Coconut oil pulling: 2 years later.

by

coconut oil

 

Time FLIES when you’re gagging over a clumpy bit of oily goodness in your mouth having fun, huh?

It’s been TWO YEARS since I launched my love affair with oil pulling and, if you’re just joining us, here’s a bit of the why & the how (the longer bit can be found here).

I’m a misfit. 

I’m either an early adopter or I’m so late to the soiree most people have headed home.

With coconut oil I was the latter.

My elbows were dry, we’d struggled with the lice of the head, I knew it rocked for cooking and coffee—-yet I’d do the same OILYdance over and over:

purchase. unopened expire. repeat.

All to the dismay of myself and my wallet.

I wasn’t motivated enough to crack open the container—even with my raging head lice fears—until I stumbled upon the notion of oil pulling.

Oil swishing.

Of spooning a lump of oil into my coconut-hole, swirling in my mouth for a goal of 20 minutes, and releasing into the toilet when through.

I was disgusted.

I was grossed out (I don’t do mayo. This reminded me of mayo).

I read the many health benefits.

I was in.

Here’s the oil pulling short version:

  • Oil pulling is swishing oil in mouth to rid body of toxins.  The goal is to swish for 20 minutes.
  • Toxins are released due to the stimulating effect swishing has on body’s “eliminatory system.”
  • Oil pulling purportedly heals individual cells & cell conglomerates (lymph nodes/internal organs).

golden doodle puppy

Now we both use coconut oil!


Quite frankly my first experience—captured on video by the soundtrack providing six year old—led me to believe I’d never try again:

Two years later, however, I’m still coconut oil pulling and here’s why:

  • I turned my oil yellow! Id say I’m crazy, but this whole venture is whackadoodle. The first few times I pulled I neither lasted long enough (hardcore folks go TWENTY MINUTES) nor was my oil yellow upon “release” into toilet.  Yellow supposedly indicates all toxins have been pulled (spit! spit! never swallow!).  Once I hit the yellow—I was committed.
  • I’m motivated by potential for long-term gum health/Alzheimers prevention. As with weight-loss and skinny jeans Id have quit long ago if this were solely for whiter teeth.  I don’t have great oral or Alzheimer genetics. My gun is loaded.   I’ll try anything.
  • My teeth are whiter? Yes, that IS phrased as a question. Quite frankly, I can’t tell. All I know is the Tornado has ceased asking me: Mama, will my teeth turn yellow when I’m old?! so there’s that.
  • The Tornado knows I find it icky. Each time she sees me pull she *still* sings her theme song. Each time I pull she *still* interrogates me. Was that gross? (yes) Did you want to spit it right out? (yes) Ew. I dont like coconut. Do you? (no) Im never doing that! Why do you do it? (insert same rambles as last time). I think it’s GREAT for her to see me doing something I don’t love in the name of long-term health.
  • It rocks for canines, too! OK this isn’t so much the pulling (wouldn’t that be a trick!), but the fact coconut oil is great for Charming as well. From preventing Giardia to freshening his dog-breath our new family member has leaped on the oily wagon as well.

golden doodle puppy

(note the joy on his face.)

 
And now I look to you.

  • If you are one of the many who joined me in pulling two years ago—are you still? why or why not?
  • If you’ve never pulled before—will you jump in the oily-fray and give it a go?

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Comments

  1. I remember your post on this 2 years ago. I never tried it but I just read another post on it last week that peeked my interest. Maybe I’m in. I can’t get over the idea of swishing for 20 minutes. I think I’d be drooling all over the place or would swallow it whole by accident!

  2. Oil pulling is great. I have fallen off with oil pulling, just get caught up in so many things I do. Thanks for the reminder to work it back into my schedule.

    • I just put some in Charming’s food (or feed it to him from a spoon :-)) and it has made his fur LOVELY and, they say, will help prevent giardia!!!
      He loves it!!

      • I’m going to try coconut pulling with Matthew, the big yellow dog! He loves fish oil, so he’ll probably gobble this down too!

  6. wait how do you switch it if itz not melted? and twenty minutes?!?! i don’t know if i could keep anything in my mouth that long!! i’m intrigued though….

    • Hahaha!! ((pulling mind from gutter))

      I’m a coconut oil pulling virgin, but I’m nauseous just thinking about it. But my medical-lemon dog has the driest skin and fur from all her meds and treatments. I’m tempted to guinea pig her with it. I wonder how long it will take to see any results…

      – Kirsten

      • I did it for the GIARDIA prevention. Not sure how long for doggy breath or luscious fur—but Id definitely try it with her. Keep me posted!

    • Ive heard that too and havent really noticed? That said Im always asleep 2 minutes after my head hits the pillow so Im a bad test case 🙂

  8. I tried it this weekend and discovered I cannot do it with my kids around, no sooner did I start swishing than they wanted me to help them with something and kept asking me questions, I finally had to just spit it out. I think I maybe made it 5 minutes. Going to try again today when they are at school.

  9. I had forgotten you did this!!
    It seems everyone is starting now.
    What does Charming think? Does he eat it willingly??

  13. I haven’t gotten to yellow yet! But we all pull. And the dogs love the coconut oil so much that they are forever licking my feet and elbows.

  14. I have made it to 10 minutes and it’s not so bad. I do have to spit a little out after about 5 minutes though. Maybe I’ll get to 20 now that the kids are off to school.

  15. INUNDATED with emails about OK IS THERE A BENEFIT IF I DONT DO 20 MINUTES??
    It really is #wycwyc for me.
    Some days 20
    others I get 3 minutes in and the phone rings :-0
    it’s all about consistently doing for me…doing what I can when I can.

  16. I just read about this last week.
    I cannot stand the taste of coconut, but I am going to give it to my lab.

  17. I’ve seen oil pulling pop up A LOT on the facebook lately, and needless to say I am intrigued! I’ve had bad teeth ever since I was little (yaay genetics!) so I’m very interested in trying. Thanks for the full review on your experience Carla!

  19. You are so ahead of the curve.
    Everyone is talking about this now and I think I want to join.
    Did your dentist notice an improvement????

    • I have noticed better gums—but with the move and dentist change I dont know my oralhealthDUDE has.
      Less “spongy” gums.
      Icky but true 🙂

  21. Just now reading about this new trend. And I thought it was BRAND new….obviously not. Don’t know whether to try it or not, my teeth have gotten very yellow as I’ve aged, and I might be willing to try it just for the whitening result, but then you said, you can’t really tell much difference, so……Maybe I’ll do it, but maybe not.

  22. I am SO happy to read this. Hubs has been reading about it and bought some coconut the other day. It’s still sitting there…taunting us.

    I’m going to send him a link to this post, I think he’ll enjoy it.

    Is it wrong that I snickered like a 12 year old boy at the spit..never swallow part?

  23. I tried this a couple of times when you first posted about it, and then again last week after I saw Charlotte post about it on Facebook. I have super sensitive teeth, and I’d love to find something to help that.

    I’m not bothered by the oil – I quite like coconut oil – it is the mouth full of saliva that I have a hard time getting past. I think the fact that I’m skeptical about the whole thing doesn’t help. I can’t see myself keeping it up every single day…But if a few days a week would help, maybe I could manage it, and I suppose maybe I’d get used to it.

  24. I think for me it is all the fact I know my “gun is loaded” and if this helps it not to go in the realm of periodontal health etc—IM IN.

    I feel as though at least Im doing something? 🙂 and I read trashy fiction while I do it so it’s a winwin.

  25. I focus a great deal on showing my twins healthy living isn’t work or “yucky.”
    I’m intrigued by what you said about the Tornado seeing you do something you don’t enjoy because of the health benefit.
    I need to think about this.

  26. Wow 2 years have flown! I’ve got coconut oil sitting here and I never use it, other than for cooking once in a blue moon. I will try it!

  27. I’d never heard of this until a few days ago. Now it seems like a ton of people are doing it…including a few of my friends. I just don’t know. I’m intrigued. But don’t know if I could do it. I have a thing with textures. And I’m afraid I would accidently swallow some lol! And 20 minutes???? Wow!

    • 20 minutes FLIES when Im reading something trashtastic or watching (whispers) BRAVO!!! TV 🙂

  28. I started oil pulling a couple years ago, more than likely thanks to your post. My visits to the dentist were great. Then, I stopped. Not sure why, got busy or lazy or both. My last check up was awful. The dentist actually asked if I’d just stopped brushing all together! Back on the wagon as of 2 days ago, and hoping to not fall off again!

  29. Just last week I was noticing and thinking how amazingly white your teeth were! Now I don’t know how white they were two years ago, but I bet the oil pulling isn’t hurting!

  30. I thought of you last week b/c it was in the news. I’m glad it is working for you. I never say never, but…I don’t envision myself doing it!

  32. Pulling oil as we speak. So 2 years after we posted, I’m finally trying it. This is day 3 for me and the first time I nearly gagged. I’m doing it mainly because of my gums. I haven’t horrible gums. I didn’t know about the oil turning yellow (now determined to swish until it’s yellow). I have to admit, all the swishing makes my jaw tired!

  33. Awesome post. Coconut Oil for me is ANYTHING but a trend/fad. It has been instrumental in healing my gut. It’s the reason I use it in ALL my nut butter flavors. However, I had not heard of Oil Pulling until the Natural Food Show this past weekend. It might be a trend, but I’m definitely going to try it.

  34. Great post.
    I read about oil pulling last week and after seeing your teeth 🙂 I will try it.
    Whole foods?

  36. The first time I ever heard of oil pulling was here on your site! However, I have yet to try it. Even though I’ve been curious. Much like Kombucha. I’m fairly certain I’m the last to have NOT tried. 🙂

  37. Yes, i oil pull, and have for a few years. Since i eat an almost 100% raw vegan diet, i don’t usually turn mine yellow, even though i go 20+ minutes. My dentist does say i have beautiful teeth and gums, so there is that. It’s just part of my habit — get up, weigh, swallow my thyroid pill, put oil in my mouth, swish while writing morning pages and reading Scripture. It works out for me, so i’m sticking with it.

  39. Never spit it in the toilet or down the drain. It solidifies and hurts the pipes especially for a septic system. Use a baggy or plastic cup for the gsrbage pail

    • interesting!! Everything I read said always spit in the toilet… I may need to rethink 🙂 thank you

  42. I may need a moment that this is 2 years later. 2 years? 2 years… 2 years!! That first post was just yesterday.
    And as always I’m obsessed with coconut oil. I’m currently working on a sunscreen recipe using it.

  44. I have NEVER heard of this and I absolutely must try it now. I love seemingly gross stuff like this…I just bought my first jar of coconut oil too because I’m going to dry “no ‘pooing” or “going shampless” as I’ve begun to call it….”no ‘poo” sounds like something entirely different than not using shampoo to wash your hair.

    I digress.

    Anyways, thanks for sharing this!

  45. I don’t have a high gag reflex but that looks like it might do it!!! I hate swishing stuff around in my mouth. I do like the health benefits but I’m pretty sure it would gross me out too much. Maybe I need to play the clip of the Tornado singing her theme song if I try!

  46. I’m afraid I put this with the notion that we can heal cavities. Yes, there is a very small amount of deposition of cementum sometimes, but enamel, no way. I think basic dental hygiene works best.

    The more claims I read about a behavior, take infra red saunas for example, the less I believe them.

  50. I have never thought about the benefits for dogs too. Jeez. Coconut oil rocks. Fine. You convinced me. I need to pull some oil.

  51. This is certainly getting lots of attention now. I can’t stand coconut anything but I’ll admit that I’m intrigued. I, too, despise mayo so your admission of it having similar consistency does not make it sound appealing. However, my oral hygiene could use a boost so there’s that….

  52. My dad has been oil pulling for about 10 years. His dentist was astonished how healthy his gums (and whatever else) got. He tried to convince me to try it several times, but somehow I just bring myself to do it… But lately I have been reconsidering. But still. It just seems not something I could/want to do. We’ll see….

  53. I’ve been reading so much about it, that now I feel like I have to try it!! Gaw the thought of the waxy taste though….

  54. Perfect timing! I just blogged today about how you were the first person to ever teach me about oil pulling (or at least the first person I trusted to teach me haha). It’s taken me two years to take your advice but better late than never?

  55. I think I am going to make an OIL PULLING VIDEO!! Ha! It’s such a weird practice but I only hear AMAZING THINGS!! This is why I have now been doing it 2 days and I really think I am going to KEEP UP with it. Plus, I like the taste of coconut oil, so swishing around that flavor in my mouth AINT SO BAD! 😉

  56. I’m not sure how I feel about this. I’m skeptical. I have a tub of coconut oil in my shower that I use as a body cream, but I have a hard time cooking with it. Maybe I just need a new tub, cause like you it has probably expired. I’m willing to try and experiment. Thanks for sharing!

  59. Well, never say never so I’ll give it a try and slather it on my dry skin. BTW, Tornado is too cute for words!

  61. So I was/am you with this!! I HATE MAYO, it totally reminds me of mayo. I want to gag like every single time I do it, but I’m really trying to make it a habit bc I’ve had SO many dental problems. Within a week of doing this regularly, my dental work pain(which they couldn’t tell me why I hurt) went away. So there’s that. I’m working on my post… Can I link to you??

  62. There is not doubt that Coconut oil is best & very helpful in various ways & as you have well explain about Coconut oil so it tell more benefit of Coconut oil 🙂

  63. I tried the other morning- I lasted not even five seconds before starting to gag. Clearly I need to start with a smaller amount–I really want to be successful so should just suck it up and commit.

  64. Hi! Visiting from SITS! My sisters is trying to get my on the oil pulling bandwagon! Thanks for outlining all the reasons why we SHOULD be doing this slightly disgusting thing 🙂 Love that little jingle in your video!

  65. I have coconut oil in my pantry and it is calling my name! My father-in-law, a dentist, told me about this practice quite some time ago and I have been kind of scared! 😉 But I think you’ve convinced me to give it a go! Glad I came across you via SITS!

  66. Very cool! I recently read an article about oil pulling for whiter teeth. I’ll definitely have to get over my ickies about trying it and get on the wagon! (stopping by from the SITS girls)

  67. I read about this last week and now reading it again. Still the thought of swiching oil in my mouth doesn’t turn me on LOL. Let alone for 20 minutes. Can I do it brushing for a few minutes??? Stopping in from SITS Saturday.

  68. I have it in my coffee daily & often cook with it, so I guess this would be the next natural progression of things. SITS DAT share visit.

  70. has it been TWO YEARS!!? oh my… I remember when you started this… and I was JUST talking about it at my naturopath’s the other day – I think I am finally ready to give it a go…

  71. I use coconut oil for just about everything under the sun, but I’ve never tried it like this! This is certainly an interesting thought. I don’t have oral or Alzheimer’s genes but hey, it certainly can’t hurt!

  72. I did it once but I was afraid I wouldn’t be committed enough to do it every day :S
    Thanks for reminding me that I can break the rules a little and do it when I can 😀

  74. I kept forgetting, so I put the coconut oil on my nightstand so it was the first thing I saw this morning. 10 minutes in. So the experiment begins! 😀 Really started seeing this EVERYWHERE so I wanted to give it a try. Thanks for posting this.

  75. I have been wanting to try this and even went out and bought coconut oil, but not I am worried I bought the wrong one because I got the liquid version instead of the solid version you use in your video.
    Does that matter?

  76. More power to you!
    Coconut anything doesn’t appeal to me. I really tried to like it – coconut milk, tried coconut milk yogurt. No can do. I’ll stick to almonds.

  77. Doesn’t have to be just coconut oil to work(well work is a stretch anyways). It’s basically a healthy alternative to mouth wash. This whole detoxifying the body is a long stretch…

Trackbacks

  2. […] Coconut Oil Pulling: 2 Years Later via Carla Birnberg <– So I just started oil pulling about 2 weeks ago, so it’s really interesting to read a post about the effects after a number of years. I’m definitely on the fence about whether some of the claims made are factual but I will say my teeth feel cleaner and are whiter, so there’s that… […]

  3. […] After reading the article I was even more intrigued about oil pulling but I put it on the back burner as something I would look into later. Shortly after that, one of my favorite and most trusted bloggers, Carla,  posted about oil pulling as well! You can read her post here. […]

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