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Natural Cures: Oil Pulling

According to OilPulling.com, Dr. F. Karach discovered the medical properties of oil pulling--swishing natural oils around the mouth to remove toxins. Some diseases and conditions oil pulling supposedly can cure are toothaches, stomach pain and cancer. Oil pulling, however, probably does not provide many, if any, overall health benefits.

  1. Materials

    • In order to pull oil properly, a person needs only natural plant oil--sunflower oil or sesame oil. Petroleum-based oil, such as diesel fuel, should never be used for oil pulling. In addition, a person needs to follow only the few simple steps outlined by Dr. Karach.

    The 'Method'

    • According to OilPulling.com, people should use 1 tbsp. of oil in the morning on an empty stomach. The individual should swish and "pull" the oil through the teeth for at least 20 minutes to achieve the most benefits from oil pulling. After swishing, the oil is flushed down the toilet. Afterward, a mouthwash is used, and then the mouth is cleaned out with warm water. People may spit in the sink, but that requires a thorough cleaning to remove leftover bacteria and toxins.

    Considerations

    • Very few peer-reviewed studies on the effects of oil pulling exist. A study published by the "Journal of Oral Health & Community Dentistry" found that oil pulling moderately reduced plaque, but not to the degree that it could replace brushing. In addition, a person must perform oil pulling on an empty stomach to see any benefit, something that may be hard to adhere to for many people.

    Potential Explanation

    • Alternative medicine expert Lisa Barger suspects that oil pulling probably has some real benefits, but little from detoxification. Veins and arteries do not simply leak toxins, and the entire amount of blood in the human circulatory system does not pass through the mouth in the 20 minutes of recommended swishing time. The swishing of oil, however, induces blood flow in the mouth, which makes teeth stronger. Also, the natural oils absorbed in the mouth contain fatty acids, which are known to improve skin.

    Tips

    • Several different oil-pulling methods and products exist, but even the originator of oil pulling, Dr. Karach, warns people that purchasing materials or special products are unnecessary. In addition, OilPulling.com information goes on to say that people should not substitute oil pulling for legitimate medical care by a licensed doctor.

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