I had always heard about the benefits of coconut oil for
your hair, but it wasn’t until very recently that I discovered that this oil is
truly a multi-purpose product for health and beauty!
First, let’s start off with the healthy properties of
coconut oil. Organic, cold-pressed coconut oil contains an abundant amount of
lauric acid ( around 40%) which is amazing because the only other natural
source of this acid is breast milk – aka something that’s not accessible to
most of us ;). It has antiviral, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties and
not only is it extremely helpful when taken internally because it prevents
infections and viruses like the flu, but it also has antiseptic and healing
abilities when applied externally.
I have been mixing a teaspoon of coconut oil with hot water
and lemon and I drink this in the mornings. This is a quick and easy way to
consume coconut oil in order to reap its health benefits, otherwise coconut oil
can be quite heavy when taken straight. This drink is also a great way to
detoxify and help your liver. I have noticed that I have more energy and feel
more awake when I drink this, which says a lot because I am usually dependent
on coffee to be a functioning human being in the mornings! I am slowly trying
to incorporate up to two tablespoons of coconut oil into my daily routine as
the taste and texture (while delicious!) does take some getting used to. Simply
adding coconut oil to your tea or coffee is another alternative for those that do need
some caffeine.
I’ve also started using coconut oil to “oil-pull”. This is
the process of swirling a tablespoon of oil in your mouth for around 20 minutes
. This helps to clean your mouth by getting rid of bacteria, improves your
dental health, and even removes stains from your teeth. I tend to have
sensitive gums which feel “itchy” and irritated at times and I’ve noticed that
this sensation goes away after I oil-pull. Just be sure to spit out all the oil and rinse
your mouth out afterwards with water – and never gargle or swallow the oil as
it is full with bacteria!
Because of its anti-bacterial and moisturizing properties,
coconut oil is great to use on your skin!
It is very useful in
removing bacteria and nourishing your skin, for example, from cuts and scrapes,
or dry cuticles and hangnails. I get extremely dry skin in the
winter time, especially on my hands and
I’ve noticed that when I would apply coconut oil overnight, my cuticles and
hangnails would be extremely softened and the irritation and redness would be
gone. I also use it as a face moisturizer when my skin is really dry – but I do
this sparingly because it’s a very heavy moisturizer and there are some reports
that it can block your pores. I have personally never had a problem with this
but everyone’s skin is different.
This is also a great moisturizer to use all over your body, and
can also be used as a shaving gel! It helps with dandruff as well – simply massage
the oil onto the affected area and allow it to soak in! Additionally, it’s an important ingredient in DIY lip balm...or you could even just use it by itself on your lips.
What type of Coconut Oil should one use?
It is important to get organic, extra virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil in order to gain all the anti-bacterial and health benefits,
otherwise, many of these health properties are lost in the refining process.
I am currently using
Artisana Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil and Trader Joe’s Organic Virgin
Coconut Oil (as you can see I’m almost out of it!). Both of these are amazing
and go a long way – a quarter-sized amount of solid coconut oil is enough to cover
both my hands and a little past my wrists (when melted). They were both around
$10 USD, which is great considering how many of your products can be replaced
by just one jar of coconut oil! There are other brands you can find at your
local health store and online, but just make sure they are cold-pressed,
organic, and extra-virgin if possible!
PHEW! That was a lot of information! Not sure if you’ll be
able to remember it all? Check out and save this handy infographic from
Pinterest for a break-down of all the benefits of coconut oil!
Are there any other ways that you use coconut oil? Let me
know in the comments!
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