Coconut oil is one of nature’s “wonderfoods” with an incredible range of benefits and applications. This article takes a look at some of the many coconut oil uses.
In the modern world, synthetic chemicals are everywhere.
From your deodorant to your makeup to the medicine you’re prescribed, many of today’s products have some pretty nasty ingredients that many people are starting to realize may not be so good for their bodies.
So it should come as no surprise to learn that the popularity of 100% natural products is soaring. And one of the most popular organic products is coconut oil, with some 549,000 metric tonnes being consumed in 2016 in the USA alone.
One of the reasons for coconut oil’s popularity is its versatility; it can be used for a wide range of purposes from dietary to health to beauty and skin care.
Let’s take a look at some of these coconut oil uses now…
Table of Contents
Coconut oil uses
Beauty
Coconut oil can be used in many areas of natural beauty. Here are some examples:
Hair
Coconut oil is a common ingredient in hair products. If you suffer from dry, brittle hair, try adding a tablespoon of coconut oil to your normal conditioner.
You can also rub the oil directly into your wet hair after showering. Pour the oil into your hands and soften it by rubbing your hands together. Then massage it into your hair, starting at the roots and working your way down to the tips.
The coconut oil will help prevent split ends and leave your hair shiny and looking great, as well as helping to detangle your hair.
It’s also excellent for the health of your scalp too.
Anti-dandruff treatment
Coconut oil is excellent for preventing and treating dandruff due to its anti-fungal properties.
Massage a thick layer of the oil into your scalp and leave in place for thirty minutes, then rinse it off completely. If you’re having trouble getting rid of it all, try using a little mild shampoo to wash it off.
Natural makeup remover
You can quickly and easily remove your makeup using coconut oil. All you need to do is apply a small dab of oil to a cotton wool ball and then use this to remove your makeup.
The makeup will quickly liquefy making it easy to wipe clean. It even works well for removing waterproof makeup.
Coconut oil won’t sting your eyes, unlike commercially available makeup remover. An additional advantage is that the coconut oil will also hydrate and revitalise the skin around your eyes too.
Natural deodorant
There has been lots of publicity over the last few years about the harmful ingredients such as parabens and aluminium found in many deodorants.
It’s very easy to make your own 100% natural deodorant using baking soda, essential oils and coconut oil.
Tooth whitening
Mixing equal parts coconut oil and baking soda makes a very healthy and effective tooth whitener.
Coconut oil also has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties that make it good at fighting the bacteria on your teeth and preventing the build-up of plaque.
Lip balm
You can prevent your lips from chapping and keep them looking gorgeously smooth and silky by using coconut oil as one of the ingredients in a homemade lip balm.
Facial spray
You can easily make an invigorating and rejuvenating natural facial mist using coconut oil. There are many recipes available on the internet, such as this one.
Skin care
When using coconut oil on your skin, it’s important that you always use organic cold-pressed coconut oil. Don’t use refined oil as this isn’t suitable for applying to your skin.
Eczema and psoriasis
Essential oils are an effective natural treatment for eczema and psoriasis, but need to be diluted with a carrier oil.
Coconut oil also has direct benefits of its own when it comes to treating eczema and psoriasis. For this reason, coconut oil is an excellent choice as a carrier oil for the essential oils.
Natural moisturizer
Coconut oil contains antioxidants which nourish and moisturize your skin. It works to help prevent the signs of aging such as wrinkles, leaving your skin looking beautifully smooth. Just apply the oil in the same way you would your normal moisturizer.
Facial massage oil
Facial massage is a great way to keep your skin looking young and free of wrinkles. Every day, apply some coconut oil to your face and use your fingertips to massage it into your skin using a gentle circular motion.
Acne treatment
Coconut oil can be used topically to help prevent and reduce acne, due to its antibiotic qualities. To make it even more effective as a treatment for acne, mix it with honey or tea tree oil.
Healing cuts and wounds
Coconut oil has antibacterial properties. It is effective at healing cuts and wounds, and preventing skin infections when you apply it topically.
Stretch marks
Stretch marks are a very common problem, especially for those who’ve just given birth or lost a significant amount of weight.
You can help to smooth your stretch marks by using a natural exfoliant. Mix some fine sea salt with coconut oil and gently massage into the stretch marks and the surrounding area.
Exfoliant
It’s not just stretch marks that can be treated using coconut oil as an exfoliant. Mix it with some sugar and use the mixture as an exfoliant all over your body.
You can use either brown or white sugar depending on the coarseness you prefer in your exfoliant.
Sunburn
Coconut oil’s antioxidant properties help to speed up your skin’s healing after suffering sunburn. The oil also helps to cool the affected area and reduce pain.
You can apply the oil topically directly on the affected area, or alternatively run a bath and add a tablespoon of coconut oil to it.
Diaper rash
Coconut oil can be used to soothe painful diaper rash. Gently massage the oil into the affected area then leave it to soak in.
Fight cellulite
Grapefruit essential oil is an extremely effective way of getting rid of cellulite when used with coconut oil as a carrier oil.
Blend nine or ten drops of the grapefruit oil with a tablespoon of coconut oil and massage the mixture into the affected areas.
Health
You can use coconut oil in a wide range of natural treatments for all kinds of health issues, such as:
Cold and flu remedy
We all get colds at some point, and their effects can be quite tough to bear. And the flu can be even worse, of course.
Coconut oil has anti-viral properties as well as being anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory, making it excellent at soothing and relieving cold and flu symptoms, such as sore throats, congestion and aches and pains.
So if you don’t want to take over-the-counter medications, try taking a tablespoon of coconut oil each day to help fight off your cold or flu.
You can also make a home-made chest rub by mixing the coconut oil with eucalyptus oil.
Cold sores
Dabbing cold sores with coconut oil can give quick and effective relief. It provides pain relief and makes the cold sores heal more quickly. Just dab them with the oil a few times a day.
Protect your liver
If you’re planning on going out and drinking a lot of alcohol, before you go out eat a meal that contains a healthy fat such as coconut oil. This can help to protect your liver from the effects of the alcohol.
Heart health
Coconut oil helps to increase the levels of good cholesterol in your body and reduce the bad, making it good for the health of your heart.
It can help to reduce blood pressure, prevent arterial damage, prevent cardiovascular disease and reduce the risk of other heart conditions.
Brain function and memory
Some studies have shown that eating foods that contain medium-chain triglycerides can help improve your brain functioning and prevent memory loss problems.
Gum health
The anti-sceptic properties of coconut oil mean it’s very good at maintaining the health of your gums.
Just rub it directly on your gums to prevent infection.
Treating athlete’s foot
Because of its anti-fungal properties, coconut oil can be applied topically to treat athlete’s foot.
Yeast infections
The anti-fungal qualities that coconut oil possesses mean it is also effective at treating yeast infections, including candida.
Each day, clean the affected area and then apply a small amount of oil directly to it.
Arthritis and pain relief
Coconut oil is anti-inflammatory which means it’s very effective at relieving pain and treating the symptoms of arthritis.
Just one or two tablespoons of coconut oil each day can provide great natural relief from this and other joint and bone medical conditions.
Allergy relief
Coconut oil can offer relief to those with allergies to gluten and wheat, among other things.
It also helps to soothe and provide relief from skin allergies.
That said, some people are actually allergic to coconut oil itself, so care must always be taken when first starting to use it.
Constipation
Studies have shown coconut oil to be effective in treating constipation.
Boosting energy
Coconut oil has also been shown to boost energy levels, improving focus, concentration and memory and hence productivity.
Healing bath
An Epsom salt bath is great for treating acne and soothing your skin. Try adding a quarter of a cup of coconut oil to your Epsom salt bath too, to increase its effects.
Sexual lubricant
Coconut oil functions very well as a completely natural and safe sexual lubricant.
Diet
Adding coconut oil to your diet can provide many health benefits. Here’s a few easy ways to incorporate coconut oil into your everyday diet.
Replace unhealthy saturated fats
Many foods such as cakes, butter and fast food contain unhealthy saturated fats. Try replacing these in your diet with the far healthier coconut oil. For example, use it for frying instead of vegetable oil, or use coconut oil to “butter” your toast in place of regular butter.
You can also use it to replace butter as a topping on baked potatoes too.
Using coconut oil in this way will reduce your chances of suffering from heart disease and help to prevent obesity.
Weight loss
Supplementing your diet with coconut oil every day has been shown to reduce stomach fat.
Although coconut oil is rich in saturated fats, half of this is lauric acid which reduces cholesterol.
Coconut oil also boosts your metabolism and reduces your appetite, further contributing to weight loss.
Coconut oil smoothie
A great way of adding coconut oil to your diet is to include it in your smoothies.
The coconut oil will give your smoothies a wonderfully creamy texture and taste, and you’ll get all the health benefits it offers in a deliciously enjoyable way.
Coffee creamer
Add a teaspoon of coconut oil to your coffee and mix it in a blender to get a wonderful, creamy coffee that will give you a real energy boost when you need it.
Around the home
Coconut oil use isn’t just restricted to health and beauty applications. There are also many coconut oil uses in and around your house too.
Stain remover
If you’ve got a stain on your carpet or upholstery, mix equal parts of coconut oil and baking soda and rub the mixture into the stain. Then leave it for five to ten minutes before wiping it with a damp cloth.
Make sure you test the mixture on a hidden area first before applying it, to make sure it doesn’t stain itself.
Polish
You can make a great wood furniture polish using coconut oil. Mix half a cup of melted oil with two teaspoons of lemon juice and four tablespoons of white vinegar. Add the mixture to a spray bottle and shake vigorously.
Then simply spray on your wooden furniture and wipe with a dry cloth.
Once again, make sure you test your mixture on a hidden area before using fully.
You can also use coconut oil to clean metal objects and granite work surfaces too.
Pet grooming
It’s not just your own hair that can benefit from coconut oil. Rub it into your dog or cat’s coat to keep it looking shiny and smelling great.
Natural detergent
Coconut oil makes an excellent ingredient when making your own natural non-irritable laundry detergent.
Lubrication
Coconut oil makes a very effective lubricant for fixing those irritating squeaky doors and any other areas where you’d normally get the grease out.
Summary
This article covers just some of the many coconut oil uses. It’s a wonderfully versatile and useful item which has a wide variety of uses in lots of areas.
If you have a use for coconut oil that’s not covered here, let me and the other readers know in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
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