PART 3: HOW DO YOU OIL PULL?
by Eva Rawposa
- Get some sesame or sunflower seed oil that is not roasted or heated. It should say “cold pressed” or “expeller pressed.” If it’s organic, great! If not, great!
- Put one teaspoon of oil in your mouth without swallowing it. Ideally, you’ll swish this in your mouth for 20 minutes or longer. If not, no sweat.
- When you’re almost finished, put some salt in a jar with hot water and shake it until the salt melts.
- Spit out the oil, then immediately swish with the salt water. This will get the oily taste out of your mouth and kill some bad guys in one fell swoop.
- Brush your teeth!
Some Extra Oil-Pulling Tips
- Really try not to swallow it, but if you do, the world won’t end.
- There will be more liquid in your mouth as you do this (from saliva and mucous), so if you need to use less than a teaspoon, it’s no big deal.
- Ideally, this would be done 1-2 times every single day to start noticing major benefits.
- This should really be done on an empty stomach, perhaps in the morning upon rising and just before bed.
If you’re out there swishing while you read, Happy Pulling!
More Information on Oil Pulling:
Part 1: One person’s experience with oil pulling
Part 2: Why would oil pulling help with acne and illness?
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ANY QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? Just type whatever you have to say below. We’d love to hear from you, no matter what it is. Well, as long as it is related to Oil Pulling, Skin, Health, etc. in some way! 
ok Eva,
I am going to start this today, and try to do 2 x a day like suggested. It sounds great and any benefits that come my way, I am ready to receive.
AWESOME. I think you will probably be shocked at the benefits from such a simple activity. Let me know how it goes if you don’t mind!
xxo Eva
Eva,
This sounds like it would be beneficial….but swishing oil in my mouth for 20 minutes??? Sounds like a very long time to swish ANYTHING in your mouth. And how long before you start noticing the benefits?
Thanks
Hi Lynn! I’m swishing right NOW and have been for more than an hour. I notice benefits every time I do it. My whole body — but especially my breathing and mucus levels — feel INCREDIBLY clean afterwards. It’s the strangest thing!
I have a couple questions: first, how long is too long? That is, at what point is the swishing no longer doing anything? Is there a way to know? Second, every time my mom has done it (3 days now! Yay!) she is exhausted afterward. I haven’t experienced this at all, but we eat different diets and are in different environments, so I was wondering if this sort of thing is normal and what she can do to stay awake for the rest of the day after pulling. Thanks!
btw, oil pulling has helped both of us during allergy attacks; so awesome!
HEY Nava! That’s AWESOME you’ve had such relief for your allergy issues!!!
With your mom, it sounds like a detox reaction. With toxins leaving the body, it sometimes happen. As a non-doctor of course, I’d advise lots of water and taking the rest her body seems to be asking for. Should be a help if she’s still having the same issues!
ALSO, I do it sometimes for hours while I do other things — I don’t know how much it is doing for the extra time but find I do feel drawn to do it for as long as I can, personally, after years of oil pulling regularly.
I hope that is a help!
I was read about oil pulling and have done it several times with virgin coconut oil, i read that it was the most successful for pulling out the toxins, but that you have to spit is in the garbage cause it can clog pipes. Have you ever used vco? I was truly amazed at how white it made my teeth, even whitened a tooth the dentist said was bruised and would never whiten again…. also it’s interesting that Nava’s mom felt tired, I did as well and since I have a 4 yr old at home I don’t need to be sluggy… Guess I will go back and try again…. thank you
Hey Kelly — I have read otherwise, that it is sesame oil that is most effective. I have found it to be true for myself that it is more effective than coconut oil, but both seem to make a positive effect for me so either way, you’re good!!
The tired thing usually just happens once or twice, it’s detox and will stop after your body gets used to it.
I haven’t clogged any drains in the several years I’ve been doing it, so that may just be something for very sensitive pipes? I just… do it… lol! And it just… works!
I hope that’s a help. Would love any updates!! <3
xxo Eva
i just read your article im curious:
is there a reason why you use sesame or sunflower seed oil? or you can use any oils?
im asking because its difficult to get the raw versions of those here in argentina, i might just use extra virgin cold pressed olive oil.
thank you!
Hola Luciano — You are quick!!
I have tried other oils such as olive oil just as an experiment and found they were too strong in flavor to manage it.
Sesame and sunflower oil are especially cleansing and light, but coconut oil also works. That is the only other oil I would recommend outside of those two.
I like in Brazil for most of the year so can sympathize with the difficulty to get either oils! I remember when I got there this past December, I could not find any locally in our small country town. It had been a couple weeks since oil pulling, and we went to the big city nearby looking for a few specialty items. I was thrilled to see sesame oil (my favorite!) but shocked at the price. I remember it was something like $25 or $30 USD for a smaller container than I’m used to paying $8 or so for. I almost didn’t buy it… but then I did because I knew the small amount would go a long way and would be well worth it.
I hope that is a help!
xxo Eva
How do you get past the texture? I can’t go for more than 5 minutes, I’m just too grossed out by the oily feel and taste.
Are you using only a teaspoon? I remember it was very weird in the beginning, but I just kind of got used to it eventually. Might be a help to try coconut oil — which I think you may have already in the last couple days? Not sure, lemme know if that helps tho!!
xxo Eva
I have tried coconut oil, but I hate it xD
I know after a few minutes it feels less disgusting, but it’s hard resisting the inital urge to spit it out. I did manage a whole 5 minutes or so with some almond, so I’ll probably try again.
I’m really hoping it helps with the whole mucous thing…How long did it take you to see results?
I totally hear ya! I have not heard of using almond oil… I wonder if it would have an effect in the same way. The recommended oils are all antibacterials and have specific healing properties, but hey, maybe that will work well too!!
I started seeing some results right away — I DETOXED right away but then I was doing this twice per day for a full 20 minutes in the beginning, so I’m not sure if I would have had similar effects without having lasted for so long. GOSH, I’m shaking my head remembering it WAS quite difficult at the start!! It was a little gnarly! HA!
But worth it. I hope to hear some good news as you keep working this out!!
xxo Eva
I tried again with sunflower, it’s much lighter and I’ve managed to pull for 20 minutes each time. I could’ve sworn I felt something loosening (probably a tonsil stone, I get those a lot) but I’m guessing it’s still there as I only spat out oil. I’m not seeing anything spectacular, but my mouth and teeth felt VERY smooth and clean when I woke up nearly 10 hours after oil pulling, and even after having lasagne with bechamel sauce and a diet coke a few hours ago. So I’m sticking with it just for that even if I don’t see any other results, but it’s early days yet.
Thanks!
OH dear! Sound like you are having quite the adventure over there! I think I may have even forgotten to share about the cleaner teeth, although I know it’s somewhere. I actually have to do this because I have this one tooth that is a “flapper” thanks to a pretty hefty motorcycle accident. I find the best way to keep clean teeth, gums, and those little crevices clean, is to keep on swishing every day!
Glad this is a help on some front already and SO GLAD to know the sunflower was easier for you!!
xxo Eva
Wow- very intriguing. I’m going to start tomorrow with coconut oil and see how it goes.
Thanks!
Love it! You have the coconut oil for the clusters and will use it for the oil pulling! Brilliant! Let me know if you have any issues. I’m kind of a geek for oil pulling chat.
xxo Eva
Hi Eva,
After reading your oil pulling articles I was wondering if you have to keep the same oil in your mouth the whole time. What if, after 10 minutes the phone rings and you have to speak – do you spit it out and think that’s it for today or do you take another teaspoon?
Thank you!
Rachel
Honestly ~ if it’s my mom or husband I answer in a funny gobbly gook sort of way. “Hmm hmmm hmm” means “Hello!” They get the picture. Anyone else, I skip it.
But if you don’t want gobbly gook conversations, YES, you can spit it out and start over. hehe <3
Starting this tonight after I buy some sesame oil today.
I’m excited!
Cool!! Let us know how it goes!
Hey Eva
I’ve done oil pulling in the past with coconut oil. Any particular reason to use sesame oil or is coconut oil okay?
Thanks!
Michelle Smith
I find that sesame oil works better for me, but coconut oil is totally fine too! Great question.
Funny seeing you as “Michelle” not “Mark Michelle”! I am never 100% sure you aren’t Mark when you say hello on FB! lol!
Nah, it’s pretty much always me!
I will try the sesame oil, for sure! I am not a daily oil puller and am currently dealing with some allergy/sinus thing…maybe the sesame oil will do the trick.
Thanks!
I am very much interested in trying this, but I read somewhere that you have to be careful if you have fillings in your teeth – that they might come out. Is this just a rumor, or do you know anything about this?
Thanks!
Actually, I understand that COULD happen, so you might consider whether this makes sense for you right now. I have fillings that have not come out, but that doesn’t mean the same will happen for you!
thanks for the quick response. Yeah, I will just have to think about it.
Ive read about this…does it affect dental work? I have a crown.
I have heard it can, so proceed with some caution!! <3 Eva
hey there Eva!
I’ll try this today but I have a question; in the morning the first thing I do is drink a big glass of water. do you recommend the oil pull before or after my glass of water?
thank you so much! your page is amaz! <3
Great question, and my answer would be AFTER. At least that’s what I do! THANK YOU! <3 Eva
i have a question. what oils can u use for and oil pull? i dont like the taste of coconut oil, cant find sunflower seed oil and seseame seed oil burns my mouth. now that im done complaining, what other possible oil could i use? i can get safflower oil, olive oil, almond and avacado oil (thought that was interesting). i like almonds and avacados. the other question i have is, im a, we’ll say a home health aide, and i have a client that is VERY VERY salt restricted. is it still safe for her to do this seeing as how you have to swish right after with salt water? granted i realize its a small amount of salt for a very short time. but she is sensitive to salt.
i just found suflower oil, i tried it and there is no taste what-so-ever. i have another question too. i start with a teaspoon and can go about 2 minutes and i start almost throwing up. i tried it a second time today and on the second try i was able to keep ging for almost 5 minutes. me getting that sick mean something?
Oh GOOD! Except the sick part. Yikes! That doesn’t sound like much fun. You may just be getting a quick detox? That would be my very best guess! Are you still doing it?
Coconut oil, sunflower oil, and sesame oil are the best bets. Maybe safflower would work? I’m really not sure what else!!! Re: the salt, that is my personal method, but it could be skipped.
xxo Eva
This looks interesting and I am going to start tomorrow. I already have organic cold-pressed sesame oil that I use for my scalp, so am happy to try swishing. Just one question though: I am not a raw foodist and am not vegetarian either, do you think I’ll still benefit from oil pulling?
Many people who are not raw or vegetarian practice oil pulling. If you’ve tried already, I’d love to hear how it’s going!! Love, Eva
I have been oil pulling now for about 8 weeks… I use coconut oil… when I am done and spit … it is still white.. is it because of the color of the coconut… I pull for about 15 to 20 min.. then follow the routine…
Usually white actually means you’re releasing toxins, from my understanding. Seems to make sense for me because the cleaner my diet and more consistently I OP the less likely it is to be white. But if I skip it for a week or two or eat less clean for a day it’s suddenly white!
Tried oil pulling for the first time today with coconut oil. It was gnarly at first! Right when I thought I had gotten use to the taste, I got sick. The thing I’m finding most arduous is not swallowing for 20 minutes! Any suggestions I can try?
Hi Julia! It’s Eva. I’d say to just work your way up! I just finished oil pulling for the morning and got rid of some mucus and feel a million times more clear. It takes time for it to be no big thing for most of us! Good on you for doing it for as long as you did! <3
First time checking this out. Very interesting…I have a “plate” of teeth, therefore I presume I would pull when I don’t have them in my mouth. Thanks for the info. I really enjoyed reading all the comments and answers.
Yes, Sylvia, pull them out! I have a fake tooth that I have to pull out to do it too.
xxo Eva
I just purchased organic coconut oil and was wondering if I needed to heat the oil to liquify it before swishing, because the oil is pretty hard at room temperature.
Hi Penny! If you put a spoon of the oil in your mouth, your mouth will heat it for you to turn it to liquid, but it might take a moment. Let us know how it goes!! Love, Eva
hi i have been so excited about this for a while and have done it a few times but my gag reflex with the oil/saliva/ mucus mix makes me gag and spit it out, sometimes i can not even make it a full minute, one day got up to 5 minutes no problem but that has only been once. I am really struggling with this. I use coconut oil, i tried Olive but had a nasty taste after a while, I do want to stick with coconut. I think a big thing for me is how much u have to use, that makes it worse on the gag reflex. All other sites have said u have to use a whole tablespoon which equals gagging for me pretty quickly once u get a saliva build up with it, ehh gross. You are saying a teaspoon.
that makes me happy. I got online to find out if there is some science behind having to use 1 tablespoon and if i could use less with the same benefits and found your page. So a teaspoon has worked for you just fine? and is there a minimum time, cause i don’t think i will ever in my life come close to reaching 20 minutes 
Hiya Keliana,
I can’t do a tablespoon either and have been doing this for nearly 6 years now!!
I often OP for over an hour, nearly forgetting while I do morning chores before the baby wakes. It makes SUCH a difference for me. Whatever science is behind needing a tablespoon is lost on my experience of it making drastic changes with a teaspoon.
I hope that’s a help! BTW, I tried olive oil before too, and that was pretty rough. lol!
Love,
Eva
thank you so much, i will try it in the morning with a teaspoon and see how it goes
Let us know!!!
ok,
lets today i was still struggling with the teaspoon, for some reason it was just about as bad as the tablespoon, i don’t get it. I was about to say “this just isn’t meant for me” when i thought “no i want to do i am not giving up if i have to stay in my bathroom all day and use a whole jar of CO til i get this I will ” I tried it 3 times and on the 3rd i did much better. not sure how long i went for maybe 7mintes maybe longer, from now on in will time it. it felt so good to do and i don’t know if its possible on just a once for a maybe 10 minutes or less but my complexion was brighter and more even tone after and i don’t even have to wear make up today. 
I hope to get better and better, maybe it would be a good way to start reading again too, if I am into a book reading I wont realize what i am doing. 
lol! Ya never know! It does make a big difference for mine — from pretty good to totally fabulous with regular oil pulling. I never focus on the oil pulling… just do stuff at the same time. I vaguely remember wanting to gag in the beginning, but it’s nothing now. Nothing!
i promise not to update everyday, but did it for 9 minutes today no problem. But for some reason my lower left side, not sure if the tooth or gum but something is very painful back there. Not sure why
anyone else get issues like this?
I’ve heard of a LOT of people having various tooth issues, which are “good” but you need to be your own best judge of what makes sense for you. Some people have teeth heal and fillings fall out!