Oil Pulling

I had intended on blogging about oil pulling not long after I started it.  For a few days I had even tried writing down things I was "experiencing," however it didn't take long to realize I wasn't experiencing anything after just a few days. Recently, however, I was discussing oil pulling with someone I know and then two days later I came across an article in my Yahoo! news feed about oil pulling.  I realized it was time to tell my story.

I first came across the term "oil pulling" about 8 months ago.  I did some online research and found that oil pulling is said to have a ton of amazing benefits.  The idea in its simplest form is that you have A LOT of bacteria in your mouth, which enters your body through your gums; pulling oil through your teeth (not swishing) for just 20 minutes a day helps rid your mouth of this bacteria and therefore your body as well.

I've done a lot of research on oil pulling and the list of supposed benefits is extensive; it claims to help with things from curing arthritis to simply whitening your teeth.  Suspicious? Me too.  I wasn't convinced of all the benefits when I started oil pulling and quite frankly I'm still not completely sure that pulling oil through your teeth will cure eczema. (However, just because I don't believe it doesn't mean it isn't true.)

With that said, I do oil pulling for (approximately) 20 minutes (almost) every morning and my teeth are whiter and  breath fresher, but I wouldn't be blogging about it, if that was all I got out of oil pulling.  You may be skeptical (and I don't blame you) but the biggest thing oil pulling has helped "cure" is something very personal that I've only ever discussed with my husband and doctors (some things just aren't meant to be shared with the world).  Since the age of 20, I've been dealing with frequent and random recurring pain; a pain so severe that lasted for so long I had to call in sick to work.  Eventually, sometimes hours later, the pain subsides but not before ruining dates with Brad, or dinners and drinks with friends, as well as work and other important events.

I've been to several doctors, who diagnosed me from having cancer to being "perfectly healthy."  I couldn't then and still cannot comprehend how I can be in so much pain and be considered "perfectly healthy."  With no where else to turn and nothing to lose, I started oil pulling. It's list of supposed benefits is extremely long and quite frankly I was at the end of my rope and losing hope.

Great News!!! 

I've not had any pain since I started oil pulling.  I know what you're thinking and it's true, it COULD just be a coincidence, and maybe my writing this blog post will jinx it, but unless something changes I have no intentions of giving up oil pulling any time soon, even if some people think it's crazy.

What have YOU got to lose? More importantly, consider what it is you may GAIN from trying something a little out of the norm.  It's time to get a little crazy and give OIL PULLING a try!

• Oil pulling should be the first thing you do in the morning, before you eat or drink anything. I pull while I'm doing my makeup and hair.
• Put about 1 Tablespoon of oil in your mouth. I personally use Sunflower Seed Oil but many people choose coconut oil.  Coconut oil is a solid which turns liquid at 75 degrees.  When you put it in your mouth you have to, sort of, chew it first to liquify the oil before you can start pulling. It's a little weird.
• Pull the oil through your teeth for 20 minutes.  Do not swish the oil around in your mouth, it does not have the same effect.
• DO NOT SWALLOW THE OIL - spit it out in the sink and rinse with water.

The first few times I tried oil pulling, I gagged and had to spit the oil out early.  That's normal (apparently it's from all the bacteria coming out of your gums).  Keep at it, if you have to spit half way through just put another tablespoon in and keep going.  You won't see immediate results, but give it a genuine try, you never know what it might cure for you.