there wasn’t an option of shortening the visit. I have three grandkids, and every time I’ve had one who’s sick for a visit, I’ve ended up sick myself. And I’m talking your garden variety cold, not (culture confirmed) strep throat! At any rate, I did my normal cuddling within reason that weekend and the miracle, for me, was I didn’t get sick. Not one symptom!
I think my hair (all over) is thickening and y’know where we get that receeding hairline thing going on? well, mine (both sides) is growing in with new baby hair. My stylist is amazed.
My blood pressure is at an all-time low, but lest I attribute too much to oil pulling with undocumented facts… I’ll just say, I myself credit pulling (timeframe alone is dead on), but have no proof except my belief. I feel better than before I began, and have no intention of quitting.
Cold-pressed unrefined sunflower or sesame oils are recommended because of the high Vitamin A and D content of both. But if teeth whitening is your only goal, they say Coconut oil is the way to go- again cold-pressed and unrefined.
It’s difficult to put this first in your routine in the morning. But if you do, I think you’ll be pleased. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts in a few weeks, Copley. I’m seriously excited you’ve begun!!
Hi,
Where can we purchase the cold-pressed oil? I think I only have the regular seasame seed oil (for dressing) in the fridge, and I don’t think that’s the same cold-pressed type that’s talked about here.
Also, with all the claims about oil pulling and the attending health benefits, increase in metabolism, and eliminating the body of toxic waste, it reminded me much about the claims of colon cleansing. I was wondering if this remedy would eliminate toxic waste from the body just as well as colon cleansing, or is the cleansing more thorough? If so, I thought it’d be a good topic for TIA to review because there are so many different colon cleansing methods and products being promoted in the media that consumers are confused about, or don’t know the reliable and proper way to colon cleanse. One popular method I heard about is the lemonade “diet”/colon cleanse, but it requires one to go without consuming solid food for a minium of ten days; and I’m a bit skeptical about that idea. Others sell pills that are supposed to cleanse the colon over time. So if oil pulling is just as good and offers the same benefits, I think it’d be an easier alternative! Thank you!
I buy my oil in an organic grocery store. It’s on the same shelf as all other oils and is intended to be used as a “drizzle” over salads and such. Currently, I’m using Rapunzel Sunflower Oil (cold pressed, unrefined) $6 – 17oz. I saw a banner running atop TIA that included a sesame oil, so clicked it today. Vitacost is selling cold-pressed, unrefined oils if you want to buy it online. Please don’t get toasted sesame, according to my research sources, that’s one not to use. While I can’t speak directly to the colon cleansing issue, I do believe I’ve reaped benefits in that arena, as well. =)
Julie, we’ve just tested posting in community and it is working fine. What exactly were you experiencing and when?
I originally tried to begin this dialogue in Community. I couldn’t post (on my original post there). I went to Contact Us a couple days ago and stated this, but heard nothing back. I tried a couple more times to post in Community to no avail. I tried to post again the minute I read your Comment just now, same result.
I get: Internet Explorer cannot open the Internet site: (your entire address) Operation aborted. Then it pops.
Wanting to pursue this topic, I came to comments.
Hi,
I just started oil pulling because of gum problems. I did a lot of research before beginning this process. Many people recommend rinsing the mouth with either baking soda and water or salt and water. Then brushing. I’ve tried with a rinse and without. I really think it is important to rinse and brush after oil pulling. It helps to remove the toxins so the don’t reabsorb into the body. And, the taste is so gross, it helps to get rid of it. Thanks for your work on this site too. It’s wonderful!
Julie, I’ll pass this information to our site admin and see if we can find the problem.
The site does open on IE. We have just successfully tested this on three different computers. And one of my staff uses IE all the time. Although it does load slowly. Again, it would be helpful if you could try with IE again and tell us exactly what is happening. Thanks
I *just did this again using IE*… logged in, no problem (although I can’t add a picture to my avatar, which I’ve tried a few times). I click Community; I click Message Boards. I go to add a Reply to my original post: A Right Brain Thing and I get the pop-up menu:
Internet Explorer cannot open the Internet site: (showing your entire online address) Operation aborted.
The only option is an OK box, which, of course, pops me off the site completely.
I belong to other forum sites and have never seen this before. Moreover I am clueless about technical issues such as this. I apologize if this is causing grief. ~jk
Kati, I also brush directly following pulling. It’s not the taste; I’m way used to that by now. But, I agree with you on the bacteria and toxins. I want them gone and down the drain… =)
I also read in my research that using commercial toothpaste isn’t the thing with this process. Something to do with foam. So, additionally, I use organic toothpaste. I’m even trying to get up the nerve to try tooth soap. Not quite there yet.
Thanks for the information. I’ve just recently started researching “cleansing” and think I will start with this before I make the quantum leap to colon cleansing. I will email back with the results. Thanks for such a great website on a broad spectrum of topics that are of interest to me.
I pour the oil firstly into a small container, then add a drop or two of an essential oil, 100% pure botanical, undiluted (curently using peppermint, but any flavour that turns your crank will work) then pour into my mouth to begin pulling – I did not think initially I could just put oil in my mouth without adding something to the oil to disguise the flavour so this “trick” helped me get started – have been going for a few weeks now- I love how clean my mouth feels after especially with a bit of peppermint in the mixture. Once the peppermint is done, I wil try the essential lemon oil that I also bought.
Deb- That sounds genius. I definitely have a hard time kicking off the day with the pungent taste of Asia. Does the essential oil completely mask the flavor? And does it change the consistency of the solution, which might affect the duration of a full oil pull?
I started this a couple of days ago following Copley’s instructions. However, I have to start the day with a cup of coffee and then do the oil pulling. Do you oil pulling officianados think I can get away with that? BTW I am using canola oil which is almost tasteless.
tsk-tsk… Now Marta… To do something properly.
To oil pull correctly, you must wait 4 hours after eating food, 2 hours after drinking anything with flavor (soda, juice, coffee/tea) and 1 hour after drinking water. The point is to get at your tissues when they’re full and alive with active bacteria. That’s why first thing in morning, BEFORE you ingest ANYthing else, is the preferred method; the optimal time.
That cup of coffee will negate your efforts, I’m afraid. Plus which canola is refined (for cooking in heated conditions) and isn’t what you want either.
I’m excited you want to give this a try. I’m an old dog, trust me. It wasn’t easy to get with the program and each day I grown, sometimes out loud, that I have to this “first thing.” But I’ve not missed a day, because somehow, now, if I did I wouldn’t feel complete.
If you try a good unrefined sunflower oil, it really has basically no taste. I can say this with confidence. I have really sensitive taste buds and can sense the merest “anything.” It’s whether you decide to brush your teeth or just rinse well with hot water after pulling before your coffee. I’m guessing you don’t want that morning coffee taste affected too much.
What do you think, Copley?
Great good luck to you! ~jk
Thoroughly chastened by Julie, I stumbled bleary-eyed into the bathroom – BEFORE coffee – and took a swig of olive oil (this time). I hope this ritual actually works.
Wow! How funny that I came across this on your site. I recently started oil-pulling with sesame oil and I do occasionally miss a morning but I’ve noticed a definite whitening of my teeth. As for health benefits I will keep you posted as I think it takes awhile for that to happen. My boyfriend has heartburn problems and I’m trying to convince him to start this up so I’ll let you all know how that goes too!
I just had my annual (mini) physical. My blood pressure is at an all-time low and my chlorestorol is way down; well within acceptable standards. Whereas it was borderline to high last year (and years previous). And, yes, I attribute these improvements to oil pulling. I can also feel a lightening to my mood overall; subtle, but definite. My hair keeps getting healthier looking and feeling; thicker.
I honestly believe what I read is true and I will, if I keep up the practice (and this is the trick, INDEED!), live longer! I’m so eager to hear what Copley has to say- Marta, too. ~jk
On my recent trip to British Columbia, I took enough sunflower oil for me and my best friend to *pull* each morning. As I’ve not been able to encourage her (with verbiage) to begin the process. I thought a 3-day kick in the butt might be in order. Each day I handed her a tiny cup with her ounce of oil, she made a face, looked as if she’d turn her back, but dutifully downed the lot. I can report she’s receptive now to “continuing,” but still has a list of buts. All I can do is haul that mountain as close as possible and hope she continues her climb.
Copley, how’s our follow-up report on your progress? I eagerly await! ~jk
I am pulling every morning with sunflower oil. I am afraid I do cheat and wait until after my first cup of coffee. Nevertheless, I do feel (no more than a feeling) that we might be on to something.
I’m new here. But not to oil pulling. I’ve been doing it faithfully for the past 4 months, every day, twice a day. I cannot begin to tell you of the many benefits i can relate to my own experience.
Instead of Sunflower or Sesame oil, I use extra-virgin organic, cold-pressed coconut oil for the health benefits, its antibacterial properties, but mostly, for the mildly pleasant taste.
I was desperate. Fearing my tooth had absessed at a time when we had no dental insurance and nearly blinded with pain, swelling, and a sensitivity to anything cold, sweet, including the winter air outside.
Do I gargle with warm salt water, hydrogen peroxide, manage my pain threshold with massive doses of ibuprofen until I can tolerate it no more? So i started typing in random searches to find home remedies. Anything that would help ease my discomfort and buy me a little time until I could afford to visit a dentist.
That’s how I discovered oil pulling and since I already coconut oil on my counter, I begin that night, and felt some relief almost immediately. Dramatic results within a couple of days, whiter teeth, fresher breath, healthier gums, and no more pain to this day.
As a result of my consistency, I have seen more energy, less appetite, and a steady weight loss as if my metabolism has been revved up and reset to a time when i was much younger.
I’m currently 43 years old.
My periods, that had become so heavy with clots over the past couple of years have become light and last for just a couple of days.
A liver spot that I had developed on my hand has all but disappeared. My hair is thicker, full of health and shine, and the gray hairs that were beginning to grow around the front of my ear has all but disappeared. Is that even possible? I think so. Especially when people keep asking me what did I do, saying my hair is gorgeous, so healthy, and that my new shade is quite becoming on me not realizing I haven’t dyed or tinted my hair at all. It’s simply darker, because there’s less gray.
And oil-pulling with coconut oil has reduced fine lines and the person in the mirror is looking lively, healthy, thinner, and younger by the day.
I can’t say enough. I think everyone should try and feel the experience for themselves!
-H
H-
I’m glad the oil pulling seems to be working for you, although I think the gray around your temples disappearing is a placebo effect: where did the hair go? did it fall out or do you think oil pulling actually made your gray hair change color?
I’m willing to give oil pulling a shot, but I remain skeptical that it’s a cure-all. I’d be interested to find out what other physicians have to say about it.
Hi Christy,
That’s a very good question. Our hair follicles control hair growth and hair color and from what I have been told, by my doctor, is that hair color is produced by a pigment called, “melanin” (dark melanin known as eumelanin and light melanin known as phaeomelanin) blending together to make all the many different hair colors in the world.
Did you know that all hair begins as colorless? An interesting fact, I thought.
A person’s hair color is determined by the amount of type of melanin in the cortex part of each hair.
As we age, the amount of melanin, starts to diminish resulting in gray hair. Oil pulling doesn’t wave any magic wands, but it is suggested that the removal of toxins increase the production of melanin where the hair shaft returns to its previous, more youthful color.
It’s not a placebo; my mirror, my camera, my friends, family and co-workers would not have have all seen and verified the changes I noted in my original comment.
-H
I just found out about oil pulling while looking for an all natural cure to help with my sinuses and my immune system in reference to allergies & colds. I tried it this morning, interesting to say the least. I need to pull longer though, my spittle was still a bit yellow. I did notice immediately that the film that usually is clost to impossible to remove from my tongue was gone! Completely! I was dumbfounded at this, usually even scraping the tongue doesn’t result in this. I also noticed my taste buds were more alive, coffee and food tasted different right off the bat. The other thing I noticed is the mental alertness that I felt within minutes of doing the pulling. Usually it takes me until mid afternoon on a good day to achieve this state of mental clarity & speed. I’m actually excited. The odd thing I noticed was I developed a bit of gas, no smell however (thank goodness), so it makes me aware that something else is happening inside too. I’m looking forward to seeing if these results happen more often and intensifiy. I do think part of it is actually from the pulling though, because since my cold a few days ago and impending sinus infection-I haven’t hade clear thought due to congestion. I’ll write more as I notice the changes and if they sustain & develop.
Marta and Copley, are you still pulling? What are your thoughts about pulling now?
I have to say I’ve given up. I didn’t notice anything special and it required me to be horizontal before my first cup of coffee (hard to sustain even in the interests of science).
Earlier this year I had a health crisis that lastest a few months. No details forthcoming, but it put a dent in my pulling regimen. I found that once I stuttered to a stop, it was extremely difficult to begin pulling again. But the evidence of the effects oil pulling had had on my mind, body and spirit were too compelling to ignore.
My blood pressure raised by 10-15 points. The depression I had first decided was a companion to the health issue, I now contribute directly to not pulling. And red wine had begun to taste crappy again- something I simply won’t tolerate =).
I’d always used sunflower oil, but it had become unpalatable to me. Then I remembered my advice to Justine about coconut oil and began using that. What a difference! I’m pulling again, and each day after a session I feel lighter (emotionally) and happy about it. ~jk
I am not a consistent oil puller, but I do reach for my bottle of sesame seed oil when I can spare 20 minutes in my morning routine. Even though I’m not convinced of all the claims, I know that it can’t hurt. If I can stave off diseases with a spoonful of oil, why not pull?
What is the reason for continous oil pulling for 20 minutes? Whey would’nt 5-10 minutes work? Please explain why duration is better? Why are some oils better than other? tia
Tina- It takes a minimum of 10-15 minutes for the consistency of the oil to change, indicating that toxins have been fully expelled. Literature on the age-old practice of oil pulling recommends sesame and sunflower seed oils over other types. But some people have reported success with olive oil, so it’s worth a shot!
I’ve been op for 3 days now and the only thing that I am suffering from is flatulence. Apart from that I have noticed that my complexion is brighter my gums are turning pink and my teeth are much whiter and tongue totally clean. I was a sceptic at first but I am going to continue op as the results have been miraculous. I’ll continue posting the changes I have been going through over the next twelve months.
I’ve been op for 6 days, religiously three times a day 20 mins each session and my gums are almost pink. My teeth is getting whiter every day, the rattling I had on my lungs from smoking has cleared and my mood has lifted. I use sesame seed oil. OP is now a part of my daily routine. I feel great.
I OP with coconut oil for the first time today and WOW my teeth are really white. I can’t wait for next weeks results.