There were a bunch of questions about oil pulling from the last tooth care episode…
So I felt the need to re-address the issue “how effective is oil pulling” with a little more depth. My previous assertion was that it takes too much time to do for benefits that may or may not work as fast as other solutions.
I also have a hard time getting behind spreading information blindly without at least SOME common sense applied to it. 
So let’s see if today’s take on oil pulling is the same or if I have come across some new research that made me change my mind…
Your question of the day: When was the last time you were on PubMed and what did you learn?
Click here, scroll down to the bottom of the page and leave your comments now!
We think tooth soap is a great way to keep your teeth super clean! Here’s where you can get some… www.RenegadeHealth.com/toothsoap
Live Awesome!
Kev
7:26 pm on September 15th, 2009
I’ve never been on PubMed – didn’t even now about til now. I will definitely check it out!
I appreciate all the research you do for us!
8:07 pm on September 15th, 2009
You are fantastic. Thank you for sharing with us the information.
8:13 pm on September 15th, 2009
Well Kevin, I don’t think you really have explained much about the subject, let alone give someone enough information as to whether it is really worth or not worth the time. That was your main point: are there other strategies that are as beneficial or more beneficial as oil pulling but require less time. There is alot more that can be said about oil pulling and the benefits that some have obtained.
I don’t mean to offend or diss but sometimes the shows are kind of useless in terms of information. Sorry.
8:19 pm on September 15th, 2009
PubMed smells like Big Pharma to me, I could be wrong but in light of the diverse connections taking place between Big Pharma, the FDA and other organizations, I can’t help but question the origin of this site.
8:24 pm on September 15th, 2009
Agree with the last commentor – some narrow study showed it was useful for oral hygiene purposes, but what else? Try it for three months – or better yet get 20 people to try it for three months, six months, a year and compare the results. That’s a report I’d be interested to see.
8:26 pm on September 15th, 2009
keep up the info on health and raw food. cuse of u i been looking more in to raw foods and going raw. thanks
8:34 pm on September 15th, 2009
I just slurp the oil and swish it while I am doing other things, so it really takes less time than anything else I could do!
8:39 pm on September 15th, 2009
What is the best way to heal periodontal disease?
8:49 pm on September 15th, 2009
i haven’t been on the site, but I researched oil pulling a while ago and found that unless you do it every day it is useless. I dont have time for all of that!
9:05 pm on September 15th, 2009
What I really appreciate about you, Kevin, is that you do not get caught up in the “mood making” and go after something blindly. A lot of things I would like to have work the miracles, but one must be practical. Regarding oil pulling–I might give it a try, but when I put lots of oil in my mouth and move it around, I start to gag. So I would much rather use tooth soap and a tooth brush.
In India the twigs of the neem tree are used as toothbrushes. You chew on the end to loosen the fibers and then carefully clean the surfaces of the teeth. I have a little ziplock bag of twigs that my husband brought back from India. I use them occasionally–taste a little bitter, but not too bad.
I just asked him about the neem and he said that the neem tree products are also used for diabetes.
9:15 pm on September 15th, 2009
Is that pubmed.com? I never heard of it? So thats a negative I guess.
9:18 pm on September 15th, 2009
I use a very small amount of Sesame oil ea. morning less than one tsp. and less than the time you mentioned. Swish throughout my mouth only for about a minute or two and then spit out, then I use a silver tongue cleanser to pull off what is called AMA from the tongue. That is undigested foods which collect there, and also collect in other parts of the body. An Ayurvedic Doctor told me that Sesame Oil has lots of anti-bacterial & healing properties. I was cured of Fibromyalgia in ‘96 with treatments including Hot Sesame and herbal massages as well as enemas with warm oil/herbs in them. When I asked Deepak Chopra about the massages, he said that Hot Sesame oil opens the energy channels in the body. That type of massage is called Abyanga.
9:20 pm on September 15th, 2009
Forgot to mention that I brush as usual after oil and tongue cleanse, and floss ea. night.
I use a Melaleuca toothpaste.:)
9:21 pm on September 15th, 2009
I am more interested in the claims I’ve heard that oil pulling helps more than just your teeth. I can appreciate and even agree with everything you assert in this episode, but I am still at a loss as to what to think about the grander claims of oil pulling enthusiasts. You might have heard as I have that it can relieve joint pain and chronic headaches, among other things?
As far as PubMed, I like it. I don’t trust Big Pharma, but this looks like a site that just publishes medical studies, allowing for us to come to our own conclusions and research the researchers ourselves as we see fit
9:31 pm on September 15th, 2009
I do go on Pub Med fairly often, don’t remember what for last time–I think I was researching an asthsma medication that a friend had been prescribed. I do use the site as a starting point, knowing full well that it is kind of like sleeping with the enemy, but when I am looking for facts I want all of them, not just some.
9:56 pm on September 15th, 2009
unless you actually subscribe to the journals on pubmed you can’t read the full research paper, a lot of them aren’t available…just the abstracts. if you do a deed and donald harrison search on pubmed you’ll pull up enormous amounts of research on spinal biomechanics and how it relates to physical health. something only chiropractors and yoga instructors talk about. at some point in history with ancient cultures and indigenous peoples,maintaining spinal alignment was as common as brushing teeth is in our culture now. unfortunately we’re living in the most perplexing time ever. poisoned water, dirty air, synthetic clothes, living in square boxes, etc… what a strange yet exciting time to be alive.
10:14 pm on September 15th, 2009
I have been doing oil pulling every day since this past February and I have noticed great benefits. My teeth are definitely whiter, I do have less plaque and my gums are pinker and bleed much less. I did start out with sesame oil but tend to use raw coconut oil instead. I have never done the full fifteen minutes, usually about 7 to 8 minutes and I usually do it during my morning ministrations in the bathroom or shower, so it really doesn’t take any additional time in my day, not that my health isn’t worth it.
And that’s my .02 on it. I try as much as I can on my own body, like you, and I’ve been very happy with oil pulling.
Many hugs to you and AnnMarie!!
XO
Arianna Rose
10:17 pm on September 15th, 2009
Kevin – I reached similar conclusions as you, having done the same research through PubMed, etc. As I said after the 1st show, my experience regarding cleaning out several deep gum pockets seems positive, but the hygienist has the final say. It is not convenient even though I usually do it while walking the dog. I’ve used sesame, palm and coconut oils. I haven’t found much about any sublingual mechanism for the fa’s or other goodies in the different oils. Some have claimed that this could be why some people see effects beyond their mouth…but no data. As for pulling toxins from other parts of the body, well, I don’t see how. The oil becomes whitish primarily through dilution and aeration, as you said (ever make mayonnaise?). On the flip side, a lot of health problems may originate from oral bacteria colonies crossing into the bloodstream and triggering inflammation. Oil pulling (or other mechanisms) may reduce the number of colonies. So poor oral hygiene may contribute to other health issues and improving one’s oral hygiene may help in other areas. Besides oil pulling, I floss, brush with soap and use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide periodically.
10:17 pm on September 15th, 2009
I just have to say that I have received my Tooth Soap and have not have my mouth feel this awesome since I was in High School.
I cannot thank you ENOUGH!!! Even after getting my teeth cleaned at the Periodontist for 1hour and 45mins every 3 mos.
Thank you guys so much!!! This stuff is UNBELIEVABLE and so AMAZING!!
10:21 pm on September 15th, 2009
…and you are changing the health of the world EVERY SHOW!! I am so GRATEFUL!
AND SO IS MY MOUTH.
10:33 pm on September 15th, 2009
I have never heard of PubMed (I’m sorry) However, I would like to mention that I have (had) gum problems in the past. At the moment I see a holistic dentist who is absolutely fantastic. I haven’t tried tooth soap yet but I think I will in the near future. I did my own research and this is the website I would like you to check out. http://www.albrite,com. The method has really worked for me and I still use it periodically. I even had to send the information to the Hippocrates health institute. My husband has a health challenge at the moment and is doing the 3 week program there. He casually mentioned my “gum issue” and they wanted to know about this method. Kevin, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Send me an email.
I have heard about “oil pulling” but I agree with you. I don’t like things like that either if they are too time consuming. I think that there are other very effective methods out there that are less time consuming
10:46 pm on September 15th, 2009
I have used Pub Med a lot to research medical conditions, side effects of medications(for other people), research on herbs and supplements,etc. There is a lot more on Pub Med than prescription drug research. I remember finding a study that showed that bananas helped symptoms of GERD.
I appreciate all the research you do.
Anyway when I was at the Raw and Living Spirit retreat I couldn’t help but notice how white Annmarie’s teeth were.
10:58 pm on September 15th, 2009
Hi Keving:
Acording with Hulda Clarck´s research Oregano Oil is very good to beat bacteria.She recomend brush your teeths with this oil(I, don,t know but a blends of oils could have better results).I,ve never tried oil puling but maybe i would try it.I, ve been trying with a handmade terapeutical toothpaste with Aloe vera,propolis,and tinctures(calendula,mint,clove,others)made by my dentist and its worked very well(i coul stop sensitivity,and some stains).Now i.m using the FLP toothpaste, here in Argentina is one of the better options, is not the healthiest but its works(I hope TootSoap arrive my country some day)
The last time i visit pubmed was for B12 and calcium absorptiop.A lot of information, someone could finish a bit confused.But it could help.Thank you very much for your inspiration and help!
11:09 pm on September 15th, 2009
Which are healthier,black , or green olives?
11:23 pm on September 15th, 2009
Thanks for your comments guys!
Katie, glad the tooth soap is working for you!
Greg, to add some credible opinion to the conversation not just a blanket knock down, would love to see what research you’ve come up with on oil pulling.
Thanks for your contribution!
Kev
11:24 pm on September 15th, 2009
I have checked out PubMed in the past, especially when concerned about a condition and wanted all the info prior to seeing the Dr.
Funny thing…I just started oil pulling last week after having my teeth cleaned and decided to do a test. I do it with Coconut Oil and only in the morning. While I’m swishing I feed the cats, empty the dishwasher, and make my morning drink of Aloe/H2O/Zeolites. Time goes by super fast. I also started using non waxed dental floss that I run tea tree oil over and a Waterpik that I put a tincture of goldenseal and myrrh. Trying out my theory that health is balanced between the mouth,the colon, and what we injest between those two
Can’t really tell much so far, other than I am doing a juice fast this week and the last time I did it my teeth felt very “gunky” – however this time I’ve been doing a high raw diet and much healthier overall.
Good luck to all!
11:26 pm on September 15th, 2009
Never heard of PubMed before…
I’ve been doing oil pulling for about a month. I thought it was helping my tooth pain. But then it flared up really bad. Applying oregano oil deadened the pain (never use it straight or it will burn).
The dentist said my nerve is dying and the periodic pain is a symptom so I’m taking some antibiotics and putting off a root canal.
Anyway I appreciate the fact that you guys try to be straighforward and back up stuff w/research – there is too much hype and new age type mumbo jumbo floating around the raw food stuff.
11:33 pm on September 15th, 2009
Just want to say still loving the tooth soap! I like having my mouth n-o-t feeling like paste when I’m done, and instead it just feels clean.
Thanks Kevin – I love you guys and keep up the great work, I always look forward to your show at the end of my day!
Amy
11:36 pm on September 15th, 2009
I use oil pulling for lots of reasons, and plaque is one of the more minor ones. I was fairly satisfied with my oral hygiene before I started OP, but I tried it mainly to help with candida, fatigue, and a longstanding infection in my jaw where I have a dental implant. It has helped clear up the infection that I have had for 15 years, my tongue is pinker, so it’s helping to some degree with candida, and my mouth is generally cleaner, which takes a load off of my immune system and helps me ward of infections.
Another benefit I found was a reduction in sinus congestion and infections. The first week I did OP, each day another of my sinuses cleared, and they stay clear as long as I do the OP. So, this is about more than teeth and plaque. Check out the testimonials at earthclinic if you are not convinced.
BTW, I do OP during dead time, like showering or doing the dishes, so it doesn’t take time out of my day.
11:42 pm on September 15th, 2009
I heard of Pubmed from you on a previous show, but I have not checked it out. I have heard of oil pulling and tried it a few times but with coconut oil. Kevin did you say something at some time about maybe arranging for a deal on tooth soap? I’ve tried tooth soap before but the shreads kind. I would like to try the liquid one.
Deanna
11:54 pm on September 15th, 2009
I first heard about oil pulling in Mikhail Tombak’s book, “Can We Live 150 Years?” He calls it oil sucking and says that Siberian healers have been using it for generations. He says to do it first thing in the morning for 30 minutes. In 30 minutes you’ve 3.5-4.0 quarts of blood through the mouth area. He says best results are to use it daily for 1-6 months. It’s on page 209/210 if you have the book. No, I don’t have perfect memory, LOL! I had to search for that one! Both his books are worth buying. He’s from Russia. Obviously they are not all on a raw food diet but the books are about far more than food. We can learn a lot from healers in other countries and I’m very happy that these got translated.
Yes, I’ve heard of pubmed and use it now again when I get analytical medical types wanting to know stuff. I don’t really believe in medical studies anyway since they are usually funded by someone who has a financial interest. Pubmed is good in that you can also find studies from other countries though where the bias is not as strong. I’ve looked up most of the medicinal mushrooms and there are studies there as well as other herbs. It’s not just drugs.
Interesting topic. I hate oil pulling myself. It’s gross to have a mouth full of oil but it certainly has benefits!
12:13 am on September 16th, 2009
I’m just catching up on a few episodes here, so I wonder if I just might ask a question. Are amalgam fillings still common in North America?
I only have a couple of fillings, but when I had the last one done in New Zealand about four years ago, I first checked to make sure there was no mercury going in my mouth.
The dentist gave me a look like I was calling him a witch doctor and said that his practice certainly did not use amalgams.
2:21 am on September 16th, 2009
I worked in research from 00-’06. So just work related. I should get on the stick.
5:34 am on September 16th, 2009
I have found oil-pulling marvelous in the past with awesome noticable results.
I bought some oil over the wkd to jump back into the spirit of things… tomorrow shall be a fresh beginning, yaayyy
As a couple of people above have mentioned, I too swished it around whilst doing things, no one says you have to stand there for 20 minutes and swish, so my cat gets fed, I have a shower and the routine becomes apart of you and yup, even though at first I wanted to gak, after 5 days of full 20 minute cycles, I accustomed…. just like most things when you give it some time
I stuck with it because of outstanding results mentioned by various people above!
xpeacex and healthy experimentation to you all
p.s. I’m studying Naturopathy and we are told about Pubmed a fair bit by individual lecturers. I use it regularly, but it is not a prerequisite to utilise! I find it beneficial for guidance to help with backing up new and old findings. x
6:37 am on September 16th, 2009
I started oil pulling one week ago. My teeth feel so clean. I suffer from gum disease and look forward to my next dental cleaning exam to see if they see any results. I beleive in ayurvedic medicine and oil pulling is mentioned in ayurveda. It is not difficult to oil pull in the morning while doing other tasks and the 20 minutes goes by fast. In the tooth soap that Kevin reccomemded it has oil so I think that the oil must be helpful weither you get it in the tooth soap or from oil-pulling. Also oil pulling costs less that the tooth soap which to me seems expensive. Don’t get me wrong I’m willing to spend the money but I feel that a lot of home remedys work as well as commercial products but cost a lot less.I use the ayurvedic “King” of oils, sesame oil. Weither you choose oil-pulling, tooth soap, neen sticks, vitamin D therapy or other dental health practices you must be agressive with your dental care. I lost my brother in-law two years ago because his Drs beleived that his severe gum disease went into his blood stream and it lead to inflamation in his body and lead to his massive heart attack and stroke.
7:22 am on September 16th, 2009
THANK YOU ANGELS FOR ALL THIS FREE INFO YOU PROVIDE, YOU ARE BOTH LOOKING MORE AND MORE ANGELIC AND GLOWING WITH HEALTH AS TIME GOES BY
7:31 am on September 16th, 2009
I was on there yesterday. I am doing my thesis on raw food athletes. Currently I have been studying the high levels of homocysteine in raw foodist and how this can lead to Alzymiers, depression, and nerve damage. Conclusion: Raw foodists MUST take a B12 supplement. I’m a fan of the shot. Works best for me b/c the pills aren’t absorbed well in my gut (even though I have high intrinsic factor – weird).
Sarah
8:54 am on September 16th, 2009
Kym, you can check mercola’s website, and you’ll find all the latest info and all you need to know about mercury in the US.
I didn’t know about pubmed, i’ll check it out.
I’ve been doing oil pulling for about a month.
I started with olive oil, and recently switched to sesame oil. I notice that my plaque is diminishing, my tongue is clearing up (have candida that’s almost gone), and I don’t feel any more inflammation in my root canals (and I taste the pus coming out of 3 teeth for years). I’ve been focussing on those dead teeth, so I try to “suck” between the teeth, using the oil. Not sure if inflammation stopped (it was hot and a bit swollen) because of OP but I feel better because of it, and also my body wants to do it. I do it in the morning, first thing when I wake up, bathroom, wash face, feed the fish, plan the day, prepare the tea or electrolyte drink….plenty of time, to check for myself if something that’s low cost and DIY can improve my health.
9:19 am on September 16th, 2009
Oil pulling sounds disgusting to me — sorry. It would make me gag. Even reading about it makes me want to run to the bathroom. Ugh!
Haven’t yet checked out PubMed but it sounds like a valuable research resource from what others have said.
Good work, Kevin and AnnMarie.
9:50 am on September 16th, 2009
Last week I wrote and asked you about any info re: itching/rash on my neck-well I had forgotten that I also had been adding Goji berries in my green smoothies-that was something I had been trying after I saw some info you mentioned about them. That was the only thing I was doing differently-so I quit using them and no more itching! so much for anti-aging benefits fo the Goji berries for me!
just wanted to share that info with you.
(mickey) Michele Ivers in Ar.
10:52 am on September 16th, 2009
Haven’t been to PubMed yet, but I have heard you refer to it before.
Not sure if I would try the Oil Pulling.
At the moment I use the Tooth Soap, Tooth Whitener (once a week), and the Tooth Swish (by the same company that does the Tooth Soap). The Tooth Swish is great for when I’m on the go and can’t brush my teeth. I take it on road trips too.
12:09 pm on September 16th, 2009
I did oil swishing for 2 months, to fix a problem tooth, I have done tea tree and its great but didn’t do what I needed for my tooth, I also had to stop the swishing because I lost 30lbs that I DIDN”T have to lose, while swishing, and I didn’t change anything in my diet or life except the swishing! Now am working HARD to try and gain weight, so far no luck! I have many friends now oil swishing but none have had the weight loss I did! I believe in it completely!
Now I am looking for something more affordable than the tooth soap as all of my natural toothpastes have glycerin etc. in them, grrrrrrr Ü
12:12 pm on September 16th, 2009
Thank you for your information. I’ve never been to PubMed and like many others, I totally don’t trust Big Pharma or the FDA and feel something needs to be done about them. I have used Tea Tree Oil mouthwash for quite some time now and am very happy with it. I swoosh after every meal, before bed and upon waking. Also use the tea tree oil toothpaste.
12:21 pm on September 16th, 2009
PubMed is a clearinghouse of peer-reviewed publications within the scientific community. It is much more far-reaching than simply “big pharma”, although certainly if research that has the involvement of a pharmaceutical company meets the criteria, it will be available.
All research that has been approved as having credible findings by the greater scientific community via journals, review boards, and multiple levels of oversight are published and are available at PubMed.
They are considered a credible source of information.
I use them regularly. My husband has a subscription through his work.
The purported benefits of “Oil pulling” are, IMO, nonsense. But do whatever makes you feel good, as they say.
12:47 pm on September 16th, 2009
I’m very similar, been doing OP for a month with coconut oil. I do it in the morning during chores, takes no time at all. Hard to imagine so many people knocking it w/out even TRYING it, will cost you a small pit of oil. I found it to be very simple, on top of the above mentioned benefits, I am also noticing the loss in weight. I think it not only absorbs and moistens the mouth, but possibly gets into your bloodstream for other good benefits. Yes, no one has time to officially try EVERY possible experiment. But I would encourage everyone to try this for yourself. You’ll get used to the oil in your mouth. Try coconut oil, I’ve found it to be very easy. I’m not giving up on this one. Cheers. /Doug.
2:53 pm on September 16th, 2009
To Ineke, I checked out the website you recommended. Can you say a little about how it helped you, what did it help to clear specifically? Do you have to inject into the gums as it kinda looks like it? Thanks Ann
3:45 pm on September 16th, 2009
Hi Kevin
to pull or not to pull.,,
I tried oil pulling for several reasons and I think its effectiveness depends on what your health problems are. I found that my headaches and sinus problems decreased to almost nothing over 3 months.
This is how I think it works.
If you take the beleif that ‘oil will attract water’ then as you swish the oil round your mouth this attracts all the watery liquid from round your mouth and near the nose area etc,.. When you spit it out, then whatever bacteria etc, was in the that watery stuff is what you get rid of. Does not mean it wont come back but for that moment that day I could definitly smell that morning bacteria smell
Over time I could feel my sinuses drain, ( in about 10 mins after swishing) then less headaches,etc,.. I do wonder what my tissues were holding on to/ or what is it that would not go by other means?
((I am 2/3 raw vegan all year and was vegan no refined sugar before that for 8 yrs))
It is possible that I had some toxins in that watery stuff that comes from your body tissues as I have not had anything like the headaches or sinus problems since doing that about 6 months ago.
I even tried a couple of foods just to see if the same problem would come back and nothing so far.
3:49 pm on September 16th, 2009
HI Kevin
I also think that the oil swishing did make more saliver which in turn did help my digestive system, as I never had any issues during the time I was doing the oile swishing. The enzyme in the saliver increased I believe? with the increased amount of saliver?
Jeni
love johhny 5
3:55 pm on September 16th, 2009
As embarrassing as this is for me, I will tell you my story anyway to see if anyone can explain it to me. I started OP about 3 weeks ago with a baking soda gargle after and loved it. My mouth hasn’t been this clean EVER, but…… one of my many crowns fell out and I had to go get it put back on. I cannot afford to have my fillings start falling out, financially or emotionally. I want to keep doing it b/c its much cheaper than tooth soap for the whole family. Any answers as to why this happens? I found out it happens alot with OP.
4:13 pm on September 16th, 2009
never heard of pubmed.
love to OP with coconut oil. make sure to spit in the garbage not down the drain.
5:46 pm on September 16th, 2009
PubMed, and its parent site NBCI are good sites for all types of research papers.
Betty,
you should check out this site for information about olives:
http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=46
The green are unripe, but some of the black ones may also be unripe.
6:07 pm on September 16th, 2009
Kevin,
Here’s a site that has a lot of “how to” info below the feedback links at the top. There are quite a few responses of people’s experiences with various oils.
http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/oil_pulling.html
6:21 pm on September 16th, 2009
Kevin or anyone who can answer me please ,Isn´t possible to use coloidal silver liquid as a mouth washer . As this is a very high antibacterial liquid … I think It could work , Don´t you think ? or is any problems with the metal amalgams and the silver particles creating some kind of electrostatic charge on the mouth that could be dangerous …. I am just gessing … Anyone knows ?
6:29 pm on September 16th, 2009
Hi Kevin,
Loved the info but as someone who knows nothing about the subject i am left with questions.
Is it ordinary sesame oil that you buy in a supermarket or a special kind. Once you spit it out do you rinse your mouth, brush your teeth or do anything or does it REPLACE brushing your teeth. Does it affect your breath in a positive /negative way?
If using coconut oil I’m assuming it has to be the liquid form, and does it matter what type of oil as alot of people above used different types. Does the oil need to be organic, cold pressed, or is any sesame oil okay?
Thanks in advance for your answers and have a great day.
9:51 pm on September 16th, 2009
Bonjour Kevin,
yes, I use daily Pubmed because of my work as researcher in medical schools or University. Mostly you get access to abstracts. Working at University give me access to almost all medical peer-reviewed journals. Pubmed is only a search engine for medical/scientific publications worldwide. It is not link to big pharma industry. You have to check if the papers is link to any financial interest with food or drug coorporations.
I will try the OP. I never hear about this. thank for the informations. I usually use tooth soap, baking powder and hydrogen peroxide. I am out of hydrogen peroxide and it is not available in France. I use the commercial tooth waste liquid, but I don’t like it because of alcohol inside. let try oil: did it work with cold pressed olive oil or cold press rapseed oil too ?
thank from France
12:56 am on September 17th, 2009
Hello again,
I recommended oil pulling to an older friend after researching its apparently marvelous affects. Not a month later he called me raving about how his receding gums were no longer receding. He also explained how his chronic neck pain that he’d had for many years was gone. I realize this isn’t a personal experience but it’s as close to personal as I’ve experienced. Oil pulling was the only regimen he was partaking in and noticed major beneficial results soon after beginning. Could it be that the oil has anti bacterial properties and his neck pain was due to an unobvious oral infection or does it work through another mechanism that we just aren’t able to currently comprehend? The proof is in the pudding as I would say.
Has anyone heard of earthclinic.com? It’s a site that features hundreds if not thousands of folk remedies but it also publishes members comments as to the effectiveness of the treatments. I have used this site for many remedies and it does contain numerous working, natural remedies.
Check out http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/oil_pulling14.html for their comments on oil pulling. For sesame oil alone, there are 53 success stories for oil pulling. Proof in the pudding?
I’ve been researching, studying, experimenting, and living natural health for many years and pubmed is one of the last places I’d look for credible research for the following reasons:
1) Reductionism
2) Credible unbiased peer reviewers are hardly ever credible and never unbiased
3)Most studies are sponsored by drug companies or organizations with huge ties to the industry
4) Follow the money
I’m not saying there isn’t credible research scattered through out their advertised 19 million citations for biomedical articles, but would you want to base your opinions of effective health treatments on studies that have a very high staticital chance of being corrupt, biased, and influenced by the Pharmicudical industry? An industry that in 2002, with the 10 drug companies listed on the fortune 500, made a profit of $35.9 billion; more than all other 490 fortune 500 companies combined. An industry that has continousally downplayed, slandered, and outright lied about the effectiveness of natural cures in turn for making their drugs the only option.
My apologies for the length of this post but when I’ve got something to say, I say it.
Kevin, your book High-Raw is on the top of the list of books I recommend to my clients.
Thanks for doing what do you and doing it so well.
1:39 pm on September 17th, 2009
I did not know about PubMed but will check it out.
I have not tried oil pulling but have recently become quit interested in it so I think I’ll give it a try tomorrow morning while doing my morning chores and will use coconut oil. I heard Dr Bruce speak about the benefits of PO with coconut oil which is why I am choosing CO. Currently I floss and then brush with Avena Originals Tooth Oil which is a blend of essential oils of almond, peppermint, and spearmint which does a really nice job of eliminating plaque and maintaining healthy gums.
Eventually, I plan on trying the tooth soap that Kevin recommended and comparer results.
3:53 pm on September 17th, 2009
Pubmed is just an indexing of abstracts of MANY research articles from MANY scientific journals, but certainly not all. If an article is available for free, Pubmed also provides that link. You can also request a free PDF copy of an article through the corresponding author of any article on Pubmed, rather than buying it through the journal.
Sources of funding for individual pieces of work are widely variable, including no funding in some cases. And, the reviewers are unique to the journals themselves, not some kind of Pubmed review kangaroo court that looks at everything. Not a conspiracy thing at all. If a journal is indexed by Pubmed, all astracts of that journal will be published on Pubmed. But, Pubmed is not inclusive of every kind of information one may want.
I use it frequently and decide on the value of a particular piece of research based on its subjects, materials, and methods. I also find no small amount of alternative medicine and chiropractic information on Pubmed.
Pubmed is funded by taxpayer money through the National Institutes of Health, BTW.
5:09 pm on September 17th, 2009
Every now and then I get a pus blister in the roof of my mouth. The first time I had a doctor drain it with a needle and syringe to see what was in it. An infection of some sort either from my teeth or possibly nasal sinus. Anyway, I tried oil pulling about a year ago using WAY TOO MUCH olive oil. Managed to swish for about 15 minutes. About 8 hours later I was sucking on the bump (couldn’t stop because it hurt and was annoying) and the blister burst. I spit up stuff in the sink with a lot of blood. Has happened at least 3 more times and I just use about a tablespoonful of olive oil and swish until the enzymes? dissolve the oil to watery consistency. About 8 hours later the blister wall weakens and bursts. Then it completely recedes like I never had one in a day or so. I tend to get them when drinking a certain brand of bottled orange juice (orange plastic bottle white lid). Just another tragedy simply healed with the help of oil pulling!
8:47 pm on September 17th, 2009
Kevin:
does tooth mineralization happen on the surface of the tooth? or does this happen from within/inside the tooth?
OP: I have some reservations or concerns, I can see that the oil would asphixiate the mouth bacteria and possible feed/soothe the gum mucosal lining of the mouth, but could it also prevent remineralization from happening due to the slickness left on the tooth surface afterward? and could it also loosen any dental cements used to adhere crown and fillings thereby causing filings and crowns to become loose and eventually fall out completely?
OP sounds like a good thing, just wondering if there are any drawbacks longterm?
Thanx for the information.
11:14 pm on September 17th, 2009
All this info is great. But my main problem with my teeth is that I have lost most of my enamel.
How do I get it back???
2:45 pm on September 18th, 2009
Awesome information. Thanks Kevin!! Re Xylitol…I’ve heard as little as 2 pieces of gum with Xylitol can make a dog sick or even kill a dog, and some people have bad reactions to it as well.
12:48 am on September 19th, 2009
PubMed.com
Wonderful resource. I researched what was the core issue for a brain tumor… found out it had everything to do with silver fillings…
12:50 am on September 19th, 2009
Hey Kev… you may also want to check out Ascended Health’s Oralive Toothpaste… it rocks!!
http://www.AcendedHealth.com
5:46 pm on September 19th, 2009
I just did a search for my dad regarding rowan berries (Sorbus aucuparia), because my grandmother use the berries as a supplement at home. Couldnt find anything useful tho as he wanted to know if there are actual health benefits related to the fruit or if its actually just smack.
Never been on the PubMed website before, maybe cause i’m norwegian and just a uni student – but i am gonna start using it now! thanks for that Kevin!
5:26 am on September 20th, 2009
Hi kevin,
I have a friend who I introduced to oil pulling as she has fibromyalgia and she swears by it. She states she has less body pain. Also she has really bad teeth as she is unable to tolerate the meds for numbing the teeth and therefore doesn’t go to the dentist, but she claims oil pulling has helped her mouth pain go down to zero. She also had a sensitive mouth before whereas she has no problems now. BTW, I never told her what she would experience if she tried oil pulling and she had never heard of it. She doesn’t even own a computer.
I oil pull also and love the way it makes my mouth feel. (coconut oil). Something else people should try is chewing on hard substances. I use a good teething ring. I used to have a lot of mouth soreness and pain – relating to bad teeth – but I’m trying to save them without doing root canals or pulling them, anyway I have no more tooth pain anywhere is my mouth after doing this for several days (5 min. twice a day). I heard this from Victoria Boutenkas(?).
Everyone should try it.
Oh and no I don’t get on PubMed. I get my info from other herbalists and alternative medicine sources.
Thanks for all your input.
5:08 pm on September 22nd, 2009
Kevin,long before I found your site, I searced large central heriations of C4, C5, C6 at pub med, I still am working.Three neuro-sugergens later I am still out here. They want me to ware a braclet and they want to fuse four out of seven bones in my neck.100 % outcome =more surgery in 2 years. Any ideas’ I know I am a hard case. With hope there is hope. Prayer circles and intention help ,feel free to inclued me. Thank you
12:34 pm on September 24th, 2009
While checking into oil pulling for possible last minute inclusion into my upcoming book on oral/systemic medicine, I came upon this offering. I feel your conclusion about the cost/benefit ratio of oil pulling is likely correct. Think of all the other positive behaviors that one could impact using that time differently unless you can work meditation into the whole game. It appears that oil pulling works mainly on cavity-causing bacteria. Gum disease from improper removal of anaerobic bacteria below the gums causes far more widespread damage through inflammatory pathways that will be reviewed in “Killer Smiles; Do You Have Killer Smile or is Your Smile Killing YOU?” Everyone knows that it impacts diabetes and heart disease, but osteoporosis, pregnancy outcomes, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s are less known.
If you are looking to decrease cavities, saliva and xylitol play independent, but beneficial roles. Saliva has an enormous buffering capacity to neutralize acids caused by bacteria feeding on fermentable carbohydrates. So yes,even chewing wax can increase saliva flow if a dry mouth is not caused by diabetes, Sjogrens, prescription meds, etc. Gum chewing can increase salvia flow by about 10 times. Older people are at high risk for gum line cavities because their saliva flow is often compromised, as is the texture and consistency of it.
Adding xylitol works in part because cavity-causing bacteria begin to prefer it over other sugars, if the dose and time exposure is correct. But they can’t metabolize it so they quit producing the acids that cause cavities and that make their own existence tenable. The workable dosage from studies is 1 gram in gum 4X a day for five minutes over six weeks. Makes sense to chew it after every meal and then once after a snack. Spry gum and lozenges and Theragum and Theramints can be found in many health food stores. The other gums that advertise xylitol also contain sorbitol and manitol which dilutes the xylitol. Also bacteria can feed off of these sugars.
Hope this helps.
2:21 pm on September 26th, 2009
AnnMarie Gittleman says that xylitol nourishes the streptomucans virus that causes tooth decay. hmmm….
1:11 pm on January 22nd, 2010
I use PubMed all the time. As an organic farmer and recent agricultural college grad as well as an anti-GMO activist, it really pays to know the studies that have been done on topics you feel passionate about. You’d be surpised how much amazingly useful information is available there.
12:10 pm on February 21st, 2010
Sharon said:
“11:54 pm on September 15th, 2009
I first heard about oil pulling in Mikhail Tombak’s book, “Can We Live 150 Years?” He calls it oil sucking and says that Siberian healers have been using it for generations. He says to do it first thing in the morning for 30 minutes. In 30 minutes you’ve 3.5-4.0 quarts of blood through the mouth area.”
Okay, so here’s what I don’t get:
If you pull 3-4 quarts of blood through the mouth area during a 30 minute time frame, aren’t the ‘toxins’ or bacteria around the teeth also being pulled throughout the bloodstream?
Doesn’t make sense.
???