Oil Pulling. Has anyone heard of this?

[gradgirl]

I was just wasting time on the internet and found something about a natural remedy called "oil pulling," where you swish 1Tbs of cold pressed oil for 15-20 min 2-3x a day and it's supposed to cure all sorts of ailments, including skin problems.  Has anyone heard of this or tried it?  I guess it removes toxins in the body in some way. (it's ayurvedic, I guess.)  From what I've read, I'm not completely convinced of its super properties, but apparently the general consensus is that it makes your teeth really white and strengthens the gums.  Think I'll give it a shot, if only to shape up my choppers! 

There aren't many sites that come up on a goggle search ("oil pulling"), but check it out for yourself as the procedure is a bit complicated, (empty stomach, potential additives like peppermint oil, lots of water after, etc.), and there are some warnings to check out, like if you have metal fillings. 
I'd love to hear if anyone has tried this or knows more.  I'll let you know if I experience other benefits. 

[EX-itchell]

Hi gradgirl,

I think I've probably had something like this, although it was done in India, and part of much more ayurvedic treatment.  I don't believe oil pulling is going to do anything much for you, other than relax you greatly.  I do however believe that ayurvedic treatment can work, and recommend eating in order to get the toxins out of the liver which is also ayurvedic treatment.

I didn't look to see what country you are from, but many people (in the UK) who say they practise ayurvedic treatments aren't ayurvedic trained.  You should go to an ayurvedic doctor, and have massages by people recommended by them.  Those massages are very vigorous and stimulate the blood, and get it really moving around the body, which those with skin problems can benefit from.  Massages of this type are recommended as part of overall ayurvedic treatment.

Good luck,

EX-itchell

[gradgirl]

Thanks, EX-itchell!
Yeah, I'm based in Chicago, actually, and I hope to delve more into Ayruvedic therapies, which I'm sure are around here somewhere.  I have HS, and actually using turmeric (also Ayruvedic) has made a bigger differance than the oil pulling, but Lord knows I need foster the relaxation.  It certainly can't hurt as I'm in grad school right now (hence the moniker) and the stress has reached epic proportions. (But I'm sure my teeth are whiter, for whatever reason.)

As you say, it needs to be part of an overall overhaul.  I don't do the pulling as religiously as I should, but I did have another flare that I think the oil pulling really helped to mediate it as soon as I tried it, and if I do it in conjunction with some other things, I hope to be in a better physical and mental place to meet the HS challenge.  It's not a cure-all, but in addition to other therapies it does seem to help.

I'd love for the docs to realize that skin problems (skin being the largest organ of the body) are indications of wholistic and systemic challenges.  They treat the symptoms, but not the problems.  What I love about Ayruvedic medicine is that it takes the opposite approach and reaches the same outcome, and it makes the entire organism healthier in the process.
Thanks for the reply and your advice.
Best wishes.

[Aquababe241]

Hi...

I did oil pulling with a pinch of solid coconut oil (melts in mouth) and sucked each day for 10 minutes for the whole of September....my skin looked very good by October, but then I was also having fish and cucumber every day and sleeping a lot...so maybe that helped too.

I still oil pull but not as often.

Aquababe