topic Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling in Beauty

Snopes on Oil Pulling

Kachina624 — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 21:35:13 GMT

Snopes has a new article debunking some of the myths about oil pulling.

Oil pulling took off like a granola rocket in the natural cures crowd. There are now countless websites and blogs devoted to the benefits of this ancient Indian treatment, full of before and after pictures, tips and flowery testimonials from people who say it's drastically improved their health. Oil pulling is said to treat chronic pain, insomnia, cavities, allergies, thrombosis, diabetes, asthma, bad breath, gingivitis, digestive issues, meningitis, low energy, heart disease, kidney disease, "toxic bodily waste," PMS, leukemia and even AIDS. Oil pulling, it would seem, is truly a life-changing medical miracle. That said, all the supporting evidence behind the supposed medical benefits of oil pulling is of the anecdotal variety ("This really works! Try it."), the same sort of testimonials one sees attached to a variety of dubious health nostrums. Scientific research documenting that oil pulling really works — and how it works — is lacking. The topic has been the subject of a mere handful of clinical studies, primarily small ones performed in India that focused on oral hygiene and suggested, at best, a possible connection with minor improvements in gum health. But even that much benefit may simply be the residual effect of regularly rinsing one's gums with water (or any other fluid), not necessarily the results of specifically using a particular type of oil for that purpose. (The fact that several quite different types of oil are all proffered by various sources as the one "proper" substance to use in oil pulling therapies argues against the idea that some property specific to the type of oil used is actually producing the claimed effects.)

There's certainly no real evidence that oil pulling can prevent or ameliorate the effects of various diseases, "correct hormone imbalances," "reduce inflammation of arthritis," "support normal kidney function," "help reduce insomnia" or produce any of the other variety of beneficial medical effects claimed of it, nor is there even any sensible scientific explanation for how simply swishing oil around in one's mouth could accomplish any of those things.

Moreover, the endless stream of products and therapies touting detoxification benefits have been the bane of real medical science for many years. In any reasonably healthy person, the liver and kidneys already perform an efficient job of filtering out and excreting wastes and other substances potentially harmful to the body — herbal colon cleanses, foot pads, cupping therapy and the like don't improve on that or serve any function other than parting the gullible from their money.

That said, there's no real harm to oil pulling: Its benefits may be unproven, and it may perform no better a job of promoting oral hygiene than ordinary dental rinse or mouthwash will, but it also doesn't produce any known detrimental effects, so all one really risks in undertaking it is the cost of the oil. Read more at http://www.snopes.com/medical/homecure/oilpulling.asp#pi5B4JLuqzXWotZT.99

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

ennui1 — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 21:45:09 GMT

The mere thought of walking around with a mouth full of oil for 20 minutes make me gag.

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

VaBelle35 — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 21:48:25 GMT

But Dr. Oz says it. Lol

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

stilltamn8r — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 21:52:55 GMT

Now PLEASE don't debunk "Dry Brushing" because I LOVE it!

Yeah, having a warm mouthful of ANYTHING for 20 minutes stimulates MY gag reflex!

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

cassiem — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 22:01:41 GMT

On 4/3/2014 ennui1 said:
The mere thought of walking around with a mouth full of oil for 20 minutes make me gag.

The really funny thing is that if you go back to look at the original Ayurvedic method of oil pulling, it's done for 3 minutes not 20. I keep seeing the 20 minutes (and sometimes even longer!) mentioned in articles and instructions about oil pulling online, but don't understand where that came from. Must be that idea that more is better so prevalent in our society.

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

Azcowgirl — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 22:10:58 GMT

On 4/3/2014 cassiem said:
On 4/3/2014 ennui1 said:
The mere <em>thought</em> of walking around with a mouth full of oil for 20 minutes make me gag.

The really funny thing is that if you go back to look at the original Ayurvedic method of oil pulling, it's done for 3 minutes not 20. I keep seeing the 20 minutes (and sometimes even longer!) mentioned in articles and instructions about oil pulling online, but don't understand where that came from. Must be that idea that more is better so prevalent in our society.

I have never been able to last for more than five minutes ):

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

cassiem — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 22:17:56 GMT

Azcowgirl, even at 5 minutes you're way above the minutes for the original practice. All of the medical claims are based on the original Ayurvedic practices and studies, so why someone changed it to 20 minutes, I have no idea.

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

suzyQ3 — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 22:20:47 GMT

On 4/3/2014 stilltamn8r said:
Now PLEASE don't debunk "Dry Brushing" because I LOVE it!

Yeah, having a warm mouthful of ANYTHING for 20 minutes stimulates MY gag reflex!

I. Will. Not. Go. There.

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

suzyQ3 — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 22:25:25 GMT

"Oil pulling is said to treat chronic pain, insomnia, cavities, allergies, thrombosis, diabetes, asthma, bad breath, gingivitis, digestive issues, meningitis, low energy, heart disease, kidney disease, "toxic bodily waste," PMS, leukemia and even AIDS. Oil pulling, it would seem, is truly a life-changing medical miracle. That said, all the supporting evidence behind the supposed medical benefits of oil pulling is of the anecdotal variety ("This really works! Try it."), the same sort of testimonials one sees attached to a variety of dubious health nostrums. Scientific research documenting that oil pulling really works — and how it works — is lacking."

Sometimes I have to remind myself that this really is the 21st century.

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

Puzzle Piece — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 22:25:59 GMT

Thought so.

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

ginabfly — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 22:29:17 GMT

On 4/3/2014 cassiem said:
On 4/3/2014 ennui1 said:
The mere <em>thought</em> of walking around with a mouth full of oil for 20 minutes make me gag.

The really funny thing is that if you go back to look at the original Ayurvedic method of oil pulling, it's done for 3 minutes not 20. I keep seeing the 20 minutes (and sometimes even longer!) mentioned in articles and instructions about oil pulling online, but don't understand where that came from. Must be that idea that more is better so prevalent in our society.

3 minutes, or even 5 minutes is so much more do-able than 20 minutes! I did it for a couple days, and can tolerate the action, but swishing for 20 minutes is an eternity! I might try again if 3 minutes is enough to benefit.

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

Marienkaefer2 — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 22:36:57 GMT

I do this, and it's helped my sinus issues. I don't think it's a cure all for everything, but for me it has worked.

I agree that it's not for everyone. It took me a couple times to get used to it, but it doesn't bother me at all now.

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

stilltamn8r — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 22:42:09 GMT

On 4/3/2014 suzyQ3 said:
On 4/3/2014 stilltamn8r said:
Now PLEASE don't debunk "Dry Brushing" because I LOVE it!

Yeah, having a warm mouthful of ANYTHING for 20 minutes stimulates MY gag reflex!

I. Will. Not. Go. There.

LOL!

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

stilltamn8r — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 22:43:08 GMT

On 4/3/2014 suzyQ3 said:
"Oil pulling is said to treat chronic pain, insomnia, cavities, allergies, thrombosis, diabetes, asthma, bad breath, gingivitis, digestive issues, meningitis, low energy, heart disease, kidney disease, "toxic bodily waste," PMS, leukemia and even AIDS. Oil pulling, it would seem, is truly a life-changing medical miracle. That said, all the supporting evidence behind the supposed medical benefits of oil pulling is of the anecdotal variety ("This really works! Try it."), the same sort of testimonials one sees attached to a variety of dubious health nostrums. Scientific research documenting that oil pulling really works — and how it works — is lacking."

Sometimes I have to remind myself that this really is the 21st century.

I think they left out rheumatism...oh, and "bad humors"....

Leeches anyone?

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

just bee — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 22:43:11 GMT

I'd read this article online before I even put that first spoonful of oil in my mouth, but I still went ahead and did it. And I'll continue to do it because this has been an easy way to whiten my teeth. Really helps with those stubborn tea stains.

The twenty minutes goes by quickly. I just do what I normally do in the morning, but I do it with a spoonful of oil in my mouth.

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

ginabfly — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 22:44:39 GMT

It would be great if it really does help whiten teeth, and help with allergies & sinus issues. It sometimes feels like nothing ever does what it claims.

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

stilltamn8r — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 22:46:53 GMT

On 4/3/2014 just bee said:
I'd read this article online before I even put that first spoonful of oil in my mouth, but I still went ahead and did it. And I'll continue to do it because this has been an easy way to whiten my teeth. Really helps with those stubborn tea stains.

The twenty minutes goes by quickly. I just do what I normally do in the morning, but I do it with a spoonful of oil in my mouth.

"Spoonful of oil"?

So Mary Poppins was WRONG!!?

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

Marienkaefer2 — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 22:47:25 GMT

On 4/3/2014 ginabfly said:
It would be great if it really does help whiten teeth, and help with allergies & sinus issues. It sometimes feels like nothing ever does what it claims.

Well for me, it really does. Trust me, I don't have patience to do things that don't work.

It did take about a week for me to begin to notice results though.

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

Harpa — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 22:48:52 GMT

I'm a natural type person, but I wouldn't do that if you paid me!

Just give me a cup of herb tea, and I'll be fine!

Re: Snopes on Oil Pulling

ginabfly — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 22:51:23 GMT

On 4/3/2014 Marienkaefer2 said:
On 4/3/2014 ginabfly said:
It would be great if it really does help whiten teeth, and help with allergies & sinus issues. It sometimes feels like nothing ever does what it claims.

Well for me, it really does. Trust me, I don't have patience to do things that don't work.

It did take about a week for me to begin to notice results though.

I'll give it a try again, hopefully I see results too because I don't have the patience if I don't start to see something happening!