Just wanted to post my update... it's been 16 days of oil pulling.. I'm sure my inner health is improving like everyone says, but being vain (as most of us are), I'm still waiting on the outward results. I'll keep you posted!

Hi all, I'm new to this forum... I'm a 25yo female and just stumbled across this forum last month when i just discovered the bumps on my skin had a name and was something very very common!!! You could say my KP was a mild case as I have only really had it on my legs - mainly my thighs but also a bit on my lower legs. I have never had it on my arms or elsewhere. What I had on my legs was quite bumpy skin that looked like permanent goosebumps. There was rarely any redness but that would be as I live in a pretty warm climate, as I've noticed when it is cold the redness comes with the bumps. Wouldn't be worried about that though since in that weather my legs are covered anyway!

I used to always wonder why I had such bumpy skin and wanted smooth skin on my legs. Then i discovered this forum and was so excited to start OP! So I started OP on 22 Nov 07 with organic untoasted cold-pressed sesame oil. I pull with 1-2 tablespoons for 20mins daily, followed by rinse & gargle with sea salt water, then breakfast.

So I have been pulling for just over a month now and have definitely seen some great improvements. My KP on my legs is 80% better - the bumps have largely disappeared and the skin feels smooth. It's only when you see my legs under the sun that you see there are still bumps there, but nothing like before. I did notice that my KP seemed to shift a bit during the course of my OP, like moving to parts of my leg that did not seem to have it before. It also got very bumpy at certain stages, which I assume means it was coming more to the surface and drying up before disappearing. So my advice to people starting OP for KP is to be patient, and if you see strange things happening then don't be alarmed, as this may happen before it all changes for the better and keeps getting better.

Aside from my big KP improvements, my skin is WAY smoother than before. I have always had dry skin before, and never took supplements or barely use moisturiser AND I don't eat seafood, meaning I'm not getting any EFAs. Well NOW unlike ever before, my skin feels baby smooth from KP and hydrated like it's never been. This is definitely from the KP, as they only skin routine I'm doing differently than before is rubbing virgin organic coconut oil into my skin occasionally (once a week?) - which is also great for your skin.

What else? My teeth are visibly whiter, which was the first and most immediate improvement I saw. So KP, smoother skin and whiter teeth are the results I have noticed so far. I'm sure it's doing much more, I just may not notice it and I'm a relatively healthy person anyway who rarely gets sick.

I am confident that in time my KP will be totally gone and I will continue to get the other benefits of KP. Can't wait! Thanks everyone for all your invaluable info and help and good luck to all

kebod, i stopped oil pulling some weeks ago because i ran out of coconut oil and never had the chance to buy a new one, but i want to ask your opinion on a couple of things.... when i oil pull my chins crease seems to be getting deeper from swishing the oil and puffing up the cheeks, do you have any reccomendation? also ive noticed that when i quickly swish the oil back and forth i get better results than moving it around slowly.... just thought you'd like to know

Kristen,

OP is causing wonderful inner benfits. I feel that what we see on the exterior is the reflection of those inner changes. I hope you stay with it.

NYK,

If you feel you get better results with more swishing action, do whatever is best for you. I haven't heard anyone before mention "chin creases". Maybe this is because of your more active motion. My cheeks barely puff up when I do it, and I don't see any chin crease occurring, so .... hmmm ... guess it's because I do it super slow with a minimum of motion.

Zuckerkeks,

What a wonderful post! I'm so glad you are seeing results! Thank you for sharing with us. Be aware of more changes that may happen over time, some subtle and easy to miss. Please post again

kebod

hi all, i haven't had the time to properly read all the posts since the creation of this thread, but have made it a 1/3 of a way through it all and i must say it sounds very promising and exciting. recently i underwent a medical procedure called a thyroidectomy, in which my entire thyroid was removed and now am currently on medication to rebuild it. my question is (my apologies if the answer or something similar has already been posted), is it safe to practice this technique while taking medication? i know many of you OP early in the morning, and i'm concerned since i'm supposed to take my medication during breakfast. i have mild/serious KP on my upper arms and back just to give a brief description of my case. any help would be greatly appreciated and once again thank you all for sharing your testimonials positive or negative. it's inspiring to see people with the same condition come together to find ways to help each other overcome it.

Hi M.U.,

If you try oil pulling, do it first thing in the morning before breakfast. Then take your meds as usual at breakfast time. OP does not cause problems with medication, though I wouldn't take them before OP.

I hope you try this because I think it could only have a positive impact on your over-all health.

kebod

thanks kebod, really appreciate the help. i'll keep you guys posted with my progress and results.

NB CORRECTION: hi all... referring to my post of a few days ago, I just wanted to make a correction - when I said "Well NOW unlike ever before, my skin feels baby smooth from KP and hydrated like it's never been. This is definitely from the KP", I meant to say my smooth skin is definitely from OP, not KP!! As far as I know, KP has never been synonymous with smooth skin!!

PS: I've noticed different people on this forum from time to time asking if it's safe to OP whilst pregnant, taking medication etc. Well, just my opinion but I don't think OP can do any harm to anyone regardless of any medical condition. I'm pretty sure OP would have NO contra-indications whatsoever as it is not like you're ingesting anything into your body. Other detox methods such as taking herbs are different as there will always be contra-indications - or in other words, certain herbs can CLASH with certain medical conditions and should be avoided at all costs.

With OP however, I can't see it possibly doing any harm or being something that should be avoided in certain situations since it is not something being ingested OR applied topically etc. Having said that, like any other detox process, "negative" results (eg KP doing worsening; pimples etc) can happen as part of the process as the body clears the way being ending up healthier than before. These things are just temporary though and if anything are a good sign, as it represents the body trying to rid itself of ****.

Please correct me anyone if I'm wrong, but I don't think anyone need worry about OP in conjunction with anything else. Thanks

Day 23 of OP...i'm sticking with it. I'm about finished with my first bottle of sesame oil, so it's time to go back to the store. Should I buy the same oil, or would you recommended switching it up to sunflower oil or something different?

Kristen,

Why don't you try a different oil. It is a good idea to change oil every 30 days or so -- whenever you notice that you aren't getting a good mouthful of saliva anymore. Maybe try coconut or sunflower.

kebod

I OP'd for the first time in a long time last night.
Worked up a lot of saliva pretty quick
But I slept really well.. which was nice.

Lately I havent been able to sleep and I've even resorted to taking gravol to help me sleep. (They're tiny little dot like pills but you can really count on that side effect of drowsiness)

Anyways I'm going to OP again later on today.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil for me

I'd like to try coconut later on... something to keep in mind for sure.

Take care everyone!


* x. Endless

EW,

That's interesting that you can OP late in the day and then have a good night's sleep. For many, myself included, OP in the evening can cause extra energy and alertness so that it is difficult to fall asleep. That you worked up a lot of saliva quickly is a good sign. When this doesn't happen anymore, it's time to switch to a different oil.

And it is also interesting that you are using olive oil. It has so many good qualities, but can also have a heavier taste and feel. I'm glad to hear you are having good results with it.

kebod

Hi zuckerkeks - The exception i would point out to your statement about OPing while pregnant is regarding flaxseed and any other oils that would have phytoestrogen content. Flaxseed's estrogen-mimickers are in the lignans. I noticed lots of hormonal activity when I was OPing high lignan flaxseed oil.
SO, I can easily imagine feeling some of its effects if I was pregnant at the time - especially extra nausea. I would think someone should 1) check out the info available on their preferred oil and 2) check with their OB or ND or whoever regarding the extra estrogenic activity potential. My OB frankly thinks you'd have to eat a truckload of flaxseed to feel the effects but he is a HE firstly and hasn't experienced the effects and he's also primarily a surgeon so I consider that with his opinions. (Let me point out that obstetric surgery has saved my life at least twice so I am a big supporter!)
look to here for general lignan info:
Estrogen management and flax lignans
- bd

Hey everyone, thanks a lot for all the tips. I had never heard of oil pulling until I came on here. I gave it a go this morning with Sunflower Oil but found the sensation quite disgusting and I hate the oileyness of it. I think I also swallowed tiny amounts a few times and hated that sensation. I only lasted about 10 minutes but hopefully I can build that up. I might try a different oil and see if they are better. It's been great hearing about everone's improvements, I'll keep you updated if I see a difference.

i tried oil pulling.
it didn't work. at all.
honestly, i think it's a joke.
:/
it didn't do anything for me.