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You are here: Home / Coconut Oil / Your Guide To Oil Pulling With Coconut Oil

Your Guide To Oil Pulling With Coconut Oil

By Jennifer Updated: December 28, 2019. First published: March 9, 2012. This post may contain affiliate links. 87 Comments  

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Oil pulling was discovered by world renowned physician Dr. F. Karach, M.D., while suffering horribly from a blood disease. Like millions of Americans and people around the world, he sought out a solution for his pain. He tried everything until he came upon Oil Pulling, a term he coined. During his study, he realized that oil actually has healing micro-organisms that can treat most medical ailments.

What Is Oil Pulling?

Oil Pulling is an easy process that only takes 15-20 minutes a day, by which healing organisms in coconut oil actually attach and pull toxins from your bloodstream ridding you of the harm that causes many of our medical problems today.

Oil pulling is simply rinsing your mouth with coconut oil. (Some people prefer sunflower or sesame oil). Because the toxins attach to the oil’s mucous membrane, you simply spit it out to ensure you do not reintroduce those harmful toxins back into your system. It is important to understand that during the oil-pulling process one’s metabolism is intensified. This leads to improved health.

A woman oil pulling with coconut oil. She is holding a half a coconut.

Oil Pulling Benefits

Oil pulling with coconut oil is believed to assist with and support improvement with the following:

  • Acne
  • Arterio Thrombosis
  • Arthritis
  • Bad Breath
  • Bleeding Gums
  • Bronchitis
  • Candida Overgrowth
  • Chronic / Acute Sinusitis (Sinus Infections)
  • Chronic Blood Disorders Such As Leukemia
  • Chronic Diseases Digestive Problems
  • Constipation
  • Crohns Disease
  • Diabetes
  • Eczema
  • Gingivitis / Gum Disease
  • Heart Disease
  • Insomnia
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Ibs)
  • Kidney Disease
  • Migraine Headaches
  • Neuro Physiological Paralysis
  • Post Nasal Drip
  • Skin Conditions
  • Tooth Decay
  • Ulcers
  • Whitens Teeth
  • White Tongue
  • Women’s Health

In most cases, the symptoms of your ailment will get worse after you have performed oil pulling with coconut oil for some time. Do not be alarmed by the worsening of the symptoms since this is an indication that your body is responding to the oil pulling. Continue doing oil pulling until all symptoms are finally gone.

Are There Oil Pulling Dangers?

You may experience a general feeling of detox which might include a fever, which is completely normal. You may notice an increase in mucus, headache, cough, soreness/stiffness, changes to skin, etc… If you have suffered from sinus problems in the past, you may develop something akin to a sinus infection. There should be no “side effects” per say. Any symptoms you experience are simply part of the detox process.

It has been reported that you need to do the oil pulling with coconut oil for at least 2-4 weeks to get some results. Because it can be detoxifying, you might want to take a break sometimes. There’s no rule about frequency – judge according to your body’s own signals. Some people believe that if you do not take a break you may start to take out the good bacteria and vitamins from your body. There is no study which supports this claim so again, use your judgment and consult with a trusted medical professional if you are concerned.

Oil pulling during pregnancy and while breastfeeding is safe according to Dr. Karach however, I personally would discuss this with your doctor. While you are spitting the toxins out immediately, your body will still be in a general state of detox. This may or may not have an effect on your baby.

Still not sure about oil pulling with coconut oil?

Here are the results of an oil pulling survey by a newspaper in India. In 1996, after continuous publication of a regular column for three years in their Sunday edition on Oil Pulling, Andhra Jyoti, a Telugu daily newspaper, conducted a survey to find out the types of diseases cured and the effectiveness of oil pulling. Out of a total of 1041 respondents, 927 (89%) reported cure of one or more diseases. 114 (11%) people did not report any cure.

Why Oil Pulling With Coconut Oil?

Generally, cold pressed sesame oil and sunflower oil are used for oil pulling. In recent years, unrefined coconut oil has become rather popular. The reasons are simple. Coconut oil is:

  • Anti-bacterial
  • Anti-carcinogenic
  • Anti-fungal
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti-microbial/Infection Fighting
  • An Antioxidant
  • Anti-parasitic
  • Anti-protozoa
  • Anti-retroviral
  • Anti-viral

Want to learn more about coconut oil? Visit 333 Uses for Coconut Oil.

How To Oil Pull With Coconut Oil

Supplies:

  • Unrefined Coconut Oil (or cold pressed sunflower or sesame oil). You cannot use a refined oil. You will not get the same results.
  • A pure soap such as Dr. Bronner’s or olive oil soap OR baking soda.

How To:

  1. First thing in the morning on an empty stomach is the best time to do oil pulling, but if another time works better for you, that’s fine.  Just make sure you have an empty stomach and are performing this before a meal.
  2. Brush your teeth with water. You want the oil to attack your ailments, not left over food particles.
  3. Take about 1 tablespoon of oil in the mouth, and swish it through the teeth gently, not vigorously, in a comfortable way, for 10-15 minutes. Don’t simply swish side to side, but back and forth in the way you might do with mouthwash.
  4. If you have the urge to swallow, exhale slowly (through the nose) and continue breathing slowly until the urge passes. If you really need to swallow, go ahead and swallow just from the back of the throat, keeping the oil in the front of your mouth.
  5. If it becomes too unpleasant, spit out and try again another day. It can be a bit unpleasant at first when you’re not used to it, but soon won’t be bothersome at all, just like brushing your teeth.
  6. When the oil has become saturated with the toxins it has pulled out, it will become somewhat whitish and a thinner, milky consistency, depending on the type of oil used.  Each time you oil pull, it can take a different amount of time to get to that point, so 15 minutes is a general rule of thumb, but you can experiment with this.
  7. If the oil is still yellowish in color you have not pulled out all of the toxins.
  8. After the end of your session, spit the oil out, then rinse the mouth with warm salt water. Salt water rinsing isn’t absolutely necessary, but is very helpful. You may then brush teeth very thoroughly with soap. Yes, SOAP. If using bar soap, swipe the brush across the bar and then rinse the bar to keep it clean. If using a liquid soap, you can just put a less-than-pea sized amount on the toothbrush. Brushing with soap doesn’t taste bad at all. It just foams more than toothpaste. You can use baking soda if you prefer. (Do NOT use toothpaste!)
  9. Clean the sink thoroughly. You can use some antibacterial soap to clean the sink. Remember that the spittle contains harmful bacteria and toxic bodily waste. If you were to see one drop of this liquid magnified 600 times under a microscope, one would see microbes in their first stage of development.

Questions about oil pulling? Ask away! Have you tried oil pulling with coconut oil? What was your experience? Please share in the comments!

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About The Author

Jennifer, author of Hybrid Rasta Mama, is a former government recruiter turned work-at-home mama to a daughter brought earthside in early 2009. She is passionate about and writes about holistic health and wellness, natural/green living, toxic mold awareness, and the benefits of coconut oil. She frequently shares allergy friendly recipes on her site as well as DIY herbal remedies, DIY natural body care, and natural cleaning recipes.

Jennifer graduated with honors with a Bachelor's Degree in Ethnic Studies. In January 2019 she became a certified mold and moisture intrusion inspector. She has completed coursework in the naturopathic series offered by the Avicenna Institute and accredited through the Board of Natural Medicine Certification Council.

Jennifer is a member of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors as well as the International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness.

Stuff I Have To Tell You

Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and/or information are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease. Readers are advised to do their own research and make decisions in partnership with your health care provider. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking any medication, please consult your physician. Nothing you read here should be relied upon to determine dietary changes, a medical diagnosis or courses of treatment.

I may receive a commission if you purchase through links in this post.

Hybrid Rasta Mama is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliates sites. For additional information, please visit my Terms & Conditions page and/or my Affiliate Disclosure page page.

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Comments

  1. Jess says

    March 9, 2012 at 4:33 PM

    Jennifer! I’ve needed to do this for so long, especially with Peanut, thank you for sharing your knowledge. And yes, pushing me into action. I’ve shared this and pinned it and I’ve now got to bookmark it. I love you!

    Reply
  2. Jess says

    March 9, 2012 at 6:47 PM

    Question. With my coconut oil, it’s solid, so am I heating this to liquid and once it is cool enough without solidifying again, I use it?

    Reply
    • StarvingDiva says

      March 13, 2014 at 1:26 PM

      Just put it in your mouth solid, it will melt pretty quickly for you to start swishing it around.

      Reply
  3. All Natural Katie says

    March 9, 2012 at 3:45 PM

    I have read about this before and even purchased the Sunflower Oil. Thank you for the extra push. Doing this right now!

    Reply
  4. Hybrid Rasta Mama says

    March 10, 2012 at 12:08 AM

    @Jess Yes – use it in a liquid state. You can plop a “soft blob” in your mouth if you want as it will dissolve quickly. You do not want to use it when it is really hard.

    Reply
  5. Hybrid Rasta Mama says

    March 10, 2012 at 12:08 AM

    @Jess Yes – use it in a liquid state. You can plop a “soft blob” in your mouth if you want as it will dissolve quickly. You do not want to use it when it is really hard.

    Reply
  6. FabulousMamaChronicles says

    March 10, 2012 at 4:23 AM

    I have been meaning to try this as well but have been hesitant to commit. The idea of swishing oil kind of grosses me out, but the brushing with soap I think grosses me out more. I think I will go with the baking soda route!

    Reply
  7. Twitch says

    March 11, 2012 at 9:51 AM

    I’ve been doing this with sunflower oil for about a week now. I was worried about the taste and the consistency, and whether I could keep my mouth shut for 20 minutes. It really isn’t bad at all, and I think it’s my favorite part of the morning routine. It’s quiet in the house because the hubby knows I can’t talk!

    Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    March 12, 2012 at 9:58 PM

    why not brush with toothpaste after?

    Reply
  9. Angela says

    March 12, 2012 at 7:36 PM

    I am excited to try this! I have been reading about it but you just provided me the ‘push’ that I needed, thank you.

    Reply
  10. Magic Goddess says

    March 13, 2012 at 8:45 PM

    Thank you for sharing… I have tried this before… I feel reassured with your clear cut explanations of what to do after…

    But… why not brush with toothpaste? is that in general or just after oil pulling?

    Reply
  11. KashLea says

    March 22, 2012 at 3:17 PM

    This is my opinion based on my readings on Toxic Teeth. Commercial toothpaste contains flouride. This is not good for us. I would say since our body is ridding itself of toxins through this oil pulling, we don’t want to immediately put toxin right back into our mouth. Our pores in our mouth will be more open (so to speak), so we don’t want flouride getting open access to our body. It’s common sense to me. I have tried this several time & I can say that baking soda does thoroughly clean your teeth. It’s actually better than toothpaste. I would strongly recommend using baking soda WITHOUT aluminum. And the only brand I know is Red Mill. You can get this at any Health Food store.

    Reply
    • priyanka says

      April 22, 2013 at 9:48 PM

      Brushing your teeth with salt mixed with seseame oil works best…coz all commercial products contain chemicals..

      Reply
  12. Billy says

    May 9, 2012 at 4:49 AM

    Oil pulling is indeed proven and tested to promote good blood circulation that prevents certain diseases and defects like gingivitis, tooth decays and heart disease. Tooth disease may cause heart problem through bacterial transmission from mouth to blood stream. Cosmetic Dentistry Virginia

    Reply
  13. Maurice.W says

    May 10, 2012 at 4:37 AM

    I’ll definitely try this out, thank you very much for sharing this information.
    orthodontist concord nc

    Reply
  14. Adele Simpson says

    May 15, 2012 at 9:16 AM

    I’ve heard a lot of good feedback about oil pulling. I even tried it myself. It’s indeed one of the best ways to promote healthy blood circulation, making your system clean. In fact, gargling itself prevents tooth decays and dental caries.

    Dental Consulting

    Reply
  15. Ronald Receveur says

    May 21, 2012 at 2:15 AM

    This seems like a promising solution worth trying. Looks like it can remedy quite a repertoire.

    Reply
  16. Adele Simpson says

    May 23, 2012 at 5:40 AM

    Oil pulling is indeed a very effective method of preventing certain diseases and defects including dental defects. Oils like coconut oil contains antiseptic property that prevents tooth decays and dental pain. toothache relief

    Reply
  17. Jade Turner says

    June 4, 2012 at 8:44 AM

    My Dentist in Woollahra is also a believer of oil pulling. He explained to me that oil (most especially coconut oil) contains antiseptic and antibacterial properties that fight against infection. However, he still advised me not to solely depend on oil pulling.

    Reply
  18. barefootgirl69 says

    June 16, 2012 at 11:24 PM

    Are there any links to studies that have proven these benefits? I would like to read more. Please post any links.

    Reply
  19. Jennifer Swift says

    June 18, 2012 at 1:32 AM

    This product seems very compelling. I’ve never used coconut oil or oil pulling process in general, but I would love to try it as well. I had dental problems before. That’s the reason why my Liberty Mo dentist advised me to use natural mouth wash products to prevent bleeding gums and infections.

    Reply
  20. Jennifer Swift says

    June 18, 2012 at 1:33 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  21. Geoff Granfield says

    June 20, 2012 at 7:46 PM

    This is something worth trying, although of course I have to verify this first with my dentist in melbourne to check if I can do the same using a virgin coconut oil instead.

    Reply
  22. Hybrid Rasta Mama says

    June 26, 2012 at 4:49 AM

    @barefootgirl69 Here are links to some books that have a lot of great info on oil pulling:

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1434810607/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hybrasmam-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1434810607

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0941599671/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hybrasmam-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0941599671

    Reply
  23. Josh Barron says

    July 5, 2012 at 12:02 AM

    Thanks for discussing the oil pulling coconut oil tips since I want to get the most out of this regimen.

    Reply
  24. Faye says

    July 26, 2012 at 10:26 PM

    @Hybrid Rasta Mama

    What color would the coconut oil be as it is already white before I put it in my mouth? I want to know what to look for and make sure I am swishing for long enough…

    I figure I will put into my mouth before I get into the shower and spit it out when I get out, I have been ingesting a tablespoon of coconut oil everyday for about a week and am feeling some of the effects of the detoxification; the sinus – mucus buildup, slight fever and more elimination.

    Wondering if I need to do oil-pulling or if I can alternate with the two different ways of ingesting it?

    Reply
  25. Faye says

    July 26, 2012 at 10:26 PM

    @Hybrid Rasta Mama

    What color would the coconut oil be as it is already white before I put it in my mouth? I want to know what to look for and make sure I am swishing for long enough…

    I figure I will put into my mouth before I get into the shower and spit it out when I get out, I have been ingesting a tablespoon of coconut oil everyday for about a week and am feeling some of the effects of the detoxification; the sinus – mucus buildup, slight fever and more elimination.

    Wondering if I need to do oil-pulling or if I can alternate with the two different ways of ingesting it?

    Reply
  26. Darby McClintock says

    July 30, 2012 at 7:08 PM

    I asked my bartlett dentist about this practice and although this falls under the alternative medicine practice, he reckons that for as long as it can bring about something positive and only use natural means, then it should be worth trying indeed.

    Reply
  27. Anonymous says

    August 14, 2012 at 1:35 AM

    Hi Jess, thanks so much for all the information in your blog. I really love it. I’m keen to know what your comments are about oil pulling and breasfeeding. I’m breastfeeding my 19 months baby and really want to try oil pulling, but I’m not sure… would love to hear about this. Love, G

    Reply
  28. camembear says

    August 14, 2012 at 3:14 PM

    I have a question please. Coconut oil solidifies. When injested through the mouth swallowed into the stomach the acid in the stomach takes care of that. But, when swished in the mouth, small particles of the oil are entering directly into the blood stream via the mouth walls and under the tongue. So, does this mean that we will have the problem potential to have the coconut oil solidifying in the blood stream, sticking to the artery walls which like cholesterol can clog up the arteries and cause terrible problems?

    Reply
    • Anthony says

      August 22, 2013 at 12:23 PM

      Coconut oil has a melting point of 76 degrees F. I do not think the oil will solidify while it is in your bloodstream or anywhere in your body considering the normal human body temperature is 98.6 F.

      Reply
  29. Hybrid Rasta Mama says

    August 16, 2012 at 4:15 AM

    @Anonymous Honestly, I have done it while breastfeeding and I know others who have too. While I cannot give medical advice, what I can tell you is that it is best to start slow and see how your baby reacts. It also depends on how often your baby is still breastfeeding. While it would be a horrible idea to oil pull (or do any detox) with a newborn, the risks are less as your child gets older.

    Reply
  30. Anonymous says

    August 20, 2012 at 2:55 PM

    I have oil pulled before and always spit out the white remains, but I have done the lately and have spit out brown remains. Can you tell me is this normal or not.

    Reply
  31. Melissa says

    August 27, 2012 at 11:16 PM

    Search “BRUCE FIFE – THE COCONUT OIL MIRACLE” Even though Coconut oil is a saturated fat, it is a VEGETABLE – NON_ANIMAL saturated fat and does not clog arteries. In the 80’s it was a move from the Medical Association to label it as bad because it is saturated, BUT never pointing out that it has a completely different fatty chain make-up as compared to animal sturated fats.

    Reply
    • Caryn says

      December 21, 2013 at 7:44 AM

      Just to be clear, it has also been shown that saturated fats are not the enemy – whether from animal sources or plant sources. The problem is, the distinction wasn’t made between saturated fats and trans fats. Trans fats are highly inflammatory, WILL clog arteries, and need to be avoided at all times.

      Reply
  32. Melissa says

    August 27, 2012 at 11:17 PM

    It seems as sort of a no-brainer to do the oil-pulling! Coconut oil is good to brush your teeth with! Helping fight gum disease and the ability of plaque to adhere to teeth! Weleda makes an excellent flouride free herbal toothpaste that I have been using that is non-chemical.

    Reply
  33. Blair Jones says

    September 10, 2012 at 1:46 AM

    I have been oil pulling for about a year to relieve arthritis. It took only a week or so to start having a positive affect. It stopped all the pain in my wrist! I now don’t have to do it 2 times/day. Sometimes, I only do it once a week, and still the relief is great! If I slip for two weeks, I start having pain again.
    Coconut oil is liquid at 70 deg, or so. When you swallow it for medicinal purposes, it cannot solidify inside you, since your temp is 98.6. It is only beneficial. I love the results!

    Reply
  34. kdw4jc says

    October 15, 2012 at 8:02 PM

    Hello, so glad that I found your blog via interest! I love & use coconut oil in many different ways (i.e., cooking, moisturizing hair & skin, make-up remover, as a supplement, oil pulling & in the kitchen to moisturize wood utensils & cast iron pans). I’ve enjoyed learning even more benefits for coconut oil.

    Oil pulling is wonderful. It is especially soothing to the throat & nasal passages during allergy & cold symptoms. just wanted to share … I read that after oil pulling it is best to spit the oil out into paper towel/napkin/toilet tissue wad & throw it in the garbage instead of the sink. This is because coconut oil is an oil & it solidifies at about 70 degrees; so, potential plumbing/clogging issues could arise over time.

    Reply
  35. kdw4jc says

    October 15, 2012 at 8:25 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  36. kdw4jc says

    October 15, 2012 at 8:27 PM

    @Hybrid Rasta Mama, baking soda & liquid castile soap are staples in my home. However, I brush with all-natural, fluoride-free Trader Joe’s toothpaste daily & baking soda a few times a month. I’m curious … why did you say not to brush with toothpaste after oil pulling?

    Reply
  37. Jennifer Saleem says

    October 19, 2012 at 6:24 AM

    @kdw4jc Hi there! It is good to allow the left over oil some time to stay on your teeth. It helps with re-mineralization and fighting bacteria. It won’t kill you to brush it off but it is best left on!

    And thank you for the reminder about the pipes! It is so hot where I live that this is not an issue.

    Reply
  38. Minu says

    November 3, 2012 at 3:34 AM

    I accidentally came by your blog and noticed your post on Oil Pulling. You may wnat to review your sources thoroughly before posting it on the web and since you have have readers, i hope you give the correct information.
    The fact is : Oil Pulling is as old as Ayurveda. Oil Pulling was part of every day routine for a traditional Indian, people have used this method ages ago since the discovery of Ayurveda. Pl dont say someone discovered it when in reality it was not. IF someone publishes a book on oil pulling doesn’t mean ‘he discovered’. All in good faith. Peace,

    Reply
  39. Minu says

    November 3, 2012 at 3:39 AM

    I accidentally came by your blog and noticed your post on Oil Pulling. You may want to review your sources thoroughly before posting it on the web and since you have readers, i hope you give the correct information.
    The fact is : Oil Pulling is as old as Ayurveda. Oil Pulling was part of every day routine for a traditional Indian, people have used this method ages ago since the discovery of Ayurveda. Pl don’t say someone discovered it when in reality it was not. IF someone publishes a book on oil pulling doesn’t mean ‘he discovered it’. All in good faith. Peace.

    Reply
  40. Pebbles In The Sun says

    November 11, 2012 at 5:19 PM

    @camembear
    Coconut oil solidifies at 75 degrees and below so it would never solidify in your body unless you were not alive I suppose:)

    Reply
  41. margaret says

    November 17, 2012 at 9:43 PM

    I love OP, and don’t anticipate quitting, but a large filling fell out of my mouth..and I’ve read other places on the internet where others have experienced the same. This wasn’t an old filling (6 wks) nor was it a mercury amalgam. I’d like some information on this.

    Reply
  42. Anonymous says

    November 19, 2012 at 7:24 PM

    Does. The oil cure herpes or does it more like surpress the virus?

    Reply
  43. tracy starks says

    November 23, 2012 at 6:18 PM

    Oil pulling seems to have made my symptoms worsen. I have chronic periodontal disease and after oping I have a terrible terrible toothache. So is this just a case of things getting worse before they get better?

    Reply
    • Hana Moku says

      December 23, 2012 at 3:29 PM

      Hi. I’m wondering how your toothache has been since you posted your question one month ago. I, too, am showing signs of PD. Best regards, robyn

      Reply
  44. Deborah says

    December 24, 2012 at 8:25 PM

    @tracy starks
    Hello!

    Just wanted to let you know that when I used oil pulling, an infection broke out of my bone and was inflamed. Then it got much worse, my tooth shifted due to undetected bone loss and the bridge broke, causing a lot of very costly damage. I know now that I should have used other methods to heal the infection let loose by oil pulling.

    Reply
  45. Ran Dmz says

    December 30, 2012 at 1:42 PM

    Hi, is it safe to op with vco if I have viral infection in my mouth and throat?

    Reply
  46. Jennifer Saleem says

    January 1, 2013 at 5:41 AM

    @Ran Dmz No – I would wait until it clears up! Oil Pulling could make it a lot worse!

    Reply
  47. carrytim23 says

    February 4, 2013 at 9:01 AM

    Ask family and friends for recommendations if they can suggest a new dentist. They can often fill you are curious about answered honestly.Visiting the dentist can be a scary experience for kids. Ease those fears and explain to them that the dentist is there for their benefit. Your child will feel much more comfortable with a pediatric dentist who offers a welcoming waiting and a friendly exam rooms.Stay away from sugary sodas in order to protect your teeth healthy. Soda contains a lot of sugar and has no nutritional benefits. There is one cup of sugar in a two-liter bottle of soda. Avoiding these types of drinks can help you to keep your teeth healthy teeth.You should let your toothbrush dry out before using it again so that bacteria doesn’t form.Store your toothbrush upright position with plenty of space to allow the air to circulate around it.To avoid cavities limit the amount of sugar that you eat. You increase your risk of cavities by choosing foods lower in sugar.Save the sweets for holidays and other special treat if you want to keep your teeth.You also have to floss and swish with an antiseptic mouthwash. Do all of these things.These tables help eliminate plaque and show you an idea of how efficient your brushing is being neglected. Using these often can help you rid your mouth of excess plaque.Everyone wants to have whiter teeth. It is often hard to pick out the right product. Use what you have read here to make the best choices when it comes to oral care. Click here to know more about Periodontal disease cure

    Reply
  48. Kat says

    February 21, 2013 at 4:54 PM

    Since both Oil pulling and drinking lemon water are the first two things one should do in the morning, on an empty stomach, should I not be drinking my lemon water after? I normally do my oil pulling for 20 mins (with cold pressed virgin CO), then I rinse my mouth w/water and use my finger across my teeth. Wash hands w/soap. Then I start to drink my warm lemon water. After my lemon water, I brush my teeth w/toothpase. Advice welomed. Don’t want to be doing it wrong.

    Reply
  49. Jennifer Saleem says

    February 26, 2013 at 1:50 AM

    @Kat You are ok drinking lemon water after, especially because you already ran your fingers across your teeth. I would refrain from brushing your teeth until AFTER you eat a meal.

    Reply
  50. Kasia Pawlak says

    February 27, 2013 at 12:27 AM

    Hi,
    why shouldn’t we just brush our teeth with a toothpaste afterwards?
    Thanks

    Reply
  51. Dani says

    March 8, 2013 at 8:38 PM

    Hi,

    I began oil pulling with coconut oil a few days ago and just developed a black speck on the inside of my bottom lip, along with a small bump (like a canker sore but it doesn’t hurt), around the same area. Is this normal? I’ve never experienced that before so it makes me think that it HAS to be from the oil pulling. Should I be worried?

    Also, I notice that my tongue is yellow when I finish oil pulling. Does that mean I’m not doing it long enough? I usually just do 10 minutes. My goal is to rid myself of a tiny cavity that recently developed.

    I appreciate your thoughts and insights!

    -Dani

    Reply
  52. Jennifer Saleem says

    March 19, 2013 at 3:12 AM

    @Kasia Pawlak Hi Kasia! The reason you do not want to brush your teeth with toothpaste is twofold. First, some of the ingredients in toothpaste can do more harm than good once your “tooth pores” (for lack of a better term) are wide open from oil pulling. Even natural toothpastes can have hidden ingredients that are not ideal. Second, you really want to keep a neutral environment in the mouth immediately after oil pulling. Toothpaste can change the acidity of the mouth.

    Reply
  53. Jennifer Saleem says

    March 19, 2013 at 3:14 AM

    @Dani Yep – totally normal! That is the oil pulling working to draw out toxins! You often will have these little issues as the oil pulling does its job!

    A yellow tongue simply means that there are toxins clinging to it! Rinse your mouth out well and scrape that off your tongue when you are finished oil pulling.

    Reply
  54. John says

    May 12, 2013 at 2:35 AM

    I recently started oil pulling with Coconut Oil and so did my mother. After a few days of using it I woke up with a black eye and strangely enough my mother did as well two days later. Is this a side effect of detoxification via the blood vessels near the eye or did we bot mysteriously sleep walk and bump into something and not know about it and both woke up with black eyes? Any info would be appreciated

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      May 14, 2013 at 8:39 PM

      Hi John! Sorry to giggle over this but wow! Both of you detoxed through your eyes. How interesting! Yes, this is definitely from the oil pulling. You might want to slow down a tad and then worked back up. You may have both done too much too soon.

      Reply
      • John says

        May 16, 2013 at 3:47 AM

        Hi Jennifer, thanks for the reply and no need to apologise, was rahter bizarre. I assumed it was from the oil pulling but its nice to hear your clarity. We both started oil pulling once a day for twenty minutes with coconut oil, after four days I woke up with a full on black eye and then my mother had one two days later. It was not sore at all for the first day, just the visual signs and then it became rather sore til it passed. Never realised it could have such a dramatic affect, especially on two people lol thanks for your time and reply Jennifer

        Reply
        • Angelita says

          October 29, 2013 at 12:47 PM

          I have been op-ing for a couple of weeks. Good News; Root Canal area stop hurting and excellent dentist report (first time ever). Bad News; Abscess developed (left side of my face with eye shut) and flu-like symptoms ( I did have a flu shot a couple of days ago). None the less I have continued to pull. Any suggestions?

          Reply
      • Mary says

        January 23, 2014 at 2:37 AM

        I got such severe nasal congestion immediately after doing this. I can’t breathe to sleep at night. I believe it’s the “gets worse before it gets better” issue; do you have any recommendations?

        Reply
  55. Skye says

    May 15, 2013 at 6:23 PM

    Can I use a natural toothpaste (I just mix coconut oil, baking soda, and peppermint oil for my toothpaste) instead of the soap?

    Reply
  56. ian says

    June 30, 2013 at 4:18 AM

    Oil pulling is now part of my routine, having done it for six months.

    The effects for me: 1. I had a growth on my gum. I hate going to the dentist, and don’t trust them anyway. This growth shrunk a bit when I fasted, but regrew post-fast. Oil pulling eliminated it in a few weeks. It just kept on shrinking until it disappeared.

    2. Unfortunately I have had two root canals. Probably because of these I get pain in those areas. Oil pulling eliminates that pain – presumably because it removes the infection.

    3. For the first few months of oil pulling I had a lot of phlegm and some coughing – toxins being removed I suppose – despite any fasts, which I do to detox. Now I only get a little.

    4. Yesterday and today I had some gum pain again. So today I did oil pulling three times. Pain gone now. Usually once a day is enough. I think too much of the wrong sort of chocolate recently has caused this.

    Reply
  57. Teresa says

    July 6, 2013 at 5:10 PM

    Hi, my husband and I just started op’ing 3 days ago. He wants to know if we should do it once a day or more? And, is this something we will do everyday for the rest of our lives? Oh, and we are using REFINED co, only because we didn’t know any better! After reading this, it sounds like it’s not going to do us any good, so we are buying virgin today!
    Thanks!
    Teresa

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      July 8, 2013 at 10:56 PM

      Only do this once per day! More than that and it will be an overload for your system! You do not have to do this for the rest of your life. Most people do it for a month or so (or until the coconut oil isn’t coming out as gunky) and then oil pull once a month for a few days as maintenance.

      Reply
      • Michele says

        July 23, 2013 at 4:14 PM

        Hi I have a concern my husband and I was op for the last couple of days. This is the third day and my husband started to cough up blood. I have read a lot of different side effect but nothing like this. Wanted to k ow way should he do.
        Thanks.

        Reply
        • Jennifer says

          July 24, 2013 at 7:01 AM

          I would go to the doctor RIGHT AWAY! I do not think that this is a typical side effect. There could be a lot more going on in your husband’s body that you are not aware of and it is just manifesting itself because of it.

          Reply
  58. Akhil says

    August 19, 2013 at 6:22 AM

    I am glad that you have discussed this topic . However you mentioned Oil pulling was discovered by Dr. F. karach but did not mention that it is traditional Indian folk remedy mentioned in ayurveda ( Charaka Samhita ) . When anyone reads this article it misleads them .

    Reply
    • Batyah says

      September 3, 2013 at 3:59 PM

      thanks so much for pointing this out. I was just about to post the same thing…it was not discovered by the doctor. Oil pulling is an ancient aryuvedic method that’s been around for centuries!

      Reply
  59. nikkie says

    December 17, 2013 at 8:32 AM

    Hello, ive been oil pulling for about 2 weeks and I’ve been experiencing sharp pains in my bladder all of a sudden and minor break outs. But I’m more concerned of the pain. Is this a part of detox? Please help

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      December 19, 2013 at 8:46 PM

      Hi Nikkie,

      That sure sounds like it! I wrote a bit about die off here: https://hybridrastamama.com/can-you-overdose-on-coconut-oil

      How long have the bladder pains been lasting? It could be that you need to support your kidneys more as you detox. I would reduce the amount of time you are oil pulling and do some research on supporting kidney health.

      Reply
  60. Stephen says

    December 29, 2013 at 12:49 PM

    One could say Karach rediscovered oil pulling but he isn’t the first to do it as it is taught about in ancient Ayurvedic texts.

    Reply
  61. Christine says

    February 4, 2014 at 1:45 PM

    Just came across this post when searching for information around oil pulling. I also have ulcerative colitis & saw you mention you were going to see if this helped…curious whether you feel there were any positive results related to your UC and oil pulling? I was contemplating it to help with acne, but wasn’t sure how it would affect my UC.

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      February 26, 2014 at 9:04 PM

      Hi Christine! I did not see any improvement in my UC from oil pulling. But then again, I had a really complicated case. So possibly, if I didn’t have a second autoimmune disease at play, it would have helped. Simply consuming coconut oil did help the UC quite a bit!

      Reply
  62. Alecia says

    February 12, 2014 at 3:39 PM

    Do you think this is safe for children? I have a ten year old and an eight year old I would like them to op if they can. Thanks for the info!

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      February 26, 2014 at 8:59 PM

      Hi Alecia! I do know some children who oil pull. So long as they do it for very short amounts of time and with a small amount of oil, they likely will be ok. You know your children best. Just watch them carefully. Start sloooooow. Be sure not to make any other dietary changes or supplement changes until you see how the oil pulling is going. This way, there is no confusion if some sort of “reaction” occurs. You will know what it is from.

      Reply
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    February 17, 2014 at 11:02 AM

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  64. Anita S. says

    April 5, 2014 at 3:47 PM

    My question is can you do both oil pulling and taking 4 tblsp of coconut oil internally at the same time? Or should you do the op first and then start consuming the 4 tblsp daily?

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      April 6, 2014 at 10:56 AM

      Anita – that is totally going to depend on your body. Yes, people oil pull and consume coconut oil in their daily eating. If you have NEVER consumed coconut oil, then I would start with OP and then gradually move towards consuming CO.

      Reply
  65. Christine says

    May 15, 2014 at 3:58 PM

    I started OP about two weeks ago and by the signs of what you mentioned in the article I’m detoxing…. I feel as if I have a sinus or head infection I even have a low grade fever…. Do I continue to OP and if so for how long do I continue?????

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      May 23, 2014 at 9:45 PM

      Hi Christine! Sorry for the delay! Detoxing can go on for weeks and for some people months. If you feel like it is too much to handle, just back off a bit. Maybe OP every 2-3 days and work up slowly. Or just use less oil. Work up gradually so you are more comfortable. Some people oil pull every day of the life. I try to do it at least twice a week.

      Reply
  66. Regina says

    July 17, 2014 at 6:05 AM

    I’m a bit confused about why it is necessary to use soap or baking soda after you’ve oil pulled or essentially cleaned your mouth. I’ve been oil pulling for about 3 days and simply rinse my mouth out with warm water afterwards then proceed to brush my teeth without applying any substances to the brush. To keep my brush clean I use a toothbrush sanitizer/germ terminator that uses steam to to kill any bacteria left on the brush after use. Also as another commenter mentioned, I drink lemon water in the mornings which serves as a natural cleanser as well.

    Reply
  67. anonymous says

    July 10, 2015 at 4:29 PM

    PLEASE!!!l save all your used plastic bread or other bags that normally end up in the trash. Spit the oil in the plastic bag and throw away in trash. The oil WILL clog your toilets and sinks…..besides, we don’t need poisonous waste down into the water system.

    Reply
  68. Joanna says

    October 15, 2015 at 4:33 AM

    I stopped smoking in Jan and then started getting mouth ulcer – about one a month. I have been oil pulling with coconut oil for about 2 – 3 weeks now and I am now getting mouth ulcers all the time – is this part of the detox period and will it eventually go away?

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      October 29, 2015 at 8:56 PM

      I am so sorry to hear that this is happening for you Joanna. I would say that yes, likely this is all part of detox. What I don’t have an answer too is how long this will last. It likely depends on how long you were a smoker and how much you smoked. I do believe that a smoker has a lot more detoxing to do than a non-smoker so my guess is that you might experience this for a while. You may want to scale back and only oil pull every other day, if only for your comfort.

      Reply

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