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If you’re not already on the coconut oil bandwagon, you should be! It has so many uses around the house. There’s the obvious ones like replacing any vegetable oils in recipes, stir-frying, melting on popcorn, or spreading on toast. Beyond that, some people swear by it’s health benefits, and I see uses for it listed all the time in DIY beauty tips. One use I was really curious about was Oil Pulling. Have you heard of this?
All Of The Oil Pulling Details
This is how oil pulling works: you swish coconut oil around in your mouth and it helps rid your mouth of bacteria and toxins.
I’m not a doctor, but that sounds alright to me. No downsides. Let’s give it a shot!
I’ve only been doing it for a little over a week, but I can tell you, there are a few benefits I can already attest to – my teeth are already whiter and it completely neutralizes my morning breath. I even made my kids judge me in a (post-swishing, pre-brushing) breath test, and I PASSED! If I keep it up, word on the street is it could even knock out morning breath all together.
How To Oil Pull
It’s best to oil pull in the morning, before you’ve had anything to eat or drink.
You are going to melt a teaspoon of organic, unrefined, virgin coconut oil in your mouth.
Swish it around in your mouth, pulling through your teeth, for 20 minutes. It might sound like a long time, but it’s really not. Cook some eggs, check your email, or watch a show on your DVR. The point is, it is easy to pass 20 minutes. Also, 20 minutes is apparently the magic number – long enough to pull the bacteria out, but not long enough to start re-absorbing anything.
Spit it out in the trash. Coconut oil is solid at temperatures below 76° and you DO NOT want a coconut oil plug in your pipes.
Rinse you mouth with warm water. I usually rinse a few times.
Brush well, like you’re getting ready for a visit to the dentist. You don’t want to leave any dirty oil behind!
That’s it. Super easy, and you will love the results.
More Uses For Coconut Oil
I’ve tried just a few of the many health and beauty suggestions, like using coconut oil as a moisturizer/lotion straight out of the jar or as an ingredient in homemade family-care products like deodorant, vapor rub, or shower scrub. Based on what I’ve experienced, I’m inclined to keep experimenting! I know you can stir a tablespoon into a warm cup of tea to help soothe a sore throat. You can also mix a tablespoon of chia seeds with a tablespoon of coconut oil for an all-natural, all-day energy boost. Both of those sound like a win to me.
Have you tried oil pulling or any of the other other less-known uses for coconut oil?
We would love to hear about your experiences!
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I’ve been doing it for about a week too, I am trying to pull all month although I’ve missed a few days, I just started adding peppermint essential oil to my coconut oil and I like the feeling/taste a lot better
I’ve only just heard about oil-pulling. I do have some coconut oil that I’ve used occasionally for moisturizing at night. I’ll have to give this a try too.
Great article! I think the tip about spitting it in the trash is great! Will be trying out!
I’ve heard of this before, but I’m allergic to coconut. I’ll have to find some alternative oil to pull.
I have an easy gag reflex so 20 minutes would not be something I could do I would end up throwing up but it does sound interesting none the less
I use coconut oil all the time on my dry hands and the tips of my hair. It really works at keeping my skin smooth and the ends of my hair from drying out. I have never tried oil pulling. I could use whiter teeth and fresh breath…I have to give this a try…Thanks for sharing!!
xo
Julie
I’ve heard of this a few times but haven’t tried it. I may need to.
I have heard of oil pulling and have tried it couple of times. I have trouble staying with it, though. Because of that, I guess I have never experienced any benefits. Do you have suggestions for keeping up the practice?
I bought a jar of coconut oil just for this purpose and keep it (with a spoon) in a ziploc tucked away in the bathroom. That way, if I forget that I’m starting a new habit and reach for the toothbrush in the morning, it’s easy to stop and reach for the coconut oil instead.
I have heard about oil-pulling but not about these benefits. I will definitely give this a try over the weekend!