There are many benefits of coconut oil to use in your daily life. This oil is really multifunctional which not only saves you space in your cupboards, but also costs.
Thanks to the many different applications, you save on all kinds of jars and creams from now on.
Did you know that coconut oil is a great addition to your diet? As well it works wonders for your hair and skin and supports various health problems and it has an antibacterial, fungicidal and antiviral effect.
What kind of coconut oil I should use?
Coconut oil is extracted from fresh coconuts by removing the coconut meat from the coconut and then placing it under a press, after which the oil drips out. This is called cold pressed, extra virgin or extra virgin coconut oil.
According to a study, the antioxidants are lost in this process. Unrefined organic coconut oil is said to have the highest antioxidant levels. This process uses heat, but does not harm the oil and maintains nutrient levels.
Always buy this kind of oils and not an oil that is deodorized and smells less of coconut, as nutrients have been lost and / or leftovers of chemicals have remained behind.
Buying good quality oil will be more expensive but you will have all benefit from it.
At room temperature the oil is solid, when it is more warm or gets heated it is fluid.
Fact & Fats of coconut oil
Coconut oil is very rich in saturated fats (about 92%). But know that not all saturated fats are the same and there is no relation between saturated fats and heart & vascular diseases.
Various studies (13) have shown that there is often no link between a high intake of coconut products and the risk of cardiovascular disease. But other studies found that there was a link with high daily intakes.
The reason that the saturated fats in coconut oil are so healthy is because they consist of 50% lauric acid, which in the body are converted into monolaurin, a monoglyceride that can destroy viruses with a lipid envelope. In addition, a large part of the saturated fats in coconut oil consists of medium-chain fatty acids, which increase the cholesterol level less quickly than other saturated fats.
Moreover, it needs less bile and enzymes to be broken down in the body, making them much more digestible than other fats.
Some known and unknown examples and benefits of coconut oil which you must give a chance!
1. Energy boost & supports weight loss
Coconut oil increases your metabolism and curbs hunger and cravings and therefore helps with weight loss, as you feel more and longer full.
The medium chain triglycerides found in coconut oil provide a perfect source of energy, as they only have to go to a three step process to turn into fuel, as other fats have to go through a 26 step process. the 3 chain triglycerides are: Caprylic acid / Lauric acid / capric acid.
It may be a good idea to replace all your vegetable oils in your kitchen with coconut and olive oil.
Additional coconut oil can tolerate very high temperatures without losing its nutritional value or oxidizing. Olive oil you should not heat.
2. Skin Health: Healing Bruises
With bruises, the little veins and blood vessels under your skin gets broken and causes ruptures. This leads to bleeding and thus huge bruises appear. The bruises get darker and also you may feel swelling and pain in the affected area. You can use coconut oil to massage the area, the massage will regulate the blood flow and restores the skin more quick.
3. Skin Health: Infections, inflammation, folliculitis and athlete's foot
Chronic inflammation is an important component of many different skin conditions, including psoriasis, contact dermatitis and eczema
Coconut oil has proven to contain anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidants work by stabilizing free radicals in the body and neutralize the reactive atoms that can contribute to inflammation
Skin problems caused by bacteria or fungi can benefit from Coconut as it can kill harmful microorganisms.
4. Skin Health: Pigmentation spots, acne & Suntan Remover
With regular use pigmentation spots on for example your face, will fade and sometimes even disappear. It can also supports with acne treatment.
With suntan, your skin cells get damages and patchy . For sun tan remover you can mix coconut oil with papaya, lemon juice or milk.
5. Skin Health: Moisturizing (dry) skin and helps skin ageing
Coconut oil can hydrate your skin while maintaining the pH balance of the skin. Also very good for dry and itchy skin or other skin problems. The oil would restore the moisture balance, nourishing it and can tighten your skin. Use coconut oil before you go to bed or before you bathe. The oil can stain your pillow.
6. Skin Health: Lighten stretch marks & cellulite
Due to growth and weight gain or due to pregnancy, the stretch marks appear over body parts like arms, legs, belly and over the thighs. Massages with Coconut oil can make your skin tightened and would also eliminate the stretch marks when applied regularly. It also stimulates the blood flow what helps reduce cellulite.
Coconut oil also works in the prevention of stretch marks. It keeps the skin supple, hydrated and elastic. Massage your belly with coconut oil once or twice a day.
7. Skin Health: Sunscreen
Depending your type of skin and the amount of sun, you can you coconut oil to prevent sunburn. Coconut oil tans faster, keeps your skin tanned for longer and gives a beautiful tone. Ideal for dark skin types and skin that is used to the sun. Also ideal for after sunbathing.
8. Skin Health: Helps with wound healing
Coconut oil accelerated wounds healing, increases levels of collagen (an important protein that helps with wound healing) and improves antioxidant status
coconut oil in combination with an antibiotic on the skin, is effective in curing burns
In addition to improving wound healing, antimicrobial properties can also prevent infections, one of the most important risk factors that can complicate the healing process.
9. Hair masque and to Remove Frizz from hair
Coconut oil is filled with hair pampering taming ingredients which not only would fight extremely frizzy hair but would also make your hair super strong and glossier!
-After shampooing, apply oil to your wet hair. Leave on for at least 5 minutes and then rinse. If this is too greasy, wash your hair with a little shampoo.
-You can avoid dry ends by rubbing a little oil between your palms and applying it to the ends.
-Mix 1 tbsp oil with 2 tbsp fresh aloe vera gel. Apply from root till the ends and then onto your scalp. Cover your head with a shower cap or plastic foil. Wrap a towel around your head. Leave the mask for 30 minutes – 1 hour. Rinse out and wash as usual.
-Massage coconut oil into your hair and let it work overnight.
Regular use of this remedy would make your hair smooth, silky and frizz free.
10. Lip Balm
Coconut oil works very well for dry lips and pigmentation
11. Calms the bug bites
Bug bites can cause swelling, inflammation, pain and various other infections.
The antibacterial properties of coconut oil fight the bacteria causing infections. (see also point 8)
12. Whiter Teeth & Better breath
Mouth Wash: When you rinse the oil for minimum 5 minutes in your mouth, it kills bacteria and reduces bad breath.
For example, take 1 tablespoon of oil. Don’t forget to spit the oil out! In addition to oral hygiene, good for whiter teeth.
When you have dark, yellow and patchy teeth, you can brighter them by massaging coconut oil with coffee powder on your teeth.
13. Boost Immune system
Coconut oil contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. This can help in fighting harmful bacteria and illness in the body!
14. Use as shaving cream
Shaving with coconut oil shaves very gently and perhaps better than a cream, gel or foam. In addition, coconut oil is antibacterial, which also prevents irritations afterwards.
15. Use as lube
It smells good and tastes great, it is moisturizing and cheaper than lube. Coconut oil is thicker than water or silicone based lubricant. Please note, that coconut oil can cause allergic reactions in some people. If you want to combine coconut oil and condoms, you need latex-free condoms. Because a latex condom has the risk of breaking.
16. Natural Makeup Remover
You can use coconut oil as a natural makeup remover which would remove makeup easily and fill your skin with nourishment and moisture! Apply some oil, let it soak in and wipe away with a cotton ball or make-up pad.
17. Make your own scrub
Remove dead skin cells with homemade scrub. Mix half a cup of oil with coconut flour sugar (Gula Java). Massage your entire body with it, shower and your skin feels super soft and smells tropical.
18. Hand lotion
Ideal for softening cuticles and dry hands.
19. Treatment against athlete's foot and fungal nails
Coconut oil has antifungal properties and can help with athlete’s foot and fungal nails.
For fungal nails, clean your nail thoroughly and then dry it well.
Rub your feet with coconut oil twice a day. And let it withdraw completely.
Extra tip: mix a teaspoon of coconut oil with 1-2 drops of tea tree oil and massage it on your foot (s). tea tree oil is also very powerful against fungi.
20. Massage oil
Make your own massage oil by adding 4 drops of pure essential oil to 100 ml of coconut oil. (if the oil is for a baby or small child, then 1 or 2 drops).
How to use coconut oil on your skin?
- After showering, apply oil to the wet body, massage and allow to air dry.
- Apply on dry skin.
Just be aware that your skin may continue to release oil for a while after application. so watch out for your clothes or other things you might touch.
Are there also disadvantages of coconut oil?
Are there also disadvantages of coconut oil?
I think there are only 2 things that could be less:
1. Just be aware that your skin may continue to release oil for a while after application. So watch out for your clothes or other things you might touch.
2. The oil only becomes liquid around 25 degrees. For example, if you only have oil in a syringe bottle with you, like I do when traveling, it can sometimes be a bit of a hassle. Or with a jar, you sometimes have to scrape a bit if you don’t heat the entire jar first.
Hi, my name is Jolinda, and I work as a massage and Reiki therapist, happiness coach and provide yoga and meditation classes.
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