Offering a myriad of health benefits, coconut oil is affordable, readily available and completely natural. I have completely fallen in love with coconut oil and use it for EVERYTHING
There is no doubt that the popularity of coconut oil has skyrocketed, and there is a great reason for that. Actually, there are at least 125 good reasons for it!
Coconut (C. Nucifera) is a part of the Arecaceae (Palmae) family and belongs to the subfamily Cocoideae. Its flesh is rich in healthy acids, and its composition of fat may vary depending on its processing process and type.
Namely, medium-chain saturated fatty acids are around 90% of its content, combined with a small portion of polyunsaturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids.
The human body easily digests, absorbs and uses medium-chain saturated fatty acids (MCFA’s), as they freely cross the blood-brain barrier in the unbound form, meaning that they may be used to promote neurological health and provide energy.
What’s also great is that virgin (unrefined) coconut oil is affordable, readily available, delicious and completely natural. It’s also…
– Anti-carcinogenic (prevents the spread of cancer cells and enhances the immune system)
– Anti-inflammatory (3)
– Anti-microbial/ Infection-fighting (bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, parasites and protozoa)
– An antioxidant (protects against free-radical formation and damage)
– Improves nutrient absorption (easily digestible; makes fat-based vitamins more available to the body – ie. vitamin A, D, E, K)
– Nontoxic to humans and animals
Therefore, this oil is absolutely remarkable for use in numerous cases.
Coconut Oil Uses for Personal Hygiene and the Body –
1. Age Spots
(Also known as liver spots). Applying coconut oil directly to the age spot will help it fade.
2. After Shave
Coconut oil will help heal your skin after shaving without clogging pores. Great for razor burn!
3. Baldness
Combine coconut oil with lavender, rosemary, thyme, cedarwood, Jojoba oil, Grapeseed/castor oil and a little cayenne pepper. Apply three times a day (or before bed) to the affected area of hair loss and massage in. Coconut oil and these essential oils support cell regeneration. (4)
4. Body Scrub
Mix coconut oil and salt together and rub all over! Rinse off and your skin will be super soft. You can add in essential oils if you would like a specific smell.
5. Bruises
Applied directly to the bruise, coconut oil enhances the healing process by reducing swelling and redness.
6. Bug Bites
When applied directly to a bug bite, coconut oil can stop the itching and burning sensation as well as hasten the healing process.
7. Burns
Apply to burn site immediately and continue applying until healed. Will reduce the chances of permanent scarring and promotes healing. (5)
8. Chapstick
Just rub a little onto your lips. It not only acts as a softening agent, but it also has an SPF of about 4, so you get a little protection! Watch this video for a quick coconut chapstick DIY!
9. Cradle Cap
Having issues with dry skin on your baby’s scalp? Coconut oil will not only nourish your baby’s skin, it also helps eliminate cradle cap. Just rub a teaspoon onto scalp daily.
10. Dandruff
Coconut oil soaks into the scalp, moisturizing dry skin and relieving symptoms of dandruff. It also helps to control oil secretion from the scalp, another leading cause of dandruff. (6)
11. Deodorant
Coconut oil alone can be used as a deodorant, but it is even more effective in combination with cornstarch/arrowroot powder and baking soda.
12. Diaper Salve
Very comforting on a rashy bum with no harsh chemicals. Also safe for cloth diapers.
13. Eye Cream
Apply under the eyes to reduce puffiness, bags, and wrinkles. Use on the lids in the evening.
14. Face Wash/Soap
Mix equal parts coconut oil with olive oil, almond oil, avocado oil and castor oil and use in place of soap when washing your face. Wet face, rub oil in and leave on for two minutes, rinse and pat dry. One teaspoon should be adequate.
15. Hair Conditioner/Deep Treatment
Use as a leave-in hair conditioner by applying a teaspoon of coconut oil to your ends and then running your fingers through your hair to distribute the rest. For a deeper treatment, rub in a tablespoon of coconut oil onto your dry scalp and gently work through to the ends. Put a shower cap on to prevent transfer onto bed linens and leave on overnight.
16. Hair Gel/Defrizzer
Rub a little between your palms and either scrunch into hair (for curly hair) or finger comb in from scalp to ends (for wavy/straight hair).
17. Healing
When applied on scrapes and cuts, coconut oil forms a thin, chemical layer which protects the wound from outside dust, bacteria, and virus. Coconut oil speeds up the healing process of bruises by repairing damaged tissues. Plus, it smells a heck-of-a-lot better than anything from the pharmacy.
18. Lubricant
It is an all-natural, perfectly safe personal lubricant for masturbation and sex. Not compatible with latex!
19. Makeup Remover
Use a cotton swab and a dab of coconut oil and you will be amazed at how well it works!
20. Massage Oil
Pretty simple; grab some and rub!
21. Moisturizer
Simply scoop some out of the jar and apply all over your body, including neck and face. Often lotions are water-based and can dry out your skin even more. (7)
22. Nipple Cream
Works great to nourish cracked, sore or dry nipples. Apply to a cotton ball and leave on your nipples between feedings.
23. Acne Skin Fix
Prone to oily skin or an oily T-zone? Use a pea-sized amount underneath makeup or alone to reduce oil gland stimulation. Often acne prone skin is actually too dry, which signals your glands to produce more oil and clogs the pores. (8)
24. Pre-Shave
Coconut oil will prep skin for the pending damage caused by shaving.
25. Skin Conditions
Coconut oil can relieve skin problems such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.
26. Stretch Marks
Coconut oil is great at nourishing damaged skin. It may not be the magic stretch mark cure but it will help. (9)
27. Sun Burn Relief
Rub liberal amounts of coconut oil into the affected area.
28. Sunscreen
It’s not high, but coconut oil does have an SPF of around 4.
29. Swimmer’s Ear
Mix garlic oil and coconut oil and put a few drops in affected ear for about 10 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a day and it usually works within one or two days.
30. Tattoo Healing and Moisturizer
Continued use of coconut oil on tattoos will help keep the pigment from fading. Used on new tattoos, coconut oil will hasten the healing process and decrease the chance of infection. Be sure to only use a very thin layer no more than twice a day, according to your tattoo artist’s instructions. Overuse can cause the ink to be lifted up.
31. Toothpaste
There are numerous recipes out there, but I just mix coconut oil and baking soda and dab a little of the mix on my toothbrush.
32. Wrinkle Prevention and Wrinkle Reducer
Rubbing coconut oil on wrinkles and sagging skin helps strengthen the connective tissues to bring back that youthful look! (10)
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