We are adding a little health and beauty here on Identity Magazine this month. Nicole shares her experience on the new trending beauty regimen, Oil Pulling. See if this regimen excites you enough to give it a try.
I have done many kooky things in the name of beauty and health as I’m sure you all have, my latest favorite thing is “Oil Pulling”. Have you guys heard of it?
Oil Pulling is an ancient Indian Aryuvedic technique of swishing oil in your mouth that is gaining modern day popularity not only in the world of wellness, but also in the mainstream. In fact, New Age Holistic Health Guru Deepak Chopra and Dr. Oz swear by this method to stay in perfect health.
The basic way that Oil Pulling works is that toxins adhere to the sticky oil and are “pulled” out of the body as you Swish, when you spit at the end 20 minutes, you are dumping lots of disgusting bacteria out of your body. It’s a simple and effective way to detoxify. Let me quickly go through the laundry list of benefits so you can decide if Oil Pulling might be something you’d like to try.
Oil Pulling is said not only to possess many healing benefits such as pulling toxins from your body, preventing colds, strengthening your teeth and jaw, banishing bad breath, clearing up Eczema, acne, allergies, sinusitis, treating gum disease, tooth decay, getting rid of a hangover, insomnia, and hormonal imbalances but it also has the beautifying benefits of whitening your teeth, and giving you a very youthful glowing complexion.
Wow. Sounds pretty remarkable doesn’t it?
Well, I always like to try things out for both my clients and readers before making a recommendation, so let me tell you, in brief, what my experience with Oil Pulling was like.
I began Oil Pulling about a month ago. I am pretty meticulous about my teeth already as I am also an actress and try to give the “money maker” area a little extra lovin’ whenever possible, thus the idea of doing something that would enhance both my beauty regime as well as my health sounded pretty darn terrific– 2 birds, 1 stone.
However, when I read up on it and discovered you had to swish for exactly 20 minutes (no more, no less) first thing in the morning to get the benefits, I thought, “No way could I make this a daily practice”. A month in, after reaping several of its incredible benefits, I can honestly say I’m hooked. Not just that, but I have also gotten my Mother and Sister on board and they love it!
The noticeable results I can share with you guys after a month (though I saw noticeable positive changes within a couple of swishes) are that my teeth are a lot whiter, they also feel super clean and smooth, like when you get done with a cleaning at the dentist’s office. My skin also looks very healthy and I have had several people compliment me this week alone. This is also the time of year when the seasons begin to change (Please dear God!! It’s been freezing in NYC) and my allergies start rearing their ugly little heads, but since I have been Oil Pulling daily my sinuses are much clearer.
For me, Oil Pulling was totally worth it, and after I got over the weird waxy consistency of the Coconut Oil, I found the whole process relaxing and meditative.
HOW TO DO IT:
*IMPORTANT- YOU SHOULD OIL PULL FIRST THING IN THE MORNING BEFORE EATING OR DRINKING TO GET THE FULL BENEFITS BECAUSE YOUR MOUTH FILLS WITH BACTERIA & TOXINS AS YOU SLEEP.
Pick your Oil: The 2 most effective oils to swish are Pure ORGANIC Sesame and Coconut, but you can also try Sesame and Vegetable. I chose Coconut because it is Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Fungal and has a much better flavor than the others. You can pick up a jar at your local Whole Foods or Health Food market. The one I use is by Nature’s Way.
Before Oil Pulling floss so that the oil can easily move in between your teeth.
Put a Tablespoon of your chosen oil in your mouth and begin to move it around in a swishing movement until it melts into a liquid. (This usually takes up to a couple of minutes, you will feel the oil becoming frothy as it mixes with your saliva)
Swish the oil in your mouth for exactly 20 minutes. Less than 20 minutes and you won’t receive the benefits, more than 20 minutes and your body can re-absorb the toxins. I would suggest setting a timer. (Some newbies like to work up to the full 20, but if you can tolerate it, then go balls to the wall and do the full 20 min.) To swish most effectively push and pull the oil through your teeth with a sucking action, you are not supposed to be gargling.
Spit out the oil into the trash or the toilet, if you spit it into the sink it will clog it as it solidifies. (Did this by accident. It was a pain in the ass to clean up)
Rinse out your mouth. I would suggest using salt water or warm water. Then brush your teeth and tongue thoroughly with your regular ORGANIC toothpaste to remove any remaining oil residue (and thus toxins) from your mouth. If you have a tongue cleaner, you can also use this. I would suggest picking one up they are super cheap if you want to make Oil Pulling part of your daily routine.
There really are no negatives to Oil Pulling, as it is great for your body. Just a disclaimer, while I didn’t personally experience this most likely because my body is already pretty clean, sometimes the body goes through what is known as a “Healing Crisis” as you begin to incorporate this into a daily practice and as your body detoxifies. What this means is that your skin may break out once before clearing up and looking so much better and younger, it is the way your body purges all the toxins in your body. If you’re curious about Oil Pulling or if you suffer from any of the problems “Oil Pulling” helps to treat then I would suggest giving it a go.
Identity Magazine is all about empowering women to get all A’s in the game of life — Accept. Appreciate. Achieve.TM Every contributor and expert answer the Identity 5 questions in keeping with our theme. As a team, we hope to inspire and motivate ourselves and inspire you to get all A’s.
What have you accepted in your life that took time, physically or mentally?

When I was younger I wanted everything “10 minutes ago”. I was always restless that I wasn’t doing enough or hadn’t achieved enough. Something I have accepted is to be patient and to allow things to happen in their own right time. I think the older you get the more your see this principle in action and learn to relax and chill and just allow the process to be the thing rather that the result or the accolade.
What do you appreciate about yourself and within your life?
I appreciate my voice. By which I mean my ability to know myself and articulate my truth. Often we as people are influenced to “fit in”, but I was taught by my parents and within the creative community I was raised that “fitting out” was far more respectable. Finding your “voice” is so important to being a happy, healthy and beautifully unique individual.
What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life? What goals do you still have?
When I graduated from IIN (The School for Integrative Nutrition). I had gone through my own health struggles, and going to IIN helped me work through them and learn how to not just heal my body but my mind and my life in a ways that is impactful to others going through similar struggles. I still have the goals of reaching more people and helping them to grow, change and HEAL.
What is your not-so-perfect way? What imperfections and quirks create your Identity?
I am an unapologetic Night Owl. I have always been this way. I function best in the afternoons and late into the evening, that’s when my brain waves seem to be firing best.
How would you complete the phrase “I Love My…?
I love my life. I am grateful everyday for the incredible opportunities I have been blessed with from interesting people I’ve had the chance to meet and work with, to being raised in the amazing City of New York, to having a wonderfully supportive and inspiring family.
